- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
1.6T, 3 cyl.
- Engine Power
221kW, 370Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (98) 8.4L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Manual
- Warranty
5 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2023 Toyota GR Corolla review
A week with the Japanese brand’s latest performance hatchback, the GR Corolla, highlights how serious Toyota is about bringing fun back to driving.
- Bold and aggressive styling
- A firecracker of an engine
- As adept in traffic as it is out in the wild
- Look, about that tiny boot...
- Tyre inflation kit in lieu of spare
- Limited availability
2023 Toyota GR Corolla
I didn’t believe the hype, didn’t believe the smiles that couldn’t be wiped off the faces of those in the Drive office who had tasted the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla before me.
I was wrong.
Believe the hype. Because the GR Corolla is nothing short of sensational; a hot hatch in the truest sense of the hot hatch recipe.
From the outside, the GR Corolla looks like no other Corolla that’s come before it. Toyota is clearly not making apologies for the GR’s performance focus, with massive wheel arches, pronounced front splitter, air vents on the bonnet, and three exhaust tips poking from a rear diffuser that wouldn’t look out of place on a race car.
It’s a tough-looking hatchback, tougher still for taking something as humble as a regular Corolla and adding enough chutzpah to set it apart from the thousands upon thousands of Corollas on our road.
In short, this is no ordinary Toyota Corolla, and for that we thank the Toyota Motor Corporation.
That’s only enhanced under the bonnet where there is no sign of the regular Corolla’s staid and conservative 2.0-litre petrol or 1.8-litre petrol/hybrid engines. Instead, an angry 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder bellows its 221kW and 370Nm song via a six-speed manual transmission to a permanent – and adjustable – all-wheel drive system.
It’s a car for purists, purer still for not being available with an automatic transmission.
Not yet, anyway, with Toyota confirming an eight-speed auto for both the GR Corolla and its twin-under-the-skin GR Yaris remained in development with no clear timeline for its introduction. “Still not decided yet,” was all the GR Corolla’s chief engineer Naoyuki Sakamoto told Drive late last year.
That leaves us with this to savour; a pure-of-heart hot hatch from Toyota that blows away the cobwebs of any preconceptions you – or I – might have had.
How much does the Toyota GR Corolla cost in Australia?
The GR Corolla range is a simple one. Effectively, it comprises just a single variant, the GR Corolla GTS. It’s priced at $62,300 plus on-road costs or in the range of $66,000–$67,000 drive-away depending on which state or territory you live in.
Standard equipment includes some racy 18-inch Enkei cast alloy wheels shod in Yokohama Advan Apex rubber, Toyota’s GR-Four all-wheel-drive system, and Torsen limited-slip differentials front and rear.
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Inside, the GR Corolla is fitted with front sports seats, finished in faux leather and suede with contrast grey stitching and GR embroidered logos on the headrests. The seats are heated, too, as is the sports steering wheel.
Equipment highlights include wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, satellite navigation, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, head-up display, wireless phone charging, dual-zone climate control, as well as front and rear parking sensors.
There’s also Toyota’s Safety Sense suite of technologies, a rear-view camera and seven airbags.
There are no options to be had other than three shades of $575 premium paint – Ebony, Liquid Mercury and the colour of our test car, Feverish Red. Don’t want to pay extra for paint? Then you’ll be driving a white GR Corolla.
Toyota is limiting the GR Corolla GTS to just 700 cars locally over the next 12 months, making this one rare hot hatch.
But for those wanting even more exclusivity, the $77,800 plus on-road costs GR Corolla Morizo Edition will be limited to just 25 cars locally.
The even more performance-focused Morizo brings more torque (although no boost in power) to the table, its 1.6-litre triple now making 221kW and 400Nm. There are different gear ratios (for first and third gear) as well, while a weight-saving regime – a carbon-fibre roof and no back seats are the big-ticket items – sees the Morizo shed 50kg over the regular GR Corolla. Deliveries of the Morizo hotter hatch are expected to start in May.
For now, though, we’ll have to be content with the regular GR Corolla in our driveway, and the news here is all good.
Key details | 2023 Toyota GR Corolla |
Price | $62,300 plus on-road costs |
Colour of test car | Feverish Red |
Options | Premium paint – $575 |
Price as tested | $62,875 plus on-road costs |
Drive-away price | $67,985 (Sydney) |
Rivals | Volkswagen Golf R | Honda Civic Type R | Hyundai i30 N |
How much space does the Toyota GR Corolla have inside?
The cabin of the GR Corolla is pretty familiar for anyone who’s driven a regular Corolla. There are some key and notable differences, though.
Those faux leather and suede-accented sports seats look racy, enhanced by contrast stitching and embroidered logos on the headrests. They’re comfortable, yes, but more importantly offer plenty of support of the kind you need during some more adventurous driving.
The steering wheel feels nice in hand, resplendent with GR badging to serve as a reminder this is not any ordinary Corolla. The alloy sports pedals are spaced close together, ideal for those who fancy themselves as Kalle Rovanperä and want some heel-and-toe action.
A manual handbrake looks decidedly low-tech, but earns fun points for its clever party trick of disengaging drive to the rear axle without you needing to de-clutch. Power slides and rotating the GR Corolla around hairpin turns have never been easier. All in a controlled environment, such as a racetrack or skid pan, of course. We definitely don’t endorse handbrake turns on public roads.
There are ergonomic gripes, however. There’s no central storage bin, for example, the almost ubiquitous cubby making way for the GR Corolla’s handbrake assembly. You win some, you lose some. In its place is a shallow tray that's good for not much, really.
There are a couple of cupholders that can hold your smaller items, while the wireless charging pad isn’t rubber-lined. And that means your phone will slide around like a demon, especially during some more adventurous driving. And there’s too much piano black for our liking, that 21st century automotive magnet for dust and fingerprints.
The second row is standard Corolla with adequate room for passengers, although not much in the way of amenities, like rear air vents or USB charging options. If you have little kids, the outboard seats are fitted with ISOFIX child seat mounts.
Those back seats fold in 60:40-split fashion to free up boot space. The hot GR Corolla’s boot space measures in at a paltry 213L, down 4L compared to a regular Corolla hatch. Toyota doesn't quote a figure with the rear seats folded away. And there’s no spare wheel of any kind, a puncture repair kit the only thing standing between you and a good old-fashioned roadside stranding.
2023 Toyota GR Corolla | |
Seats | Five |
Boot volume | 213L seats up |
Length | 4407mm |
Width | 1851mm |
Height | 1479mm |
Wheelbase | 2640mm |
Does the Toyota GR Corolla have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
While Toyota has gone to some lengths to make the cabin of the GR Corolla feel special, those lengths haven’t extended to the hot hatch’s infotainment system. With a screen measuring 8.0 inches, the GR Corolla’s infotainment set-up mirrors that of its tamer siblings.
It runs wireless Apple CarPlay, but those wanting to mirror their Android-based smartphones will need a cable. There’s a wireless charging pad, but as already pointed out it’s unlined, meaning your smartphone slides around on the hard plastic, dropping in and out of the ‘charging zone’ rendering it almost useless. Thankfully, there are two USB-A plugs in the front to enable wired charging, although back-row passengers miss out entirely.
Satellite navigation is standard and it’s functional enough, if looking a little simple in its presentation. Most people will opt for Google or Apple maps anyway, so it’s a bit of a moot point.
A crisp 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is the antithesis of the Corolla’s basic infotainment set-up. Large, easy to read and with a smattering of GR-specific information available (such as turbo boost pressure), the driver display never leaves you wanting for information. It’s a good ’un.
The GR Corolla also includes access to Toyota Connected Services via a paired smartphone. From here you can check your car’s location, fuel levels, lock status and driving data. Toyota Connected Services also enables you to place an SOS call from a button in your car during an emergency, plus your car can automatically alert Toyota’s Emergency Call Centre in the event of an accident and you can track your vehicle if it’s stolen.
The first 12 months of access is complimentary, after which Toyota offers access plans starting from $9.95 per month.
Is the Toyota GR Corolla a safe car?
While the broader and tamer Corolla range received a five-star safety rating from Australia’s safety body ANCAP, this specific GR hot hatch variant remains unrated. Further, ANCAP’s five-star rating for the Corolla range specifically excludes the GR Corolla.
That said, the broader range scored an excellent 96 per cent for adult occupant protection, 83 per cent child occupant, 86 per cent vulnerable road user, and 76 per cent for the efficacy of its safety assist systems.
2023 Toyota GR Corolla | |
ANCAP rating | Unrated |
Safety report | Link to ANCAP report (regular Toyota Corolla range) |
What safety technology does the Toyota GR Corolla have?
A near full complement of advanced safety technologies – dubbed Toyota Safety Sense – can be found in the GR Corolla. It includes autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection plus intersection intervention, emergency steering assist, high-speed adaptive cruise control that’ll only work at speeds over 30km/h, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assists, and front and rear parking sensors.
Missing in action is rear cross-traffic alert and the reverse autonomous braking that typically goes with it.
How much does the Toyota GR Corolla cost to maintain?
The beauty of being a Toyota, even a hot one, is that servicing costs are kept to a minimum. And that rings true for the GR Corolla, which will set you back $300 per visit to the workshop. The caveat here, though, is due to its high-performance nature, service intervals are every six months or 10,000km, whichever comes first. That translates to $1800 for three years’ scheduled servicing.
A comprehensive insurance estimate for the GR Corolla came in at $1876 per year, a solid step up over the $1285 annual premium a regular ZR Corolla hybrid commands, but lower than the $2040 quote we got for a Civic Type R, based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.
At a glance | 2023 Toyota GR Corolla |
Warranty | Five years, unlimited km |
Service intervals | 6 months or 10,000km |
Servicing costs | $1800 (3 years) |
Is the Toyota GR Corolla fuel-efficient?
Toyota claims the GR Corolla will use 8.4 litres of 98-octane unleaded per 100km of regular everyday driving. We got close to that over our week with the little funster with an indicated 8.9L/100km. It’s worth noting, though, that number blew out to high 10s once we let the GR off its leash a little bit. The price of fun.
The fuel tank measures in at 50L.
Fuel Consumption - brought to you by bp
Fuel Useage | Fuel Stats |
Fuel cons. (claimed) | 8.4L/100km |
Fuel cons. (on test) | 8.9L/100km |
Fuel type | 98-octane premium unleaded |
Fuel tank size | 50L |
What is the Toyota GR Corolla like to drive?
This is what it’s all about. Cars like the GR Corolla aren’t just for show (although this little urban brawler looks terrific from just about any angle). They’re designed to be enjoyed, providing a lively and engaging time behind the wheel. Some cars do this better than others, and sitting near the top of the ‘better’ list is this pocket rocket from Toyota.
It starts with the push of the starter button, the 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine bursting into life with a growl and a scowl that previews the fun ahead.
It’s the same three-cylinder engine as found in Toyota’s smaller but equally as fun GR Yaris. But, in the GR Corolla, the three-pot is more powerful at 221kW (against the Yaris’s 200kW), although both share peak torque of 370Nm. That goes some way to combating the larger car’s 165kg weight penalty (1485kg against 1320kg) even if power-to-weight is stacked in favour of the smaller car (155kW/t versus 151.9kW/t).
Comparisons between the two are inevitable, after all they’re cut from the same cloth but fashioned in a different style. Both are available only with a six-speed manual, and both feature Toyota’s GR-Four switchable all-wheel drive system as well as the same front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials (available on GR Yaris Rallye). As for acceleration, it’s line ball, with the Yaris claiming a 5.2-second 0–100km/h sprint time against the GR Corolla’s 5.3sec.
Whereas the GR Yaris is all hard-edged and brash, there’s some refinement to be found in the GR Corolla, which enjoys a duality of personality that makes it a compelling car.
Drive it sedately in everyday driving conditions, and the GR Corolla is happy to grumble along ferrying occupants in relative comfort.
Around town, there’s a lovely and thrilling aspect to that delightful 1.6-litre, which simply picks up the Corolla and propels it forward exactly as a hot hatch should. Better yet, it does this while ensuring the ride underneath remains composed and refined, despite a suspension tune designed for performance.
Too often carmakers dial out comfort in favour of a hard-edged roadholding ability. Not so in the GR Corolla, which, while not exactly plush under wheel, is still a comfortable urban runabout. The GR Corolla sticks with passive rather than adaptive dampers.
The manual gearbox is a peach, with a nice satisfying throw, the gate closely spaced. It all feels and sounds rather mechanical, exactly as it should when driving cars of this type, an analogue throwback. In a good way.
The rewards come on the right stretch of road with no one watching, the GR Corolla coming alive in the manner that hot hatches have been designed for since 1973 when the Simca 1100TI wrote the original rule book.
Yes, it’s fast off the mark, with fierce yet entirely predictable acceleration out of corners. But it’s also lithe, agile and firmly planted on the road.
Toyota’s GR-Four all-wheel-drive system has three modes – Front, Rear, and Track (unlike the GR Yaris with its Normal, Sport and Track modes). The default is front-biased meaning torque distribution to the wheels sits at 60:40. That changes to 30:70 when rear bias is selected, while Track provides all-paw grip with 50:50 distribution. The result is a car that is playful yet composed, never leaving you feeling like you’re on the ragged edge of adhesion.
It has, in short, more grip than you’ll ever need on the road. And that inspires confidence in the car underneath you, allowing you to exploit the performance of that wonderful three-cylinder engine under the bonnet.
The steering too is a gem, nicely weighted and razor-sharp precise, while the brakes are excellent with good feel through the pedals making for easy modulation for optimum performance.
It’s rare a car that delights and surprises today, but this hottest of hot Corollas has done exactly that, blending searing hot hatch styling with an engine that wills you to let it off its leash.
Key details | 2023 Toyota GR Corolla |
Engine | 1.6-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol |
Power | 221kW @ 6500rpm |
Torque | 370Nm @ 3000–5500rpm |
Drive type | All-wheel drive |
Transmission | Six-speed manual |
Power-to-weight ratio | 148.8kW/t |
Weight (kerb) | 1485kg |
Spare tyre type | Tyre repair kit |
Turning circle | 11.52m |
Should I buy a Toyota GR Corolla?
While the hot hatch template has evolved over the decades, the underlying principle remains the same – a small and powerful (but not too powerful) engine married to a well-sorted and fettled chassis that provides the perfect canvas for some spirited fun behind the wheel.
It has been thus since the 1970s and continues to be thus today in 2023. Some do it better than others, like the Volkswagen GTI and its brawnier and even more potent Golf R sibling. The latter has long enjoyed the mantle of king of the hot hatches, praised equally for its scintillating performance and its everyday usability. Rarely has it been challenged in combining both of those metrics.
Here, though, Toyota has thrown down the gauntlet with the GR Corolla, which remains at once the comfortable and practical daily driver you need it to be, before transforming into the performance powerhouse when you want it to be.
It’s an extraordinary hot hatch, one worthy of your consideration. The most challenging aspect of the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla will be finding one. But if you’re lucky enough to land one of the 700 or so destined for Australia over the next 12 months in your driveway, the rewards will be plentiful.