Here’s Why You Should Drive the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla

The hottest hatchback in the 2023 model year doesn’t come from Honda or Volkswagen. It is the new 2023 Toyota GR Corolla, and it’s a car you’re sure to love.

Gazoo Racing recently gave the world the GR Yaris, but Toyota left out one market that would love the tiny hot hatch. That market is North America. Thankfully, they didn’t leave us out of the fun for the new GR Corolla. This car is heading our way, and you should have at least ten reasons to fall in love with it. We’ve got those reasons right here for you.

1. The Engine Tech is Insane

The engine of this new hot hatch doesn’t make it the most powerful hatchback in the market, nor does it make it the fastest, but it is one of the most interesting. This new GR Corolla is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that makes 300 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. This is a lot more power than the same engine in the GR Yaris, thanks to the all-new three-port exhaust system, which reduces back pressure.

2. You Better Know How to Work Three Pedals

There’s only one transmission offered for the new Toyota GR Corolla. This transmission is an incredible six-speed manual model that sends 70 percent of the engine power to the rear wheels. Those that love driving fun and active performance cars will enjoy the spacing and the easy drive of this transmission. If you don’t know how to drive a stick, now’s the time to learn so that you can enjoy everything this new hot hatch has to offer.

3. That’s One Stiff Chassis

Unlike the GR Yaris, the hot hatch Corolla shares the same four-door monocoque GA-C platform as the regular Corolla, making it a useful car with a stiff and impressive chassis. The stiffness of the chassis allows this car to handle hard cornering better than the sedan version, making it one of the best cars to take out on the road. Gazoo Racing added a forged carbon roof to the Circuit Edition to make it lighter and lower while improving the chassis rigidity to improve overall handling and feedback.

4. Limited Number to Start With

There will only be 1,500 models of the Toyota GR Corolla to start with. This is the first batch run, which will determine how many more of these cars are made. The Circuit Edition tops the range, and it will cost $8,000 to $10,000 more than the base version of the GR Corolla. This special model includes a larger rear wing, a forged carbon-fiber roof, upgraded sports seats, and a shift knob signed by Toyota’s President. This is a pretty cool package making this hot hatch a car you’ll certainly want to drive.
The Morizo Edition of this car is limited to only 200 models and also has a few cool upgrades over the Circuit Edition.

5. The Gazoo Racing Pedigree is Strong and Present

The GR team started developing cars for Toyota in 2009 and has been making some of the best cars in motorsports since that time. This team has entered cars in the WRC, which is where some of the incredible performance and qualities built into the Corolla and Yaris come from. It’s hard to ignore the GR pedigree in this small Toyota hot hatch, and you wouldn’t want to ignore it. Instead, embrace it and enjoy the amazing drive and performance of this hot hatch.

6. This is an Attainable Hot Hatch

Some hot hatches become so expensive that it’s hard for most consumers to afford one of these incredible cars. The new Toyota GR Corolla comes to use at an attainable price of just $32,000. This starting point makes it easy for many drivers to have their desired car. The Circuit Edition reaches a higher price for those looking for more and willing to pay for it.

7. The Power Ratio is Insane

When you find so much power coming out of such a small engine, the horsepower per liter ratio is expected to be incredible. This little hot hatch offers a ratio of 185.4 horsepower per liter. If you never thought you would find a stat that a small Toyota could beat something as amazing as the Bugatti Veyron, this is that stat. The Veyron has a 183.3 horsepower per liter ratio, giving the GR Corolla a strong lead.

8. It’s a Practical Hot Hatch

The new Toyota GR Corolla offers a four-door design to make it one of the most practical cars in its class. This car has the same interior room as the regular Corolla Hatchback, which makes this hot hatch a relatively practical car. You could use this car for a growing family with small kids or as a great car to take friends out for some fun. The interior has an all-black theme and uses a ton of Alcantara and red accents to give you a unique place to enjoy a drive.

9. The AWD System Offers Incredible Grip

The AWD system offered by Gazoo Racing was developed for WRC racing, and it comes with a differential that splits torque between the front and rear wheels in 60:40, 30:70, and 50:50 ratios. You can buy your car with a front or rear limited-slip differential and enjoy the added fun this feature provides. This AWD system makes driving this incredible car even more fun.

10. This Car has a WRC Connection

If that hasn’t become obvious already, the new Toyota GR Corolla brings a strong World Rally Championship connection to public roads. Toyota has been involved in this racing series since 1997, which is when the Toyota Corolla WRC was first introduced. The GR model is basically a road-going version that gives you a lot of the same elements as the racing car. This should put a huge smile on your face, especially if you think this could be the right car to drive.

The new 2023 Toyota GR Corolla is an amazing hot hatch that delivers incredible performance and fun. Will this be the car you love to drive?