Based on the modest Corolla Hatchback, this 300-horsepower, all-wheel-drive hot hatch takes its inspiration from rally cars and is loaded with personality. If you can get past the somewhat bargain-basement interior, the 2023 GR Corolla is a keeper.
Is it appropriate to rejoice over a car? If you ask hot hatch enthusiasts, they will point to the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla and proclaim "Hallelujah!" This is a beefed-up and performance-focused version of the standard Corolla hatchback that boasts a turbocharged engine, all-wheel drive and wide-body fenders that all tie into the rally pedigree of Toyota's Gazoo Racing (that's where the GR comes from) motorsport sub-brand.
The GR Corolla is so different from anything else offered by Toyota. A six-speed manual is the only transmission on offer, and the GR's 300 horsepower is cranked out by a diminutive three-cylinder turbocharged engine — something Toyota doesn't sell in any other vehicle in North America. There's even a limited-production version that does away with the back seat altogether.
The GR Corolla is Toyota's real-deal answer to the Honda Civic Type R, Hyundai Elantra N, Subaru WRX and Volkswagen Golf R. All of those competitors go about achieving their performance levels in slightly different ways and offer far more refinement, so read our Expert Rating below to see if you like the way the GR Corolla balances performance, features and all-around fun.
Edmunds Expert Rating
edmunds TESTED
by the Edmunds Experts
Good
8.0
out of 10
We drove the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.
Performance
9/10
How does the GR Corolla drive? The GR Corolla is one of the most exciting and engaging cars we've driven in years and proves you don't need to spend big money to have a great time. Its diminutive 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine punches well above its weight. At the Edmunds test track, our GR Corolla Morizo Edition test car sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in 5 seconds flat and cleared the quarter mile in 13.1 seconds at over 105 mph. To put those numbers into context, that makes the GR Corolla quicker than both the BMW 230i and the Honda Civic Type R.
The GR's six-speed manual transmission is one of the best on sale today and returns satisfying, positive and direct gear changes at any speed. And despite the engine's high performance, the GR Corolla is a cinch to drive in traffic thanks in large part to the clutch's intuitive uptake and excellent feedback.
The Morizo Edition comes equipped with extra sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. These tires give the GR Corolla near supercar levels of grip and helped pull an impressive 1.1 g on our skidpad. Steering is on the heavy side but not excessively so. As for braking, our test car stopped from 60 mph in 110 feet. That's competitive for the class but perhaps a little underwhelming considering the Cup 2 tires. (The Civic Type R we tested stopped in 108 feet.) The antilock braking system during full braking was noisy; a few of our editors wondered whether Toyota had fully optimized it for the Morizo-specific Cup 2 tires.
Comfort
8/10
How comfortable is the GR Corolla? To look at it, you'd think the GR Corolla would shake your fillings loose and leave you exhausted after a long drive. But Toyota has worked a bit of magic with the GRC. The ride is stiff but there's still decent compliance on rougher roads. The front seats in the Morizo are another bright spot. They're wonderfully supportive and easy to get in and out of.
The GR also benefits from the standard Corolla's climate control system. Though nothing special, it does handle interior temperatures well and provides good airflow even when you're driving enthusiastically for long periods of time. Interior noise, on the other hand, is higher than most buyers might be willing to tolerate. Tire noise is omnipresent, as is road and wind noise. But if you're in the market for a hot hatch, you know this is typical. On the plus side, the three-cylinder's growly exhaust note and distinctive turbo whoosh are evocative without being annoying.
Interior
8/10
How’s the interior? In the tradition of hot hatches, the GR Corolla is based heavily on a budget-minded compact car. And while there's nothing particularly wrong with the standard Corolla interior, it isn't exactly overflowing with refinement. That's not a problem at the Corolla Hatchback's base price, but the GR Corolla asks significantly more for essentially the same interior. To be fair, the upgraded features, such as the synthetic suede-wrapped steering wheel and shift lever, have a sporty, quality feel to them. Thanks to the GR Corolla's snub nose styling, forward visibility is excellent.
Because it's mostly a Corolla Hatchback, the GR Corolla has short, easy-to-open doors and is relatively easy to get in and out of even with the more aggressive sport seats. The front interior feels snug but is not cramped. The rear interior space, assuming you don't opt for the Morizo trim, which does away with the back seats altogether, is a bit on the tight side for adults. A Civic Type R or Volkswagen Golf R offers far more comfort for rear passengers.
Technology
7/10
How’s the tech? There's not much tech on offer for a car with this price tag. Competitors like the BMW 230i, Volkswagen Golf R and Honda Civic Type R offer far more advanced interfaces and better audio systems. Native navigation is not available, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both familiar and usually flawless in their execution. For what it's worth, the menus in the GR Corolla's touchscreen are fairly straightforward and easy to learn. Voice controls were a bit of a disappointment due in large part to the elevated ambient noise levels at every speed. Our test car was equipped with a wireless charger, but it didn't work particularly well because it simply couldn't hold the phone in place around turns.
Toyota's Safety Sense 3.0 is a nice addition to the stripped-back, performance-oriented GR Corolla. Blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning and automatic emergency braking worked faultlessly in our testing. But we have a few gripes with the adaptive cruise control and the lane keeping assistance systems. Both seem calibrated for Toyota's far more sedate offerings and proved overly cautious in their responses, which was simply not in character with the GR Corolla. Thankfully, the lane keeping assistance feature can be shut off and will remain off even after you restart the car.
Storage
7/10
How’s the storage? Cargo space is suboptimal. There's a high load floor that forces a somewhat short cargo hold, which is penned in by two storage bins at either side. Our Morizo Edition test car offered additional storage in lieu of back seats. Ringed by structural bracing, it is a useful space and looks capable of holding four tires standing up. The Core and Circuit Edition trim levels are equipped with usual folding split rear seatbacks.
Inside, drivers and their brave passengers should plan to pack light. The cupholders will do most of the work, and if you do have anything else it will need to find a home on either the wireless charging tray or the shallow pad behind the driver's right elbow on the center console. Door pockets can hold the remaining loose items but are not lined so be ready for items to rattle around.
Fuel Economy
7/10
How’s the fuel economy? You might think that the diminutive 1.6-liter engine in the GR Corolla would deliver above-average efficiency, but you'd be mistaken. The EPA says the GR Corolla gets a mere 24 mpg in combined city/highway driving. We got 23.4 mpg on our real-world evaluation route, which trails the real-world fuel economy numbers we recorded from the BMW 230i, Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf R.
Value
7/10
Is the GR Corolla a good value? GR Corolla pricing ranges between the different trims significantly. We think the sweet spot of the lineup is the midgrade Circuit Edition model as it comes with the Torsen differentials for better traction and handling, upgraded seats and a few other nice-to-have features as standard and comes in at a slightly lower price than the Honda Civic Type R and the Volkswagen Golf R. Still, you'll always know you're paying for performance, not interior refinement with this car. While this specialized character might have some fans, the interiors from the Civic Type R and Golf R are far and away more refined than the Toyota's.
Even with all of the added performance, warranties for the GR Corolla are fairly standard. Toyota offers a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage as well as a six-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. There's also two years of free roadside assistance as well as free maintenance for two years/25,000 miles.
Wildcard
10/10
The GR Corolla pegs our Wildcard meter to the max. Its aggressive styling, flared fenders and low stance just ooze character even when it's parked. But when you start it up and mash the gas, the GR Corolla delivers a remarkable experience. The engine makes all the right noises, including a nifty little chirp from the turbocharger's wastegate with every shift, and the GR can make even the quickest errands a whole lot of fun. Members of our staff were nearly fighting for the keys.
It also follows the formula of all the truly great hot hatches from the past and doesn't shy away from its humble economy car roots. When compared to something like the Honda Civic Type R, the lack of refinement and straightforward nature of the GR could turn off many buyers but will have its appeal to hardcore enthusiasts. In the end, it's difficult to imagine that Toyota, the company that seemingly invented the color beige, could turn out a rorty, punchy little bulldog of a car like the GR Corolla. And we're so happy it did.
2023 Toyota GR Corolla trim level differences
The 2023 Toyota GR Corolla comes in two primary trim levels: Core and Circuit Edition. The GR Corolla has a turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine that cranks out 300 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. Power gets to the pavement through a six-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive. There is no option for an automatic transmission. There is also a special Morizo Edition trim that is limited to 200 units. The Morizo Edition gets more torque (295 lb-ft) plus other performance-enhancing changes. Highlighted features include:
Which GR Corolla trim does Edmunds recommend?
We think the Circuit Edition is the Goldilocks of the GR Corolla lineup. It has all the options we'd get on the base Core model as standard equipment but costs far less than the top-of-the-line Morizo Edition that sacrifices the rear seats in the name of maximum performance.
The 2023 Toyota GR Corolla has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and 2 recalls. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.
Recalls
2 recalls found
Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.
If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).
Recall Number:
25V595000
Manufacturer Recall Number:
See Part 5
Manufactured from:
2024-08-06 to 2024-08-09
Number of vehicles affected:
591377
Defect Description:
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner vehicles. Due to an error in the instrument panel software at vehicle startup, the instrument panel may fail to display vehicle speed, brake system, and tire pressure warning lights.
Defect Consequence:
An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Corrective Action:
Dealers will update the instrument panel software for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it, or update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 27, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB08 and 25TA08. Lexus' numbers for this recall are 25LB05 and 25LA05.
Recall Number:
24V548000
Manufacturer Recall Number:
24R2
Number of vehicles affected:
33848
Defect Description:
Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain Toyota 2023 GR Supra, 2024 4 Runner, Corolla, Grand Highlander, Grand Highlander Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Tacoma, Tacoma Hybrid, 2023-2024 BZ4X, Corolla Cross Hybrid, GR Corolla, GR86, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius Prime, Sequoia Hybrid, Tundra, Tundra Hybrid, Venza Hybrid, 2023-2025 Crown, and 2025 Camry Hybrid vehicles equipped with GST accessories. The load carrying capacity modification label may display inaccurate added weight values. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Defect Consequence:
A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:
GST will mail new labels to owners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2024. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 24R2.
2023 Toyota GR Corolla Core 4dr Hatchback AWD (1.6L 3cyl Turbo 6M)
Fantastic little car that makes a great all season driver. Power is excellent but boost doesn’t build until about 3000 rpm. After that the power comes on strong but is linear. It loves running to redline but is easy to drive when just tooling around town. Comfort level is good but the suspension is stiff. Still I have no problem using the car as my daily driver. Handling is superb and … the ability to adjust the torque split just adds to the fun. Rev match is awesome and the shifter is excellent although not as good as a Honda Type R. My two negatives are so so fuel economy and the car turns 3000 rpm plus when driving at interstate speeds. Another gear would make the car less busy at highway speeds and give better mpg.
My new toy.
5 out of 5 stars
Ed, 09/11/2023
2023 Toyota GR Corolla Circuit 4dr Hatchback AWD (1.6L 3cyl Turbo 6M)
I have not had time to break it in as yet. Great so far.
Too much MVA for me.
4 out of 5 stars
Fun-seeker, 09/07/2023
2023 Toyota GR Corolla Circuit 4dr Hatchback AWD (1.6L 3cyl Turbo 6M)
Looking for fun manual for everyday driving; for me CIRCUIT ranked #2 (WRX Limited with STI pipes ranked #1). Test drove Core (same engine as Circuit). PRO: rumbly sound, front interior design, body design, intrigue 3-cyl.; drives well (feels good). CON: MVA made it over-priced for caliber vehicle; turbo lag; rear seat; not especially impressive power (would be w 4th cyl).
Fun car but..
3 out of 5 stars
Eldon, 04/03/2025
2023 Toyota GR Corolla Core 4dr Hatchback AWD (1.6L 3cyl Turbo 6M)
Fun little picket roacket. Awesome braking and decent handling. Shifter vague and industrial. AC struggles in 100+ heat due to lack of insulation. Very high road noise and weak stereo. Clutch went at 4K and Toyota refused to warranty. Reolacment clutch was a different part number. Toyota service as a whole has been terrible. Sold car before 6k.
U-DRAG RACE: Honda Civic Type R vs. Toyota GR Corolla Morizo | Quarter Mile, Handling & More!
Edmunds U-Drags is our series of down-and-back drag races that allow us to incorporate a standing quarter mile, handling, and a rolling start all in one race. In this episode, we put two of the hottest hatches on sale — the Honda Civic Type R and the Toyota GR Corolla Morizo — head-to-head. Will the GR Corolla's all-wheel-drive traction be enough to overcome the Civic Type… R's horsepower advantage? Find out in the video!
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