The 2026 GR Corolla is here, and it’s largely the same car sold in the previous model year. While the design remains unchanged inside and out, Toyota has made some tweaks to the feisty hatchback. An additional 45.6 feet (nearly 14 meters) of structural adhesive has been applied at the front and rear to improve body rigidity. Rear grip is also said to be better, along with how the suspension handles road imperfections. Together, these updates are claimed to deliver more direct handling, especially in corners.
That’s not all. For 2026, the GR Corolla adds an extra air intake duct to lower temperatures, allowing the turbocharged three-cylinder engine to be pushed harder for longer. The 1.6-liter unit still produces 300 hp and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm), with power sent to the front axle through either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic.
Elsewhere, Toyota is simplifying the lineup. Going forward, the hot hatch will only be available in GR Corolla and GR Corolla Premium Plus trims. The latter gains an upgraded nine-speaker JBL audio system with a trunk-mounted subwoofer. It also introduces a new, and somewhat questionable, feature: fake engine noise.
Models with the JBL system come with Active Sound Control (ASC), which pumps artificial sounds through the speakers. Toyota says it’s meant to “provide the driver more audio cues to help sense the vehicle’s state.” It’s unclear whether ASC can be turned off, but hopefully drivers won’t be stuck with it. The G16E-GTS engine shared with the not-for-America GR Yaris and Lexus LBX already sounds great on its own.
Photo by: Toyota
Pricing starts at $41,115 for the base GR Corolla with a manual, rising to $49,160 for the Premium Plus trim with the automatic. Both figures include the $1,195 handling fee.
Curiously, there’s no mention of the GRMN, even though leaked images from a recent dealer event revealed the special edition before being taken down. Those photos showed the range-topping GR Corolla with a vented carbon hood, bronze wheels, and a carbon rear spoiler. Inside, it featured only two body-hugging seats, with the rear bench removed to save weight, echoing the Morizo special edition. A plaque mounted ahead of the manual gearbox’s shifter suggested production would be limited to 500 units.
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Source: Toyota
Pricing remains unknown, but considering the most expensive 2026 GR Corolla already approaches $50,000, the GRMN won’t be cheap either. For reference, the matte-gray 2023 Morizo cost $52,640, and with potential dealer markups, a $60,000 sticker for the GRMN wouldn’t be surprising.
The GRMN Corolla could still debut before year’s end. With the Los Angeles Auto Show taking place in the second half of November, Toyota may be saving its spiciest variant for the event.
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