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Toyota GR Corolla Specifications & Features
Toyota has given its performance-vehicle skunkworks branch, Gazoo Racing, free rein to give the small Corolla hatchback a tuner makeover. And what a great deal of work they’ve accomplished: The 2023 Toyota GR Corolla is the final product. This hatchback’s attitude and performance have propelled it to the top of our list of favorite vehicles. It’s a little terror. The Toyota Yaris subcompact car, from which the GR Corolla takes its turbocharged 1.6L three-cylinder engine, has already been made available in international markets. The small triple is given an increase in power to 300 high-strung horsepower and is only available with an AWD system and a six-speed manual transmission. This rally-racer-inspired hot hatchback could aid Toyota in its recent battle to inject excitement to its portfolio with sportier offerings—witness the reborn Supra sports car—and more appealing designs.
What’s New?
The GR Corolla, a brand-new model for Toyota in 2023, will compete against the hottest hatchbacks on the market, including the VW Golf R and the future Honda Civic Type R. It must also contend with popular sport compacts like the Honda Civic Si, Hyundai Veloster N, Volkswagen Golf GTI and Jetta GLI, which make up for a lack of power with a lower price. The GR Corolla’s interior is largely similar to that of the basic Corolla hatchback, so it has the same high build quality, soft-touch materials, and several pieces of equipment as the standard Corolla, but with racier decor and sportier seats. Push-button start, an adjustable driver’s seat with six positions, ambient interior lighting, and aluminum pedal covers are all included as standard features.
Toyota GR Corolla Engine, Power, Acceleration & Performance
A turbocharged three-pot engine from the GR Yaris, a hatchback that the Japanese carmaker sells in regions outside of the United States, is housed under the hood of the GR Corolla. It was tweaked to produce 300 hp for the GR Corolla, which is 43 hp more than it produces in the GR Yaris and a startling 185.4 hp/liter. The only available transmission is a six-speed manual, and all models come standard with Toyota’s GR-Four AWD system. The GR-Four system gives the driver a variety of power-distribution options, ranging from a 60/40 front-to-rear split for regular driving to a 30/70 split for drifting; a 50/50 split option is designed to give the driver the most traction when racing. Front and rear limited slip differentials are standard on the Circuit Edition trim; they are an option on the Core model’s base trim.
During testing, the GR Corolla Circuit Edition attained 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and 100 mph in 11.4 seconds. Even though the Honda Civic Type R and VW Golf R from the same test are only a little faster, a win is still a win. The track-focused limited-edition Morizo has lighter-weight forged wheels, an engine that has been tweaked to produce 295 pound-feet of torque, a specially tuned suspension, and extremely sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. The GR Corolla’s cornering grip is tenacious, and on a winding road, it rewards its driver with the ideal balance of surefootedness and politeness. The six-speed manual is simple to row overall, though the pedal placement may not be optimal for heel-toe work. A rev-match option is included as standard.
Toyota GR Corolla Mileage
2023 Toyota GR Corolla Mileage | City | Highway |
GR Corolla | 21 mpg | 28 mpg |
The high-performance GR variation of the Corolla is solely focused on maximizing performance, in contrast to the present model, which is one of the more fuel-efficient options in its class and somnambulant to drive. It still gets quite good fuel efficiency because of its tiny 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine, but its EPA figures of 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway are significantly lower than those of the typical Corolla hatchback.
Dimensions & Space
2023 Toyota GR Corolla Dimensions | |
Length | 173.6 in |
Width | 72.8 in |
Height | 57.2 in |
Wheelbase | 103.9 in |
Cargo Volume | 18 ft3 |
Airbags | 10 Airbags |
There will be a standard 8.0-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as support for Amazon Alexa and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot. The Circuit Edition comes standard with an eight-speaker JBL music system, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and in-dash navigation; these features are all included in the Technology package for Core versions.
Pricing
2023 Toyota GR Corolla Trims | Price (USD) |
Core | $36,995 |
Circuit | $43,995 |
Morizo Edition | $50,995 |
With the Performance package, which includes front and rear limited-slip differentials, we’d stay with the Core grade. Only 200 of the highest-end Morizo Edition trims will be constructed in 2023, and they have been stripped of their back seats and other extraneous parts to improve performance.
Specifications, Quarter Mile, 0-60 Mph & Top-Speed
2023 Toyota GR Corolla Specifications | Specs |
Engine | turbocharged inline-3 |
Drivetrain | AWD |
Horsepower | 300 hp |
Torque | 273 lb-ft |
0-60 MPH | 4.9 sec |
0-100 MPH | 12.1 sec |
1/4 Mile | 13.3 sec |
Top-Speed | 143 mph |
Conclusion
This Corolla is everything but ordinary with 300 horsepower available and several performance-enhancing gadgets turned up to eleven. A closer pedal location would be ideal; you must maintain the revs high to access the maximum power; and there are just a few manufactured. All-wheel drive system with adjustable settings, fiery turbo three, and strong cornering grip.