In early 2023, Toyota Malaysia launched several models carrying the GR badging, and among them, three models truly captured the hearts and attention of those present at the event. One of these models is the sporty manual hatchback, the Toyota GR Corolla. I was particularly drawn to it because I really liked the GR Yaris, and the GR Corolla essentially takes the successful formula of the GR Yaris and introduces it to a larger vehicle. In this article, I will take you on a journey to experience the GR Corolla and see if it could replace the GR Yaris as the hot hatch to get from Toyota.
Personally, I find the GR Corolla to be a very sporty-looking vehicle, and it’s about time for Toyota’s designers to bring back some style to their vehicles. The handsome look of the hatchback definitely makes you want to turn back your head after parking the vehicle. While it’s attractive, I don’t think it captures as much attention from the public as I expected. On the front, the GR Corolla comes with an aggressive front end, with a huge air intake integrated into the front bumper. On the air intake, you’ll be able to spot a small GR badge, signifying that this is a GR product. 
Apart from the huge air intake, the GR Corolla also comes with two air vents located on the hood of the vehicle. Initially, I thought they were fake, but they’re actually real. The GR Corolla also comes with full LED headlights and adaptive high beams for darker roads. On the side of the vehicle, there are air vents behind the wheel arches to release air that may be stuck in the wheel arch, thus reducing aerodynamic drag. Beside the vents, the GR badge makes an appearance as well. 
Moving slightly rearward, the aggressive side skirts on the GR Corolla feature a large GR-Four logo to represent the all-wheel-drive system this vehicle comes with. To match the sporty bumper upfront, the rear bumper looks equally sporty and comes with three exhaust tailpipes that produce a much better exhaust note than the GR Yaris. From the outside, the exhaust is actually fairly audible, but it’s not as loud inside the vehicle. This exhaust also produces a more bassy note compared to the GR Yaris. To finish the look in the rear, the GR Corolla comes with full LED tail lights to complement the headlights. 
One of the standout exterior features of the GR Corolla is the forged carbon fiber roof, which looks really unique and is functional as well. It is meant to reduce the weight from the roof, providing the vehicle with a lower center of gravity. This is something you won’t find in a regular Corolla. Lastly, the GR Corolla comes with a set of sporty-looking rally-inspired rims measuring in at 18 inches, wrapped in 235/40 R18 tires, which really match the aggressive look of the GR Corolla. 
If you’ve ever been in a Corolla Cross or the Corolla Altis, the GR Corolla will be very familiar to you. Being under the Corolla family, the GR Corolla shares the same interior as the other two models mentioned above. Of course, Toyota did make the interior of the GR Corolla a bit special compared to the other siblings. Starting with the steering wheel, you get a much chunkier, nicer-to-grip steering wheel. While it may not have a flat-bottom like many of its competitors, the steering still feels sporty in the hands. 
Behind the steering wheel, the GR Corolla comes with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. This high-definition cluster crams plenty of information into the instrument cluster yet remains easy to read. Beside it, the infotainment screen is similar to the ones on the Corolla Cross and Altis but comes with wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay, which is a nice touch. Unfortunately, the resolution of the reverse camera fitted to the GR Corolla is on the lower side. It may not be a deal-breaker, but I think Toyota could do better for an RM 300+k vehicle. 
To accommodate the manual gear lever, the GR Corolla comes with a slightly different center console layout. Apart from the gear lever, the center console had to accommodate the drive mode selector specific to the GR Corolla. Additionally, you get a wireless charger for added creature comfort in the vehicle. The driver’s seat in the GR Corolla is really comfortable. Although it may lean towards the sporty side, it’s very well-sculpted, hugging the driver tightly during spirited drives and providing ample support. Additionally, ergonomics are well taken care of, with every switch and knob within reach. 
Moving to the back seats, it’s pretty much the same as the other Corolla hatchback models that we don’t get in Malaysia. While they may look upright, I was surprised to find that the rear seats have a good reclining angle for comfort. The legroom may not be the largest, but it’s sufficient for the size of the vehicle, and there aren’t any complaints regarding headroom. All the seats in the GR Corolla are wrapped in leather and suede-like materials, giving the interior a sporty yet elegant vibe. Behind the rear seats, the GR Corolla comes with a 213L boot, which may not be huge but is sufficient for small families and can be further expanded by folding down the rear seats. 
Under the hood, the Gazoo Racing developed 1.6L 3-cylinder turbocharged engine powers this hot hatch, mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. Power is sent to all four wheels through the GR-Four all-wheel-drive system. This engine delivers 300 PS at 6,500 rpm and 370 Nm at 3,300 – 5,000 rpm. The GR Corolla can accelerate from 0 – 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 230 km/h. 
As for its performance, the GR Corolla has more than sufficient power for Malaysian roads. The engine has a surprisingly wide power band, similar to the GR Yaris. While it may not accelerate as hard as those with dual-clutch transmissions, it’s still fast in its own right. Comparatively, the GR Corolla feels much smoother than the GR Yaris, with refined upgrades to the transmission shifting into gears more precisely and smoothly. The GR Yaris, in contrast, feels more notchy when changing gears.
Handling is definitely the strong suit of the GR Corolla. It comes with quick and precise steering, providing a decent amount of feedback from the front wheels. You can really push the car into corners, and it will respond to the steering input. However, as the GR Corolla is heavier than the GR Yaris, it does feel slightly less nimble. But for regular drivers who haven’t driven a GR Yaris, I don’t think they would notice the difference.
With the added weight and size, the GR Corolla feels more stable in corners or at higher speeds, with a higher grip level making it more difficult to get the GR Corolla sliding. However, for skilled drivers, this shouldn’t be an issue. As for the ride, it is definitely on the firmer side but doesn’t feel like it’s crashing over uneven roads. There’s a sense of solidity in the way the suspension absorbs bumps, indicating a well-tuned suspension from the engineers at GR.
To slow down this hot hatch, it uses 4-pot GR brakes upfront, providing good stopping power and giving the driver plenty of confidence to brake late. In terms of safety, the GR Corolla comes with a long list of driver assistance systems, even though it’s a manual vehicle. This not only makes the GR Corolla a sporty vehicle but also ensures extra safety on the road, with features such as 7 airbags, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRC), and Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) as standard. Additionally, it includes driver assistance systems like Pre-collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), and Auto High Beam (AHB). 
Despite the hefty price tag of RM 355,000.00, I still really like this hot hatch for what it is. It’s a car that squarely aims at enthusiasts like me and is not meant for those who just want a city runabout. I appreciate how the GR Corolla makes you feel special when you’re behind the wheel and is quite enjoyable to drive. However, for regular people, this price point may be hard to swallow, as they can find more practical and luxurious vehicles from other manufacturers. But if you’re a car enthusiast like me, this is a vehicle worth considering, especially as manual vehicles are slowly becoming rarer.
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