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    First Drive: 300-HP 2023 Toyota GR Corolla Proves Both Fast and Furious

    This hot hatch boasts bold styling, all-wheel drive, and the automaker’s latest safety features

    2023 Toyota GR Corolla driving Photo: John Powers/Consumer Reports

    Toyota is getting wild with some of its latest models, starting with the engaging Supra, the bargain-priced GR86 sports coupe, and now the GR Corolla. This latest creation from the in-house motor sports group known as Gazoo Racing pushes the Corolla hatchback to rally extremes, with 300-hp, all-wheel drive, and a brash body kit. 

    It is essentially a factory-bred tuner car, aimed at drivers weaned on PlayStation Gran Turismo video games and educated by World Rally Championship races. It targets the robust enthusiast culture centered around modifying compact cars—elevating their performance and customizing their appearance. 

    more on sporty cars

    Rather than a random assemblage of go-fast parts, the GR Corolla is a crafted sports car, backed by a traditional three-year, 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. And it can be bought, financed, and serviced at your local Toyota dealership, where owners will appreciate the two years of free maintenance.

    Plus, buyers receive a free one-year membership to the National Auto Sport Association, a motor sports organization that is focused on driving education, along with expert driving instruction at a high-performance driving event.

    The GR Corolla is a turnkey dream machine for driving enthusiasts, developed by race engineers at Toyota and blessed by Akio Toyoda, the company’s namesake president who is known for his driving prowess. 

    If you’re a Consumer Reports member, our initial expert assessment of the Toyota GR Corolla is available to you below.

    If you haven’t signed up to be a member yet, click below and become a member to access this full article and all our exclusive ratings and reviews for each vehicle we buy and test. Joining also gives you full access to exclusive ratings for the other products our experts evaluate in several categories, including electronics and home appliances.

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    What we rented: 2023 Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Edition
    Powertrain: 300-hp, 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine; six-speed manual transmission; all-wheel drive 
    MSRP: $42,900
    Options: Heavy Metal paint, $425
    Destination fee: $1,095 
    Total cost: $44,420

    2023 Toyota GR Corolla doing donuts
    The GR Corolla is made for fun. And it is well-suited for donut runs.

    Photo: Toyota Photo: Toyota

    Become a member to read the full article and get access to digital ratings.

    We investigate, research, and test so you can choose with confidence.


    Jeff S. Bartlett

    Jeff S. Bartlett is the managing editor for the autos team at Consumer Reports. He has been with CR since 2005. Previously, Jeff served as the online editorial director of Motor Trend for 11 years. Throughout his career, Jeff has driven thousands of cars, many on racetracks around the globe. Follow him on X: @JeffSBartlett