Toyota Corolla GR
How it looks when you see on the street: Driving GR = smiling. We recently drove a very expensive Italian sports car and were super intrigued by one fellow test driver who told us they prefer the Corolla GR over anything else. The gutsy Toyota Corolla GR gets attention on the streets as it reimagines the steady and sure Corolla nameplate with performance persona and reinvigorates the hot hatch category. It’s made a name for itself on the rally circuit — off-road racing where stunts and swerves reign supreme in muddy and snowy situations. Forget what you know about Toyota Corolla — because this car is a whole other thing, and hence its slightly aggressive front end. It’s added a new eight-speed transmission option and a slightly nipped and tucked front fascia and a Premium Plus package that adds a carbon fiber roof.
How it makes you feel when you get in: Slide into the Toyota Corolla GR for good, clean fun, a vibe that shows up in its interior enhanced with good ambient lighting. Materials range from cloth, to suede to faux leather. The GR has an 8-inch infotainment system. Wireless charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus Amazon Alexa and a wifi hotspot are standard. The eight-speaker sound system is made by JBL.
How it drives: For those that have learned, it is a treat to drive 6-speed manual transmission and all-wheel-drive combo that preserves the fun in a class of car that’s become all too rare. We drove the next level eight-speed transmission added this model year that juices up performance mannerisms and allows a lot of room for play with power distribution.
Its turbocharged 1.6-liter engine weighs only 3,200 pounds and is spirited at any even given time with 300 horsepower and 295 pound feet of torque. It earns about 28 miles per gallon on a fully gas-powered engine in highway conditions. Even on surface roads, it has zesty character, and earns tons of attentions at stoplights, especially for a car in this price range. A number of driver safety features such as automatic emergency braking for pedestrians, lane departure warning and assist are standard.
What you should compares it to: Honda Civic Type R, Hyundai Elantra N, and the Volkswagen Golf GTI.
How much does it cost: The Toyota Corolla GR price has gone up slightly starting at $39,995 and taps out at $46,650.
Last year we drove the Core model and a limited-run “Circuit Edition” that adds such niceties as a carbon-fiber roof, rear spoiler and sport seats. Toyota is encouraging its racing spirit: owners get a complimentary one-year membership to the National Auto Sport Association.