What are the prices for the Toyota GR Corolla GTS?

The least costly GR Corolla, the GTS, comes in at $62,300 before on-road costs, landing it around the $70k mark drive-away, directly aligning with its competitor, the Honda Civic Type R. If you opt for the more stripped-out Morizo Edition, you're looking at $77,800 before on-roads, with the trade-off of two fewer seats but an increased torque output.

What’s under the bonnet? 

In its first year of sale, Australia will receive only 700 GTS units and a scarce 25 Morizo Editions. The GR Corolla features the same three-cylinder, 1.6-litre engine as its smaller sibling, the GR Yaris, but manages to output a peak power of 221kW at 6500rpm and 370Nm of torque between 3000 and 5550rpm. Despite being lower in power compared to the new Honda Civic Type R, it compensates with an additional driven axle with the GR Four all-wheel drive system.

Achieving 100km/h from standstill takes a reported 5.3 seconds, and the vehicle currently only offers a six-speed manual transmission. In terms of fuel, it requires 98 RON premium unleaded and possesses a 50L tank. The claimed fuel economy stands at 8.4L/100km.

How does the Toyota GR Corolla GTS drive? 

The GR Corolla's performance embodies its racing-inspired heritage and design. It's a car that's meant to deliver an exhilarating driving experience, and it doesn't disappoint.

This model shares the three-cylinder engine found in the GR Yaris but provides more power, with 221kW compared to the Yaris's 200kW, while the peak torque for both is 370Nm. Despite being larger and heavier, the GR Corolla puts up a formidable performance, thanks to its extra power.

Both the GR Corolla and the GR Yaris are only available with a six-speed manual transmission and feature Toyota’s GR-Four switchable all-wheel drive system. As for acceleration, they are on par, with the GR Corolla reaching 100km/h in 5.3 seconds, only 0.1 seconds slower than the GR Yaris.

On the road, the GR Corolla's ride quality feels superb, with a definite stiffness that's well-rounded, offering a comfortable experience even over urban bumps. The car's steering feels well-weighted and is delivered through an attractively thin-rimmed leather steering wheel. The cabin ergonomics are superior to the Yaris, offering a more natural seating position and conveniently placed controls.

In stop-start traffic, frequent gear shifting may be needed, but the intuitive clutch and sufficient engine torque make for a smooth ride.

The GR Corolla truly comes alive on the right stretch of road. It offers fast, predictable acceleration out of corners, coupled with agility and firm road grip. The GR-Four all-wheel-drive system, with its three modes – Front, Rear, and Track – delivers playful yet composed performance, providing an ample amount of grip.

The steering is precise and nicely weighted, and the brakes provide excellent performance with good pedal feel for easy modulation. Overall, the GR Corolla blends thrilling hot hatch styling with an engine that encourages spirited driving, providing a delightful and surprising experience.

What is the Toyota GR Corolla GTS like on the inside?

The cabin of the GR Corolla may initially seem quite similar to a regular Corolla, but it offers some distinctive features.

While the infotainment system is comparable to its more standard counterparts, boasting an 8.0-inch screen and offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android users will require a cable for smartphone mirroring. There is a wireless charging pad, but due to its hard plastic, unlined design, phones tend to slide around, disrupting the charging process. Nonetheless, two USB-A plugs are available for wired charging in the front, but back-row passengers don't have this option.

The satellite navigation system, although visually simple, is functional. Still, many users might prefer using Google or Apple maps. A standout feature of the cabin is the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that displays a variety of GR-specific information such as turbo boost pressure, ensuring drivers are always well-informed.

The GR Corolla features Toyota Connected Services, enabling access to the car’s location, fuel levels, lock status, and driving data via a paired smartphone. It also includes emergency SOS calling capabilities and can automatically notify Toyota’s Emergency Call Centre in case of an accident or theft. The first 12 months of access are complimentary, followed by subscription plans starting from $9.95 per month.

The interior showcases faux leather and suede-accented sports seats with contrast stitching and embroidered logos, providing both comfort and ample support. The steering wheel, adorned with a GR badge, and alloy sports pedals contribute to the car's sporty ambiance.

Although there's no central storage bin due to the manual handbrake assembly, there is a shallow tray and a couple of cupholders. The wireless charging pad isn't rubber-lined, meaning your phone may slide around during spirited driving. The extensive use of piano black trim may attract dust and fingerprints.

The rear row is standard Corolla with adequate room but lacking amenities such as rear air vents or USB charging options. The back seats fold in a 60:40-split fashion to increase boot space, but even then, the boot space is a scant 213L, slightly less than a regular Corolla hatch. Unfortunately, there's no spare wheel; only a puncture repair kit is provided for emergencies.

Is the Toyota GR Corolla GTS safe? 

Regarding safety ratings, the GR Corolla doesn't have a specific ANCAP or Euro NCAP rating, but according to ANCAP's website, all Corolla Hatch variants carry a five-star safety rating from 2018 testing.

GR Corolla GTS features:

Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)

Pedestrian detection (day, night)

Cyclist detection (day)

Intersection assist

Emergency steering assist

Lane departure warning

Lane Trace Assist (lane centring)

Speed sign recognition

Blind-spot monitoring

Rear cross-traffic alert

Reversing camera

Front, rear parking sensors

7 airbags incl. driver’s knee

It also has the Toyota Connected Services suite, which can call emergency services in the event of an accident.

How much does the Toyota GR Corolla GTS cost to run? 

Maintenance for the GR Corolla does demand attention, requiring servicing every six months/10,000 km, as opposed to the annual servicing of its rivals. The first six services are priced at $300 each, resulting in a capped cost of $1800 for three years/60,000km. After this point, the service price is no longer capped.

Toyota's five-year unlimited kilometre warranty applies to the GR Corolla. However, unlike Hyundai, which explicitly allows non-competitive racetrack use under its warranty, Toyota's stance is less clear, with cases being assessed individually.

Servicing costs for the GR Corolla are reasonable, thanks to Toyota's efforts to minimize these expenses. With $300 per workshop visit, the main caveat is the frequent service intervals—every six months or 10,000km, whichever arrives first. This results in a total of $1800 for three years of scheduled servicing.

Yeecar’s Take on the Toyota GR Corolla GTS

The ultimate litmus test for any hot hatch, undeniably, is how it fares on the road, and that's precisely what we will explore in the upcoming section. But, for those hot hatch enthusiasts who are planning to utilize their GR Corolla for adrenaline-fueled track days, racing competitions, and other motorsport activities - prepare to be thrilled.

Even though the hot hatch blueprint has seen many refinements over the decades, the fundamental premise still stands - a compact yet potent (but not excessively so) engine, coupled with a well-tuned and dynamic chassis, offering an ideal platform for some energetic and engaging driving experiences.

In the grand tapestry of modern hot hatches, the GR Corolla appears to strike one of the finest balances, with its sensible dimensions, appropriate power levels, and an incredible switchable 4WD system that offers the versatility to transform from a traditional FWD hot hatch to a balanced 50/50 all-rounder, all the way to a playful, rear-end focused RWD sports car.

Given its foundations in the Corolla chassis, it also brings a degree of practicality to the table. However, don't be mistaken into thinking that you can load up your family and all their belongings into this car – it falls significantly short of the spaciousness offered by the likes of an i30 N, a hot Golf, or a Civic Type R.

With the GR Corolla, Toyota has put its cards on the table, delivering a vehicle that perfectly melds comfortable and practical everyday driving with the potential to morph into a powerful performance machine when your heart desires.

It's a truly exceptional hot hatch, and it definitely merits your attention. The biggest hurdle with the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla might be getting your hands on one. But, if you're fortunate enough to secure one of the approximately 700 units set to arrive in Australia over the next year, the benefits will be bountiful.