2023 Toyota GR Corolla - POV Street Driving Impressions

-Engine: G16E-GTS 1.6L, 3-cylinder port injected turbo, 12-VALVE DOHC
-300 hp @6500 RPM
-273 lb.-ft. torque @ 3000-5550 RPM
-AWD, 6-speed manual transmission
-Suspension: MacPherson-type strut (front), Double wishbone type multilink (rear)
-235/40R18 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 Tires
-Curb weight: 3249 lbs
-Length: 173.5"
-Width: 72.9"
-Height: 57.2"
-Wheelbase: 103.9"
Core Pricing: $36,995 (including destination)
Packages: Performance: $1180
Technology: $770
Supersonic Red: $425
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Thanks for watching!

[@rightlanehog3151]

Chris, The sacrifices you make for subscribers never cease to amaze me. They actually made you leave Michigan in the middle of winter and go all the way to California just to drive the GR Corolla and a bunch of super cars. How can we ever repay you? 😉😉

[@TheTopher]

It was rough 😂 but I was actually sad about missing the big snow we had here in MI

[@razorraysolarsavings70]

Lol

[@joseroma2669]

Wish i could do those sacrifices too 🥲

[@Dobermann.Kennel]

I stopped driving because I Toyota won’t sell me a MORIZO Corolla, that’s sacrifice! I will literally never drive again unless I can get a brand new MORIZO! Wouldn’t be caught dead in a core/circuit edition!

[@carlosrivas3004]

Sounds like you’re trying to convince yourself

[@michaelxie4563]

Picked up a black one last month. Best purchase ever!

[@jgon015]

I may be very wrong in my way of thinking, but for me, that is such a great car. The noise is very unique, the performance specially on Track mode is just perfect and it feels super connected to the road. Plus, it doesn't have any more technology than it needs to have, and that amazes me.

[@CY3ER]

I have about 1300 miles on mine, and I really love it. Might not be as quick as my brother's supra, but it's a very fun car to drive, and I'm always excited to hop in the driver's seat. I play a lot of dirt 2.0 in my racing cockpit so this was exactly the type of car for me. I've been surprised how many people have come up to me to compliment me about the car and ask questions about it. Looks cool, but I didn't think it would grab that much attention, honestly.

[@curtfox91]

Oh yeaaa Been waiting on this One 🎉🏆 Man what a killer Month of reviews.

[@RyanLuca581]

the first topher video ive watched from start to end. Love it

[@PRODNXBU]

I just noticed how quickly your channel is growing, I remember when you were just at 100K subs, now you're at half a million, congrats!

[@pushtoyota]

Glad you enjoyed the quick drive. I love the purchase of my 2023 GR Corolla Core, I made sure I got the performance Torsen LSD Diff, Tech Package, and Cold weather package.

[@jimmyvu6919]

Same as me!

[@ARentz07]

This has got to be one of my favorite Toyota models in recent years.

[@kristoferfc6525]

So excited to hear the pedal spacing, I wear boots a lot and I have a Speed3 and I can't hardly wear boots unless it's a quick trip to the store, I'm 6'2", clearly all the other good stuff you've said I'm looking forward too as well

[@chettylewis]

this car is so cool, turbo 3cyl cars are interesting to me and i bet this having 300hp makes it a beast to drive glad to finally see you do a street video on this

[@dontcryboutit]

Its pretty cool but 60k for one is out of pocket... I got my hyundai elantra n it's faster than this I means it's pretty cool tho

[@JohanAguilar-kk9sp]

​@@dontcryboutitmsrp are 36k

[@dontcryboutit]

@@JohanAguilar-kk9sp dealers mark up

[@Infernos94]

@@dontcryboutitcant blame toyota for that, should calm down in the next few years. Also the elantra N is awesome, congrats on that.

[@paultruesdale7680]

Very cool, love the way it sounds! Would love to see it with a DC. It goes on the wishlist.

[@DogeCharger]

1:30 the loading floor isn't higher because of the AWD, it's higher because Toyota moved the battery to the back for better weight distribution

[@JA-re8gi]

Love that it has a real hand brake!

[@OlyMar83]

I have the GR Yaris here in Australia, and yes very nice to drive town…light clutch and great torque downlow…very addictive to drive

[@ericuyttebroeck]

Really? I find mine unsmooth and laggy to drive in town and stop start traffic. The clutch isn’t too heavy but its strange bite point combined with the very laggy throttle (I can fully depress the throttle quickly with the clutch in without the RPM changing) and zero power/torque under 2,5k rpm make driving off and shifting smooth at low speeds difficult and clunky. If you start driving it like a motorcycle with revs between 3,5 and 5,5k it comes alive and is exhilarating, but kind of antisocial to do this in town/city…😏

[@OlyMar83]

@@ericuyttebroeck find it hard to believe bro. Post a video of you driving need to see this.

[@GRfourfun]

@@OlyMar83I’ve got a GR Yaris too and I find it extremely hard to believe too. Low down torque is excellent as is the shove.

[@martinomartin8422]

@@ericuyttebroeck I fully agree to this statement. No torque down low at all. You need to really push this car to feel any power otherwise a bit meeh. Laggy throttle response and worst ecu I've ever seen.

[@bninsane]

Great video ❤

[@awnis001]

Bruh this The Tofu guy is awesome. I like watching his videos every night before I sleep.

[@danegietka8774]

Got the opportunity to sit in one at the Philly Auto Show, the shift mechanism impressed me with how good it felt, hope to drive one sometime as a daily

[@calebmorris7687]

Love that it makes the same beep my 2010 corolla does

[@cdsprech]

I love what Toyota has been doing with the GR brand: handing out NASA memberships, bringing back proper driver's cars with great execution, starting a new racing series. Really awesome turnaround from a brand like Toyota. However, I will have to continue to sleep on the GR Corolla until they start producing enough to sell! @ToyotaUSA if you're reading this, I'll take a Circuit Edition when you're ready to produce more than 1 per dealership a year!

[@Dbati]

I have almost 1,000 mi on my GR Corolla and I was amazed while watching this because you mentioned and described all my thoughts about the car from how fun it is to drive casually, how mechanical and satisfying the shifter is (fun fact, it is derived from the Lotus Evora) and how the engine’s sweet spot is in the mid rang, how the steering feels, etc. The only thing I disagreed was that you said the pedal spacing was beautiful for heel and toe but I think for most people it isn’t haha.

[@craftminer49er]

How much did you buy it for? No dealers within 250 miles of me are letting it go for any less than 95,000$ USD for the core. Sad!

[@nickyman1405]

@@craftminer49er That’s insane $95k for a Corolla

[@mosswine5417]

​@@craftminer49erI should've bought it then because when it was on sale here, there was only like a 2k markup but mostly because it had other packages..

[@RetroMotiveAdventures]

Well the evrora is literally just a Toyota sienna based drivetrain with the Toyota 2GR so in a way it's just a Toyota shifter through and through haha 😂

[@PaulTC777]

its too big and heavy...

[@carljohnson7]

This car is a homerun car fans. Manual, handling, looks and a solid price point. All I wish it was a tad bit bigger. I had a corolla xse hatchback, great car but small for my liking and not a big trunk space. I traded it in after a year for a 2023 civic touring sport. Now I'm left with nothing after my accident. To those who are thinking about these things. They're very fun to drive, handle great, sound great, easy to park to how small it is.

[@KittRembo]

I wish they brought over the hybrid 2.0 wagon they have in the rest of the world…and then GR that 🤤🤤🤤

[@HOTPLATEGAMING]

Solid price point but dealerships marking the shit out of them

[@carljohnson7]

@@HOTPLATEGAMING i did hear about that, how much are the dealers marking these things up for, like 10k?

[@macjoseph2375]

@@carljohnson7 pretty much 😓

[@stevethomas760]

@@HOTPLATEGAMING Bought mine three weeks ago, Core , MSRP + $1300 of dealer add ons. That's calling a lot of dealers, most 5K over - a few 10K. Getting some dealer love for sure.

[@Michael-vw4cg]

Man I’ve been looking at a hothatch and this thing has been growing on me every video I watch

[@orngpeelr9017]

Buddy in the Cayenne was getting that spirited drive

[@Trance88]

A true hot hatch! I love it!

[@davesmith5092]

Been wanting a WRX since I live in the snow, but this AWD go cart is pretty tempting.

[@toobigtofit3584]

I feel like this is the closest thing to the STI out there. I wanted one. MSRP vs MSRP I think it's a better value than the WRX. But with the markups on this vs the discounts on the WRX, along with my LGT being on its last legs, I ended up going WRX.

[@pinkipipe]

Love it !!

[@alottalogic]

Since you have drove both the GR and the GOLF R which would you say is the more fun and better daily driver?

[@abrahamrincon5380]

I’ve been obsessing over the gr rolla. And since I drive a SE rolla hatch I would absolutely love to actually drive this as a daily. Definitely my next goal car.

[@mrminiature11]

So upset we don't get this in the UK. Love the Yaris but feel like this is just as fun but more practical.

[@AdamJayTechnoElectro]

Current dealer markups (Feb 2023) in central Indiana are $19,000 - $22,000

[@nnr3]

How’s the NVH from the 3 cylinder compared to the Type R’s? Is it vibrate-y at idle, low load, high load, etc.? Does the body feel as rigid as the Type R?

[@Diego_Barrr]

Topher a real one since 2016 Fr

[@JuanPablo-zq9gd]

What a beauty, gorgeous car

[@NANGSGARAGE]

Nice little beast 🚀

[@atdhemorina3348]

Hey @TheTopher I'm interested in your thoughts on how this compares to the Veloster N. You've got good experience in both and I'd love to hear your opinion. Thanks!

[@erokrocks1567]

Second that, very curious, is it worth the price premium?

[@tonytouchz757]

@@erokrocks1567veloster is worth it, this car here is way over priced

[@DailyStreetASMR]

It’s not the fastest car but for sure it’s the most fun to drive

[@DC-ke8qp]

How does this compare to the last gen Sti in terms of clutch feel? and turning?

[@drumflip1253]

Circuit is the way to go but markups are still crazy on these in SoCal.

[@elih9588]

Thanks for the info! Would you have an impression of engine braking/ hill descent in the mountains? Very interested in the car, but it needs to descend a 16" mountain pass frequently without braking all the way down.

[@oz88og40]

Toyota Corolla GR is a nice looking hatchback

[@tigerbalm666]

Impressive, Toy grew som balls! Way better than BRZ...300hp is crazy! That's more than my 2.3 MSpeed 3.

[@pavelbratchenko3885]

Dat 3 cylinder sound tho. Loved it in both volvo xc40 and my geely coolray, glad to see more car manufacturers adopting it!

[@BrennanWatkins]

the green Porsche in your rearview mirror :)

[@probablytherealpaul]

I don’t really want one, but I’m glad it exists.

[@VisionCityMayor]

ive seen 2 of these already at the SoCal cars n coffee, i love em. still really hope i can maybe get one to lease just for a few months before i move for college 😭

[@RiikuG]

I am getting mine delivered within 7 days, so for now I will just live vicariously through you

[@Cichlid_Visuals]

i want one in grey and no red calipers. no special badging so i can just mindfreak all the sports cars on the local canyon lol. would be such good fun. these g16 motors sound great with exhaust as well. dare say id trade in my 21 wrx for one but not at these interest rates, got the wrx in april of 21 at 1.8% 26,500 before tax, its only got 8500 miles on it and all ive done is rpf1s, axleback, rear sway bar and 4 pot brembo swap.

[@saad8029]

7:01 Holy shit it's a Toyota Tercel!!

[@probablytherealpaul]

Made me look. That’s no Tercel, but my 93 is probably still on the road somewhere. That thing would never die.

[@mexico10031]

Man I’ve been trying to see what I can get a type R or corolla I tried with both way back last year but everyone want mark ups 10-15k I just gave up and hopefully soon be able to get one the way I want

[@pan4632]

Is this worth it over a BRZ in your opinion? (at msrp)

[@FunFiction704]

are you possibly gonna review the new forte gt 6 speed, i wanna see the similarities it has towards an si

[@LateNightDateNight]

Do you prefer this GR over the FL5 as a daily?

[@yeurrn]

please please please make another video on the fiesta st, that was the whole reason i subscribed and have been watching you! i love the fiesta st

[@isupportthecurrentthing5225]

hey topher, new subscriber here. is it possible to make the iMT on by default when you start the car? thanks buddy!

[@jordandavyes1182]

How does this compare to the Veloster N manual in terms of liveability and fun

[@ConnSoIo]

how is the rev hang? I had a 2019 XSE (I know very different) but the rev hang was atrocious lol. Also the rear boot area is lifted in all the corolla hatches, it's annoying tbh

[@markthibault8579]

Which is better on the street, this or the WRX? Which rides better?

[@CardoDoza]

I have a brz and I can’t wait to get one of these as either a second car or maybe trade up.. haven’t decided.

[@zhenxaxingzhing12]

This is good review, and this three hundred horse power Toyota is impressive. This Toyota goes from 0 to 60 MpH in 4 point 9 second I wish I could afford this powerful and fast toyota

[@liudxdx]

get another job if you have time. just got mine two weeks ago, working 7 days 10 hours everyday to afford it😀😀😀

[@craftminer49er]

@@liudxdx these cars cost in excess of 70k USD rn lol ain’t no two jobs that’s affording this

[@liudxdx]

@@craftminer49er where you find this $70k from? Search around took me 2 weeks called over 20 dealers and got mine for $51k out the door. That’s $6k markup. With 10k down I’m paying around $850 a month for 5 years, a side job will get you $850 a month np if you willing to work hard. $25 per hour 16 hours on your two days off. Thats enough

[@craftminer49er]

@@liudxdx west coast. Dealer had this car for 75599 but it just went up to 105220 for “hot market adjustment” I tried to negotiate down to msrp and they said “your asking to walk out the door with this car for 30% of what we can make for it, your crazy”

[@liudxdx]

@@craftminer49er west coast NYC here, MSRP won’t happen unless ur super close with them, try giving them a $5k -$8k markup, they will sell.

[@gm2256]

definitely sounds unique with the 3 cyl

[@mdubz101]

This car is sweet!

[@Da__goat]

I’d love to see them do a GR Camry to replace the TRD. Same 6 speed transmission, but use the V6, make it AWD and give it 2 turbos and it will rip everything else in its segment for less

[@asaulo1]

whats the light that switches between white and red just left of the speedo?

[@OffBeatOutdoors]

I am all for any car manufacture that comes out with AWD manuals

[@Fuddermucker47]

Love my GR86 but I’m beginning to need something with an actual back seat and moved to an area where there is more snow. Considering trading it for one of these..

[@kns9835]

I'm early today!!

[@emreonder3477]

I saw that green porsche in my dream. He was after me.

[@tyleraguilar2474]

Would yall take one of these or a GR86 for a weekend driver?

[@aldink804]

How would you compare the GR to an Elantra N?

[@bigrunts9768]

Why do you go back and forth between Livonia Michigan and California?

[@christopherbassit2757]

Just got mine

[@prestonmiller2897]

Thoughts on this versus the wrx as a fun daily for a snowy climate?

[@goatsplitter]

You can get a wrx for at msrp and is much cheaper at base. You can't get a GR corolla (its basically vaporware) and you won't touch MSRP for a few years at best. So if you want to spend $10,000+ for another 40hp, then go for the corolla GR. Otherwise, do the WRX, bump it up to stage 1 or 2 for just a few K and be sitting right where the 'rolla GR is :) I've owned multiple WRX's, you cant go wrong (except for the looks department in the current version, but thats subjective).

[@bayareanational]

Is that motor actually making 300 on 91 octane pump gas? I’d expect it to knock on 91 and pull timing reducing power.

[@SarcasticComments23]

Got 5.8seconds to 60 in mine. Took lots of runs to do it. It’s about the same as a K24

[@dougmaverick4108]

If you had to choose between the GRC or a manual equipped Mk8 Golf R, which would you choose and why?

[@paulklp8262]

GRC, otherwise DSG Golf R. But realistically, Elantra N > both.

[@ricepony33]

Just needs your winter wheel and tire package.

[@rightlanehog3151]

Oui, c'est vrai.

[@kaseypoon]

The aluminum brake & clutch pedals look like the same ones used in the Lexus IS, part #31321-53010. Can anyone confirm?

[@juan193]

you're telling me this is almost the cost of a mazda 3 turbo in the US? well a tad more expensive with paint? Sad this cost twice as much where I'm from :/

[@fartexplosion4480]

Proof that there's still demand for manual sports cars. The GR Yaris and Corolla are already sold out in Australia

[@alvinshuh7449]

As a GR86 owner, would you take this over the 86? (Long time sub btw, love your work! Glad you enjoyed some of our socal roads)

[@ShenmueAtheist]

I was wondering this myself for a while and from what I've heard and read, the 86 is a much more focused sports car that will outhandle the Corolla, but in terms of thrills and all around usability the GR Corolla is better. It depends on what sort of driving you enjoy more.

[@TheTopher]

I think the GR86 is ultimately more fun to drive, especially at the limit. But this GR Corolla is really good. Maybe more fun when driven casually? Awesome daily. Can’t wait to drive one on dirt/snow too.

[@aztronomy7457]

As a daily driver yes. It's got 4 seats and is a hatchback so it's more practical. But if I was only looking for one sporty/track car to use on weekends I'd take the 86 as it's 1) cheaper 2) N/A 3) Actually available.

[@antthonnyyy]

This is my first car I will be financing 👍

[@MrFolksyseekr809]

@@antthonnyyy I'm hoping this will be my 2nd

[@Mr1wd]

Shifter feel...this or BRZ?

[@mohawk5010]

The nanny in the Cayenne was a bit weird, lol 😂

[@mikeanfernee2365]

To bad here in PuertoRico is already mark up the Core edition are asking from 55k to as high 63k and I haven't seen any other edition for sale just the Core

[@shadowsiren3058]

Sounds like a v6, that is very impressive.

[@martingriggs6362]

Never thought I would drive a car more fun than my Fiesta ST, this was. I test drove a Toyota rep. car with 4500 miles. The salesman just gave me the keys, and said have fun. I did. Going alone should be the way to test drive this car. Couldn't swing the $40k asking price right now.

[@tinhinnh]

Nice real world review, but that porsche was slowing you down

[@devilmaycry383]

I currently own the GR Yaris, and I am considering trading it for the new 2024 GR Yaris facelift model. I am particularly interested in the digital dashboard from the Corolla and the other improvements that have been made.

[@Kleb2k]

3 cylinders and 300hp, damn

[@loveclubfilms1634]

Initial D vibes right here

[@K4Cachet]

Wooo!

[@alexanderdanielsson6049]

does this has the same ecu as the gr yaris ?

[@marshallhorton7778]

Look in the left mirror in the beginning.

[@aaromon43]

torn between veloster n & grc, but leaning towards the hyundai. would love to hear your thoughts between the 2, have watched all your N videos and you seemed to really enjoy that one!

[@brogu6071]

Those markups are absolutely insane tho. Paying 60k$ CAD for a sub-300whp car is insanity. A 2015 mustang GT worth less than half that would walk it any day.

[@omg_stoppit]

Makes more sense in the canyons of SoCal. You can absolutely feel the weight of the Mustang in the twisties.

[@jimsmith8797]

@@omg_stoppit mustangs are ass anywhere but a straight line

[@pieswimmer1]

@@jimsmith8797 that's why i got an SS1LE :]

[@YoKyvo]

@@jimsmith8797 maybe 20 years ago

[@jimsmith8797]

@@YoKyvo your high. I’ll give you 5 years. Tops

[@SarcasticComments23]

Love how the random SUV was pulling away faster than the GR 😂

[@BMWWolf]

It’s a Porsche boss

[@umbrahighwind1220]

Just got this car a couple days ago. Totally worth it.

[@LateNightDateNight]

How much did you pay?

[@Jmisaprodriver]

Not worth paying an insane markup for one. I’m waiting until 2025 to get one.

[@gryphon123456]

Love to see one of these lifted. What a great car.

[@StubProductions]

Lifted?! Lol! Why?! 😝

[@gryphon123456]

@@StubProductions make a cool baha style car.

[@theredsalmon612]

@@gryphon123456 gross

[@StubProductions]

@@gryphon123456 If you say so. I can see a Subura being lifted with it’s longer suspension arms and already elevated height. But doing that to a GR Corolla defeats the entire purpose of the GR Corolla. But hey if you got the money go for it!

[@Kodazot]

Lifted + 15 inch wheels + all terrain tires + skid plate

[@yvonjasser]

I prefer my car to lack drama if it means that it handles properly without going sideways easily

[@jimmypena2442]

Sadly already have a car payment to even get one. I was given an allocation offered but declined.