It’s rare for a car company to do something nice for its enthusiast community. Look around you during stop-and-go traffic, and you’ll find that most cars on the road today are built with one function in mind: getting from point A to point B. When a car exceeds basic practicality and economy, when is satisfies, invigorates—even induces—passion and emotion, well, that is when you have a car built for the enthusiast. Today, that car is the Toyota GR Corolla!

 

Toyota’s first 300 horsepower, 3-cylinder, AWD turbo GR car didn’t actually make it to the United States as that car was based on the Yaris model that was no longer available in our market. Not all was lost, however: Toyota eventually redeemed itself by stuffing all of the GR goodies into something we already have in the US market: the Corolla hatch. Then, Toyota went above and beyond even that, blessing the GR Corolla with a variable control AWD system, a wide-body design, fantastic grip, and—best of all—a 6-speed manual transmission only. If you want to drive the best hot hatch Toyota has ever made, you need to know how to drive a stick.

 

Why no other transmission option? Easy: The GR is all about having fun on four wheels, and there is no greater fun to have in a sporty car than rowing your own gears. To that end, Toyota fitted the GR with a solid-feeling six-speed that boasts positive, beefy engagements and a light-on-the-left-leg clutch that makes driving enjoyable—even at low speeds or in traffic.

 

Equally as great as the transmission is the GR’s wonder of an engine. Somehow, Toyota managed to squeeze 100 horsepower out of each of three cylinders. Coupled with short gearing (final drive ratio is 3.45), this turbocharged power plant spins eagerly up to its 7,000 rpm redline.

 

Performance is snappy, with 0-60 runs taking just under 5 seconds. Stay on the gas and hit your shifts just right and the GR will reach a quarter mile in 13.7 at 101mph on its way to a top speed of 143mph. Properly launching the car does require revving the engine to around 5,000rpm and releasing the clutch quickly. The car then bolts off the line like a racehorse. Launch too low in the rev range, however, and it takes a bit for the turbo to spool up.

 

With wide fenders and a short wheelbase, the GR Corolla handles like a champ. Cornering is racecar-tight and inspires boatloads of confidence through the turns. The AWD system is also very sophisticated, allowing customization of how much engine torque goes to the front or rear wheels. The default is a 60/40 split (Font/Rear), but that can be changed to a 30/70 or 50/50 split using the dial on the center console. Control is part of the fun!

 

Interior quality is what you’d expect in an economy hatch—plenty of hard plastics—but it’s well laid out and features wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. Phone charging is wireless, too, and the large infotainment touchscreen works well. The rear seats are as tight as on any other Corolla, so don’t plan on having tall people back there for an extended length of time.

 

My test car was the Core version of GR Corolla, which is considered the base model and starts at $35,900. There is also the more track-focused Circuit Edition ($42,900) and then the limited-production, 2-seat only MORIZO Edition ($49,900). Most GR buyers will choose between the Core or Circuit trim, the latter coming with premium JBL audio, a forged carbon fiber roof, vented bulge hood, a sporty rear spoiler, and suede-trimmed sport seats. Best of all, the Circuit edition includes front and rear Torsen Limited-Slip Differentials (LSD) instead of the Core stock 4WD open diffs. However, you can still get the upgraded differentials on the Core model by optioning the Performance Package.

 

In an age where manufacturers often only give us what the EPA regulators or technical engineers want, Toyota goes all out to capture our hearts and undying passion with what enthusiasts really desire: a car that bridges what you really need with what you really want!

 

If you'd like information about becoming a preferred partner with Greet Western Springs please reach out to Jill McCain at jill.mccain@n2co.com.