The 200 Morizo editions for 2023 are finished. The Circuit model was originally planned as a limited-run model for the hot Hatch’s first year, but Toyota decided to bring it back for 2024, and now Toyota has revealed that a new Premium trim will bridge the price and amenity gap between the base Core model and the more focused Circuit edition.
You should ignore the plebeian Corolla moniker since the 2024 Toyota GR Corolla is a wholly distinct species of vehicle.
The only other similarities between the GR Corolla and the company’s infamously uninspiring commuter vehicle are their basic architecture and a few interior elements.
Toyota has equipped a track-conquering mini-monster with a blazing 300-hp turbocharged three-cylinder engine, a multi-mode all-wheel-drive system, and a sport-tuned chassis to compete with automotive legends like the Honda Civic Type R and the Volkswagen Golf R.
The single available gearbox, a six-speed manual, adds to the GR Corolla’s enjoyment of driving. This hot hatch symbolizes the peak of performance for the Toyota fleet, similar to previous GR-branded vehicles.
2024 Toyota GR Corolla Interior
The GR Corolla’s interior is mostly similar to that of the basic Corolla hatchback. Thus, it has the same high build quality, soft-touch materials, and number of equipment as the standard Corolla, but with racier decor and sportier seats.
A six-way adjustable driver’s seat, a push-button start, and aluminum pedal coverings are all included as standard features.
On the Circuit Edition, which also has suede and faux-leather upholstery instead of the base model’s fabric, automatic temperature control, heated seats, and a heated steering wheel are all standard features.
The rear seat, the rear speakers, and even the window wiper positioned on the hatchback have all been eliminated from the Toyota Morizo Edition in order to save weight, which comes at the expense of functionality. A lighter load results in faster lap times.
There will be a standard 8.0-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as support for Amazon Alexa and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot.
The Circuit Edition comes standard with an eight-speaker JBL music system, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and in-dash navigation; these features are all included in the Technology package for Core versions.
2024 Toyota GR Corolla Exterior
Additionally, there are a number of extremely minute adjustments made to aid aerodynamics. The purpose of the aluminum sheets in the front and rear tire wells is to dissipate static charge from the bumper.
The airports that allow air to pass through the wheel wells were also modified by Toyota. To go even more specific, Toyota claims that it used bigger bolts in place of some of the mounting bolts for the front and rear subframes.
There are only two colors offered for the 2024 Circuit Edition—the other being white, known as Ice Cap—and the new one is dubbed Blue Flame.
The 18-inch wheels of the Circuit Edition are also brand-new for 2024. The gear knob and seats in the interior have coordinating blue stitching.
The Circuit Edition has replaced the 200 focused and streamlined Morizo Edition vehicles, which are only available for the 2023 model year.
The Circuit has the same features as the previous year, including flared hood nostrils, a forged carbon-fiber roof, side rocker panels, and a gloss black spoiler at the back.
The 18-inch BBS forged aluminum wheels from the Morizo are adopted by the Circuit for 2024 as standard equipment, reducing the weight of the little Corolla.
2024 Toyota GR Corolla Performance
A turbocharged three-cylinder engine from the GR Yaris, a hatchback that the Japanese carmaker sells in international countries outside of the United States, is housed under the hood of the GR Corolla.
It has been adjusted to produce 300 horsepower for the GR Corolla, which is a startling 185.4 horsepower per liter and 43 horsepower more than it produces in the GR Yaris.
The sole available transmission is a six-speed manual, and all versions come standard with Toyota’s GR-Four all-wheel-drive system.
The GR-Four system gives the driver a variety of power-distribution options, ranging from a 60/40 front-to-rear split for regular driving to a 30/70 split for drifting; a 50/50 split option is designed to provide the driver the most traction when racing.
Even the sporty SE and XSE variants of the Corolla now on the market don’t provide even slightly racy handling or performance, but improvements to the GR’s suspension and powertrain make it a serious competitor in the sport-compact class.
Front and rear limited-slip differentials are standard on the Circuit Edition, whereas they are an option on the Core model. The GR Corolla we tested attained 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and 100 mph in 11.4 seconds.
Even if the Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf R from the same test are just a little faster, a win is still a win.
The track-focused, limited-edition Morizo has lighter-weight forged wheels, an engine that has been tweaked to generate 295 pound-feet of torque instead of the ordinary model’s 273 pound-feet, a specially adjusted suspension, and extremely sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.
The GR Corolla’s cornering grip is tenacious, and on a winding road, it rewards its driver with the ideal balance of surefootedness and politeness.
The six-speed manual is simple to row overall, though the pedal placement may not be optimal for heel-toe work. A rev-match option is included as standard.
2024 Toyota GR Corolla Pricing
Only a few hundred dollars have changed in the price; the Core model now starts at $37,195, an increase of $200 from the previous year. With a new starting price of $41,015, the new Premium model stands above the Core, while the Circuit Edition is at the top of the list.