2007 was an epic year for me—I graduated high school, and yes, I’m starting to feel old. But it was also the last year that the Toyota MR2 was sold across the world. Now, after years of rumors and speculation, we finally have some solid updates on the revived MR2. In this post, I’ll dissect these latest developments and share exciting news about the 2025/2026 Toyota MR2.
Japanese magazines have been teasing us with breadcrumbs of information for years, and now we have two new design renders to analyze. Before diving into the details, it’s important to note that the new MR2 is expected to hit the market in 2026.
MR2: Midship Runabout Two-Seater
First, let’s clarify that MR2 stands for Midship Runabout Two-Seater, which means it’s a mid-engine vehicle. Regardless of the design they choose, the engine will be located in front of the rear wheels and behind the cockpit.
This is 100% guaranteed, and they won’t be making it a battery-electric vehicle. We’ll discuss electrification and the lack thereof later.
Double Deck vs. Single Deck
Toyota’s engineers are still deciding between a double deck design and a single deck design. If you’re unfamiliar with mid-engine cars, this might sound foreign, but it’s essential to understand the differences.
A double deck design features two separate openings or hoods in the rear: one for the engine bay and one for the trunk. This design is rare but has been seen in some Ferraris and Lotus models. One of the most gorgeous examples is the first-gen NSX, which had a double deck setup. This setup looks amazing, with a more extended and flat rear end behind the coupe.
On the other hand, a single deck design has a single rear lift hatch or hatchback, similar to the second-gen NSX. This design covers the trunk and engine with one large liftback or trunk lid. I believe Toyota will likely go with this design, although my heart hopes for the double deck.
Dimensions and Powertrain
Despite looking big on the outside, the new MR2 is expected to be a small sports car. Its dimensions are:
- Total length: 4,400 mm
- Total width: 1,850 mm
- Height: 1,230 mm
These dimensions are almost identical to the Lotus Emira, another small mid-engine vehicle.
Engine and Transmission
The new MR2 won’t feature a supercharged Toyota 2GR V6 engine like previous Lotus models. Instead, it will have a 1.6 L inline 3 turbo engine, with options for a six-speed manual or an eight-speed new automatic transmission.
This engine could potentially deliver up to 320 PS (around 315 horsepower). Toyota plans to tune this engine to run on synthetic or alternate fuels, ensuring it remains relevant in an era of electrification.
Traditional Sports Car Appeal
For fans of traditional sports cars, the new MR2 is exciting because it will be completely non-electrified. There will be no mild hybrid, performance hybrid, or large battery—just a 12-volt battery. According to the magazine, this will be Toyota’s last fully gasoline-powered sports car.
Variants and Pricing
There could be a GRMN variant of the MR2, potentially limited to small batches of 50 to 100 units at a time. However, I believe there will also be a base model available for the average sports car buyer.
Price
The new MR2 is expected to cost around 10 million yen, which equates to approximately $68,000. This price point makes it competitive with other mid-engine sports cars like the Porsche Cayman S, which starts at around $70,000. Considering the performance and design improvements over the previous MR2 models, this price seems reasonable.
Comparing the New MR2 to the Past
The price of the MR2 has doubled since 2000, but you can’t compare the new model to the old MR2s, which were underpowered and more focused on being fun, mid-engine cars rather than high-performance vehicles. The new MR2 will have over 300 horsepower, making it a significant upgrade.
My Final Thoughts
The revived 2025/2026 Toyota MR2 represent exciting developments for fans of high-performance Japanese sports cars. With the MR2 expected to launch in 2026, there’s a lot to look forward to. Whether you’re a long-time MR2 enthusiast or a Lexus performance fan, these new models promise to deliver thrilling driving experiences.
