Do the GR Yaris and GR Corolla have the same engine?
In brief, they share the same 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-3 engine family, but they are not identical. The GR Corolla is tuned for higher output—about 300 horsepower—while the GR Yaris delivers roughly 260–270 horsepower depending on the market. The engines are related, but calibration, boost, and supporting hardware create distinct performance profiles for each car.
Shared DNA: the 1.6-liter turbo inline-3
Both the GR Yaris and GR Corolla use Toyota’s compact 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-3 engine family, known by the code G16E-GTS. This small, high-revving block is designed to deliver strong performance from a light, responsive package. In both cars, the engine is paired with a manual transmission and Toyota’s GR-Four all-wheel-drive system, emphasizing grip and agility on winding roads.
What follows outlines the common engine features that underpin both models.
- Displacement: 1.6 liters
- Configuration: inline-3
- Turbocharging: single turbocharger with intercooling
- Fuel system: direct injection
- Drivetrain pairing: manual transmission with all-wheel drive (GR-Four)
In practice, these shared traits establish a familiar performance foundation for both cars, even as the tuning of the engine and its ancillaries diverges to suit each model’s goals.
What differentiates the GR Yaris and GR Corolla in tuning and output
Although they ride on the same engine family, the two cars are calibrated for different targets. The GR Corolla is engineered to extract more peak power and torque, delivering stronger straight-line performance and a more aggressive torque curve. The GR Yaris, while still potent, emphasizes agility, handling balance, and compliance with various regional regulations and fuel standards.
Key real-world differences by model are summarized below.
- GR Corolla: approximately 300 horsepower (about 221 kW) and around 273 lb-ft (370 Nm) of torque, with peak output achieved in a higher rpm band to support brisk acceleration, aided by a revised intake/exhaust setup and calibration.
- GR Yaris: typically around 261–271 horsepower depending on market and spec, with torque near 360 Nm (about 266 lb-ft). The tuning favors high-rev response and track-ready handling rather than maximum top-end power.
- Transmission and drivetrain: both models commonly use a 6-speed manual and Toyota’s GR-Four all-wheel-drive system, but gear ratios, center-differential behavior, and launch dynamics are tuned differently to match each car’s character.
In essence, the engine block and basic architecture are the same family, but the tuning, boost targets, and supporting hardware are adjusted to create two distinct driving experiences.
Market reality and availability
As a practical note for readers outside Japan and Europe, the GR Corolla has been the primary high-performance option in several markets, including North America, where the GR Yaris was not sold as a separate model. In other regions, both cars have appeared with unique market-specific calibrations, reinforcing the idea of shared engineering with market-tailored performance.
Summary
The GR Yaris and GR Corolla share Toyota’s 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-3 engine family, providing a coherent performance platform across both models. They are not identical engines: the GR Corolla is tuned for higher power output (around 300 hp), while the GR Yaris sits around the 260–270 hp mark, with differences in boost, calibration, and supporting hardware that shape their different personalities. Both rely on the same core architecture to deliver high-rev excitement and capable all-wheel-drive dynamics.
