Toyota’s introduction of the GR Corolla left most auto enthusiasts shocked. It was as if Skittles had released diet pills or Apple had launched a hair dryer. After all, Toyota cars are famously and consistently laid-back rather than performance-oriented. The Toyota GR Corolla takes that stereotype and turns it on its head while delivering performance and experience unlike any Toyota ever before.
It’s easy to forget that Toyota has a long history of participating in motorsports through Toyota Gazoo Racing (GR). The GR Corolla joins the Toyota models on the GR roster as a hot-hatch that pushes beyond the limit to deliver sports car excellence to the everyday driver. It is also the only gas-powered manual car that Toyota USA has put out recently, distinguishing itself from the many recently launched Toyota hybrid EVs.
Toyota Corolla GR Price List:
The Toyota GR Corolla gets three variants in its 2024 iteration. The two-seater Morizo variant has now been discontinued. The current trims offered are:
- Core: $36,500
- Premium: $40,320
- Circuit Edition: $45,140
Interior Design:
The new Toyota GR Corolla takes after the regular Corolla, with compact yet cozy interiors.
Seats:
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- The GR Corolla’s base model gets fabric sports seats complimented with gray accent stitching.
- The more expensive trims get Brin Naub® and synthetic leather sports seats with accent stitching and heated front seats. All variants get GR badging on the headrests, split 60/40 fold-down rear seats and a rear centre armrest.
Steering Wheel:
- The Toyota GR Corolla gets a GR leather-trimmed sport steering wheel with Bluetooth hands-free and audio controls. Also included is a 12.3-inch multi-information display, which displays essential information where the driver can see it. The Premium and Circuit editions get heated steering wheels.
Infotainment System:
- The GR Corolla’s base model gets an 8-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and a six-speaker setup. The Premium and Circuit Editions get the same infotainment display but with an eight-speaker JBL speaker system instead. All trim levels get a 3-month Platinum Plan subscription to SiriusXM.
Storage Space:
- The Toyota GR Corolla has 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space.
Climate Controls:
- The GR Corolla gets a pretty standard automatic climate control system.
Exterior Design:
The Toyota GR Corolla gets a sporty and aggressive style that sets it apart from the regular Toyota Corolla. Its low stance and flared fenders make a statement, even from a distance.
Body Colors:
- The GR Corolla’s base trim gets three paint options: Supersonic Red, Ice Cap, and Black.
- The Premium gets an additional shade, Heavy Metal. The top-spec Circuit Edition is limited to two exterior shades: Ice Cap and the trim-exclusive Blue Flame.
Headlights and Tail Lights:
- The GR Corolla gets full LED lighting with LED headlights, DRLs, tail lights, and integrated LED fog lights.
Wheels and Tires:
The Toyota GR Corolla gets 18-inch gloss black, 15-spoke cast-alloy wheels. The Circuit Edition gets upgraded 18-inch 10-spoke forged-alloy wheels in a gloss black finish.
Side Mirrors:
- This Toyota car gets gloss-black powered side mirrors equipped with turn signals.
Windows:
- The GR Corolla gets powered windows with a one-touch auto open and close function.
Roof:
The Core and Premium trims get color-keyed roofs and matching shark-fin antennas. The Circuit Edition gets a sportier forged carbon-fiber matte black roof with a matching mounted shark fin antenna.
Safety Features:
Most American Toyota cars get Toyota Safety Sense and the Star Safety System as part of their standard equipment. This gives you access to a bunch of useful safety features and driver assistance systems, making your sporty rides safer as well.
Braking System:
The Toyota GR Corolla Core gets ventilated and slotted rotors with 4-piston aluminum fixed-caliper disc brakes in the front and ventilated rotors with 2-piston aluminum fixed-caliper disc brakes in the rear.
The Core trim gets the optional Performance package, which gets you red brake calipers in the front and back, along with front and rear Torsen® limited-slip differentials.
The Performace package is part of the standard equipment included with the Premium and Circuit Edition trims. All variants get a center hand brake.
Airbags:
The 2024 Toyota GR Corolla features the Advanced Airbag System and has a total of 10 airbags.
Safety Ratings:
The 2024 GR Corolla has not been safety tested by any organization yet. However, it comes loaded with safety features and shares the same body structure as the 2023 Corolla, which gets a five star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
2024 Toyota GR Corolla Engine And Powertrain Specifications:
The Toyota GR Corolla gets the same turbocharged engine as the GR Yaris, a hatchback.However, the GR Corolla’s engine has been tuned to provide 300 hp, an additional 43 hp over the Yaris. It comes equipped only with a six-speed manual transmission and a GR-Four all-wheel-drive system.
Top Competitors:
The GR Corolla redefines the limits of a hot hatchback. The performance-oriented Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf R give it some pretty tough competition, though, with similar fuel economy. If you’re looking for more value, shift your attention to the Hyundai Elantra N and the Veloster N. The Subaru WRX provides a similar driving experience and price, but fails to match up to the GR Corolla’s performance benchmarks.
Concluding Thoughts:
The GR Corolla is nothing like the run-of-the-mill commuter car that the Toyota Corolla is. This revolutionary new Toyota machine is a high-performance car at an affordable price. While the GR Corolla sports the same base structure and interior as the Toyota Corolla, it features significant performance-based upgrades in every other aspect.
If you’re looking for a new car that delivers a fun and adrenaline-filled driving experience, look no further than the 2024 Toyota GR Corolla. With your purchase comes dependable Toyota service with three-year bumper-to-bumper coverage and a 6-year powertrain warranty. Get free maintenance and roadside assistance for two years, as well as a complimentary one-year membership to NASA (National Auto Sport Association).
Frequently Asked Questions:
How fast is the Toyota GR Corolla?
The 2024 Toyota GR Corolla can reach speeds of up to 143 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5 seconds.
Is the Toyota GR Corolla a manual or automatic?
The GR Corolla comes with a standard 6-speed manual transmission. However, Toyota may add optional automatic transmission to the GR Corolla for the 2025 model year.
