Toyota GR Corolla

The Toyota GR Corolla (Japanese: トヨタ・GRカローラ, Hepburn: Toyota Jīāru Karōra) is a compact car manufactured by Japanese marque Toyota since 2022 with assistance from the company's Gazoo Racing (GR) division. It is a hot hatch variant of the E210 series Corolla.

The GR Corolla was introduced on March 31, 2022. The GR Corolla is built mainly for the North American market as Europe received the GR Yaris (which is not sold in Canada and the United States). Both vehicles are assembled at the "GR Factory" inside the Motomachi plant, a production line dedicated to GR-branded vehicles. Aside from North America, the GR Corolla is also sold in Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, South Africa, Indonesia and Middle East (starting 2026).

Beginning in 2026, the GR Corolla for the North American market will be produced in Burnaston, England.

Overview

In 2020, Toyota unveiled the GR Yaris, a hatchback developed by the company's Gazoo Racing (GR) division for its World Rally Championship (WRC) team. It is not sold in the United States and Canada because the regular Yaris, upon which it is nominally based, isn't sold in those markets.

The decision led to years of speculation that Toyota would eventually bring a hot hatch to the United States and Canada. The introduction of the vehicle was delayed by a year, because Akio Toyoda, then CEO of Toyota, also a racing driver, was not satisfied with the tuning of a prototype, and asked the GR team to make changes. Development of the vehicle was led by chief engineer Naoyuki Sakamoto.

On March 31, 2022, the GR Corolla was introduced, which while based on the larger E210 series Corolla compact hatchback, includes several features originally developed for the GR Yaris. The vehicle is powered by the 1.6-liter G16E-GTS turbocharged straight-three engine that powers the GR Yaris. The version of the engine found in the GR Yaris makes up to 200 kW (268 hp; 272 PS), but the version for the GR Corolla generates 221–224 kW (296–300 hp; 300–304 PS) and 370–400 N⋅m (273–295 lbf⋅ft) of torque. Among other strategies to achieve this increased power output, the GR Corolla has three tailpipes for reduced backpressure. A six-speed manual transmission is standard in the GR Corolla.

The GR Corolla also uses the GR-Four all-wheel drive system first developed for the GR Yaris. The standard setting is a 60:40 front to rear torque distribution, but it can go as rear-wheel biased as 30:70.

The vehicle is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite of advanced driver-assistance systems and Toyota's updated audio multimedia system that debuted on the XK70 series Tundra.

The GR Corolla is produced alongside the GR Yaris at the "GR Factory" inside Toyota's Motomachi plant. Unlike most automobile plants, the "GR Factory" does not use a conveyor belt assembly line. Instead, vehicles are built at stations with more manual assembly processes. The "GR Factory" employs experienced technicians recruited from throughout the company.

Models

Depending on the countries, the GR Corolla is offered in at least one of three different model grades. The Core is the base model, the upgrade model is marketed as RZ in Japan, or Circuit Edition in North America, and the light weight ready-to-race model is the Morizo Edition.

Core

The Core is the most affordable GR Corolla and is offered in North America, Brazil, and South Africa.

US

For 2023, the US model Core trim comes as a base model, or with 3 additional packages. Performance pack adds front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials and red brake calipers. Cold weather pack adds heated steering and seats. Technology package adds a JBL sound system and a wireless phone charging pad. A better equipped model based on the Core was marketed for 2024 as the Premium trim. While the Core continues to have the Performance pack as an option, the Premium trim comes standard with 3 packages from the previous year, with the addition of front brake cooling ducts, gloss exterior trim for the bumpers, front and rear parking sensors, and suede-trimmed interior. 2025 Cores continued to include more features as it now came with all 3 packages from 2023, with the addition of active sound/noise control. The 2025 Premium added dual-zone climate control, while a new Premium Plus trim added a heads-up display, sub-radiator, as well as the rear spoiler, raised hood, and forged carbon roof from previous years' Circuit edition. All 2026 models now come with the gloss bumper trim, but also received an additional high-speed activated intake and additional reinforcement to the chassis. The Premium trim was removed for 2026 while the Premium Plus trim received a trunk subwoofer.

Canada

2023 Canadian Cores did not have packages, however it received front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials and heated seats as standard. Red brake calipers were added as standard for the 2024 model. 2025 added a Premium trim, however it was identical to the US Premium Plus except without the rear spoiler. The 2025 Core was the same as the US Core, but also included heated seats and steering wheel. For 2026, the Premium was again the same as the US Premium Plus, with the exception of the rear spoiler and the subwoofer but the 2026 Core had more features than its US counterpart, adding a wireless charger, heated seats and steering wheel and front brake ducts as standard.

RZ / Circuit Edition

The Circuit Edition is a higher grade of the GR Corolla which offers performance upgrades such as Torsen limited-slip differentials for the front and rear axles (optional for the Core trim level). It also offers a forged carbon fiber roof, hood bulge with functional vents, a larger rear spoiler, and other upgrades.

For the Japanese market, beside the Morizo Edition, the regular GR Corolla is only available as the fully-equipped RZ trim level. Rear fog lamps, heated side mirrors, Head-Up Display (HUD), heated steering wheel, and heated seats are optional.

In New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, the only model offered is the one similar to the Circuit Edition. The Australian GR Corolla GTS is the equivalent of Japanese RZ or North American Circuit Edition.

Morizo Edition

The Morizo Edition (stylized "MORIZO") is a limited-production "track-ready" variant of the GR Corolla with reduced weight, increased performance figures, and enhanced handling, which is both available in Japan and North America.

The curb weight was reduced by approximately 45 kg (100 lb) from the Circuit Edition model to 1,445 kg (3,186 lb) by removing the rear seats, adding forged carbon fiber roof (also available on the Circuit Edition), removing the speakers and window regulators from the rear doors, and removing the rear wiper blade and motor. The engine torque output was increased by 30 N⋅m (22 lb⋅ft) to 400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft), while the horsepower figure remain unchanged. To improve handling, the suspension was re-tuned with monotube shock absorbers, 10 mm (0.4 in) wider tires on lighter rims were used, and body rigidity was increased with 349 additional spot welds, over an additional 6 m (19.7 ft) of structural adhesive, and body reinforcement braces. Engineers adjusted the transmission gear ratios, differential gear ratio and engine tuning to support sustained acceleration at peak torque on the Morizo Edition.

The special edition was named after "Morizo", the pseudonym used by Akio Toyoda when participating in races.

Facelift

The facelifted GR Corolla was revealed on August 1, 2024, for the 2025 model year in North America. The GR 8-speed Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT) option became available including Formula One-style paddle-shifters for semi-automatic mode. All trims now produce 400 N⋅m (295 ft⋅lb) of torque and come with front and rear torsen limited slip differentials standard.

US

US market model grades are the Core, Premium, and Premium Plus. The restyled front bumper was designed for better cooling and aerodynamics. Behind the right-hand side of the bumper, a sub-radiator is standard on the Premium Plus, or optional on the Premium. While the left-hand side of the bumper houses the transmission fluid cooler for the 8-speed DAT. With hood bulge and vents, forged carbon roof, the US market Premium Plus is the successor of the Circuit Edition.

Canada

For the Canadian market, model grades are Core, Premium MT, and Premium AT. Both Premium trims include features that are on the US market Premium Plus such as the forged carbon roof, heads up display, bulged hood with vents, and sub-radiator. Furthermore, the Canadian Core model will only be available as a 6-speed manual.

Middle East

The GR Corolla facelift was unveiled in the Middle East on 16 February 2026.