First Impressions

Toyota’s Gazoo Racing badge, best known on the Supra and 86, is now gracing an unexpected, but very familiar nameplate: The Corolla. We were invited out to Salt Lake City for a First Drive track session.

This little rocket is ignited by a 1.6-liter 3-cylinder turbo taken from the GR Yaris, which never landed stateside. In the Corolla it sends 300 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, through a six-speed manual only. Throws are short and solid, a nice complement to the heavier than average clutch.

So, the GR Corolla does have an all-wheel drive system. Right now, there are three settings. There's the default, which is a 60/40 front-to-rear bias. Right now, I'm in 50/50 split torque and you can also go 30% front, and 70% to the rear. I prefer to keep it with the torque split 70% to the rear and 30% to the front as opposed to 50% front and back. I just, I like the feel better. I feel like I have more control…

A pair of front and rear limited slip differentials help, part of a one-thousand one-hundred eighty dollar performance package for the entry-level “Core” model, which starts at thirty-seven-grand. Those difs come standard on the one-year-only Circuit Edition, along with a forged carbon fiber roof, functional hood air ducts and suede sport seats. All for an MSRP of about 44-thousand dollars.

But there is one more flavor: the MORIZO Edition. This track-tackling troublemaker puts down more torque, now 295 lb-ft, and rides on stiffer springs as well as stickier Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. Oh, and it loses the rear seat to save weight. The result is more speed through the apexes and more money on the sticker-- each of the just 200 MORIZO editions heading to the U.S. come in at fifty-thousand dollars.

It’s safe to say the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla is a legit hot hatch, and we can’t wait for our next chance to feel the heat.