Trims and Mechanical Specs

The 2023 Toyota GR Corolla falls into the “hot hatch” category of performance compacts, with track-ready components and the requisite low center of gravity. Providing pep to each trim (Core, Circuit Edition, and Morizo Edition) is a 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that Toyota calls the G16E. This stimulating powerplant produces 300 hp and 273 lb.-ft. of torque, and as a true driving enthusiast’s car, it is made exclusively with a stickshift (to be precise, a short-throw rev-matching six-speed manual transmission). A variant-specific all-wheel drive system called GR-Four comes standard as well, but drivers can select specific torque distribution settings – Street (60:40), Track (50:50), or Touring (30:70) – for the moment’s needs. The Core and Circuit Edition have a sport-tuned suspension, while the Morizo Edition’s is tuned for the track. As far as fuel economy, all three trims achieve an EPA-rated 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

Standard Equipment

The ’23 GR Corolla is a well-outfitted vehicle that balances practicality with thrills for the driver who craves both. The Core gets ventilated and slotted front brake rotors, gloss-black 18-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer tires, LED exterior lighting fixtures (including fog lights), a matte-black grille, gloss-black side mirrors, a triple exhaust with brushed stainless-steel tips, widened front and rear fender flares, and Smart Key, Toyota’s patented proximity entry system. Inside, the Core receives a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with unique GR start-up animations, aluminum sport pedals, a drive-mode selector with four settings (Custom, Sport, Normal, and Eco), an AWD torque distribution dial with a trio of modes (Street, Touring, and Track), fabric seats with elegant silver contrast stitching and GR-badged headrests, push-button ignition, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic climate control, and a 60/40-split rear seat with a center armrest and cupholders. This trim also has two USB charging ports and a 12-volt power outlet.

The Circuit Edition heats things up with an air-vented hood bulge, a carbon-fiber roof to save weight, a gloss-black grille, red brake calipers, premium sport seats upholstered in a blend of Brin Naub suede and synthetic leather (the front seats are also heated and come with GR-logo headrests, as well as sporty red-mesh inserts), a heated steering wheel, and a Morizo-adorned leather-wrapped shift knob. Enthusiasts will be drawn to the especially race-ready Morizo Edition, the only two-seater in the GR Corolla lineup. It gets Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 summer tires on forged-alloy spoked wheels, semi-bucket sport seats, red seatbelts, a signature Morizo badge, and a suede-like steering wheel and shift knob.

Advanced Safety Aids

Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 is installed on all 2023 GR Corollas, equipping them with automatic high beams, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, dynamic radar cruise control with lane tracing assist, lane departure alert with steering assist, and road sign assist. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is included as well.

Infotainment and Optional Equipment

The Core gets a premier multimedia system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming, and a six-speaker sound system. The Circuit Edition upgrades with a deluxe eight-speaker JBL system, while the track-bred Morizo Edition goes with a two-speaker unit. Toyota’s Drive Connect system (which provides Cloud Navigation with Google points of interest, the Intelligent Assistant concierge system, and Destination Assist) is optional for the Core but included for a year in the other two trims.

Those who order the Core trim have the option of adding any of a trio of packages. The Performance Package includes front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials, red brake calipers, and a GR logo. The Technology Package contains the eight-speaker JBL sound system upgrade and a wireless phone charging pad. The Cold Weather Package will supply heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.