Gazoo Racing's primal weapon: the 2026 Toyota GR Corolla GTS

Toyota Gazoo Racing has developed an impressive range of high performance vehicles over the years, and the 2026 GR Corolla GTS is no exception. First introduced locally in early 2023, it, along with its smaller Yaris sibling, quickly became the hot hatch everyone was talking about.

Beyond the hype though, the most important question is whether it recaptures the magic of the Corolla Seca SX of the early 90s. A cult classic alongside icons like the Nissan Pulsar SSS and Suzuki Swift GTi, yours truly has owned a grand total of four of them (including one quite recently).

For that reason, I couldn’t wait to get behind the wheel of Toyota’s latest GR Corolla. More than anything, I wanted to see whether Toyota had managed to preserve the spirit of the original Seca SX, while embracing more than three decades of technological advancement.

Back then, it was powered by Toyota’s legendary 1.6-litre four-cylinder 4A-GE engine, producing a respectable 100kW and 147Nm. Today, the GR Corolla GTS is powered by a three-cylinder turbocharged 1.6-litre offering.

The G16E-GTS engine delivers an impressive 221kW and 400Nm. As you’d expect, those figures translate into a dramatic improvement on the road. The GR Corolla sprints from 0–100km/h in just 5.3 seconds, almost twice as quick as the original SX.

While the performance gap is significant, both cars share a similar philosophy, extracting remarkable performance from a relatively small-capacity engine and rewarding drivers who enjoy getting behind the wheel. The GR Corolla isn’t just quick in a straight line though.

This rally-bred, all-wheel drive hot hatch truly comes alive when the road starts to twist. Paired with its slick six-speed short-throw manual gearbox and Toyota’s variable GR-FOUR all-wheel-drive system, it attacks corners with remarkable confidence and precision.

On tighter roads, I found myself dropping back into second gear to keep the 1.6-litre turbo engine in its sweet spot. In many ways, it reminded me of my old SX, where making the most of the engine meant working the gearbox and staying engaged with the drive.

Once on boost however, the GR Corolla delivers strong, linear performance that makes every gear change worthwhile. The chassis is exceptionally well sorted, with virtually no body roll, giving the impression the car is running on rails.

It inspires enormous confidence behind the wheel, constantly encouraging you to carry more speed through corners while rewarding the driver with an engaging and immensely satisfying driving experience.

Adding to the excitement is the surprisingly aggressive exhaust note. Every squeeze of the accelerator is accompanied by a distinctive soundtrack that has no right sounding this good from a turbocharged three-cylinder.

It further enhances the GR Corolla’s rally-inspired character. Step inside and it’s immediately obvious that Toyota has designed the cabin with the driver in mind. Much like the i30 N and others in this space, there’s no electronically adjustable seats.

You don’t miss them when you hit the road. One aspect that immediately reminded me of the original Corolla Seca SX though is the interior layout. While modern technology has certainly moved on, Toyota has retained the same driver focused philosophy.

Rather than burying every function inside a touchscreen, physical buttons and rotary dials remain for many key controls. It creates a refreshingly analogue feel that is becoming increasingly rare in today’s performance car space.

More importantly, it allows the driver to keep their focus where it belongs; on the road. Those aforementioned seats are snug and supportive, holding you firmly in place through fast corners, without compromising comfort.

Combined with a well-sized steering wheel, excellent driving position and generous headroom, the GR Corolla feels every bit like a genuine driver’s car. The 8.0-inch infotainment system is intuitive and easy to navigate.

The sound system delivers impressive audio quality. Gone are the days of filling the boot with a pair of 10-inch subwoofers, with Toyota covering that base with a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system (including a rear subbie). It delivers rich, punchy sound.

Despite its refreshingly analogue feel, the GR Corolla doesn’t miss out on the technology buyers expect from a modern performance car. Standard features include cord-free Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless phone charger.

Dual USB ports, dual-zone climate control and satellite navigation are included and ensure the cabin remains practical and well equipped for everyday driving. In addition, the steerer is greeted by an impressive 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a crisp head-up display.

On the downside, storage space is lacking, with just 213-litres of boot. Thankfully, there’s thoughtfully placed cupholders and practical compartments dotted around the cabin. On the outside, Feverish Red is up there as the pick of the options.

It enhances the car’s muscular stance, flared wheel arches, functional bonnet vents and purposeful styling, as well as evoking a sense of nostalgia, instantly transporting me back to 1994 and my very first red Corolla Seca SX.

Toyota hasn’t compromised on safety either. It comes equipped with the brand’s latest Safety Sense suite, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, pre-collision safety assist and a host of other advanced driver assistance technologies.

Standard equipment also includes seven SRS airbags, blind-spot monitoring and anti-lock braking (ABS), giving confidence whether tackling winding back roads, or the daily commute. You also get a 5-year unlimited kilometre warranty.

If you service with an authorised Toyota dealership you receive an additional two years of engine and driveline warranty coverage, extending protection to seven years. Eligible owners also benefit from up to the same period in roadside assistance.

At around $76,000 drive away for the manual GTS, the GR Corolla sits at the premium end of the hot hatch market. While it certainly isn’t cheap, its rally-inspired engineering, GR-FOUR all-wheel drive system, and engaging driving dynamics make for a compelling case.

Sure, the boot is small, the price is high, and some buyers may expect a little more luxury for the money, but once the road begins to twist, those shortcomings quickly fade into the background. Like the SX before it, this is a car that puts the driver at the centre of the experience.

It rewards commitment, encourages you to take the long way home, and reminds you why driving can be so enjoyable.

This article first published on Exhaust Notes Australia.

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