2023 Toyota GR Corolla Hatchback

　　

2023 Toyota GR Corolla Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　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.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　8.0

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

9.0/10

　　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 zzdcar 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

8.0/10

　　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.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below