Summary

  • The 2025 Toyota MR2 could potentially feature an engine from Suzuki, specifically the 1.0-liter turbocharged inline-three with 120 horsepower and 144.5 pound-feet of torque.
  • Collaboration with Porsche and Lotus is a possibility, potentially resulting in a higher-priced MR2 with components sourced from these high-end carmakers.
  • Lexus, as a subsidiary of Toyota, could also play a role in the development of the MR2. Additionally, a manual transmission option will be available for enthusiasts.

Among the many JDM icons is Toyota's MR2. The compact, mid-engine sports car arrived in 1984, preceding another Japanese icon – the Mazda MX-5 Miata. The MR2 was nicknamed the "poor man's Ferrari" and officially ended production in 2007 after three generations. After nearly 20 years, however, Toyota is making plans to resurrect a mid-engine model.

The fourth-generation Toyota MR2 is planned to debut in 2025, which is just two years away at the time of this writing. We know Toyota isn't bothered to develop its own sports car from the ground up unless it is a sporty version of a regular car, like the GR Yaris or GR Corolla. Naturally, this means the Japanese car automaker is, once again, teaming up with another company – two of them in this case –to provide some epic fan service to JDM fans.

With help from its legendary Gazoo Racing division, Toyota has been on a roll, introducing exciting performance models. However, the next-generation Toyota MR2 might be slightly different since it doesn't look like it will bear the GR initials. Nevertheless, there is much excitement about the Japanese mid-engine model that makes it a proper, old-school JDM icon, and here are 21 things you need to know about it.

Updated on July 26, 2023: As 2025 gets closer new information is starting to emerge about the highly anticipated release of the new Toyota MR2. To keep things simple, instead of starting from scratch, it has been decided to refresh and update this piece rather than write it again. You will find all the original data along with some new and updated information. Stay tuned with us for more updates as they continue to unfold.

RELATED: Here's Why The Next-Gen Toyota MR2 Will Be More Significant Than You Think

20 2025 MR2 Won't Have a Toyota Engine

A parked 2025 Toyota MR2 oncept
Toyota

For the new MR2, Toyota may partner with Suzuki and Daihatsu. The Japanese automotive giant has a 4.9-percent stake in Suzuki, while Daihatsu is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation. That said, it probably won't come as a surprise that the engine for the new Toyota MR2 could come from Suzuki.

More specifically, the 1.0-liter turbocharged inline-three can be seen in various Suzuki models. In vanilla form, the small powerplant packs 109 horsepower (81.3 kilowatts) and 125 pound-feet (170 Nm) of torque, and while rumors indicate power is rising to 150 horsepower for the MR2, Best Car Web now mentions figures of 120 horsepower and 144.5 pound-feet (196 Nm) of torque.

19 2025 MR2 May Have Porsche Components Built In

A parked rendering of a 2025 Toyota MR2
Toyota

The automotive rumor mill is constantly rolling out some new information, but different sources do not always agree on the interpretations that they gain. For example, two specific online news sources in Japan have been covering the arrival of the 2025 Toyota MR2. One states that the new sports car will carry an engine designed by Suzuki, while the other claims that the drivetrain components are more likely to come from Porsche.

The reason for that, according to an article found on Spyder7, is that Toyota could be asking for help from Porsche and Lotus. Help to create a sports car that is fitting to wear the MR2 nameplate. The only problem with teaming up with such high-end carmakers would be price because, according to sources, the beginning suggested sales cost would start somewhere around $50,000, rather than the low $16,000 that many are hoping for.

At one time in history, a collaboration between rival carmakers would not have been something that was too likely to be seen. Today that is not the case because the executives have realized that working together brings more knowledge and technology to the table for them both. So, needless to say, if Porsche takes Toyota up on their request and drops one of its newest engines, motors, or hybrid systems into the MR2, such as the one that sits in the Porsche Cayenne, it could make a mighty sports car.

One such configuration that would make sense for the 2025 MR2 would be a hybrid drivetrain because it would allow the carmaker to keep the ICE horsepower while enabling them to control the carbon emissions the car gives off. One such combination that would look good would be:

  • 3.0-liter Turbocharged V-6 – 348 horsepower
  • Electric Motor – 174 horsepower
  • 5-Speed Manual Transmission
  • All-Wheel Drive

If Toyota chose to add an electric motor for each front tire and let the engine propel the rear tires, the new MR2 would have an all-wheel-drive system that could push out up to 696 horsepower. If a few modifications were made, such as the ones that Gazoo Racing could help with, the 2025 MR2 would be like no other sports car on the roads.

18 There Is Also A Possibility Of A Lotus Power Plant In The Toyota MR2

An orange-gold Toyota MR2 Concept
Toyota

Another joint collaboration seen over the years (think the Lotus Evora back in 2016 with the Toyota 3.5-liter V-6) could easily happen again. The thing is that Lotus has already offered a new sports car to the public this year. A vehicle claimed to be the replacement for the iconic Toyota MR2.

  • 2.0-liter Four-Cylinder – Turbocharged engine sourced from Mercedes-AMG rated for 360 horsepower
  • 3.5-liter Six-Cylinder – Turbocharged engine sourced from Toyota rated for 400 horsepower

The problem with that kind of thinking is that since the new Lotus Emira is an entry-level, mid-engine sports car with a Toyota-derived V-6, the MR2 could easily become a twin with an attitude. The Lotus has a starting price tag of around $77,100 which is substantially higher than what the people at Toyota are shooting for when the base-level Toyota MR2 goes on sale in 2025 (hopefully goes on sale.)

RELATED: This Is, Probably, The Fastest Toyota MR2 In Existence

17 Let's Not Forget About Lexus And The Toyota MR2

A parked rendering of a 2025 Toyota MR2
TopSpeed

When talking about working with other reputable carmakers to improve the likelihood of producing a top-notch sports car, you cannot forget about Lexus and Toyota. After all, even though Lexus works independently in its own location in Nagoya, it is still owned by Toyota Motor Corporation. Lexus is not necessarily known for its sports car lineup, but if you take a look at the LC500, it is a reasonably powerful sports car.

  • 5.0-liter – High-performance V-8 rated at 471 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque
  • Automatic – Paired exclusively with a ten-speed automatic
  • 3.5-liter Hybrid System – V-6 engine combined with a pair of electric motors to produce up to 354 horsepower
  • Automatic – Paired exclusively with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT)

The 2025 Toyota MR2 could easily end up with the tried and true V-8 that almost guarantees a 0 to 60 time of under five seconds. It would probably be even faster than that because the Toyota MR2 will only weigh around 2,200 pounds. In comparison, the Lexus LC500 is closer to 4,540 pounds. The lightweight MR2 could even benefit more from the hybrid combination that the LC500h uses but with more speed and performance.

16 A Manual Option Will Be Available In The 2025 MR2

A parked rendering of a Toyota MR2
TopSpeed

When reporting on the next-gen MR2, Forbes reported that a six-speed, torque-converter automatic will be available. With that said, a six-speed manual will also be available. This coincides with the recent trend among enthusiasts, who want to keep the stick shift alive, not to mention Toyota's manual transmission development for EVs.

Creating a manual-shifting car for an EV is expensive, as other carmakers have found out before throwing the idea into the garbage. However, Toyota feels like it is a critical aspect of bringing the MR2 back to life because the driving experience in a sports car is all about high RPM driving, which requires a smooth-shifting manual drivetrain.

15 Toyota MR2 Will Be Quicker Than You Think

A parked rendering of a Toyota MR2
TopSpeed

As we have seen from the GR86 and GR Supra, not having a Toyota engine isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's clear that the 2025 Toyota MR2 will not be "a numbers' car." Still, with the upcoming generation of Toyota's mid-engine sports having a target weight of 2,000 to 2,200 pounds (907 - 998 kg), the compact, mid-engine Toyota should have a good enough power-to-weight ratio, despite having only 150 horsepower. That is to say that Toyota goes with the option of working with Suzuki rather than one of the other collaborations that they have on the table.

The original AW10/11 Toyota MR2 had a supercharged 1.6-liter unit that put out 145 horsepower (108 kilowatts) and 137 pound-feet (186 Nm) and was still capable of a 6.5-second 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) sprint, back in 1986. The classic model was also heavier, boasting a curb weight of 2,494 pounds (1,131 kg) in supercharged form, so don't let the future MR2's little engine dissuade you.

RELATED: This Rendering Proves The New Toyota MR2 Doesn't Need To Be Electric

14 Humble Underpinnings For The 2025 Toyota MR2

A parked Toyota MR2 rendering
TopSpeed

Sports cars are generally expected to have more exotic underpinnings than a brand's more run-of-the-mill models. That's not the case for the upcoming Toyota MR2. Given the brand's more recent performance models and the fact the next-gen MR2 is meant to be as compact and as lightweight as possible, you would expect it to share underpinnings with the rally-bred GR Yaris.

The company's TNGA platform will more than likely be at the core of the new MR2, but unlike the GR Yaris, which is underpinned by a hybrid of the GA-B platform at the front and GA-C platform at the rear, the MR2's underpinnings will be all-new. Still, they may utilize the front suspension from the regular Yaris' GA-B platform.

13 2025 MR2 Designed By Daihatsu

A parked Toyota MR2 rendering
TopSpeed

So far, we know that the 2025 Toyota MR2's engine may come from Suzuki, Porsche, or Lexus, while the chassis should be sourced from within Toyota's house. Meanwhile, Toyota's subsidiary, Daihatsu, has been tasked with developing the MR2's styling. So far, we do not have a definitive lock on the future MR2's final design, although we have some pretty convincing estimations.

We know that Daihatsu has to develop an entirely new corporate design that will later be adapted for different brands. One hint at the new MR2's design could be the Toyota Sports EV concept, presented along with the largest array of Toyota concept cars ever seen in one place. While that one envisions a compact, mid-engine, EV sports car, the design could inspire the new ICE-powered MR2.

12 The New 2025 MR2 Will Be Light And Nimble

A parked Toyota MR2 concept
Toyota

Up until 2007, when the Toyota MR2 stopped production, it was one of the lightest sports cars on the market (not counting the Mazda Miata, which weighed in at a mere 2,341 pounds.) The 2,500 pounds that it came in at was not much more than the Miata in 2007, but a couple of hundred pounds in the heat of a race is substantial when both engines push out 140 to 160 horses.

The point is that since the new goal for the people tasked to create the body and chassis (Daihutsu is the most common consensus) is around 2,000 pounds, it will be the lightest sports car out there. Well, maybe not the lightest when you consider the Caterham Seven 170, which weighs under 1,000 pounds, but close to the Lotus Elise, which comes in at a lean 2,053 pounds.

RELATED: Remembering the Toyota MR2 - The Perfect Compact Sports Car

11 MR2 May Be The Most Affordable Mid-Engine Sports Car

A parked Toyota MR2 conept
Toyota

While cars, in general, are becoming less affordable, not counting the insane dealer markups, Toyota's main goal for the new MR2 is to be the most affordable sports car you can buy. By utilizing hardware from mainstream models and sharing developmental costs between the three companies, the MR2 will be priced at 2.2 to 2.8 yen in Japan, which comes to $16,000 and $21,000.

This isn't a vast price range, but we don't see how Toyota will offer a wide variety of trims on a small, lightweight sports car that will likely be minimalist by design. Nevertheless, if the 2025 Toyota MR2 truly starts in the ballpark of $16,000, it will be a compelling proposition in the sports car segment for those looking for a purer driving experience, unburdened by technology.

10 Toyota MR2 May Not Be An Entry Level Sports Car At All

2025 Toyota MR2 render
Toyota

There are so many rumors floating around, without any confirmations from the executives at Toyota, that the truth will not be known until the actual unveiling. One thing that has been suggested that goes against the entire notion behind the comeback of the MR2 is that it will not be coming back as an entry-level sports car at all. In fact, if the word from the underground is accurate, the mid-engined sports car will return to take on a much bigger rival. One that will require more than the bare minimum to be engineered into it.

Once you get past the bare foundation and start putting on specialized parts and pieces to gain power and torque, the price of designing and producing the car goes up. As you should well know by now, when the cost of creating the vehicle goes up, the costs handed down to you follow right along. But for the sake of clarification, what is the car that the MR2 is rumored to be chasing after?

9 The MR2 Rival May Be The Honda NSX Rather Than Entry-Level Sports Cars

A parked rendering of a 2025 Toyota MR2
TopSpeed

Since Toyota will more than likely be collaborating with other companies with the design and manufacture of the new mid-engined sports car, it does not make sense for them all to offer an entry-level model. Since Toyota can reach higher, it only makes sense that they would be the company reaching to take down a bigger rival, one that will take a little more than the basic sports car.

That rival in the crosshairs of the MR2 is rumored to be the Honda NSX (Acura NSX here in the States), which can currently accelerate from 0 to 60 in 2.9 seconds and has a top speed of almost 200 MPH. This hybrid sports car is not even as quick as its rivals, such as the Audi R8, so if Toyota really wanted to make a splash, they could target the likes of the McLaren 570S and be able to easily take out the NSX, but not at an entry-level price.

RELATED: A Toyota MR2 Really Is On the Track With a McLaren And It's Not Out of Place

8 The MR2 May Have a Twin

A parked 2025 Toyota MR2 oncept
Toyota

Suzuki is a name primarily associated with motorcycles. While the company still makes cars, high-performance models are not at the top of its agenda. With that said, given the joint efforts of the three companies, a Suzuki-badged version of the new MR2 could appear. We have already seen Toyota do that with its own GT/GR86 and Subaru's BRZ. Given the $16,000 predicted starting price, it wouldn't be a surprise for the most affordable version of the car to come from Suzuki.

Toyota has always been tailored for a slightly upper echelon of the automotive market. At the same time, Suzuki's offerings have always been a more budget-friendly alternative. A Japanese publication pretty much confirmed that Toyota, Daihatsu, and Suzuki will have a version of the same car. Our best bet is that, if this happens, Toyota's version of the vehicle will be slightly more upscale and generously equipped.

7 The MR2 Could Effectively Replace Toyota's GR86

A parked rendering of a Toyota MR2
TopSpeed

Toyota's GR86 and Subaru's new BRZ came out for the 2022 model year to fix the previous generation's lack of power. While Toyota plans to retire the front-engine model after 2025, we could get a turbocharged GR86 before that happens. For better or worse, Toyota does not want to offer too many iconic nameplates simultaneously, as it could result in one model hurting the sales of another.

While the GR Supra will still remain the flagship Toyota performance model, the 2025 MR2 could replace the GR86 as the brand's entry-level sporty proposition. Our only hope is that, at some point, Toyota will stick the GR Yaris' engine in it.

6 2025 Toyota MR2 Will Be A Hybrid

An orange-gold Toyota MR2 Concept
Toyota

The most recent scoop from Best Car Web's Japanese publication sheds more light on the jointly-developed MR2. They claim that Suzuki's K10C engine will be upgraded and work as part of a Mild-hybrid system. The electric motor is around five horsepower and will likely be there to ensure a more consistent power delivery and negate the effects of turbo lag and gear changes.

This slightly contradicts Toyota's original idea to make the next-gen MR2 as lightweight as possible, but on the other hand, it will allow the mid-ship sports car to better cope with the ever-stringent emissions requirements. Moreover, a mild hybrid is the lightest possible form of a hybrid powertrain, so it will still be lightweight.

RELATED: Everything We Know about Toyota's MR2 Successor

5 MR2 Will Be The Most Compact Mid-Engine Sports Car

A parked rendering of a 2025 Toyota MR2
Toyota

The Japanese publication also sheds some light on the dimensions of the upcoming Toyota MR2. The car's overall length may be 4,200 mm (165.35 inches), while the width should be 1,720 mm (67.71 inches) and the height 1,220 mm (48.03 inches). The car will sit on a wheelbase that spans 2,550 mm (100.39 inches), which is slightly less than the GR Yaris' 2,560 mm (100.79-inch) wheelbase.

If we compare its natural competitor from Japan, the Mazda MX-5, that one is even smaller in some regards. Its overall length is 3,914 mm (154.09 inches), while it's 1,735 mm (68.31 inches) wide and 1,234 mm (48.58 inches) tall. Its wheelbase is smaller than the MR2's at 2,309 mm (90.91 inches), which, combined with a lower height, slightly lower weight, and a mid-engine layout, should make it more stable and provide better ride quality but might result in the car being less eager to change direction.

4 There Will Be A Toyota MR2 GR Version After All

A parked Toyota MR2 concept
Toyota

The upcoming Toyota MR2 will be the new Lotus Elise when it comes out. The British lightweight model was axed along with other iconic Lotus models to make way for the new generation of more livable sports cars. While neither the MR2 nor the Elise was ever all about power, it seems GR will be involved in a high-performance version of the Japanese icon.

We don't know much about that other than it will be exclusive to Toyota's version of the car. It could be a more heavily-electrified version, featuring the same 996cc Suzuki engine, or it could be a more powerful turbocharged engine like Suzuki Swift Sport's 1.4-liter mill or even Toyota's mighty G16E-GTS, turbo-three unit. Here's hoping they make it.

3 The MR2 Might Not Even Be An MR2

A parked rendering of a Toyota MR2
TopSpeed

Toyota has not given any indication that the new mid-engined concept car from back in 2019 will even become a part of the lineup. For that matter, the company has not even suggested that the concept everyone got to see at that time will even be the car they go with if they decide to move forward with plans to create another mid-engined sports car.

It will be in their best interests if they do, though, since they will leave a large hole in their lineup once the GR86 is retired. Sure, the Supra may still be around for many years, but unless some serious changes are made to that design, it will never be on the same playing field as the Honda NSX. The main thing to keep an eye on, though, is whether the company even decided to name the mid-engined offering the Toyota MR2 at all because since it is an entirely new design they may want to go with an all-new name to fit the ground-up design.

RELATED: 10 Best Toyota Sports Cars For First-Time Buyers

2 The MR2 May Not Ever Come To The United States

Toyota MR2
TopSpeed

Depending upon the rumors you decide to believe for now until a Toyota press release is given to clear the air, it is not even sure if the MR2 is coming to the United States. This would especially be true if the car was being built to take on the NSX or Miata because they are some local competitors for them. Since one of the main objectives for Toyota is to show dominance in their home country, it is more than likely that they will focus on the local markets first.

If that happens and they decide to turn the MR2 into a JDM version, the new mid-engined sports car may have to wait for American markets for up to 25 years before it can be imported. So, if you figure out the math from there, if this scenario does come about, the first new MR2 might go into production in 2025, as rumored, but it may not hit American soil until 2050 or later.

1 The Hype About The MR2 May Be For Nothing

Since Toyota has not officially shown anything but an interest in bringing the lost MR2 back to life, it is not a sure thing that any of us will ever even see a new MR2. Since Toyota has not officially announced that they will produce a new mid-engined sports car, the rumor mills churning out facts and figures may be grasping at straws.

The fact is that most of you would love to see a modern Toyota MR2, as would many of the executives at the company. It would not only give them a better foothold within the sports car markets, but it would increase the profit margins by a substantial amount. Of course, the figures must be run, and the numbers crunched. Still, in the end, we can only hope that Toyota pulls the trigger on the project and that the rumors of a new Toyota MR2 become a reality.