Want a Race Car but Need a Grocery-Getter? The Toyota GR Corolla Can Do Both, and Fast

HomeToyotaGR Corolla2027Michael Simari|Car and DriverMichael Simari|Car and DriverMichael Simari|Car and DriverMichael Simari|Car and DriverView PhotosMichael Simari|Car and DriverMSRPHIGHSEnergetic turbocharge...

July 10, 2026

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2027 Toyota GR Corolla Premium Plus

Michael Simari|Car and Driver

2027 Toyota GR Corolla Premium Plus rear

Michael Simari|Car and Driver

2027 Toyota GR Corolla Premium Plus interior

Michael Simari|Car and Driver

2027 Toyota GR Corolla Premium Plus

Michael Simari|Car and Driver

Images View Photos

front three quarter view, red hatchback driving through city street with motion blur.

Michael Simari|Car and Driver

MSRP

HIGHS

Energetic turbocharged three-cylinder, swollen fenders that shout "track car," four-door hatchback practicality for daily use.

LOWS

Interior's attempt at economy-car chic, difficult heel-toe shifting, tight second-row seating.

VERDICT

The GR Corolla's rally-car roots create a thrilling car on track and on the road, with a side of practicality that makes it usable as a daily driver.

By Alayna Wilkening

Overview

The 2027 GR Corolla is Toyota's gift to car enthusiasts who want to zip from the grocery store parking lot to motorsport adventures. The diminutive, rally-inspired hot hatch is the perfect mix of sporty and sensible, delivering enough performance to make your track days exciting while providing enough comfort and space for everyday use.

The GR's 300-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-three packs a substantial punch, and driving is a joy when it's paired with the standard six-speed manual transmission. If paddle shifters are more your style, an eight-speed automatic transmission is available, but we Save the Manuals! fans are sure which transmission is more fun.

Inside, the standard Corolla's sportiness is elevated with more supportive seats and a few GR-specific touches. But despite those upgrades, this is not a fancy car by any stretch. As a track warrior that you can take to the grocery store, it doesn't have to be. For gonzo track rats, the GRMN Corolla wears more carbon fiber, a tightened-up suspension, and an intercooler spray system; its rear seat is deleted to save weight.

Expert Tip: If you're looking to maximize cargo space, check out the Volkswagen Golf GTI or Golf R, which have a bit more space in and behind the second row.

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What's New for 2027?

Toyota hasn't made major changes to the GR Corolla since its release in 2023, but it has made subtle improvements each year.

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Pricing and Which One to Buy

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Engine: 300-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-3 cylinder
Transmissions: 6-speed manual, 8-speed automatic
Drivetrain: all-wheel drive

Under the hood of the GR Corolla is a turbocharged three-cylinder engine plucked from Toyota's GR Yaris—a tiny hatchback that the Japanese automaker sells in global markets outside of the United States. The GR Corolla has been tuned to make 300 horsepower. Buyers have the option of either a six-speed manual gearbox or an eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters, and all models come with an adjustable all-wheel-drive system.

Called GR-Four, the system allows the driver to choose among different power-distribution modes, starting with a 60/40 front-to-rear power split for everyday driving to up to 30/70 to allow for drifting antics; a 50/50 split option is intended to provide maximum traction for track driving.

Cornering grip is tenacious, and on a twisty road, the GR Corolla rewards its driver with a memorable blend of sure-footedness and civility. While pedal placement makes heel-toe downshifts difficult, the six-speed manual is otherwise easy to row, and a rev-match feature is standard to smooth those downshifts. We drove the automatic version and found that it offers quick shifts and a responsive feel, plus a more relaxed demeanor when cruising on the highway. It's just not as quick.

0–60-MPH Times

C/D 60-mph Test: 4.2 seconds (six-speed manual), 5.0 seconds (automatic)

In Comparison: In a sprint to 60 mph, the 2026 GR Corolla manual we tested was quicker than the more powerful Volkswagen Golf R, which managed a 4.6-second run in our testing. Opting for the automatic will tack on an additional 0.8 seconds to the manual Corolla's 60 mph time.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

C/D 75-mph Highway Fuel-Economy Tests: 28 mpg (manual), 35 mpg (automatic)
EPA City Ratings: 19-21 mpg
EPA Highway Ratings: 27-28 mpg

The EPA estimates the GR Corolla's fuel economy when fitted with the six-speed manual at 21 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. Equipped with the 8-speed automatic, those numbers fall to 19 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined.

On our 75-mph highway fuel economy route, a manual-transmission GR Corolla delivered 28 mpg; an automatic-equipped model returned an impressive 35 mpg. For more information about the GR Corolla's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

First Row: The GR Corolla shares most of its cabin with the standard Corolla hatchback, which means good build quality, a smattering of soft-touch materials, and plenty of features. The interior is upgraded with racier trim and sport seats. Standard equipment includes ambient interior lighting, a six-way adjustable driver's seat, push-button start, and aluminum pedal covers. GRMN Corollas sport an upgraded interior with black and red seats and brushed metal and carbon fiber trim.

Second Row: Like the standard Corolla hatchback, space in the GR Corolla's second row is passable but not roomy. The Volkswagen Golf R provides significantly more head and legroom for rear seat passengers. To reduce weight, the all-out GRMN Corolla ditches the rear seat.

Cargo Capacity: In our testing, we were able to fit three carry-on suitcases under the GR Corolla's rear hatch with the rear seats in their upright position. With the second row folded flat, we managed to squeeze 15 carry-on bags into the cargo hold.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Infotainment: 8.0-inch infotainment display
Connectivity: Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Audio System: 6-speaker Toyota audio system (standard), 8-speaker JBL Premium Audio system (optional)

An 8.0-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard and also includes Amazon Alexa capability and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot. The top-tier Premium Plus trim adds a nine-speaker JBL stereo system with an Active Sound Control feature, which pumps fake engine noise into the cabin.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Toyota currently offers much of its driver-assistance technology as standard on most of its lineup, and the GR Corolla is no different. A host of desirable tech features are bundled together across the lineup and include adaptive cruise control, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and automatic high-beam headlamps.

Standard Safety Features: automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control

For information about the GR Corolla's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Like other Toyotas, the GR Corolla comes with a standard warranty package enhanced by a two-year complimentary scheduled maintenance plan. All GR Corollas come with a one-year membership to the National Auto Sport Association, a sanctioning body that conducts sports car races across the U.S. The membership includes access to a complimentary high-performance driving class. If you buy a GR Corolla, take the class; you'll love it.

Limited Warranty: three years or 36,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty: five years or 60,000 miles
Complimentary Maintenance: two years or 25,000 miles

C/D Test Results and Specs

Each year, we put hundreds of vehicles through our rigorous instrumented testing regimen. If the data in the chart below is for a different model year, that's because this vehicle hasn't changed since we last tested it, and the test results remain accurate. 

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Specifications

Specifications

2026 Toyota GR Corolla Premium Plus 6MT
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback

PRICE
Base/As Tested: $47,460/$49,618

ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 12-valve inline-3, aluminum block and head, port and direct fuel injection
Displacement: 99 in3, 1618 cm3
Power: 300 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque: 295 lb-ft @ 3250 rpm

TRANSMISSION
6-speed manual

CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 14.0-in vented disc/11.7-in vented disc
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
235/40ZR-18 (95Y)

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 103.9 in
Length: 173.6 in
Width: 72.8 in
Height: 57.2 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 50/35 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 35/18 ft3
Curb Weight: 3314 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 4.2 sec
100 mph: 10.7 sec
1/4-Mile: 12.8 sec @ 108 mph
130 mph: 20.5 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.2 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.1 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 9.7 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 6.8 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 142 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 154 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 307 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.97 g

Interior Sound
Idle: 51 dBA/7 sone
Full Throttle: 81 dBA
70-mph Cruising: 72 dBA/28 sone

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 21 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 28 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 360 mi

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 24/21/28 mpg

C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

More Features and Specs

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