Toyota has been teasing us for a while with the promise of a high-performance version of its popular Corolla hatchback. The GR Corolla, as it is officially called, is the latest addition to the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (GR) lineup, which includes the GR Supra, the GR 86, and the GR Yaris. The latter, unfortunately, is not sold in the US market, but the GR Corolla is here to make up for that.
The 2024 Toyota GR Corolla is not just a regular Corolla with some cosmetic tweaks and a sporty badge. It is a completely different beast, powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine that produces a whopping 300 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. That's more than twice the output of the base Corolla's 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and even more than the Civic Type R's 2.0-liter turbo-four.
The Toyota GR Corolla also features a six-speed manual transmission and an all-wheel-drive system that can vary the torque distribution from 60:40 to 50:50 to 30:70, depending on the driving mode and conditions. The GR-FOUR system, as it is called, allows the driver to choose between Normal, Sport, and Track modes, each with different settings for the engine, transmission, steering, suspension, and stability control.
The GR Corolla is not just about straight-line speed, though. It also boasts a sport-tuned suspension with MacPherson struts in the front and a multi-link setup in the rear, as well as front and rear limited-slip differentials for optimal traction and handling. The brakes are also upgraded, with 13.6-inch ventilated discs in the front and 12.4-inch solid discs in the rear, as well as red-painted calipers with GR logos.
The exterior of the GR Corolla is also distinctive, with a more aggressive front fascia, a large rear spoiler, a dual-exhaust system, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The body is also reinforced with aluminum sheets in the front and rear bumpers, as well as an alteration in the duct shape to improve airflow and cooling.
The interior of the 2024 Toyota GR Corolla is equally sporty, with bucket seats upholstered in Brin Naub suede with GR logos, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with red stitching and a GR badge, aluminum pedals, carbon-fiber trim, and a black headliner. The instrument cluster features a 7-inch TFT display with a digital speedometer and a tachometer that changes color according to the driving mode. The infotainment system features an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, as well as an eight-speaker JBL premium sound system.