2023 Toyota Corolla LE
Toyota Corolla Details
L4, 2.0L; DOHC 16V
WHITE
FWD
Gasoline
16,666 Miles
B3365
5YFB4MDE0PP041853
LE
Estimated Payment
$0 / month
2023 Toyota GR Corolla Review
Toyota sold a quarter of a million Corollas in the States last year but very few left the factory spec’d like this. Most shoppers are here for the car’s renowned reliability, affordability and up to 50 MPG. But this crazy thing appeals to a different kind of customer – 300 turbocharged horses, a 6-speed manual, and an adjustable all-wheel drive system – this is a $40,000 Corolla that needs premium gas and returns a demure 24 MPG. The GR stands for Gazoo Racing and it’s every bit as nutty as it looks and sounds.Built at a special assembly plant in Japan that birthed the Lexus LFA supercar, the GR Corolla – exclusively available as a hatchback with a stick shift – rides upon a reinforced frame, turns out 273 pound-feet of torque from its unique 3-cylinder turbo, and is fortified by four-wheel traction replete with a dial to select how that power should be distributed. This entry-level Core model comes in white, black or red with black, fabric sport seats while this particular car goes all in with the trifecta of Cold Weather, Performance and Technology packages for an as-tested price of $40,159.
The hot hatch segment isn’t nearly as popular as it once was but add this GR Corolla to the handful of good ones that still exist. With its gloss black wheels, Supersonic Red paint, triple exhaust outlets, and wide stance, this is a car that makes its intentions known. Fire up the 1.6-liter engine and all three pipes play an exhaust note commensurate with a Japanese tuner car. Interestingly, that center pipe shuts its trap once speeds reach 20 MPH and stays that way until your right foot raises the RPMs above 4,500. The dance of the 3 pedals can be a little tricky for those whose stick shift game is a little rusty as first gear goes by in the blink of an eye and max boost of 25 PSI acts like its shot out of water gun. But I like it. Often, second gear is enough to get the car moving from a near stop and the short throw shifter with its lift ring for reverse reminds me of old school Toyotas and Mazdas. There’s also a rev-match feature that can be activated at the press of a button to give you that heel-toe thrill on downshifts. It’s a very good stick and it needs to be because you’ll be shifting a lot.
With nonadjustable struts in the front and a double wishbone suspension in the rear, the GR Corolla is about as forgiving as a case of herpes and for that reason I’d be wary of it as a daily driver. This Core model rides atop ultra-high performance Michelin tires that can gladly handle some snow. The Pilot Sport All-Season 4 is an excellent tire for those who want to push the limits of all-season grip. With a tactful launch, this a sub-5-second car to 60 MPH and it sounds surprisingly good along the way. Kudos to the GR engineers for extracting a convincing soundtrack from this small powerplant.
(Stand-up)
No matter if I keep the torque split 60:40 or dial into 30:70, there’s a bit too much plowing of the front end, particularly surprising seeing as how this car is fitted with the optional front and rear limited slip differentials. The track setting locks the distribution in at 50:50. Perhaps, it’s also a factor of the gritty roads. Several drive modes further tune the car’s characteristics at the flip of a switch. Its curb weight check in at a relatively trim 3,262 pounds.
Cabin ascetics are what I expected – some penny pinching here and there but not off-putting. It’s also quitter than I imagined going in. The leather-wrapped wheel feels nice, some of the plastics are hard and prone to scratching but with heated seats and steering wheel, a wireless charge pad, wireless phone projection, a digital instrument cluster, and JBL audio it doesn’t feel sparse. The rear sets will accept 6-foot adults and the hatchback style affords flexibility when using the car for more than just fun. There are even safety benefits such as adaptive cruise control with steering assist, auto high beams and a pre-collision system.
Above the Core model is the carbon-fiber roofed Circuit Edition starting at $43,000 and above that the more powerful, track-tuned, 2-seat Morizo Edition starting at $50,000. Would I prefer the less expensive Hyundai Kona N even though it doesn’t offer a stick? I think I would, but the GR Corolla is fun little surprise from a Toyota company that’s really starting to shed its stodgy image.