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Toyota GR Corolla Gets Structural Upgrades, Cooler Intake, and More Accessible Ordering

Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) isn’t done sharpening its hot hatch. The brand just pulled the wraps off a partially updated GR Corolla for the Japanese market, and while it doesn’t look dramatically different on the outside, the bones underneath have been reinforced, the intake system has been improved, and the ownership experience is about to get a little less exclusive. Sales in Japan kick off November 3.

More Glue, More Grip

The biggest change comes in the form of structural adhesives. Toyota extended their use by nearly 14 meters compared with the outgoing RZ trim, bonding sections at the front of the body, floorpan, and around the rear wheel wells. The result? More rigidity without a significant weight penalty. Toyota says the stiffer shell improves stability everywhere from the city commute to high-load laps at the Nürburgring.

Cooler Air, Hotter Laps

Under the hood, the 1.6-liter G16E-GTS three-cylinder turbo soldiers on, but now it breathes better thanks to a high-rpm–activated secondary air duct. Positioned just below the air cleaner and fed directly from the grille, it reduces intake temperatures during sustained high-rpm abuse—say, a full-tilt run on track—helping the little triple maintain consistent power output.

Soundtrack Options: Real and Fake

Toyota didn’t forget about the cabin either. Opt for the JBL Premium Sound package and you now get a subwoofer in the trunk plus re-tuned Active Noise Control that dials down the droning. More interesting, though, is Active Sound Control (ASC)—essentially a piped-in engine soundtrack with three selectable modes and volume levels. The system even adds simulated overrun burbles when you lift off the throttle, mimicking the pops of a race car’s anti-lag system. Yes, you can turn it off if you prefer your GR Corolla au naturel.

Easier to Get, Easier to Upgrade

Since its launch in 2022, the GR Corolla has been something of a unicorn—allocated through lotteries in Japan and difficult to snag elsewhere. Toyota is loosening that policy, meaning more customers will actually get a shot at ownership. For those who already bought in, Toyota is cooking up a software-inclusive upgrade program for 2023 models.

That update will bring torque up from 370 Nm to 400 Nm (295 lb-ft), aligning older cars with the refreshed 2025 model. It also tweaks the GR-FOUR AWD system: “REAR” mode (previously 30:70) gets replaced with a more rally-friendly 50:50 “GRAVEL” mode, while “TRACK” mode becomes variable, allowing drivers to toggle torque split from 60:40 to 30:70. Rollout begins in spring 2026.

The updated GR Corolla isn’t a full redesign—it’s a careful evolution rooted in lessons from motorsports. More rigid, more consistent under heat, and still eager to entertain, Toyota’s rally-bred hot hatch is sticking to its mission of building “ever-better cars.” The best part? More enthusiasts might finally get the chance to buy one.

Source: Toyota

NEW CARS

2026 Toyota Highlander: Pricey Tweaks for a Struggling Crossover

The Toyota Highlander has been a family-hauling staple for more than two decades, but in 2025, buyers are steering elsewhere. Sales have cratered by nearly 50 percent this year, and Toyota’s response for 2026 is… perplexing. Instead of bolstering value, the company has trimmed the lineup, ditched cheaper trims, and jacked up the price tag.

The most painful cut is the base LE, which disappeared along with its reasonable $40,320 sticker. The hybrid side lost its XLE Nightshade and Limited 25th Anniversary Edition trims. And while we’re here, every Highlander now comes with all-wheel drive standard. Nice for traction, not so nice for your bank account.

The end result? A new starting price of $45,270—a jump of $4,950 over last year. That’s a brutal increase when you realize the bigger, roomier Grand Highlander starts at just $41,360. In fact, a Grand Highlander XLE AWD is only $460 more than a Highlander XLE AWD. Toyota seems almost eager to funnel buyers up the size chart.

Beyond the pricing shuffle, nothing mechanical has changed. The Highlander sticks with two familiar powertrains. Gas models get the 2.4-liter turbo-four (265 hp, 310 lb-ft) paired with an eight-speed automatic and standard AWD, good for a respectable 21/28/24 mpg. Hybrid versions continue with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder, an e-CVT, and a rear-mounted electric motor, combining for 243 hp and an efficient 35 mpg across the board.

Here’s how the 2026 lineup breaks down:

TrimMSRP
Highlander XLE AWD$45,270
Highlander Limited AWD$49,725
Highlander Platinum AWD$52,925
Highlander XSE AWD$47,340
Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD$47,020
Highlander Hybrid Limited AWD$51,475
Highlander Hybrid Platinum AWD$54,675

The Highlander remains a solid, capable three-row crossover, but Toyota’s latest move makes it hard to see where it fits. With the Grand Highlander offering more space for less money, the smaller sibling risks becoming the odd one out.

Source: Toyota

NEW CARS

Toyota’s Upcoming Compact Pickup: What We Know So Far

For decades, Toyota has built its reputation in the U.S. truck market on the back of the Tacoma’s off-road cred and the Tundra’s full-size muscle. Now, the automaker is officially preparing to shrink things down. A new compact pickup—slotted beneath the Tacoma—is in development, and Toyota has confirmed it’s not a matter of if, but when.

The news comes straight from Toyota North America’s head of planning and strategy, Cooper Ericksen, who told MotorTrend in May 2025 that the project is underway. Timing has been the biggest hurdle, with Toyota focused on pushing its hybrid and EV lineup forward, but the truck is finally on the horizon. Expect a debut closer to 2027, with a possible concept reveal in 2026.

What’s in a Name?

Toyota hasn’t revealed a name, but speculation is running high. Hilux—a legendary global nameplate—wouldn’t make much sense for the U.S. market, where it’s tied to rugged mid-size trucks. A stronger candidate is Stout, a historic light-duty Toyota truck from the ’50s. Toyota even trademarked the name in Argentina in 2022, suggesting it could be staging a comeback.

Under the Skin

Unlike the Tacoma or Tundra, Toyota’s compact pickup won’t ride on a body-on-frame chassis. Instead, it’s expected to adopt a unibody layout built on the TNGA architecture. Early rumors pointed to the Corolla’s TNGA-C platform, but that may be too tight for a truck. A more likely choice is the TNGA-K—the same bones that support the Camry, RAV4, and Highlander.

That setup would deliver a stronger foundation for towing and payload (the RAV4 already manages 3,500 pounds) while offering more cabin space than a Corolla-based build could.

Design Cues: Baby Tacoma?

Don’t expect the new truck to look like a Corolla with a bed. Toyota is reportedly borrowing styling from its bigger pickups: trapezoidal grille, squared-off headlights, chunky fenders, and pronounced wheel arches. A TRD Pro version seems inevitable, with lifted suspension and off-road goodies. A street-oriented, lower-riding variant could also be in the cards, targeting Maverick’s city-friendly appeal.

Inside the Cabin

Where the Tacoma goes rugged, this smaller truck will likely lean carlike. Expect interiors that echo the RAV4 and Camry—clean, tech-heavy, and user-friendly—rather than the chunky knobs and grab handles of Toyota’s larger trucks. Standard Toyota Safety Sense driver aids will almost certainly be part of the package.

Hybrid Power Only

Toyota’s new truck is all but certain to go hybrid-only. Ericksen has made it clear that the company sees hybrids as the sweet spot for efficiency and affordability, especially as EV costs remain high. Look for the RAV4’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid setup, producing between 226 and 236 hp depending on drivetrain.

There’s also the tantalizing possibility of a RAV4 Prime–sourced plug-in hybrid, cranking out 320 hp. If Toyota drops that into the compact truck, it would instantly take the crown as the most powerful in its class—leapfrogging both the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz.

Pricing and Positioning

Pricing will be key. The Maverick starts just below $30,000, the Santa Cruz just above. The new Toyota will need to thread the needle between those rivals and the larger Tacoma, which kicks off at $33,085. That suggests a base price in the $30K range, with loaded trims climbing to around $45,000.

The Road Ahead

If you’re itching to put down a deposit, you’ll have to wait. Toyota doesn’t plan to bring this truck to showrooms until at least 2027, and resources for an earlier launch just weren’t there. But if the Maverick’s popularity proves anything, it’s that buyers are hungry for practical, affordable, compact trucks.

Toyota is late to the game, but when its contender finally arrives, it could easily be the most compelling option in the segment.

Source: Toyota