If the Toyota GR Corolla were to be given an appellation that expressed its very spirit to the core, perhaps that title would be "The Best Hot Hatch Available." Depending on where you stand or what you're looking for in your ideal hatchback, this claim might be a bit bold, but not many cars can win a hot hatch royal war against this behemoth.
The GR Corolla is Toyota's first true hot hatch for North America and brings everything Canadians and Americans require to fulfill their need for speed, performance, and driving thrill.
From the Honda Civic Type R to the Volkswagen Golf R, Toyota's sport compact will pit its wit against some of the world's top hot hatches. However, this Japanese may be the most exciting of all. Here are ten reasons why we think that may well be the case.
10 Zippy Engine
The all-new GR Corolla is equipped with a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-3 engine borrowed from the GR Yaris. This powertrain fires up effortlessly, producing 300 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque (295 lb-ft in the Morizo edition).
While this horsepower rating is modest compared to rivals like the 2023 Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf R (both offer 315 hp), the GR Corolla's light, agile nature, and the willing-and-able engine makes it a compelling option.
9 Torsen Limited-Slip Differential at Both Axles
To give drivers added control on uncertain surfaces and a reassuringly easy ride on the pavement, Toyota equipped the GR Corolla (standard in the Circuit & Morizo packages, optional in the Core trim) with a front and rear Torsen® limited-slip differential.
This feature helps make the hot hatch less prone to slippage that may result from sudden changes in road and surface conditions.
8 GR-Four All-Wheel Drive
Working in conjunction with the Torsen® limited-slip differential, Toyota's GR-Four all-wheel drive system is a clever piece of engineering that allows you to fully exploit the GR Corolla's power by managing how much power goes to each wheel.
The system has three driving modes: Normal, Sport, and Track. The Normal drive mode is standard and offers a front/rear power split of 60/40, making it slightly front-biased. In Sport mode, the feature sends 30 percent of power to the front and 70 percent to the rear axles for agile rear-drive handling feel and steering feedback. On slippery or snowy roads, owners can choose the Track mode, which delivers a 50/50 torque split to the front and rear wheels for maximum traction.
7 Standard Michelin Pilot Sport 4 Summer Tires
Adding to the GR Corolla's sure-footed handling attributes are performance-oriented Michelin Pilot Sport 4 Summer tires that deliver excellent, precise, and controllable braking performance in wet conditions and on dry surfaces.
Serious driving enthusiasts opting for the limited-edition Morizo model can expect further adherence, as it features the ultra-high performance Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires wrapped in 18-inch forged wheels, which offer exceptional handling in summer track driving conditions.
6 Glorious Manual Transmission
Whether you are a die-hard enthusiast or an individual wanting more control over your car, the GR Corolla has a precise six-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT) that delivers crisp, perfectly timed shifts while enhancing fuel efficiency. The system helps drivers to rediscover the joy of driving by automatically adjusting engine rotations during a gear change, ensuring smooth gear-shifting and alleviating gearbox-related stress.
For even tighter gearing, consider the Morizo edition, which is equipped with a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission with shorter differential gears that delight the driver with an adequate gear range and precise handling, further contributing to the stimulating driving experience.
5 Rigid Body Construction
Compared to the regular Corolla, the GR model has a more rigid chassis with extra body welds, MacPherson strut suspension in the front, and a double-wishbone multilink in the rear, making it one of the most balanced hot hatches out there.
Working alongside the quick and direct steering, grippy tires, and satisfying manual gearbox, the GR Corolla's ultra-light, ultra-rigid chassis construction allows the suspension to function optimally, ensuring well-balanced handling with a high level of comfort, something very few sport compacts can brag about.
4 Driver-Focused Cabin
The GR Corolla is designed to connect the driver to the road like never before. It combines the comfort and quality you'd expect from a Toyota with a well-weighted yet user-friendly clutch and easy-to-reach controls to afford smooth, confident control to all users.
As standard, you get fabric-trimmed sports seats that keep you in place, aluminum pedals that complement the GR Corolla's sporty character, automatic climate control, keyless ignition, and more. Shoppers can add three different packages to the base Core model: a Technology package (which costs an extra $770), a Performance package ($1,180), or a Cold Weather package ($500) that includes heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.
3 Functional Exterior Styling
Although its aggressive design is stunningly beautiful, the GR Corolla is more than just a pretty face. Beyond its sleek, athletic look, there’s a highly functional, performance-oriented side that works to enhance the driving experience. The large lower grille opening, for instance, helps optimize engine-cooling airflow.
In addition, the front fenders feature functional vents that, along with the car's rear diffuser, optimally channel the airflow to enhance aerodynamics and cooling. In the GR Corolla Circuit Edition, customers will find a forged carbon-fiber roof that helps save some weight while allowing for a lower center of gravity. For its part, the triple-pipe exhaust system reduces backpressure and improves exhaust efficiency.
2 Host of Driver Safety & Convenience Technologies
Driving fun should never be achieved at the expense of safety. Considering this, Toyota equipped the GR Corolla with next-level security amenities to keep you moving forward safely.
These safety systems include forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring.
1 Advanced Multimedia
The GR Corolla is equipped with sophisticated information and entertainment technologies that allow you to keep in touch while staying focused on the road ahead.
They include an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with over-the-air updates, smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, two USB-C charging ports, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Wireless device charging is optional on the Core model but standard on Circuit and Morizo editions.