2027 Toyota GR Corolla Review, Engine, Models

2027 Toyota GR Corolla Review, Engine, Models – The 2027 Toyota GR Corolla arrives with purposeful design tweaks that sharpen its rally-bred silhouette into an aggressive, aerodynamic statement. The front fascia retains the iconic GR Corolla identity but gains a wider, deeper mouth and integrated splitter to increase downforce. The hood now includes functional vents to draw heat from the hot 1.6-liter turbo engine, while LED headlights adopt a sharper, more angular signature and track lighting modes. Side skirts and widened fender arches emphasize that this isn’t your average Corolla—it’s a razor-sharp performance hatch. 2027 Toyota GR Corolla Review

2027 Toyota GR Corolla Redesign and Update Plan

Exterior & Interior

Inside the 2027 GR Corolla, Toyota has struck a deliberate balance between performance focus and real‑world comfort. The flat-bottom steering wheel, wrapped in Alcantara, now incorporates a sharper 9‑point rally inspiration with red GR stitching and clearly visible paddle shifters. The dashboard layout remains driver-centric, but materials have been upgraded—soft‑touch suede panels accent primary touch points, and carbon‑fiber trim spots reinforce the performance theme. Buttons are tactile and functional, and a new drive mode dial sits between the seats for intuitive mode changes on the go.

A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster gives drivers full control and customization, offering real-time turbo boost, oil pressure, lap timing, and G‑force data. The central infotainment system, now a 10.5-inch floating display, runs Toyota’s latest interface with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an option for a GR‑tuned digital co‑pilot display. Recaro sport seats—heated and with pronounced bolstering—come standard, keeping occupants firmly in place during spirited driving, yet remain comfortable for daily use.

Rear seats have not been neglected: they’re thinner but well‑contoured, offering best‑in‑class headroom thanks to the flatter roofline. A second‑row center armrest and charging ports ensure long passengers feel catered to. A modest increase in rear seat flexibility—thanks to relocated HVAC ducts—now allows 60/40 folding with improved cargo access. Refinement inside the cabin includes acoustic dampening upgrades and foam‑filled tire liners to reduce road noise, helping the GR Corolla feel upgraded despite its rally lineage.

Toyota expands aerodynamic aids with a large fixed carbon‑fiber rear wing that extends outward and upward, delivering up to 80 pounds of downforce at highway speeds. The rear bumper integrates a functional diffuser with quad exhaust outlets exiting through thick round tips, centered for precise airflow. The hatch itself includes a power liftgate with active air-curtain edges to reduce drag, and 19-inch forged aluminum wheels in a new dark bronze finish wrap tires sized 235/40R19—wider than before to improve grip and stance.

Underneath, the GR Corolla rides on a reinforced TNGA-C platform with spot welds and additional gussets to boost torsional rigidity by 12%. The suspension geometry has been revised, with a lower ride height and optimized spring and damper rates. Bracing has been added under the strut towers, along with aluminum lower control arms and redesigned front and rear subframes. The overall effect is a sharper, more planted, and more responsive chassis ready to take on street or circuit. 2027 Toyota GR Corolla Review

2027 Toyota GR Corolla Specs 

Engine & Performance

At the heart of the GR Corolla lies a massively overhauled 1.6‑liter turbocharged three‑cylinder engine, now rated at 350 horsepower and 330 lb‑ft of torque—up significantly from the outgoing model. This incredible output comes through a revised ball‑and‑trunnion turbo system with internal wastegate, ceramic ball bearings, and simpler aftercooler plumbing for quicker boost response and durability. The revised engine block includes splayed main caps and an upgraded oil‑cooling circuit for sustained performance under heavy load.

That power is sent through a bespoke 6‑speed iMT gearbox with a mechanical limited‑slip differential at the rear and a Torsen limited‑slip front diff. Toyota tuned the shifter to deliver extremely short, precise throws, and the clutch now incorporates rally‑spec organic material for better engagement and feedback. The AWD system has refined torque split logic; while defaulted to 30/70 front‑to‑rear, it can shift as much as 50/50 for performance driving or rally surfaces via the GR‑FOUR controller.

Grip, braking, and suspension have also been elevated. Adaptive dampers offer Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ modes, while the 19‑inch brakes with six‑piston Monoblock calipers up front and two‑piston calipers at the rear provide more initial bite and fade resistance. Lighter 19‑inch wheels reduce unsprung weight and, paired with Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tires, offer exceptional traction. With a 0‑60 mph time of 4.5 seconds and a Nürburgring lap time under 7:40 for a street‑legal sedan, this hot hatch steps into sports car territory.

2027 Toyota GR Corolla Fuel Economy

The 2027 GR Corolla surprises with its fuel economy numbers relative to its power output. Estimated EPA ratings land at 24 mpg city / 29 mpg highway / 26 mpg combined, thanks partly to start/stop tech and thermal efficiency improvements in the three‑cylinder block. The AWD system also adds minimal drag to fuel consumption owing to Toyota’s smart torque distribution. At highway cruising, the car is surprisingly efficient—economical for long-distance trips. 2027 Toyota GR Corolla Review

2027 Toyota GR Corolla Safety Features

Toyota Safety Sense 4.1 forms the foundation for the GR Corolla’s driver aids, encompassing full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane tracing assist, automatic high beams, and forward collision warning with pedestrian detection. A new Active Cornering Braking system uses the advanced yaw sensors to apply subtle braking during hard cornering, enhancing grip and stability while driver‑initiated. Toyota also integrates a drift‑assist rollback prevention feature for enthusiasts to exploit power slides safely on closed roads or events.

The GR Corolla now includes a wider spread of airbags, including driver and passenger knee bags tailored to the seats, and reinforced mounting points keep the inflated devices positioned correctly during impact. The windscreen and side windows employ specialized laminated glass with high acoustic damping, retaining the sporty cabin’s noise suppression without adding weight. IIHS-safe design parallels, such as front crash structures and reinforced door beams, have been maintained while keeping overall curb weight impressively low at approximately 3,100 pounds.

Driver feedback has also been enhanced with integrated front‑corner cameras in the side mirrors for rally stage runs or precision parking. The infotainment system supports telemetry uploads so drivers can analyze driving data post‑lap or event. Toyota includes over‑the‑air performance‑mode updates and allows customization of engine mapping and throttle response—all under specific GR modes. For its legacy, this hot hatch delivers high levels of performance, but balances them with modern everyday safety tech.

2027 Toyota GR Corolla Release Date & Price

Pricing starts at $38,900 for the base GR Corolla Core trim, which includes essential performance gear and tech. The mid-level Premium trim clocks in at $40,900, adding features like adaptive damping, heated Alcantara seats, and 19-inch black wheels. The top-tier Circuit Edition, with full carbon roof, limited-slip center differential, and exclusive bronze finishes, commands $42,500. Toyota offers optional packages for the Core, including carbon‑fiber accents and Brembo-brake upsizing, allowing buyers to tailor performance enhancements.

Toyota plans limited production starting December 2026, with first deliveries in February 2027. Initial supply will focus on North America, particularly the US and Canada, followed by smaller allocations in Europe and Japan. A reservation system opens in October 2026 with refundable deposits. Owners will receive first‑access to the GR Owner Experience, exclusive track days, and performance servicing clinics—reaffirming Toyota’s bond with driving enthusiasts.