Should You Get A Toyota GR Celica Over a Chevrolet C8 Corvette? It Depends On A Few Things

It pays for a car brand to have a rich heritage and Toyota is a perfect example. The Japanese carmaker has been on a steady mission to revive iconic nameplates from its past. Between the complete redesign of the Toyota GR86 and the next-generation Toyota GR Supra, the brand hasn’t missed a beat and has come back on enthusiasts’ radar. The GR Celica is another Toyota model scheduled to return within the next few years, and the next iteration is taking an unexpected, but welcome turn, as it switches to a mid-engine layout. 

Currently, there is only one mid-engine sports car that you can buy for under $100,000 - the Chevrolet C8 Corvette - and this got me thinking, how the GR Celica will compare to the popular American model. We now know enough details to make a comparison, but as more details become clear, we will come back for an update.

The Corvette C8 could be dethroned in terms of performance-per-dollar offered.

Even the base Chevy C8 Corvette is a force to be reckoned with. Its LT2, 6.2-liter, normally-aspirated V-8 pushes out 490 to 495 horsepower at 6,450 RPM and 465 to 470 pound-feet at 5,150 RPM, depending on whether you opt for the performance exhaust or Z51 package, or not. 

With a mid-mounted engine, eight-speed dual-clutch automatic, and a relatively low (by modern standards) curb weight of 3,647 pounds, the C8 Corvette rockets to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds. The best part? The C8 Corvette Stingray starts at $70,195. 

We are slowly getting the full picture of Toyota’s GR Celica, which similar to the C8 Corvette, goes mid-engine. Powering this Japanese icon will be the new G20E engine - a 2.0-liter turbo-four that will put out 400 horsepower and 406 pound-feet. Toyota is starting to use this engine in various power levels across a wide range of models, including some from the Lexus brand. 

Toyota is planning to use the same engine in the GR Supra, where it will work as part of a hybrid setup, likely similar to the J250 Land Cruiser’s i-Force Max powertrain, but more performance-focused. 

With the eight-speed automatic, the mid-engine Celica is expected to rocket to 60 mph in around 3.8 seconds, which is about a second slower than the C8 Corvette. Thanks to the latest reports from BestCarWeb, we know that the mid-engine Celica will cost ¥7.0 to ¥8.0 million Japanese yen, which translates to $44,789 to $51,176, but that doesn’t tell you the whole story. 

Unlike the Chevrolet Corvette C8, which is US-built, the GR Celica will be exclusively built in Japan. This means a 15-percent import tax, which means approximately $6,718 to $7,676 of import tax on every GR Celica imported in the US. All of a sudden, the GR Celica becomes a $50,000 to $58,000 car, and that’s before dealer markups, which will likely inflate prices even more. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see GR Celicas priced in the mid-$70,000 range when they come out.

The GR Celica offers something the C8 Corvette doesn't.

While most manufacturers focus on numbers like lap times and 0 to 60 mph times, Toyota is giving people what they want. The Japanese carmaker has adopted a “save the manual” approach, as seen on the GR Supra. According to the latest leaks, the GR Celica will also come with the option of a six-speed manual, in addition to the eight-speed automatic, which will no doubt shave a few tenths of the sprint to 60 mph (if you care about that). Meanwhile, the C8 Corvette comes only as an automatic. Toyota is also known for its reliability despite a few recent mishaps, while in recent times, Chevrolet ranks low in terms of reliability.

Related story: Toyota Expands The Recall For The 3.4-liter Twin-Turbo V-6 Due To More Vehicles Potentially Being Affected, And It May Just Be The Start

But the C8 Corvette has its own ace up its sleeve.

At potentially $70,000 after import taxes and dealer markups, would you spend that much for a four-cylinder engine, even if it’s a Toyota? The C8 Corvette gives you a big V-8 that packs more power and runs with supercars. The best part is you don’t need to look that hard to find a C8 Corvette Stingray for around MSRP prices. 

The two sports cars can trade punches all day. Toyota is synonymous with reliability, but with an all-new engine and in light of the brand’s recent recalls, it might not be the clear, sensible choice. Meanwhile, the C8 Corvette has been around for a while, and the issues are well-documented. 

GM’s V-8 engines are largely what contribute to the company not ranking too low in terms of reliability, and aftermarket support is comprehensive. Do you think the Toyota GR Celica stands a chance against one of the most iconic American sports cars ever made? As more details are revealed, we will revisit this article, but which one would you choose? Share in the comment section below.

Image source: Chevrolet C8 Corvette lineup, Toyota FT-Se Concept

Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota and Nissan are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.