2023 Toyota GR Corolla First Drive: Batten the Hatch
Photo: D.Rufiange 2023 Toyota GR Corolla - Noir • The 2023 Toyota GR Corolla meets all the criteria when it comes to performance and on-road behaviour.
Cowichan, BC - There was a time when the qualities most often associated with Toyota were reliability and durability. And the colour, particularly in terms of the driving experience they delivered? Beige. For those who don't know, the letters GR refer to Toyota's racing division, Gazoo Racing. The three models developed by that division - the GR 86, GR Supra and now GR Corolla - are assembled at a dedicated factory, the Motomachi plant. It’s a reflection of how seriously Toyota takes the project to be more exciting.
Under the hood, a new engine. The 1.6L turbocharged 3-cylinder offers a whopping 300 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. That's similar to what the new Honda Civic Type R delivers , but unlike its new rival, Toyota's proposal sends power to all four wheels. The link between the engine and the wheels is provided by a six-speed gearbox. That transmission benefits from downshift synchronization, a function that improves the performance of any amateur driver on the track.
The first thing that came to mind as I sped it along a first on-road straightaway was appreciation of the power generated by the turbo 3-cylinder. It's impressive on paper, but it's even more impressive in use. The sound is of course unique to this type of engine and adds to the cachet. Comparisons with the Honda Civic Type R is inevitable. I have not yet had the opportunity to drive that model’s new generation, but if I measure the GR Corolla against the outgoing Type R, one thing is clear: while performances are excellent with both models, the experience is different. What you have here are two variations on the same dish. Both are delicious, but you’ll probably gravitate to one or the other based on personal preferences.
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