The Toyota GR Corolla was the Japanese model’s most fun arrival for the 2023 mannequin yr. After years of going unchallenged by its home rivals, the Honda Civic Kind R lastly has a worthy competitor that isn’t a scorching Golf. The GR Corolla brings the experience of Toyota’s efficiency division to a humble household nameplate, and it units itself aside from many hatchback rivals by powering all 4 wheels. However the trick all-wheel-drive system is only one facet of many who make the GR Corolla particular. Let’s take a look at a number of the key numbers that outline the 2024 Toyota GR Corolla, from its 0-60 time to its dramatically strengthened building in comparison with the traditional Corolla.
5: Mighty Acceleration
Toyota claims a 0-60 mph time of about 5 seconds for the GR Corolla, inserting it firmly within the scorching hatch class and giving it sufficient oomph to problem some sports activities vehicles. That point is buoyed by the grippy AWD system and the excessive outputs from the three-cylinder engine, which we’ll get right into a bit later. The GR’s 0-60 time is about half a second faster than one other rally-bred automotive in the identical worth class: the Subaru WRX. Based mostly on impartial testing, the GR Corolla has a 1/4-mile time of 13.7 seconds.
300: A Three-Cylinder Engine With V6 Horsepower
Solely a small variety of vehicles within the USA use three-cylinder engines, and most accomplish that for the compact packaging and good gasoline effectivity such an engine configuration gives. Within the GR Corolla, its 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine delivers 300 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, numbers not generally related to a three-pot. A most enhance of 25.2 PSI, together with options like a part-machined consumption port, guarantee that is no abnormal engine. Its distinctive growl additionally offers the GR Corolla a singular persona. Most energy is realized at a heady 6,500 rpm, whereas peak torque is on faucet between 3,000 and 5,500 rpm.
Zero: Who Wants Again Seats?
The restricted Morizo Version was accessible for the GR Corolla initially however was discontinued for the 2024 mannequin yr. This stripped-down model of the hatch eliminates non-essentials to save lots of weight. Almost 100 kilos lighter than different GR Corollas, the Morizo has zero again seats, no rear door audio system, and no rear wiper/wiper motor. It additionally advantages from elevated torque – 295 lb-ft – and shorter differential gears, additional boosting efficiency. Restricted to simply 200 models for the automotive’s launch yr, the GR Corolla Morizo Version is certain to understand in worth.
1:22.94: Slaughters The GR Yaris On Observe, However Not The Kind R
The staff at Hagerty set a lap time of 1:22.94 minutes across the Streets of Willow monitor in Southern California behind the wheel of the GR Corolla Morizo. That’s effectively over 5 seconds faster than the GR Yaris, partly due to the Corolla’s higher energy. Nonetheless, regardless of solely powering the entrance wheels, the Honda Civic Kind R was roughly half a second faster across the similar monitor than the Morizo. In case you choose scorching hatch greatness purely by lap occasions, the Honda remains to be out in entrance.
JDM Sizzling Hatch Battle
Toyota GR Corolla
Honda Civic Kind R
Base MSRP (2024 mannequin yr)
$36,500
$44,795
Engine
1.6L turbocharged three-cylinder
2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder
Outputs
300 hp/273 lb-ft
315 hp/310 lb-ft
Gearbox
Six-speed guide
Six-speed guide
Drivetrain
AWD
FWD
Streets of Willow lap time*
1:22.94 minutes (Morizo Version)
1:22.41 minutes
*Based mostly on outcomes achieved by Hagerty
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60:40 To 30:70: Torque Splits For Each Event
Sizzling hatches are about greater than uncooked numbers, although, and the Toyota’s GR-4 AWD system offers it the power to unlock extra layers of efficiency than the FWD Honda. The entrance/rear torque might be distributed 60:40 for regular driving, 30:70 for optimum thrills, or 50:50 for optimum grip and the perfect lap occasions. Coupled with communicative steering and a optimistic shift motion from the guide gearbox, it’s a pleasure to discover the GR Corolla’s totally different personalities.
349: Not Simply A Corolla With Extra Energy
Each inch of the GR Corolla has been revised in comparison with the traditional Corolla. To create a extra inflexible construction, Toyota added 349 weld factors and greater than 108 inches of structural adhesive in comparison with the usual Corolla Hatchback. A middle brace and three underfloor braces additional add to the automotive’s rigidity. It could share the TNGA-C platform with extra humble Toyotas, however that is essentially the most excessive implementation of it.
36,500: Unequalled Bang For Your Buck
Beginning at $36,500 for the Core trim (pictured instantly above), the bottom GR Corolla affords about as a lot enjoyable as you possibly can have in a automotive at that worth. By comparability, the most cost effective model of the Civic Kind R is $44,795, an enormous distinction contemplating the slim efficiency margins between these two vehicles. You possibly can tack on the $1,180 Efficiency Bundle for the GR Corolla Core (with entrance/rear Torsen limited-slip differentials and pink brake calipers) and nonetheless are available in at method beneath the Honda’s asking worth. In case you will need to have an AWD scorching hatch, the extra highly effective and refined Volkswagen Golf R can also be pricier, beginning at $45,665.
3: The Right Quantity Of Pedals
Guide scorching hatchbacks have gotten disappointingly uncommon; add AWD to the combo, and the one scorching hatch with three pedals is the Toyota. The Golf R now not has a guide for the 2025 mannequin yr, and smaller scorching hatches just like the Ford Fiesta ST are lengthy gone. That makes the six-speed guide within the GR Corolla a tool to savor. It options rev-matching, however extra importantly, the mechanical and weighty shift motion makes it a pleasure to make use of.
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There was a time when a guide, all-wheel drive scorching hatch was a recipe for dirt-road enjoyable, however the configuration is dying out quick.