Payne: The Toyota GR Corolla hellion is a hoot. But is it practical?

Posted by Talbot Payne on July 25, 2026

Red bullet. The 2026 Toyota GR Corolla is designed for speed with swollen rear fenders and sticky Michelin rubber.

Red bullet. The 2026 Toyota GR Corolla is designed for speed with swollen rear fenders and sticky Michelin rubber.

Henry Payne, The Detroit News

Memphis ― Is candy food? Is the 2026 Toyota GR Corolla transportation?

Inspired by Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division, the hell-raising hot hatch is a daily sugar high. WAUUUURGH! I nailed the throttle out of my cul-de-sac into the twisties. WAUUUURGH! I nailed it onto the I-75 on-ramp north to Auburn Hills. WAUUUURGH! I stomped on it out of a stoplight onto Telegraph Road. WAUUUURGH! I stomped it out of a turn on M1 Concourse test track.

With an outrageous 100 horsepower per cylinder, the 300-horse GR (that’s pronounced GRRR) is one of the most entertaining cars in the market. All-wheel drive for drifting, front-rear limited-slip differentials, stiff track suspension, stick-shift from the gods.

It’s a go-kart with a license plate. But at nearly $50,000, does my Premium Plus model make any sense as a daily driver?

Read full article here.

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