The 2023 Toyota GR Corolla Morizo edition makes 300 horsepower and up to 295 lb-ft of torque.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
While most car companies are dumping passenger cars in favour of SUVs and trucks, Toyota Motor Corp. isn’t giving up on them, yet. In fact, the Japanese automaker is banking that its GR, or Gazoo Racing sports car sub-brand, will attract new and younger buyers. The third vehicle to wear the GR badge is a bit surprising – it’s a Corolla. But not just any Corolla. It’s the first-ever rally-inspired GR Corolla hatchback.
“The industry is moving in one direction, but there still remains an enthusiast crowd who truly has a passion for this type of product,” said David Lee, national marketing manager at Toyota Canada Inc., during the first drive of the GR Corolla in November in Victoria. “As vehicles become more autonomous, there’s a more identified need and desire to get back to the basics with vehicles and have full control over vehicles.”
At first glance, it’s obvious this is no ordinary Corolla. Granted, the design might be polarizing with its big hood bulge, huge air vents, pronounced fender flares and large rear lip spoiler, but others will like the unconventional, unapologetic take on this hot hatchback.
At least the styling cues are functional and not just aesthetic – designed to cool the engine, which is a 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder that delivers 300 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. The engine is also mated to a six-speed manual – the only transmission offered. A welcome addition for driving enthusiasts.
The GR Corolla comes in three trims: Core, Circuit and a limited-edition Morizo. I took the Circuit and Morizo models on the Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit north of Victoria; it’s a 2.3-kilometre racetrack with 12 right turns and seven lefts. As a track-ready rally car, the Morizo was right at home. Named after Toyota chief executive officer Akio Toyoda’s racing moniker, the Morizo has a retuned engine, tighter gearing and added torque – 295 lb-ft. It’s also lighter than the Circuit model. Weighing in at 1,445 kilograms, engineers shaved 45 kilograms off its body thanks to a carbon-fibre roof and removing the rear seats, rear-door speakers, rear-window switches and rear windshield-wiper blade – small and large details intended to improve performance on the track. It worked.
Hit the throttle and you’re instantly thrown back into the well-bolstered suede and synthetic leather-trimmed GR sport seats. The Morizo is the fastest model – able to hit 100 kilometres an hour in less than five seconds. My palms sweating profusely, the suede-covered steering wheel and an ultrasuede Morizo-signed shift knob helped improve my grip when speeds reached north of 140 kilometres an hour. While some might prefer a rear-wheel-drive vehicle on the track, the GR Corolla has an effective front-to-rear adjustable all-wheel-drive system – it can deploy 60-40, 50-50, or 30-70 torque distribution to the front and rear wheels. The hatch remained stable and firmly planted in corners with little body roll. Tire grip from the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires was good, too. And the manual was a joy to drive; the six-speed stick had nice short throws and was easy to use.
On the road, I drove the base GR Corolla Core model. It wasn’t the best at soaking up imperfections on the road. But over all, it was comfortable and spirited – way more engaging and fun to drive than a regular Corolla hatch.
All GR Corollas are built at the GR factory in Motomachi, Japan. The 2023 Toyota GR Corolla Core model arrives at Canadian dealerships this fall, while the Circuit and Morizo editions go on sale in the spring of 2023. Prices range from $45,490 to $59,990 for the top Morizo trim. But only 200 Morizos are up for grabs globally – a mere 10 in Canada. And you can’t just buy one: Toyota Canada will offer the lucky drivers the chance to buy the car at full price based on a contest and criteria such as racing experience and social media followers.
James Engelsman and Thomas Holland from Throttle House test the manual only, all-wheel drive, stiffened hot hatch for daily driving and on a track.
Tech specs
2023 Toyota GR Corolla Core edition.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
2023 Toyota GR Corolla
- Base price/as tested: $45,490/$59,990 (plus $1,720 destination and freight charges)
- Engine: 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and up to 295 lb-ft of torque
- Transmission/drive: Six-speed manual transmission, all-wheel drive
- Fuel economy (litres per 100 kilometres): 11.1 city, 8.3 highway, 9.8 combined
- Alternatives: Honda Civic Type R, Subaru WRX STI, Volkswagen Golf R, Hyundai Veloster N
Looks
2023 Toyota GR Corolla.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
This souped-up Corolla is like nothing else on the road. The Morizo edition, especially, is eye-catching with its impossible-to-miss massive vented hood bulge, functional front air vents, rear lip spoiler, carbon-fibre roof, three-exhaust system and forged 18-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels finished in matte black. Morizo comes exclusively in a matte grey colour called Smoke.
Interior
The front seats and dash of the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla Morizo trim with a suede-covered steering wheel and an ultrasuede Morizo-signed shift knob.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
The 2023 Toyota GR Corolla Morizo edition with well-bolstered suede and synthetic leather-trimmed GR sport seats.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Compared to the exterior, the interior is disappointing. While there are some nice design touches, like red mesh inserts, stitching and GR-badged headrests on the Morizo edition, the cabin looks and feels like a regular Corolla. For a vehicle that starts at more than $45,000, I expected more. The rear seats in the Core and Circuit models are short on legroom. No rear seats in the Morizo.
Performance
A fun, fast, hot little hatchback with loads of power and a nice, close-ratio manual transmission that can hold its own on a race track. Great, distinct grumble from the exhaust when pushed. In real road driving conditions, it’s a bit of a bumpy ride.
Technology
Well equipped with convenience features such as standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, over-the-air software updates, and an eight-inch infotainment screen. Standard safety tech includes 10 airbags and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which features auto high beams and a pre-collision system that can detect bicycles, motorcycles and pedestrians.
Cargo
The trunk of the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
The rear seats on the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla Morizo edition have been removed to save weight.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
The Core and Circuit models have 504 litres of cargo space. No figures were provided for the Morizo edition.
The verdict
The Toyota GR Corolla is an affordable, practical and well-engineered high-performance hot hatch that will definitely get your motor running.
The writer was a guest of the automaker. Content was not subject to approval.
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