There is no chance of mistaking the new GR Corolla for a repmobile. With its inflated wheel arches, triple exhausts, prominent rear diffuser, red brake calipers and blacked-out grille this Toyota proclaims its sporting intent in no uncertain terms. And the driving experience lives up to the extravagant plumage.
Joining the growing Toyota Gazoo Racing ranks of high-performance cars (GR86, GR Supra and GR Yaris), the GR Corolla recently landed here in two versions: the 1.6T Core priced at R841,000 and the 1.6T Circuit for R902,400. It is the latter model I got my hands on for a weeklong evaluation, which included a visit to Gerotek for high-performance testing.
The 1.6T Circuit is endowed with a few extras over the cheaper model including a limited-slip differential, carbon fibre roof, head-up display, bonnet air vents, gloss black radiator grille and suede GR Sport seats.
Both models share the same power train, inherited from the smaller GR Yaris, which has been on the market since 2021. It comprises a 1.6l three-cylinder turbocharged engine mated to all-wheel drive. The GR Corolla is 180kg heavier than the Yaris but has extra power to compensate, wielding outputs of 221kW and 370Nm compared with the smaller car’s 198kW/360Nm.
Toyota caters to purists by making the GR Corolla available only as a six-speed manual, which provides a more hands-on driving experience but makes for slower sprint times than automatic cars.
That said, the three-pedal Toyota acquits itself well against its two-pedal hot-hatch rivals (listed below), all tested by us at the Gerotek facility near Pretoria using a Racelogic Performance Box. The GR Corolla might not scoot off the line as consistently quickly as an automatic, but when we got the clutch-throttle tango just right it scampered from 0-100km/h in 5.5 seconds — a brisk time at high altitude and just shy of Toyota’s 5.3 second sea-level claim.
Thanks to all-wheel drive the car makes quick, composed starts without lighting up the tyres in a cloud of smoke. It shoots forward with no drama or torque steer, and the small but spirited engine is good for a top speed of 230km/h.
It is just as composed in the corners, clawing the road with track width increased by 60mm at the front and 90mm at the rear compared with a standard Corolla, while it rides 10mm lower on sports suspension. The car is 13kg lighter partly due to a reduction of sound absorption materials, the chassis is strengthened and the suspension is thoroughly reworked.
It all makes the GR Corolla a thrilling yet forgiving car to drive on the limits, especially in Track mode which applies a 50/50 front-to-rear torque split in the all-wheel drive system. With two other modes — 30/70 for winding roads and 60/40 for regular driving — it’s the same drive train found in the GR Yaris, developed through Toyota’s involvement in the World Rally Championship.
The GR Corolla feels slick and settled through twisty roads, and the limited-slip diff allows you to punch the throttle hard and early out of tight turns. You have to drive it very badly to upset its composure. The 235/40R18 Yokohama Advan tyres have plenty of grip. The brakes are powerful and the steering is nicely weighted, making for a sports hatch that connects with an enthusiast driver.
In a car segment dominated by automatics, the Corolla’s six-speed manual shifter provides a more hands-on interface. The shifter moves easily, without feeling notchy, and the car has a selectable “heel-and-toe” system that automatically blips the throttle on downshifts.
The hoarse three-cylinder engine adds entertainingly sporting acoustics to the deal, and it’s a torquey unit with strong midrange torque.
Outside sporting pursuits this hot hatch makes a reasonably civilised daily driver. The ride is distinctly firmer than a run-of-the-mill Corolla on bad roads, but on smooth tar the ride is not unduly uncomfortable.
The GR Corolla has a roomy interior with all the mod cons and connectivity, making it double as a practical family car for carting the kids to school — or more likely taking your friends along for a thrill ride.
Without being as overtly showy as the exterior, the cabin has a number of sporting touches including aluminium pedals, GR-badged steering wheel and gear knob, and leather/suede bucket seats that are as comfortable as they are supportive.
The small tablet-style infotainment screen looks a little dated but there’s no criticism of its functionality, and there are physical buttons for the climate control. The driver’s configurable digital instrument panel shows information such as g-forces, oil/coolant pressure, boost pressure and trip information.
It has been a while since enthusiast drivers could get excited about a Corolla, but in the GR version Toyota revives the spirit of the iconic 20-valve RSi of the early 2000s. The manual gearbox makes it a rarity (alongside the Honda Civic Type R) in an automatic-dominated segment. It is swift, thrilling and has lots of charm. At just more than R900,000 it represents decent bang for the buck, too.
TOYOTA GR COROLLA VS THE COMPETITION
- VW Golf 8 GTI auto, 180kW/370Nm, 0-100km/h: 6.1 seconds — R781,800
- BMW 128ti auto, 180kW/380Nm, 0-100km/h: 6.2 seconds — R789,260
- Hyundai i30N auto, 206kW/392Nm, 0-100km/h: 6.1 seconds — R811,900
- Toyota GR Corolla 1.6 T Circuit, 221kW/370Nm, 0-100km/h: 5.5 seconds — R902,400
- Audi Sportback quattro auto, 213kW/400Nm, 0-100km/h: 5.3 seconds — R906,100
- VW Golf R auto, 235kW/400Nm, 0-100km/h: 4.8 seconds — R931,100
- Renault Megane RS 300 Trophy auto, 221kW/420Nm, 0-100km/h: 5.7 seconds (claimed) — R949,999
- BMW M1350 xDrive auto, 225kW/450Nm, 0-100km/h: 4.8 seconds (claimed) — R951,537
- Honda Civic Type R manual, 235kW/420Nm, 0-100km/h: 5.5 seconds (claimed) — R979,000
— Performance tests conducted by Business Day Motor News at Gerotek with Racelogic Performance Box (except where 0-100km/h figures are claimed by manufacturers)
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