2024 Toyota GR Corolla: A Comprehensive Guide On Features, Specs, And Pricing

The GR Corolla is one of the most anticipated cars by Toyota. After decades of steering clear from exciting high-performance Corolla-badged models, it finally handed the current-generation hatchback to the Gazoo Racing team to develop this one-of-a-kind all-wheel drive turbocharged manual transmission pocket rocket. American Toyota fans were let down after discovering that the GR Yaris was snubbed from an American launch, but this more practical option, featuring the same drivetrain, is a pleasant alternative.

The GR Corolla caters to a very niche customer base that doesn’t mind manual labor and the grittiness of a downsized three-cylinder engine. Despite this, Toyota has shown no issues with moving what few units it has to enthusiastic customers across the country. Thankfully, there are more examples available for the 2024 model year, but this is likely to be your last opportunity to buy one, as this generation of the Corolla is due to be replaced sometime next year. If you’re still on the fence about whether you should consider a GR Corolla, this guide will help make your decision a bit easier.

What’s New For 2024?

For 2024, Toyota reintroduces the originally limited Circuit Edition trim, but with a new Blue Flame exterior paint option with blue interior accents and black lower-body decals, and a lighter 18-inch forged alloy wheelset. Other than that, it remains completely unchanged from the inaugural 2023 model year.

2024 Highlights

• New Blue Flame paint option
• Complementary blue interior accents and trimmings
• Lower body decals finished in black
• Lightweight 18-inch forged alloy wheels
• Turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine
• Six-speed manual and all-wheel drivetrain

Exterior Dimensions

(Data sourced from Toyota)

Engine Specifications And Performance

The GR Corolla’s pride and joy is its turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder G16E-GTS engine. This powertrain features a D-4ST direct port injection system with multi-oil jet piston cooling, large-diameter exhaust valves, and a part-machined intake port, resulting in a 10.5:1 compression ratio. The turbocharger’s boost ranges between 20.3 and 25.2 psi, which is what helps get its output to 300 horsepower at 6,500 RPM and 273 pound-feet of torque at 3,000 RPM. The engine redlines at around 7,200 RPM, which is fairly high for an engine of this class.

The GR-Four all-wheel drive system is a highlight of this performance hatch experience. It features three different power settings consisting of 60:40, 30:70, and 50:50 torque distribution settings. Toyota fits the base Core model with open differentials, while the Premium and Circuit models benefit from front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials. A six-speed manual transmission is the only option for this car.

As per the brand’s claims, the GR Corolla will sprint from 0-60 MPH in 4.99 seconds and hit a limited 143 MPH top speed. Independent testing reveals that 4.9 seconds is achievable, as is a 13.3-second quarter-mile time at 105 MPH.

Performance Specifications

(Data sourced from Toyota)

Toyota built the GR Corolla with the intention of frequent track use, which is why it implemented a GR sport-tuned setup to the TNGA’s front MacPherson strut and rear double-wishbone. The GR Corolla also features a rear strut brace and thicker front and rear stability bars. The Core model features four-piston front and two-piston rear calipers with 14-inch front and 11.7-inch rear ventilated rotors. Premium and Circuit models feature the exact same brakes with red GR-branded calipers. A GR circuit-tuned electric power steering rounds off the hot hatch’s enjoyable driving characteristics.

Interior Technology And Comfort

Best Interior Features Of The 2024 Toyota GR Corolla

• Manually adjustable front sports seats with GR branding
• Automatic climate control
• Front seat heating for Premium and Circuit trims
• 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Premium eight-speaker JBL audio system for Premium and Circuit trims
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster

The GR Corolla is a well-appointed hot hatch, but you may find it to feel a bit utilitarian in some sections. The Core trim features manually adjustable front sports seats, automatic single-zone climate control, and all-electric windows with one-touch auto up and down functions. Toyota covers the seats in black fabric with gray contrast stitching, aluminum sport pedals, and leather trimmings for the handbrake, gear knob, and multifunction steering wheel.

The Premium and Circuit include the same features, but you get to enjoy a more premium Brun Naub and synthetic leather upholstery with blue accent stitching. There’s also a carbon insert for the gear shifter, and heating for the front seats and steering wheel. You also have access to a broad catalog of accessories including all-weather interior liners and mats, cargo solutions, and other GR-specific trimmings.

Technology

Toyota fits all GR Corolla models with its 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a specific GR start-up animation. You also get the 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a three-month trial to SiriusXM, and a host of other connected service trials. The Core model features a basic six-speaker audio system, but you get the premium eight-speaker JBL premium audio system in the higher trims together with a wireless smartphone charger. All derivatives benefit from two USB charging ports.

Interior Dimensions

(Data sourced from Toyota)

Safety And Reliability

Toyota kits the GR Corolla out with a comprehensive level of safety features. These include ten airbags covering the driver, front passenger, front knees, sides, and curtains. The body construction benefits from side-impact door beams and an energy-absorbing collapsible steering column. The GR Corolla is a limited model, so it hasn’t been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. For reference, the standard Corolla hatch achieved an impressive five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS.

Toyota celebrates its good reputation for reliability, but the GR Corolla’s engine is a relatively young design, so it doesn’t have a proven track record. Thus far, the NHTSA doesn’t list any recalls for the GR Corolla. J.D. Power gives the entire Corolla range an Average 76/100 rating for quality and reliability.

Driver Assistance Features

The GR Corolla benefits from the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite, which consists of a front pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and assist, lane tracing assist, road sign detection, automatic high-beam assist, and proactive driving assist. Blind Spot Monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, and a vehicle proximity notification system are also included in the package.

• Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection,
• Full-speed range dynamic adaptive cruise control.
• Lane departure alert with steering assist.
• Lane tracing assist.
• Automatic high beams.
• Blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert.

You also get the brand’s Star Safety System, which includes enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, and a four-wheel anti-lock brake system with electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology.

• Recalls (NHTSA): 0
• NHTSA Investigations: 0
• NHTSA Consumer Complaints: 0
• Awards: N/A

Warranties

Toyota sells the GR Corolla with its standard 36-month or 36,000-mile basic warranty package and 60-month or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. A complimentary 24-month or 25,000-mile maintenance warranty and 24-month roadside assistance with an unlimited mile cap also feature in the package via the ToyotaCare plan. Corrosion defects are resolved within a 60-month period.

(Data sourced from Toyota)

2024 Toyota GR Corolla Versus Its Competitors

The hot hatch realm is slowly becoming a dying breed, but there are still some amazing options you can consider. The GR Corolla has the tough job of putting up with the likes of the Honda Civic Type R. The Hyundai Veloster N was a great alternative, but now that it is defunct in the U.S., you have to consider the Elantra N compact sedan.

How The Toyota GR Corolla Compares To The Honda Civic Type R

Showing up the all-new Honda Civic Type R is almost an impossible task for any hot hatch. The latest variation of the iconic moniker maintains the K20 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, but with a lower-revving turbocharged configuration. This larger engine outperforms Toyota’s powertrain, but only by a small margin. Despite this, both cars return similar acceleration and quarter-mile times, making this a truly challenging comparison. The Civic Type R may be front-wheel drive, but its world-class differential technology means it may even outperform the all-wheel drive Corolla through some twisty corners.

The Corolla has the strong benefit of being quite a bit cheaper than its Japanese hot hatch counterpart, but this is at the cost of a much shorter standard features list. The two models also return similar fuel consumption figures and benefit from evenly sized cabins and trunks. In the end, this comes down to whichever badge you prefer, as the GR Corolla and Civic Type R are equally impressive cars in their own right.

How The Toyota GR Corolla Compares To The Hyundai Elantra N

The Hyundai Elantra N is somewhat of an improvement over the Veloster, as it introduces more power and better practicality. You also have the bonus of choosing a manual or automatic transmission. However, the less powerful engine means you’re not going to be able to keep up if you run into a GR Corolla in the wild. The Elantra N is just marginally slower from 0-60 MPH and suffers from a quarter-mile time that’s about half a second slower. However, that’s not necessarily a nail in the South Korean model’s coffin.

The Elantra N is a very underrated and satisfying performance car that can hold its own during a casual track day. It’s also a bit cheaper than the Toyota, while still offering better specifications, more interior and trunk space, and equally head-turning exterior aesthetics. It may not be the best choice among its competitors in terms of performance, but it’s difficult to categorize this car as the worst decision you could make.

How Much A 2024 Toyota GR Corolla Costs

Toyota offers the GR Corolla with a choice of three trims. The entry-level Core costs $36,500, the Premium $40,320, and the Circuit Edition, $45,140. This is before you factor in the $1,095 destination fee.

(Pricing sourced from Toyota)

Fuel Economy

If you’re looking for a fuel-efficient hatchback, we’d recommend looking elsewhere. The GR Corolla may feature a downsized engine, but the EPA estimates it will consume 21/28/24 MPG on the city/highway/combined cycle with a $2,850 annual fuel cost estimate. The 13.2-gallon gas tank holds enough fuel to carry the hatchback for 317 miles before needing a refuel.

(Data sourced from the EPA)

Is It Worth Buying A Toyota GR Corolla?

The GR Corolla is a great hot hatch option if you’re looking for a sharp and enjoyable car with compact proportions, aggressive visuals, and an engaging manual transmission. It may not be the best hot hatch currently available, but its exclusivity alone is enough reason you should be considering it. Thanks to Akio Toyoda’s influence, this is unlikely to be the end of Toyota’s renewed ICE and performance car lineage, as the brand has openly stated it will be ramping these divisions up in years to come and its high-performance journey is only getting started.

The GR Corolla’s well-curated range also means it caters to drivers who want a focused Core model without any of the frills or a more lifestyle-oriented trim that benefits from better comfort and versatility, making it viable as a daily driver. The GR Corolla is only around for a limited time, and we doubt we’ll be disappointed by this decision in the long run.