Yahoo Autos The 2023 Toyota GR Corolla Core Is the One We'd Have
Our Take on the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla Core
The Toyota GR Corolla is a car we waited a long time for. When Toyota announced the rally-bred, three-cylinder all-wheel drive GR Yaris, we wanted it to come to the U.S. badly. As the Yaris it's based on isn't sold here, Toyota determined it would be prohibitively expensive to sell the car in this market. Instead, Toyota reworked the workaday Corolla Hatch into its own monster.
A wicked 300-hp three-cylinder turbocharged engine and a unique all-wheel-drive system define the GR Corolla. The GRolla, as we've taken to calling it, rides on wider tracks than the standard Corolla, and that calls for fender flares and sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires. Brakes and suspension components also see a big upgrades to match the performance potential of this extraordinary drivetrain.
While we've spent time in the limited-edition Circuit and Morizo editions of the GR Corolla, this is the base Core model. Crucially, this red tester came fit with the Performance Package, which adds front and rear limited-slip differentials—essential equipment if you ask us. The Circuit and Morizo are very cool, but expensive. Therefore, this is the GR Corolla we'd have, and the one most relevant to the consumer.
What's New
Everything. The GR Corolla debuted for the 2023 model year, though it's based on the 12th-generation Corolla that's been on sale since 2016. It's one of the most extreme transformations from normal compact to hot hatchback we've ever seen. Consequently, it's not like any Corolla before it.
The Core model is available with three option packages, Cold Weather, Technology, and the aforementioned Performance. This tester came with all three, adding $2450 to its $36,995 base price. Add in $425 for the Supersonic Red paint you see here for an MSRP of $39,870, though demand is such that these are hard to get for sticker.
Pros
Powerful, characterful three-cylinder engine.
Tons of grip thanks to all-wheel-drive system and other chassis tweaks.
Standard tech features that make daily use a breeze.
Cons
Occasionally harsh ride and boomy exhaust.
Interior leaves something to be desired.
Hard to get for MSRP.
Performance, Engine & Horsepower
As we've said before, the GR Corolla is defined by its unique 1.6-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine, a tiny monster that can claim legitimate motorsports pedigree. It's rated at 300 hp at 6500 rpm and 273 lb-ft of torque from 3000 to 5500 rpm, though torque rises to 295 lb-ft for the Morizo. This engine is a gem, with ferocious power delivery and shockingly little turbo lag given the small cylinder count. It sounds unique, with the trademark three-cylinder growl, though the exhaust does occasionally create an annoying resonance at certain engine speeds. It's one of the coolest engines in any car available today.
The only transmission available is a six-speed manual, which has a pleasingly notchy shift action. Automatic rev-matching can be turned on and off by a switch on the left side of the dashboard marked iMT—intelligent manual transmission—and that's good because the brake and throttle pedals are a little too far apart for easy heel-and-toe downshifts. Still, if you want to rev-match yourself, it's not too difficult. The shift isn't quite as sweet as a Honda Civic Type R's, but then again, nothing is.
While we haven't timed the GR Corolla Core with a stopwatch, the mechanically similar GR Corolla Circuit does 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds and runs up to a 143-mph top speed.
Take a deep dive into the GR Corolla's engine here.
Features & Specs
Beyond the three-cylinder, what makes the GR Corolla unique is its all-wheel-drive system. Dubbed GR-Four, the system uses a multi-plate clutch to control torque distribution to the rear axle, rather than a more traditional center differential. This system is lighter than conventional all-wheel-drive systems, and allows Toyota to fit the GR Corolla with three user-selectable modes. At startup, you get a torque split of 60 front: 40 rear, and you can then switch to a 30 front:70 rear mode, or a 50:50 mode for maximum stability on track. In these modes, the torque split isn't fixed rigidly—for example, the rear axle may disengage entirely when you're driving straight—but each does imbue the car with different handling characteristics. There are also drive modes that change accelerator-pedal mapping and steering weight, though these effects are more subtle.
Despite all the extra hardware, Toyota says the GR Corolla core weighs 3252 pounds, and 3262 pounds with the Performance Package, which isn't too bad for an all-wheel drive compact these days.
MPG
Unfortunately, the extra equipment means the GR Corolla isn't super fuel-efficient in the big scheme of things. The EPA rating is 21 city, 28 highway, for 24 mpg combined. But, if you're looking for a fuel-sipping Toyota, buy a Prius. If you want to pretend you're Juha Kankkunen driving a Group A Celica GT-Four on a snow-lined special-stage on the way to work, the fuel-economy compromise will be well, well worth it.
Test Drive
We took the GR Corolla to some of our favorite New York City-adjacent country roads over a lovely Spring week and had a hell of a time. The ride of this car can be firm, but it handles everything you throw at it. This car loves tight, twisty roads and broken surfaces, just as you'd expect from something with rally-car roots. It's quick too. Once the turbo spools up, the GR Corolla feels like it has more than 300 horsepower. It's hard to believe a three-cylinder is so muscular.
Dynamically, it's not quite as polished as the Honda Civic Type R, which comes as close to perfection as any sub-$50,000 car can. But the rough-and-ready attitude of the GR Corolla has a strong appeal all its own. This car feels tough, ready for flying up and down your favorite roads whenever the mood strikes. And thanks to its all-wheel-drive system, it'll do this year round.
The steering isn't quite as talkative as the Type R's, though you can feel grip levels from the front tires changing as you switch driving modes, so the driver isn't entirely devoid of connection. The ride can be a bit choppy at times, too, but it's generally pretty livable. All in all, the GR Corolla proved to be a great daily companion. Driven carefully, the ride is the only suggestion of its performance bonafides. It's just as easy to use as a standard Corolla.
Want to see how the GR Corolla Circuit stacks up agains the Civic Type R? Read our road and track reviews here.
Pricing
MSRP starts at $36,995 for a no-options GR Corolla Core, though we think the $1180 Performance Package with its limited-slip differentials is mandatory. (You can identify Performance Package cars by their red brake calipers.) The Cold Weather Package adds heated seats and steering wheel for $500, and seems worthwhile. The $770 Technology Package comes with an upgraded JBL Stereo and wireless smartphone charging, but frankly, the sound-system isn't very good, and wireless charging is never all that great in cars, so feel free to skip. Black and white paint are standard, while Supersonic Red adds $425 to the price.
The price rises to $43,995 for the Circuit Edition, which comes with the same equipment as the Core with all three packages. It also adds unique hood vents, a forged carbon-fiber roof, an extended rear spoiler, and upgraded interior trim. None of this is essential, but if you can swing the extra $4000 over a similarly equipped Core, it might be worthwhile.
It's probably moot to discuss it, as all 200 U.S.-market examples are sold out, but the $51,420 Morizo Edition gets you quite a number of unique features. Most notably, you get a rear-seat delete that helps get the curb weight under the 3200-pound mark. The Morizo also gets unique forged BBS wheels with larger and sticker Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, extra turbo boost for a bump in torque, and shorter gearing so you can better live your WRC-inspired fantasies.
Interior
Aside from upgraded seats, the GR Corolla's interior doesn't differ too much from the standard Corolla models. Functionally, it's fine, and everything feels quite solid, though not premium as in the new Civic. The seats aren't quite as supportive as we'd like either, another area where the GR Corolla falls down compared to the Civic Type R. To get nicer materials, you have to step up to the Circuit or Morizo editions. Back seats are fairly small, too, as Corolla hatchback models prioritizes trunk space over rear seat room when compared to the sedan.
Comfort
Even if it's not the fanciest thing in its class, it's easy to get comfortable and spend time in the GR Corolla, and it's not too noisy either (except for that low-RPM drone). The ride probably won't be to everyone's tastes, though, and unlike the Civic Type R and Golf R, there's no optional adaptive dampers to soften things up for the daily commute.
Ultimately, its economy-car routes are very apparent, though we don't think that's an issue for the sort of buyer this car attracts.
Technology
For 2023, the entire Corolla lineup gets a new infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen on the dash. It's a lot better than Toyota's older systems, though hardly the fanciest thing out there. What matters is that the system is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, so just plug in your phone and use your own apps.
The GR Corolla gets a unique 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with lots of configurability. It's a little tricky to figure out how to set up the screen at first, but once you get it, you get a number of nice readouts with all the important information and fun stuff like torque split and turbo boost. The tachometer is rendered as either a traditional round dial in the center or a bar graph at the top of the screen, and both are perfectly legible. Toyota also displays the gear indicator prominently, a nod from the enthusiasts that made the car to the enthusiasts who buy it.
Storage
The 17.8 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seats is identical to the regular Corolla Hatchback's. Considering all the bulky hardware required to get power to the rear axle, that's impressive, and it gives the GR Corolla plenty of space for all your daily needs.
Safety
As standard, the GR Corolla gets Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane centering, lane-departure warning with steering assist, road-sign assist, and automatic headlights. The systems all work very well, and the adaptive cruise and lane-centering take much of the stress out of longer highway journeys.
Wrapping Up
This is a fabulous car. No two ways about it. It's easy to live with and a riot to drive, with a character that sets it apart from the rest of the sport-compacts out there. A lot of my colleagues argue in favor of the Civic Type R, and I'll concede that it is a better car in many ways, but it's very different. If you want all-wheel drive and a hilarious firecracker of a three-cylinder engine, this is your car. Plus, the base price of a GR Corolla is around $8000 less than that of a Civic Type R, and at this end of the market, that's a huge difference.
The biggest problem is that supply hasn't caught up with demand. You'll either need patience or be willing to pay over sticker to get a GR Corolla. Whatever you do, just make sure you get the Performance Package.
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