The 2026 GR Corolla is one of the wildest hatchbacks today. All-wheel drive, 300 horsepower, and a standard six-speed manual gearbox. It is the definition of a truly involving pocket rocket, all thanks to the “GR Magic”. However, not many know that the first time Toyota gave us a hooliganistic Corolla. Interestingly, a clue to this is in the standard lineup of the 2026 Toyota Corolla Hatchback, with the FX trim. It is an ode to a 1980s Toyota Corolla hatchback that was a unicorn and can very well be called the brand’s first-ever true pocket rocket.
This rather unassuming three-door hatchback packs a four-cylinder engine with technology that was only found in expensive, and in some cases limited-run, cars. Even General Motors struggled to mass-produce vehicles with this engine technology. And then there was Toyota, which casually slapped this bleeding-edge engine into a car that weighed under 2,500 pounds. This classic Toyota Corolla hatch was designed to be a true driver’s car. Hence, every aspect of it was woven around this idea.
The interior was clean, minimal, and driver-focused. The design was simple with subtle yet impactful sporty cues. And the underpinnings, although simple, were engineered to help this peppy and high-revving Toyota stick like glue even through fast corners. Making it more desirable is the fact that it was sold in North America for a single year, and so finding one of these in the used marketplace is a tedious task. Here’s everything you need to know about the granddad of the 2026 Toyota GR Corolla hatch.
Toyota Corolla FX16 GT-S: The Hot Hatch You Didn’t Know Of
A Rare Toyota That Was Sold For Just One Year
The “FX16” is the head-turning part of the name. The FX denotes its compact, two-box hatchback body style, differentiating it from Toyota’s traditional sedans. But “16” is the one that demands the spotlight. It denotes the 16 valves of its high-revving four-cylinder engine, a mechanical design that was not very common on “normal” cars. Based on the fifth-gen Corolla, the FX16 offers two trim levels, but the GT-S is the one that truly evokes the hot-hatch appeal.
It elevates the Corolla FX16’s appeal with four-wheel independent suspension, powered rack-and-pinion steering, and disc brakes all around. Note that this was in the 1980s and on a Toyota. This was the Japanese automaker’s weapon of choice against the enraging wave of ’80s hot hatch culture. This was a fun exercise by Toyota with apparently no monetary intent, which is why the Corolla FX16 GT-S was sold for a single year (1987) and in limited numbers. This is therefore a highly sought-after, enthusiastic car that rarely comes up for sale.
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Powered By The Famed 4A-GE Engine
This Rev-Happy Mill Also Powered The Iconic MR2 Sports Car
Powering the Corolla FX16 GT-S is the iconic 1.6-liter 4A-GE four-cylinder engine. This four-valve, twin-cam engine is also utilized on the mid-engined MR2 sports car. It was introduced in the US with the 1984 Corolla GT-S. While this mill is capable of producing 112 horsepower (on the MR2 and the 84 GT-S), Toyota de-tuned it to 108 horsepower on the Corolla FX16. This might sound like a bummer, but the hot-hatch Corolla more than makes up for it with its impressively low weight savings for the time. The power loss was also a byproduct of Toyota’s decision to fit the engine into the smaller FX16 Corolla’s bay. They had to redesign the intake and exhaust manifolds to achieve this.
Furthermore, a crucial aspect that was unchanged across the engine applications was its high-revving nature. The 4A-GE mill revved to a solid 7,500 RPM on the Corolla FX16. Power was delivered to the front wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox with close-ratio gears. While not as exciting as the stick-shift, this Corolla was also offered with an electronically controlled four-speed automatic with a lock-up torque converter. Also, the automatic gearbox is equipped with a button to change the shift points on demand. This means the driver can lower the shift RPMs to improve fuel economy or raise them to make the engine scream. This level of adjustment was awe-inspiring for an ’80s Toyota.
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Underpinnings That Elevate Its Sporty And Nimble Character
Independent Suspension And Hydraulic Steering
The underpinnings were simple yet engineered to deliver the Corolla FX16’s hot-hatch performance. The front suspension setup comprised of strut units, steel control arms, and an anti-roll bar. The rear has struts, dual transverse links, trailing links, and an anti-roll bar. Furthermore, a transverse brace is bolted across the top of the front strut towers to minimize chassis flex during hard cornering.
Another transverse brace is also bolted longitudinally between the front suspension cradle and the floorpan to limit lengthwise movement. A third brace is bolted between the pivot points of the rear suspension’s twin transverse links. In simple words, the Corolla FX16’s suspension setup is designed to be as stable as possible in any driving scenario. Another uncommon feature for the time was four-wheel disc brakes, which were also vented at the front. It also got a power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system.
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Compact Form Factor And Timeless 80s Design
“GT-S” Added Cool Visual Tweaks
The “GT-S” stood for Grand Touring-Sport, and Toyota added notable visual tweaks to highlight the “sporty” treatment on the exterior. It also denotes the top-spec trim level of the Corolla, with the FX16 featuring exclusive badging, body-colored bumpers, side moldings with accent strips, rocker panel skirts, and a roof spoiler. Some models even got cool graphics to stand out. This was peak 1980s synth-inspired car design.
A Driver-Focused Cockpit
Toyota didn’t add fancy comfort or convenience features to the FX16 GT-S interior. The same simplified approach of the underpinnings was used in the cabin as well. The dashboard was simple and packed with essential elements. The instrument cluster included a tachometer, a 140-mph speedometer, and engine temperature and fuel gauges. The steering wheel was appropriately sized in a cool A-spoke design, and the GT-S enjoyed a plush headrest-stitched leather cover.
The seats were well-bolstered, and the GT-S’s driver’s seat included height and rake adjustment as standard. An optional sport seat was also available, featuring adjustable lumbar support and upper-back bolsters. While present, the second-row seats were not particularly practical. Hence, its split-folding feature helped expand cargo space.
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Here’s How Much A Used Toyota FX16 GT-S Costs
Average Used Price: $7,600
As mentioned earlier, due to the rarity of this Corolla, few come up for sale. According to Classic.com, there have been only three listings of the FX16 GT-S to date. However, because of its underappreciation and lesser-known history, the most expensive listing to date was for $11,500. Surprisingly, the most affordable listing was priced at $3,000. Given the rare pop of this Corolla on the used marketplace, it is evident that those who own it don’t want to part ways!
Sources: Toyota, Classic.com