Pricing scoop! The updated Toyota GR Corolla will soon launch in SA, gaining revised front-end styling and the option of an automatic transmission. Here’s what it will cost…
- Toyota’s revised GR Corolla to arrive in SA soon
- Choice of 6-speed manual or new 8-speed auto
- Circuit specification standard (Core falls away)
Been waiting patiently for a 2-pedal version of the Toyota GR Corolla to become available in South Africa? Well, an updated take on the Japanese firm’s C-segment hot hatch – complete with the option of an automatic transmission first detailed back in August 2024 – is expected to hit local dealerships soon. And we’ve managed to dig up pricing ahead of its official arrival.
According to our information, while the GR Corolla range will again comprise a pair of derivatives, the base “Core” grade will fall away. As such, the updated version of this all-paw hot hatch will be available exclusively in top-spec “Circuit” form, though customers will now be able to choose between a 6-speed manual gearbox and a new 8-speed automatic transmission (the latter with paddle shifters).
GR Corolla 8AT joins R1-million hot-hatch club
From what we understand, the revised GR Corolla 1.6T Circuit 6MT will be priced at R985 200, representing a R37 100 increase over the outgoing version (and effectively raising the apex Corolla’s starting price by R101 600, with the R883 600 “Core” derivative dropped). Meanwhile, the new GR Corolla 1.6T Circuit 8AT will kick off at R1 010 700, rendering the auto-equipped version a 7-figure hot hatch.
For the record, the smaller GR Yaris 1.6T Rally 6MT costs R942 200, while the self-shifting GR Yaris 1.6T Rally 8AT is priced from R971 300. Other circa-R1-million hot hatches currently on the local market include the Volkswagen Golf 8.5 GTI (R908 000, though seemingly still in the pre-order phase), BMW M135 (R988 768), Honda Civic Type R (R1 021 600) and Audi S3 Sportback (R1 091 100).
GR Corolla engine upgraded to offer 400 Nm
As before, the GR Corolla is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine (known internally as G16E-GTS), likely with an unchanged peak power figure of 221 kW. That said, the lively little 3-pot’s maximum torque has seemingly been increased by 30 units to 400 Nm. Expect top speed to remain 230 kph.
The 8-speed auto, meanwhile, is the same transmission – complete with a dedicated oil cooler – used in the likewise evolved GR Yaris. In addition to the auto option and refreshed front-end styling (which ostensibly aids cooling), this update for the GR Corolla comprises changes to the suspension (including revised shock absorbers, a raised trailing-arm mounting point and tweaked rear coil springs), braking and steering systems, as well as what Toyota terms “improved chassis rigidity”.
Circuit specification to include plenty of kit
Expect the Circuit specification to again include not only a limited-slip differential on each axle, a carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) roof and bonnet vents (items that previously helped set it apart from the now-defunct Core variant) but also bi-LED auto-high-beam headlamps, synthetic leather-and-suede upholstery, adaptive cruise control, a head-up display and 18-inch alloy wheels (again wrapped in 235/40 R18 tyres). Paint-colour options are likely to include “Fierce Red” and “Glacier White”.
As a reminder, the manual-equipped GR Corolla launched in South Africa in mid-2023, with Toyota SA Motors offering this hot hatch “in limited numbers”. According to figures reported to Naamsa, 27 units were registered in Mzansi in 2023, rising to 42 units in 2024 before falling to just 7 units in 2025 (bringing the total to 76 units).
What does the revised Toyota GR Corolla cost in SA?
| DERIVATIVE | PRICE |
| Toyota GR Corolla 1.6T Circuit 6MT | R985 200 |
| Toyota GR Corolla 1.6T Circuit 8AT | R1 010 700 |
The prices above include Toyota SA Motors’ 3-year/100 000 km warranty and a 9-service/90 000 km service plan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the updated Toyota GR Corolla in South Africa
Q: What are the new pricing and transmission options for the revised GR Corolla?
A: The updated Toyota GR Corolla range now starts at R985 200 for the 6-speed manual “Circuit” derivative. For the first time locally, a self-shifting option is available in the form of an 8-speed automatic transmission, which is priced at R1 010 700.
Q: How has the GR Corolla range been simplified for the 2026 launch?
A: Toyota South Africa has discontinued the entry-level “Core” grade. The hot hatch is now available exclusively in the higher-specification “Circuit” trim, which includes performance features like front and rear limited-slip differentials and a carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) roof as standard.
Q: What technical and performance upgrades does the updated model feature?
A: While the 1.6-litre turbocharged engine maintains its 221 kW output, peak torque has increased by 30 Nm to a total of 400 Nm. The update also introduces a revised front bumper for better cooling, improved chassis rigidity and tweaked suspension components for sharper handling.
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