Toyota GR Corolla: A Hot Hatch That’s Pure Fun

Words and Photos by Jennifer Jensen

The Toyota GR Corolla is here, and it’s anything but your average Corolla. This is Toyota’s foray into the world of hot hatches for the U.S. market—a performance-oriented, rally-inspired hatchback packed with enough power and personality to make even the most skeptical car enthusiasts grin. Developed by Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division, the GR Corolla delivers 300 horsepower from a turbocharged three-cylinder engine and comes with an advanced all-wheel-drive system. It’s the Corolla you never knew you wanted. It was so beloved around the office that this little hot hatch got it’s own nickname: GRolla.

The Powerhouse: A Turbocharged Three-Cylinder Engine

Let’s start under the hood, where the GRolla’s unique 1.6-liter, three-cylinder turbo engine takes center stage. Dubbed the G16E-GTS, this tiny powerhouse is the same engine Toyota used in the GR Yaris—a car available in other markets but not in the U.S. By dropping this engine into the Corolla, Toyota created a car that offers 300 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, with peak torque arriving between 3,000 and 5,500 RPM. That power band gives the GR Corolla a lively, punchy feel and, with a manual transmission, gives you plenty of reasons to row the gears.

While it might seem strange to have only three cylinders, the GRolla proves you don’t need a big engine to deliver big fun. The car pulls hard, especially in the mid-range, and the turbo spools up quickly to provide a satisfying surge of power. Toyota claims a 0-60 time of around 5 seconds, and while it might not be the quickest hot hatch on the market, the GRolla makes the journey to 60 feel intense and engaging…especially because you have to work it to get there. You really need to shift to third to hit the 60 mph marker (second gear bounces off the rev limiter right around 60) so you feel like you’re an active part of what’s going on. And that’s what makes it fun.

The Sound: Surprisingly Good for a Three-Cylinder

One of the surprises with the GRolla is the sound. The three-cylinder engine, paired with Toyota’s triple exhaust system – yes, that’s one pipe per cylinder – produces a unique, almost growling note that is quite distinctive. Unlike many modern cars that use artificial engine sounds piped through the speakers, the GR Corolla’s soundtrack is all natural, which adds to the thrill. It’s raw and authentic, reminding you that this little Corolla actually mean business.

Design: Aggressive and Purposeful

The GRolla looks the part of a performance car, with bulging fenders, a wide stance, and a set of 18-inch wheels wrapped in grippy rubber. The Circuit Edition, which we spent a week with, adds some extra flair with a forged carbon-fiber roof that reduces weight and lowers the center of gravity. Functional hood vents, side skirts, and an oversized rear wing complete the rally-inspired look.

From the back, the triple exhaust tips stand out as a clear indicator that this Corolla is built for more than just commuting. It’s hard to look at the GRolla and not feel a sense of excitement—it’s a car that wears its performance credentials on its sleeve.

All-Wheel Drive and Drive Modes: Control at Your Fingertips

The GRolla features Toyota’s GR-FOUR all-wheel-drive system, a setup that lets you choose between three different torque splits depending on the driving conditions. In Normal mode, the power split is 60% to the front and 40% to the rear, making it ideal for everyday driving. For a more aggressive setup, you can switch to Sport mode, which sends 70% of the power to the rear wheels. And when you want optimal balance, Track mode offers a 50/50 split for maximum control on tight corners and twisty roads.

This flexibility in the drivetrain makes the GRolla feel ready for anything, whether you’re tearing down a mountain road or just driving to work. During our testing, we found that the Track mode provided the most fun, allowing the car to rotate naturally through corners and claw like a wild animal when you get on the throttle coming out of those turns. Track mode also has a surprising ability…you can make the GRolla pirouette on one spot.

During our time with the car we had a fair amount of wintery weather. We’re talking ten degrees kind of weather with patches of ice. The GRolla comes with Michelin Pilot Sport 4’s that tend to lose their footing below about fifty degrees. So, like a kid with a shiny new toy, I had to see what kind of grip these tired would provide. So in an empty lot I tried the different drive modes while tossing the car about.

In Track mode, with traction control off, the GRolla will literally spin on a dime and just keep going. It’s a trick the Ford Focus RS could pull off and it was pretty cool to enact in the GRolla.

Handling and Suspension: Rally-Ready Chassis

Like pretty much everything else on the GRolla, the suspension setup is tuned for performance. We’re talking MacPherson struts up front and a double-wishbone suspension in the rear. This combination provides excellent stability and control, especially when pushing the car hard. The Circuit Edition also comes with red-painted brake calipers and upgraded brake rotors, which deliver strong stopping power. The pedal feel is firm but sure-footed.

Despite the sporty suspension, the GR Corolla doesn’t feel overly harsh on city streets. It’s solid, yes, but still manageable. On twisty roads, the car is incredibly agile, with quick steering that makes it easy to place exactly where you want it. There’s minimal body roll, and the car feels planted even when you’re pushing it to the limit. It’s clear that Toyota put a lot of effort into tuning this chassis for real-world performance.

Interior: Simple, Focused, and Driver-Centric

Inside, Toyota kept things straightforward and driver-focused. The cabin isn’t luxurious, but it’s well built, and everything you need is within easy reach. The GRolla comes with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that’s responsive and easy to use. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, so you can connect your smartphone without a hitch.

The Circuit Edition’s interior gets some extra touches, like red stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and sport seats that provide excellent support. The shifter is satisfying to use. It’s not rifle-bolt direct, but it is more precise than some other manuals we’ve used in the past. We’re just elated that Toyota offers the GRolla with a manual! However, pedal spacing isn’t quite perfect for heel-toe shifting. At least not for my feet.

The gauge cluster is digital, with a customizable display that shows everything from boost pressure to G-forces. It’s a nice touch, especially if you’re the kind of driver who likes to keep an eye on performance metrics.

I’ve read that some other automotive journalists feel that the materials in the cabin are sub par. I disagree. Most of the main touch points are soft and feel good. There are some hard plastics, but you’d be hard pressed to find a car currently on the market in the $40,000 range that doesn’t have hard plastics in the cabin. Also bear in mind that the GR Corolla grew out of the standard Corolla, a car that starts at a mere $22,000. I do wish there wasn’t so much piano black though.

Drive Modes and Rev Matching: Tailor Your Drive

The GRolla offers a few drive modes—Eco, Normal, and Sport—that adjust the throttle response and steering effort. There’s also a button for Toyota’s Intelligent Manual Transmission (IMT) mode, which enables automatic rev-matching for smoother downshifts. The system does a very nice job and will make you look like a pro.

Switching between drive modes doesn’t alter the suspension settings, as this is a fixed setup. Instead, it primarily changes the throttle response and steering weight, giving the car a different feel depending on how you want to drive. Sport mode sharpens everything up, making the GRolla feel even more eager to respond.

Performance: A Pure Driver’s Car

While the GRolla isn’t the fastest hot hatch on the market, it’s one of the most engaging. The turbocharged three-cylinder engine feels responsive, and the car’s relatively lightweight build means it doesn’t need a ton of power to be fun. At just over 3,200 pounds, the GRolla is nimble and easy to toss around, making it ideal for backroads or track day fun.

Put simply, the GRolla is a really fun car. If you can get your hands on one of these, you will not be disappointed. You would think three cylinders, 300 horsepower, it’s not going to be that energetic, that enjoyable, that fun.

You’d be wrong. This is just a fun car. And the argument to be made for this car is that you can exploit its performance capabilities in the real world every single day. You have to work this car. It’s not going to do the work for you. I wish you could send 100% of the power to the rear wheels because you never have all the power at one end or the other, but the GRolla is just a playful and willing partner in fun.

Technology and Safety: Toyota’s Latest

Toyota didn’t skimp on safety with the GRolla. The car comes standard with a whole suite of standard safety features along with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 which includes all the following:

▪ Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD)
▪ Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA)
▪ Lane Tracing Assist (LTA)
▪ Automatic High Beams (AHB)
▪ Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
▪ Road Sign Assist (RSA)

The GRolla also includes a 360-degree camera system, which is helpful given the car’s slightly compromised rear visibility. There’s even a pre-collision system that can detect pedestrians and cyclists along with little touches like a speed limit detector that will change colors if you exceed the posted limit.

Verdict: A Rally Car for the Road

The Toyota GR Corolla is more than just a hot hatch—it’s a car that’s as thrilling as it is practical. With its rally-inspired design, powerful turbocharged engine, and all-wheel-drive system, the GRolla is built to put a smile on your face every time you get behind the wheel. It’s not perfect but it’s engaging and rewarding…more so than many cars at double or triple the price tag.

Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division has managed to create a car that’s both fun and functional, something that’s surprisingly rare in today’s market. If you’re a driving enthusiast who needs a car that can handle daily duties but still bring the excitement on weekends, the GR Corolla is worth serious consideration. It’s a rally car you can take to the grocery store, and in a world where practicality often outweighs fun, that’s a pretty big win.