Toyota GR Corolla By The Numbers: 0-60, Horsepower, Lap Times, And More

The Toyota GR Corolla was the Japanese brand’s most exciting arrival for the 2023 model year. After years of going unchallenged by its domestic rivals, the Honda Civic Type R finally has a worthy competitor that isn’t a hot Golf. The GR Corolla brings the expertise of Toyota’s performance division to a humble family nameplate, and it sets itself apart from many hatchback rivals by powering all four wheels. But the trick all-wheel-drive system is just one aspect of many that make the GR Corolla special. Let’s look at some of the key numbers that define the 2024 Toyota GR Corolla, from its 0-60 time to its dramatically strengthened construction compared to the normal Corolla.

Five: Mighty Acceleration

Toyota claims a 0-60 mph time of about five seconds for the GR Corolla, placing it firmly in the hot hatch category and giving it enough oomph to challenge some sports cars. That time is buoyed by the grippy AWD system and the high outputs from the three-cylinder engine, which we’ll get into a bit later. The GR’s 0-60 time is about half a second quicker than another rally-bred car in the same price category: the Subaru WRX. Based on independent testing, the GR Corolla has a 1/4-mile time of 13.7 seconds.

300: A Three-Cylinder Engine With V6 Horsepower

Only a small number of cars in the USA use three-cylinder engines, and most do so for the compact packaging and good fuel efficiency such an engine configuration provides. In the GR Corolla, its 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine delivers 300 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, numbers not commonly associated with a three-pot. A maximum boost of 25.2 PSI, along with features like a part-machined intake port, ensure this is no ordinary engine. Its distinctive growl also gives the GR Corolla a unique personality. Maximum power is realized at a heady 6,500 rpm, while peak torque is on tap between 3,000 and 5,500 rpm.

Zero: Who Needs Back Seats?

The limited Morizo Edition was available for the GR Corolla originally but was discontinued for the 2024 model year. This stripped-down version of the hatch eliminates non-essentials to save weight. Nearly 100 pounds lighter than other GR Corollas, the Morizo has zero back seats, no rear door speakers, and no rear wiper/wiper motor. It also benefits from increased torque – 295 lb-ft – and shorter differential gears, further boosting performance. Limited to just 200 units for the car’s launch year, the GR Corolla Morizo Edition is sure to appreciate in value.

1:22.94: Slaughters The GR Yaris On Track, But Not The Type R

The team at Hagerty set a lap time of 1:22.94 minutes around the Streets of Willow track in Southern California behind the wheel of the GR Corolla Morizo. That’s well over five seconds quicker than the GR Yaris, partly because of the Corolla’s greater power. However, despite only powering the front wheels, the Honda Civic Type R was roughly half a second quicker around the same track than the Morizo. If you judge hot hatch greatness purely by lap times, the Honda is still out in front.

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60:40 To 30:70: Torque Splits For Every Occasion

Hot hatches are about more than raw numbers, though, and the Toyota’s GR-Four AWD system gives it the ability to unlock more layers of performance than the FWD Honda. The front/rear torque can be distributed 60:40 for normal driving, 30:70 for maximum thrills, or 50:50 for maximum grip and the best lap times. Coupled with communicative steering and a positive shift action from the manual gearbox, it’s a joy to explore the GR Corolla’s different personalities.

349: Not Just A Corolla With More Power

Every inch of the GR Corolla has been revised compared to the normal Corolla. To create a more rigid structure, Toyota added 349 weld points and more than 108 inches of structural adhesive compared to the standard Corolla Hatchback. A center brace and three underfloor braces further add to the car’s rigidity. It may share the TNGA-C platform with more humble Toyotas, but this is the most extreme implementation of it.

36,500: Unrivaled Bang For Your Buck

Starting at $36,500 for the Core trim (pictured immediately above), the base GR Corolla offers about as much fun as you can have in a car at that price. By comparison, the cheapest version of the Civic Type R is $44,795, a huge difference considering the slim performance margins between these two cars. You can tack on the $1,180 Performance Package for the GR Corolla Core (with front/rear Torsen limited-slip differentials and red brake calipers) and still come in at way below the Honda’s asking price. If you must have an AWD hot hatch, the more powerful and refined Volkswagen Golf R is also pricier, starting at $45,665.

3: The Correct Number Of Pedals

Manual hot hatchbacks are becoming disappointingly rare; add AWD to the mix, and the only hot hatch with three pedals is the Toyota. The Golf R no longer has a manual for the 2025 model year, and smaller hot hatches like the Ford Fiesta ST are long gone. That makes the six-speed manual in the GR Corolla a device to savor. It features rev-matching, but more importantly, the mechanical and weighty shift action makes it a joy to use.

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