Debuting in 2023, the high-performance GR Corolla is a far cry from the standard Corolla hatchback. Built on a separate line for GR vehicles and boasting a more muscle-bound version of the GR Yaris’s 1.6-liter turbo three-cylinder engine, this enthusiast’s dream car doesn’t come in a wagon variant.
While that might disappoint some, digital artist Theottle has brought a wagon-bodied GR Corolla to life through his creative editing skills. The wide wheel arches and aggressive design language certainly turn heads, but Toyota hasn’t hinted at an official version.
There’s a good reason for that: station wagons have been overshadowed by the ever-popular crossover SUVs in the US, Europe, and even Japan. Toyota has capitalized on this trend with the Corolla Cross, Yaris Cross, and the Aygo X.
While some may be disappointed by the lack of a new automatic option for the US-market GR Corolla, it’s a move likely cheered on by purists.
These enthusiasts often favor the control and engagement offered by a manual transmission, especially in a car built for driving thrills.
However, Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division undoubtedly developed a speedy automatic, potentially eclipsing the GR Corolla’s current manual transmission with rev-matching on the racetrack.
Despite this, the manual isn’t going anywhere soon. This decision is likely influenced by Volkswagen’s recent shift away from manual transmissions in their popular Golf GTI and Golf R models.
While a high-performance automatic GR Corolla may seem appealing, it doesn’t fit within the current lineup, neither in the US nor Europe. Though wagon sales figures aren’t broken down for the Corolla specifically, hatchbacks dominate the market.
This trend is further highlighted by Toyota’s partnership with Suzuki, where Suzuki sells a rebranded version of Toyota’s Corolla wagon under the Swace name.
The GR Corolla hatchback remains a US-exclusive offering, with a starting price of $36,500 for the base Core trim. In Japan, the single, well-equipped GR Corolla starts at a lower price point of around $32,920.
