2024 Toyota GR Corolla Review

Gazoo Racing (GR) is Toyota’s performance driving division, which includes the GR Supra, GR86, and GR Corolla models. Our review will focus on how the 2024 GR Corolla’s design, technology, and performance capabilities compare to those of its competitors and siblings within the GR garage. 

MotoPickers Rating: 8/10

The 2024 GR Corolla is a zesty hot hatch seating up to five passengers. New additions for the model’s 2024 production year include:

• An introduction of the mid-level Premium trim
• The discontinuation of the premium Morizo Edition grade
• Minor structural and aerodynamic tweaks

Toyota’s 2024 GR Corolla has received praise for its power that outperforms its compact size and all-wheel drive (AWD) capability inspired by rally car racing. After evaluating its specs, which we’ll examine more closely later in our review, you’ll find it’s also well-equipped in regard to standard advanced driver assistance.

Our review will also touch on potential drawbacks in the 2024 GR Corolla so you can more confidently decide whether its design matches your driving needs. Some criticisms surrounding this vehicle include room for interior ergonomic improvements and the quality of certain cabin materials. 

The 2024 GR Corolla starts at $36,500, with its highest trim, the Circuit Edition, holding a base price of $45,140. Toyota previously focused on these two trims but has added the new mid-level Premium trim, which allows drivers to receive some upgrades while paying less. Keep reading to learn more about how these trims can impact your daily drives, for better or for worse.

Exterior design spotlight

Toyota’s 2024 GR Corolla features an aggressive stance primed for takeoff. Dramatic exterior styling elements on this hatchback include flared front and rear fenders, which emphasize its wider stance and facilitate increased road grip. Sporty black accents provide additional flair, and optional red-painted calipers and GR badging are necessary to optimize this vehicle’s curb or track appeal. 

This exterior is also aerodynamic-friendly with its functional matrix front grille flanked by side air ducts, which maximize engine airflow while increasing handling stability. Side fender vents, a rear diffuser, and rear bumper ducts further aerodynamics by reducing the car’s drag coefficient and increasing downforce. While aerodynamically refined, the 2024 GR Corolla falls short of competitors like Hyundai’s Elantra N, which contains a more aerodynamic exterior with its sleeker design and an underbody that places higher emphasis on integrating components like a flat underbody tray, smoothing underside airflow.

A closer look at the 2024 GR Corolla’s rear reveals triple exhaust functional air vents that assist in exhaust system cooling while elevating aesthetic appeal. The rear also contains a debossed GR-FOUR logo and an optional high-mounted accessory rear spoiler, furthering its aesthetic appeal. While features like the GR-FOUR logo and available rear spoiler contain plenty of character, the competing Honda Civic Type R includes a more aggressive exterior design, which may appeal more to drivers seeking a vehicle within this segment.

Seamless cargo access via hatchback design is one of the Toyota model’s primary selling points, making it practical and a fun daily driver. Our next section will examine this cargo area’s capacity and other notable interior elements, such as material choices.

Interior design and comfort

While the 2024 GR Corolla is a hatchback, its rear cargo space behind the second row is slightly disappointing at 17.8 cubic feet (cu. ft.). Utilizing this Toyota’s 60/40 split fold-down rear seats creates additional space, but those needing to maximize storage are better off with a competing model like Volkswagen’s Golf STI, which has 19.9 cu. ft. of space behind the second row. Still, the 2024 GR Corolla’s cargo capacity will meet the needs of most drivers.

Upholstery options for the 2024 GR Corolla include Fabric sport seats with gray stitching and GR-badged headrests, available synthetic leather-trimmed sport seats with gray stitching and GR-badged headrests, or optional synthetic leather-trimmed sport seats with blue stitching. Each of these three configurations features a 6-way adjustable driver’s seat and a 4-way adjustable front passenger seat with seatback pockets. 

Aluminum sport pedals are standard across all 2024 GR Corolla trims, and the available Circuit Edition badge helps you show off your vehicle’s limited production with an exclusive manufacturing number. Base and mid-level GR Corollas have a leather-trimmed shift knob, and the peak trim contains a leather-trimmed shift knob with a blue accent stripe in addition to a forged carbon insert.

One minor drawback to this interior is Toyota’s decision to make the tilt/telescopic sport steering wheel adjustments manual for drivers. Still, features like the heated steering wheel help compensate for this slight inconvenience. A more significant criticism associated with the 2024 GR Corolla is how its overall interior ambiance feels slightly cheap for its price, especially with the high amount of plastic. Although a separate automotive segment, Tesla redesigned its Model Y’s interior after receiving similar criticism over its faux wood.

Others have noted a lack of sound insulation in this Toyota’s cabin, whereas comparable rivals like Subaru’s WRX and Hyundai’s Elantra N are generally reviewed as having more effective sound insulation.

Performance and handling 

The 2024 GR Corolla’s 1.6-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged engine might sound tepid—but in reality, it delivers an impressive 300 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. This motor’s design is optimized for weight reduction, increasing balance during acceleration into turns. According to Toyota’s GR division, the World Rally Championship inspired this powertrain, culminating in a delightfully aggressive exhaust note. You can expect to get 21 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway, which is competitive for this segment. 

One downside to this vehicle’s performance is that you won’t have the option of selecting an automatic transmission. Instead, you’ll receive an intelligent 6-speed short-shift manual. Still, a manual transmission provides a more direct connection to your drives, which will likely satisfy permanence enthusiasts in the market for a Toyota GR.

Handling

Toyota’s GR-FOUR AWD is standard across all 2024 GR Corolla trims. This powertrain’s uniqueness stems from its ability to conquer varied terrains with three power settings that split front and rear torque distribution to 60:40 for daily driving, 50:50 for optimizing track performance and stability, and a 30:70 ratio for enhancing rear-wheel drive dynamics during instances like cornering. 

The 2024 GR Corolla’s brakes are highly capable with ventilated and slotted brake rotors, four-piston front fixed calipers, and two-piston rear calipers, which control heat for more stopping power. Drivers also receive a mechanical hand brake, helping to create a race-like experience. 

Up front, this Toyota’s GR Circuit-Tuned Suspension contains circuit-tuned coil springs, shock absorbers, and stabilizer bars working in tandem to maintain an even ride feel during aggressive driving. The rear features a double-wishbone multilink system, which helps solidify tire grip on uneven road surfaces. Toyota’s 2024 GR Corolla’s sole wheel option is a set of sleek gloss-black 18” alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 performance tires, further increasing grip.

Drivers looking to push the 2024 GR Corolla to its performance limits can disable Vehicle Stability Control by pressing a button for quicker acceleration and more control during maneuvers like drifting.

Rival horsepower performance advantages

The 2024 GR Corolla beats one of its fiercest rivals, Hyundai’s Elantra N, in the horsepower category, as the Elantra N’s rating is 276. While this Toyota falls behind competitors like Honda’s Civic Type R and Volkswagen’s Golf R, these opponents only outperform the GR Corolla by 15 horsepower.

Technology and infotainment 

Toyota’s 2024 GR Corolla includes an available 12.3” multi-information display, which is large for a car of its size. This display offers an exclusive GR start-up animation, a GR meter with digital gauges for monitoring power settings and turbo pressure, and gear position indicator lights. The 12.3” configuration is available for Premium and Circuit Edition trim levels, and the base trim comes equipped with an 8” version. While 8” is significantly smaller, you’ll still receive wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

Image: https://tmna.aemassets.toyota.com/is/image/toyota/toyota/vehicles/2024/grcorolla/gallery/GRC_MY23_0028_V001_8TagP9LIlutlLbf.png?wid=760&hei=760&fmt=jpg&fit=crop

The standard 2024 GR Corolla sound system within the model’s base trim includes six speakers, whereas the other two grades contain an upgraded eight speaker JBL Audio System. Most drivers will benefit from optional Cloud Navigation, which you can control via touch or voice commands. You’ll need to pay for a Cloud Navigation subscription right away with the base 2024 GR Corolla, but the higher two trims include a one-year trial of the service. Wireless charging is standard within Premium and Circuit Edition trims.

Standard safety features 

Toyota anchors the 2024 GR Corolla’s standard safety capabilities in its Safety Sense 3.0 system—a suite containing six advanced driver aids, which include: 

• Pre-Collision System With Pedestrian Detection
• Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
• Lane Departure Alert With Steering Assist
• Lane Tracing Assist
• Road Sign Assist
• Automatic High Beams

The Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection warns you if it recognizes an imminent collision with other vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcycles. The system will initiate automatic braking if you don’t respond to an alert. Dynamic Radar Cruise Control uses automatic braking and acceleration at speeds above 20 MPH to keep you at a safe distance from the car you’re following.

Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist supplies gentle steering inputs to guide drifting drivers back into their lane at speeds above 30 MPH. Lane Tracing Assist mirrors Lane Departure Alert’s functionality but shines the most on areas like highways by helping you maintain your centered position.

Road Sign Assist highlights speed limit, do not enter, yield signs, and some warning signs you pass via an icon on the 2024 GR Corolla’s display. Automatic high beams switch off your brights to accommodate oncoming traffic during night drives before reactivating when the road is clear.

Available safety feature recommendation

While Toyota’s standard Safety Sense 3.0 technology covers many bases, we suggest adding the available Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert for increased peace of mind behind the wheel. This feature alerts you of vehicles in your blind spots on multi-lane roads and during reverse driving.

Trim Guide 

Let’s examine the starting prices and highlight-worthy features within each 2024 Toyota Corolla GR trim.

Core – $36,500

Opting for a base-level 2024 GR Corolla means you’ll receive 300 horsepower, standard intelligent AWD, and 21/28 city/highway MPG.

Premium – $40,320

Moving into Premium trim territory yields aesthetically pleasing features like red-painted GR 4-piston front brake calipers with ventilated and slotted rotors and synthetic leather-trimmed upholstery with gray stitching.

Circuit Edition – $45,140

The Circuit Edition trim has the flashiest exterior design and also performs the best. It features a forged carbon fiber roof, a high-mounted rear spoiler, and a hood bulge with functional air vents.

Bonus 2024 GR Corolla ownership perk

Each 2024 GR Corolla customer will receive a free 1-year National Auto Sport Association (NASA) membership, which includes one High-Performance Driving Experience (HPDE). The HPDE allows GR Corolla owners to receive professional instruction on how to maximize their car’s performance on authentic American road courses.

Final verdict

The 2024 GR Corolla is the least expensive model in the GR lineup. Still, it delivers plenty of excitement and style. While its rivals, like Honda’s Civic Type R, have a more aggressive and sporty exterior, the GR Corolla holds its own with an exterior design striking a balance between dramatic and conservative styling, which may appeal to a wider audience. 

Toyota offers plenty of small but noteworthy features and perks to 2024 GR Corolla customers, like a mechanical hand brake for a high-performance feel and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto to conveniently set the soundtrack to your high-powered driving moments. 

Warranty protection for this vehicle is competitive. Toyota offers a 36-month or 36,000-mile basic warranty, whichever comes first, a 60-month/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, a 60,000/unlimited-mile corrosion perforation warranty, and 60 months or 60,000 miles of coverage for restraint systems.

While this Toyota has some minor drawbacks, like fewer exterior colors, no automatic transmission option, and some cheaper-looking interior materials, these issues don’t overshadow its fiery powertrain, extensive list of safety features, and exceptional handling. MotoPickers scores the 2024 Toyota GR Corolla at 8/10. Do you want to learn more about Toyota’s GR garage? Check out our review on the 2024 Toyota GR Supra.