2026 Toyota GR Corolla: Everything you need to know about Toyota’s latest hot hatch in PH

Toyota Motor Philippines is wrapping up the year with a big and perfect Christmas present for car enthusiasts, the introduction of the highly anticipated GR Corolla hot hatch.

Based on the hatchback body style Corolla from Japan, Europe, and North America, it’s the second full-fledged Toyota high performance hatchback in our market, and fourth model under the Gazoo Racing (GR) lineup.

Moving this around is the same 1.6-liter turbocharged G16E-GTS three-cylinder engine from the GR Yaris. For the GR Corolla, it produces 304 horsepower and 400Nm of torque, mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT) that sends power to all four wheels via the GR-FOUR 4WD system.

The latter transmission option offers quicker shifting performance by sensing the way the driver steps on the brakes and operates the accelerator. This allows drivers, specifically novice drivers, to focus more on acceleration, braking, and steering maneuvers in order to perform like professional drivers on track.

WATCH: 2026 Toyota GR Corolla | First Look

Further enhancing performance are a sports-tuned suspension, Active Noise Control, Active Sound Control, and Front and Rear Limited Slip Torsen Differentials and red GR calipers.

Design-wise, we’re getting the latest GR Corolla which was revealed in 2024. It features the GR signature wide front grille designed for better cooling and aerodynamics, and also making room for the radiator, intercooler, brake ducts, and an automatic transmission fluid cooler (for the DAT-equipped units).

What we’re getting is also essentially the Premium Plus variant from other markets which gets a forged carbon fiber roof, bulge hood with functional air vents, sub radiator, matte black 18-inch alloy wheels, and a heads-up display. 

Other features include GR sport seats wrapped in leather and suede upholstery, a fully digital 12-inch instrument cluster, a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, six-speaker audio system, and a wireless phone charger.

It comes in four exterior colors: Super White, Black, Emotional Red, and Precious Metal. The latter two are premium colors, which command an additional Php 20,000.

Finally, the car comes with the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 advanced driver assistance system suite, with both sharing the pre-collision system, automatic high beams, lane tracing assist and lane departure alert, blind spot monitoring, to name a few. The only difference between the two is that the manual variant comes with adaptive cruise control and the automatic comes with dynamic radar cruise control.

Retail sales for the Toyota GR Corolla start on December 23, 2025, making it again a perfect Christmas gift to car enthusiasts. As for pricing, the manual goes for Php 3,811,000 and the automatic for Php 3,955,000, with an additional Php 20,000 again for the premium color options.

Watch our first look at the Toyota GR Corolla here:

_{Photos by Sam Surla and Julian Panlilio}