My Week with the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla 

Matt, I totally get the “special” thing you can’t quite figure out. My Evo X felt the same way. You’d get in it and the cheap interior and rat fur cloth and carpet definitely did nothing, but it felt special. My CLS63S (the final year of it) is caked in leather and has all sorts of “special” touches and still doesn’t have that special sauce the Evo did. I’m glad Toyota gave us this gift. It’s nice to send out the ICE like this.

Looks like we have ourselves a GRCorollaFan in the making lol. Was looking forward to this upload and it definitely didn’t disappoint!

The original owner of my '91 NSX paid 20K over MSRP, 83K. A lot of money now, a boatload in '91. I called around 50 dealers including ones out of state, luckily found one about 20 miles away. MSRP + $1600 dealer add ons (40.5K) in Feb. At 74 my clock is ticking faster than most people looking for the GR. Stretch run, live it on boost. Good review

Seriously looking forward to getting one of these in a year or two when the prices come down to earth. Turbo, stick, AWD, and a HATCHBACK! Not to mention Toyota reliability... seems like the perfect car for an enthusiast

I just saw one of these at my local cars and coffee yesterday and it looked gorgeous. It's really difficult to realize how good these look until you see one in person.

It's a really good fun car for the value. Us toyota employees are just as mad about the markups as the customers. Those same dealers won't honor our employee discounts.

Matt you were spot on with this review. I took delivery of my GR Corolla a month ago and it is SO fun. All these cars are costly and hard to come across except for the WRX

Matt, I've owned my GR Corolla for 6 months now and I love it and I know what you mean about that special thing. I bought a loaded Core for just under $40k which was MSRP and no dealer add ons. There are many MSRP dealers and in a poll more than half of us paid MSRP, you just have to search. I have no issues with the cloth interior of the Core and its under stated looks. It's functional and clean. I did miss having an armrest and fixed the issue for $129, that's all it takes to get a solution and it looks great. I actually like the OEM exhaust and don't find it booming or prone to drone. It is an active exhaust but through the rear center pipe only and you can hear the valve close 20-30 seconds after a cold start. I also like the smaller size, when I drove a Civic Type R it felt huge and that red interior will be a huge pain to keep clean. I've seen so many of them over the years that look terrible. And I'll be honest, I'll be in mine by myself most of the time attacking back country roads. And I was like you, this car is much more fun than the Golf R with its terrible HVAC and stereo controls. And its shifter wasn't nearly as good. I love the feel of mine. I also see around 25 mpg when driving hard and when adding in a little more highway my average is about 29 mpg on a full tank. I see 32-34 on the open road most of the time.

Enjoyed the enthusiasm in this review. I can definitely understand what you're saying as far as a fun car goes. I went from a Fiesta ST to Golf R and totally had more fun in the FiST!

Thrilled to see you get this for a full week!! Thanks for your reviews of cars that are possibly attainable for the Everyman! Whahooooooooo!!

Current Socal markups for Type R is 12K so its 18k more expensive than Corolla core with LSD. Just ridiculous.

Matt you are spot on with that "special" feeling. I've been lucky to drive my friend's FL5 and other friend's Elantra N and even though I get second thoughts of getting a type R lol I'd still choose my GRC because of it. Reminds me too of my dad's previous hawkeye sti where it had that cheap interior but fades away cause of what the drivetrain makes you feel. Not something Toyota makes often too!

Love the video. Good advice to go out of the way and hunt for one at MSRP or close. I was surprised at the used market already

My Circuit Edition is on the way to the dealership. I can't wait to pick it up.

I drove two GR Corollas so far and they’re so fun. 3 cyl turbo throws down!!

My circuit edition comes more premium, and also the driver window switches all four are auto up/down. Was also able to get mine for $1K under MSRP.

I have been number one on my local Toyota dealers GR wait-list since February of 2022. I just finally got a call that one MIGHT be coming. I told them I had already given up and bought a new WRX. Yes, the GR is a more special car, but my WRX was $12k less than the GR, qualified for Subaru 2.9% financing (vs 6-7% Toyota), and is now making 310-320 wheel HP with an intake/tune that cost $1100. That said, I'll still be going to check out the GR when it comes in to see if I really feel like making a poor financial decision, lol.

Growing up I always wanted an 05 STI but now I am saving up to get a GR Corolla. Used to watch you back then as well.

Awesome review. Loved this video. I can feel your love of this car through this video.

Theres something about rally that produces awesome cars

I drove one 3 months ago and it was a awesome ride on the back roads. Wife didn't let me buy because she has a Corolla IM for the past 6 yrs and she said that should be all we need. But it was sweet so anyone want one GET IT!

Great video!

I have started mods on my friends GR Corolla. Done cold air intake, exhaust Magna-flow , just sent ECU out to get tune loaded. Next is intercooler and downpipe.

Currently there are 280 nationwide for sale. There are many dealers asking sticker. Yes, some are $10K over retail

Great car! Rally cars for the road will always have huge appeal now and down the road.

With Toyota reliability, could this car be a new icon for them? Just like Honda's legendary cars?

I drove the Core edition of this vehicle about a week ago. It was a Toyota rep car with 4500 miles on it, so a new GR with 4500 miles. The salesman tossed me the keys, and said have fun. Driving the car alone was special. I owned a WRX, and 2 Fiesta STs. The Fiesta was the most fun thing I ever bought with money. The GR was more fun. The $38k msrp is in todays market reasonable, still expensive though. My Fiesta STs were around $22K.

I want one of these so freaking bad lol. Great review as always Matt!!!

God I wish I could get my hands on one of these!

Matt, like you, I've bought cars out of state and will continue to do so. The majority of the dealers I contacted in the state of VA are not marking up this car.

Sadly the dealers are the ones hurting the car as you indicated. I too had to go a distance to take delivery of a car because dealers just wanted to mark up the vehicle by $10K and would not stock a manual transmission version. Decades ago, the person in charge of Porsche Cars North America indicated that one of their problems are the dealers. They didn't know the vehicle, the techs were not on par with what Porsche expects... sadly the dealership associations fought back and won. All this aside, I would love to experience the GR Corolla if only the dealers would have one for you to see and to drive.

Great comparison with the relevant competition! One thing though: a used Macan S can be had for about $45k with decent miles. I guess it comes down to how much hot hatchiness vs calmer luxury you want?

Matt, Honda needs to send you the FL5 for a week so you can experience an actual special car. Only kidding, the GR looks sweet!

Great review. So glad Toyota brought this out. It's an awesome car, I'd take this over the CTR.

Love the passion Matt!

I was sold on the GR Corolla but dealing with dealer mark ups and availability made the process drag on too long. I did a search on autonation and found a WRX Limited trim at $33K. Considering that I'm coming from a 2017 WRX, i think the fully loaded WRX at $10K less than the GR might be a no brainer.

Got 5.9 seconds to 60 really pushing it! Was the best we could get during testing

I want one so badly 🥺. Screw stealerships.

Whatever Toyota does to keep MSRP down is pointless if they allow dealers to markup the cars.

This is way more fun to drive than the integra or type r

Matt, you’re probably tired of hypothetical question, but would you take this or a GR86 in terms of fun? I’m on a waitlist for the Corolla but I’ve always been partial to rwd sportscars (have had some including ‘13 BRZ) and worry it might not be what I truly want.

My guess is what makes it so special is it was Akio Toyoda's baby and he is a speical guy.

Woohoo finally!

You can find these in MSRP nowadays.

I can't wait for the GR Tesla with Turbo!!! 😮

Great review!

The interior is just a bit cheap for me, especially considering the price

Markups are not really a big thing anymore. Two local dealers around my area were just selling them at sticker.

Good video , Yes this shifter is better then a type r That being said it’s harder to drive Yes this car is much more bumpy then the type r, Yes the steering rack is lighter but maybe one of the best tuned steering racks I’ve felt in a long time. It’s is not comfy , it’s a rough real sports car without compromise. And yes I also can not explain the feeling this car corners , I’ve tried to to friends but it’s so hard, this car is an absolute riot

OMG ABOUT TIMERE

I know I'll get crap for saying this but I just wish they made these cars (this, acura type s, civic type r etc,) with an automatic. But I'm still glad that they make these vehicles at all.

Great video and I would love to drive the GR Corolla!!! Would you say it’s more fun to drive than the last gen STI?

25mpg on a AWD system is nice. Now I'm curious how efficient the powertrain can be in a lighter 2WD vehicle. Massive potential for rumored MR2. It'd be nice if the ICE setup goes out in a high note, while still being affordable to operate when gas is being tax'd to death.

Word of advice: DO NOT BUY ones that has low miles and up for sale. They are most likely to have a very hard 1~10k miles either on track or on stoplight getting clutch dumped on boost. Be patient, you can certainly get a good priced new ones if you look a little further.

Hey Matt!! Do que voces estao reclamando? Aqui no Brazil o GRC circuit custa 93k dolares e CTR 88k. Se nao considerar o valor qual vc compraria?

Don't care if this is the slowest of the latest hot hatches, as long as it has the best connected feel and driving enjoyment I will find one to accompany my almost-18 year old STI. I really want to get that 2024 model year with circuit edition in flaming(?) blue paint then put gold wheels on it.

I appreciate your “rant” 😁 most people today just cares about tech 😏

The only issue I'd have with buying used is what do you lose buying used? I'm sure the warranty is quite a bit shorter and you never know what the previous owner did, even with a few thousand miles. I've looked at used vehicles, but can never bite the bullet as a car guy because I cannot bring myself to trust people took care of the car as well as I do.

Looks like a hoot to drive!

I wish we got the Yaris GR here in the U.S. 2800 pounds . 2 door . 257 hp. Tossable

My turn came up at an MSRP dealership but it was a Circuit Edition. I couldn’t justify the $45k. If they call me for a Core with Performance Pack I’ll pull the trigger though.

Absolutely loving mine. Took it drifting today

I'm waiting a year or two for the car market to change. If it doesn't, the I'll get the wrx. I'm not paying 50k for a core trim GR Corrola.

Matt, that feeling that you referring to is called, as James May put it years and years ago; the fizz. It’s the actual emotion of the car. Accountants be damned, it’s the goal of any performance division engineer.

I was looking at a Corolla but the markups are ridiculous I saw one for $179,000😮😮😮

Are you saying that the iMT rev matching isn't by default auto on each time you start the car?

I liked this review. Fortunately I live in Ontario where dealers have to sell at MSRP. I sat in a black Core edition at my local dealer a few months ago. $45,500 Canadian MSRP. Not bad. Do I need to get the performance package on the Core? It could make it cost as much as a Circuit. Living in Canada and driving in winter I will probably want to get the cold weather package which is probably worth it but is the performance package worth it?

At $35k the interior is BARELY acceptable. I would want it to be about $25k for that interior. Maybe add $5k for the upgraded engine, $30k out the door and I'm in. I would do $35k fully loaded. At the $55k that dealers are asking it's absolutely a no go.

The selling point for a WRX at this point is you can grab them under MSRP in a lot of places. My wife's was $36k delivered brand new.

In Canada a pre owned veloster N is 25k cheaper than a marked up Gr corolla lol.

Dealers will charge what consumers are willing to pay. They are in the business to make money. We consumers need to speak with our pocket book and refuse to go over MSRP.

Not a direct comparison but I want a GR Corolla or CX 30 as a daily driver. I don't NEED the speed but it would be nice to have.

Would really prefer a two-door version. Have no need for back seats let alone rear doors.

Jeesus christ, right from the beginning with the horrible/aggressive shifting 🤣🤣 this ain't F&F lol

Seen one today and i was driving my 22 wrx hahaah damn matt hurting feelings jk. I want a type r but of course thatll be a hard fine. Its like these legendary pokemons

With markups a reality. Would you say a slightly used GRC with 2k miles on it or would you say a FK8 CTR used for close or the same price. I know the GRC is newer but wondering if the FK8 is the better buy especially if you can get a Limited to get that classic phoenix yellow.

Ah, even after all these years... Subaru Derx

And how much does this Corolla cost?

How about road/wind noise? Would like to have heard something about that.

0:44 vintage Matt Maran fans love hearing this

I got to drive and delivery the first GR Corolla (Core) we got at our office yesterday. It was fully loaded and the original sticker price had $9k markup but the client got it for $6k over, so $51k out-the door price. The guy put down half for downpayment. You won't find these selling for MSRP anywhere in the country because they're so rare.

Did you have more fun with this or the CT4-V?

I would drive this a Prius to get the best MPG possible. 😂

Matt, GR86 or GR Corolla?

corolla reliability is another selling point and it is made in japan dealers need to be punished

Hey! How can I get in touch with you?

I wonder if this car is special?

After driving both, if you don't need AWD the Veloster N is still more fun to drive.

I really wish it was illegal in this country for dealers to mark up a car above MSRP. For $50k I would rather buy a used M2.

Whaaaaat no mustang review this week?

It’s mark ups and low supply.

It's just sad that Subaru (to me) slacked on the WRX, however. .... competition. ....is a great thing. ....maybe this will light the fire under SOAs ass .....and some other manufacturerss....

It's a 15k car with a 15k drivetrain.

Either this car has a TON of road noise or your changed up your mic setup because I can barely hear you brother

No moonroof and the big brick like center screen are the 2 dislikes about this hot hatch...

There is no markup for these things

2nd!

Matt as a fellow moran Frank Jensen Moran is my name I come from a small island in canada called prince edward Island population 150,000 moran population 7 how about where ur from my fellow car enthusiasts

I didn’t touch your dog, I don’t know how it got pregnant…

Its about, how rich are you. This stuff is so classest. A bug eye wrx was in the 20s. Understandably I understand how the price has increased, its just inly for rich people or idiots that want to go into debt