Is the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Edition the BEST new performance car to BUY?

The GR Corolla is bringing AWD hot hatch to Toyota. Under the hood is a 1.6L turbocharged inline-3 that is producing 300HP & is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. The Circuit Edition has special 18in forged wheels, rear wing and vented hood. Is the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Edition the BEST new performance car to BUY?
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[@dannyd7714]

I have a white Circuit Edition. I absolutely love it.

[@RaitisRides]

Thanks Danny for sharing that ownership input!

[@gregp.7148]

Love that it has a 100hp per cylinder. Toyota is definitely getting the most out of this 3-cylinder engine!

[@AstroZombie1]

Would love to crank that up to 133.3 hp/cyl

[@thehoboman]

@@AstroZombie1 apparently that's fairly easy to achieve with airflow mods and a more aggressive tune

[@thesmitty83]

When you push a little turbo to its limit at 30 lbs of boost you’ll make good power in anything. How long will that turbo last at its limit though?

[@lilrockstarrs]

My family just picked one up this last Friday, core fully loaded and I can 100% say it’s worth every bit of the hype. It’s been sick getting to compare it to my Focus RS & Fiesta ST.

[@TheCookieCrisp]

Honest question, at 40k what was the logic behind this over any other 30-40k better car??

[@bmar916]

I drove my friends Fiesta ST 5 or so years ago it was a blast like a little go-kart, and was cool that you can hear the spooling stock. That car was more fun than my GTI.

[@lilrockstarrs]

@@bmar916 I love it! Picked mine up bone stock 5 months ago it’s my daily but it’s super tempting to start modding it to haha

[@bruceleeroy8302]

Is it better than the VW R?

[@sneakerjoe23]

I have a Fiesta ST, do you think it’s worth getting rid of it for the GR Corolla?

[@thatdudenamedlebowski0074]

I love the look of it. Probably my cheapest dream car.

[@RaitisRides]

Sounds good to me!

[@03amp]

$40,000 is cheap? for a 3 cyl car lol

[@shackl6520]

Had to subscribe! Simplicity is key

[@Aschoolbusandsimulatorfan2219]

Amazing review Joe.

[@edward5979]

I’ve been considering buying one, reading everything I can about them. Today seen that exact color at the local grocery store, it was sweet and that’s coming from a 60 year old : )

[@robh3043]

I’m 60 and expecting delivery of my Heavy Metal gray Premium edition any day now!

[@koreyhimself]

Funny transitions.. Great video.. you did it again

[@RaitisRides]

Thanks man Korey!

[@PopeyeFPV]

Toyota always coming with the best vehicles on the planet. Nice work Joe!

[@dominickirkwood]

Joe and Lori and Steve and keep up the good work and I love the video 👏 👍

[@omarcortes5754]

Love the GR, it looks so fun to drive.

[@jimsgaragetoys]

Oh trust me, it's a blast!

[@iJakku]

I believe you can customize the dash to have oil pressure and oil and water temp. You can also change the rpm to display a rpm bar instead of the reverse U.

[@connerbirley2823]

Can confirm that you can.

[@Neon05ACR]

@@connerbirley2823it’s in the user manual.

[@connerbirley2823]

@@Neon05ACR Yep, also the first zonk is a actually a functional vent in the core edition. There's a block off in the circuit editions to help with stability since they got the wing.

[@Cats_Are_Scary]

This GR Corollas are so rare, I only saw one on the streets. Would love to own one.

[@manny7662]

me too.

[@panick.attack]

I have this same exact model and color and love everything about it! Toyota did an awesome job with the total package that I find it difficult to think of areas of improvement.

[@gregp.7148]

Love the food references!

[@Crispychicken4u]

Seems to check all the boxes .. performance, styling , price and Toyota reliability 👍

[@jasonmoyer]

Yeah, you might want to look into the problems people are having with cooling, oiling, and the rear clutch overheating.

[@mengx94]

90% will never see those issues; only at the track you will, like most cars in stock form

[@alfredos8729]

price lol, like most people are getting them at MSRP

[@mintchevvv1834]

Sheep fans ✅

[@dknollRX7]

I just picked up a ‘23 Circuit edition in that same Heavy Metal metallic gray color. So far, I’m really loving it! I only have 200 miles on it, so I’m still waiting for the first 500 miles before I start to open it up and have more fun. A few things to note: in the button cluster by the steering wheel heater, the picture with the windshield is for the heater circuit where the front wipers sit, to help clear ice from that area. Also, you can change the cluster layout to display coolant temp, oil temp and oil pressure at the same time. Lastly, underneath the VIN placard in the windshield, it states which number, out of the 1500, you have of the Circuit edition. Mine is 802 out of 1500. I traded in my ‘16 WRX for my ‘23 GR, and I must say that it looks way better in person than it does in pictures or videos…and I already liked how it looked in those. I’ve also had a LOT more people eyeing my car, asking me questions, walking past it over and over, etc. It truly feels like a special piece of machinery, and I was lucky to snag the exact one I wanted, when I did. I really don’t have anything negative to say about it. You have to realize that there are some compromises to make a smaller car like this have the performance. My biggest “gripe” so far is very minor. The back doors don’t open up very far, and it’s a bit of a struggle to manhandle my 70 lb bulldog in and out of there, while trying to protect the interior/door. Of course, I have seat covers, etc…but I wish the rear doors opened up a bit more for easier ingress/egress. That’s it- that’s my biggest complaint, and it’s only a minor inconvenience. It drives great, handles great, brakes are very grabby (surprised with how little travel there is before a hard pedal), the iMT is fun, etc…overall, it’s a unique and fun car, and I love that it has the Toyota reliability behind it.

[@mags3376]

I picked my 23’ CE in White at MSRP 4 days ago. Next time I drive it I’m definetly going to check what # mine is! My biggest complaints about the car so far is yes the doors don’t open wide enough, mirrors don’t have electronic folding, and the QI charger is useless. But, I bought this car for performance. I’m used to not having the latest frills, I still have my 07 WRX and 99 Legacy GT as daily drivers. The GRC is such a special car I hope to keep for the next decade if not longer.

[@dknollRX7]

@@mags3376 congrats on the ride! I paid $2k over, which isn’t hateful compared to what others have been paying. It was worth it to me to get it exactly how I wanted it. Not too many people know about that number under the VIN in the windshield. I think I randomly found it while watching endless GRC videos and reading through the comment section. I knew more about the car than the sales guy, haha. I never had folding mirrors, so that’s not an issue for me. I also never use a center console, so that’s no biggie to me either. My Qi charger has been working fine for me. Maybe your phone size or case will affect its ability to work.

[@JG-mg3if]

Got my CE in white in August. You right about the looks, it look’s better in person. Like a mini bulldog 😂. Got it at MSRP but did add Toyotas extended premium warranty. Keep enjoying guys, only have 400 miles on mine. Ima collect this one since we be going electric in the future!

[@Ww8.3]

How much did you pay out the door?

[@dknollRX7]

@@Ww8.3 $2k over cost. Sucks to pay a premium, but it wasn’t as bad as others had to pay…plus it was worth it to me to get the exact trim, color, etc I wanted. Apparently, within a few hours of me putting my deposit down, they had over 30 calls from potential customers, trying to snag it.

[@thecentralman]

I have a 2023 Corolla Hatch. Gray in color and painted gloss black wheels. I love it, gets excellent gas mileage, very comfortable and decent speakers from the factory. Speaking of practicality, i fit a whole gun safe from Costco in the hatch, One that was close to 200 pounds and pretty wide and long. The trunk fits a 55qt roto-molded cooler without me having to fold the rear seats. It's small but the designers did a great job making the trunk more usuable that it appears.

[@bryanwashington9511]

Now this is a great hot hatch!🔥🔥

[@davidkean5680]

Good work pal

[@mikeschafer2474]

Love the car I think it’s amazing that Toyota is doing this but for me it’s the wrong time the interest rates are too high. The dealer markup are out of site so I’m just going to 😅have to sit back and watch on KZbin for now.

[@christopherbassit2757]

Love my gr corolla had it for almost 9 months now

[@tkturbo62]

The GR Corolla is for sure not an ordinary Corolla. Definitely a fun exciting hatch back car. I got to drive one recently. I have a respect for what Toyota is doing with Gazoo Racing.

[@victorramsey5575]

Dude! I relate to the piping hot pizza rolls. I still have a numb spot in my mouth from one back in the 80s!

[@ivanlowjones]

A bit of an exaggeration.

[@Thebusdriverandgamermorefan790]

Insane Toyota GR Corolla I want to buy Joe.

[@luckyluke9053]

29:31 That guy was pissed lmao!

[@bigusdickus3068]

People like that will cause their own disasters when ever they see something unexpected. Raiti wasn't close to crossing the double yellow and yet the other driver was just about ready to toss their car into the ditch.

[@amill1563]

Well perhaps some of those aftermarket folks can connect that non-functional thingy up front to the functional vent on the fender for brake cooling.

[@DerpyDude777]

Just the fact that it's Manual, AWD, a Hatchback, and it has the reliability of a Toyota, this is my #1 most wanted car right now. The power per piston is insane, 3 cylinder 300 HP? Crazy! Compared to my 97 Civic Coupe DX at 106 HP for a 4 cylinder, this is insane.

[@RaitisRides]

I know exactly how you feel!

[@martingriggs6362]

I just drove a core version of this vehicle. I didn't think I would ever drive a vehicle more fun than my Fiesta ST, I was wrong. What made my test drive special to me, was I got to go alone. The GR Corolla I drove was a Toyota rep. car with 4500 miles. The dealer just tossed the keys to me, and said have fun. I did!

[@mystictk4149]

These are really nice.

[@musapurba8199]

First time you didn’t zonk the rear wiper😊

[@cwclarkephotos9551]

Wow I really like that look

[@RaitisRides]

You and me both!

[@cwx8]

In Canada the only way to get one is from dealerships who have sold the car to one of their staff who then traded it in at MSRP to allow them to mark it up as a "used car" avoiding Canada's markup laws.

[@RaitisRides]

That is so crazy!

[@ivanlowjones]

Smart Canucks.

[@Kevin-lh1zz]

Seriously, I was wondering what the hell was going on with all the super low km, used GRs in Toronto. That is such BS

[@yvonjasser]

Not true at all, I got one at MSRP, my friend also got one MSRP, most Canadians on GR forums also got them at MSRP

[@DavidTMSN]

Wouldn't expect anything less

[@Str33tSupra]

Its actually almost 200hp per litre. Also those slots in the front bar are functional for air curtains over the front tires, with the core and Morizo models. They were blocked off on the Circuit edition because in combination with the rear wing, Toyota encountered instability at speeds over 130mph. Its revised for the 2024 model CE.

[@Nick-hz2kl]

Hahaha you are funny . That car is not 600hp. Don’t smoke crack kids

[@tractorcannon8487]

Good to know

[@vagabond1776]

130mph??? I would definitely make a trip to the parts department and have it replaced….no one goes 130mph on street roads unless they have a death wish.🤪

[@alfredos8729]

​@@vagabond1776 so a Toyota Prius is more you then.

[@Lairex_Rai]

The front brake ducking is behind the gill as they are rerouted. But yeah, the cat tops out at 147 electronically

[@lostsoulx7]

talking about GR, I wish they have GR Camry because right now I'm not the biggest fan of the TRD, I was watching other people review the TRD Camry and I like how they explained that TRD doesn't really have a lot of things that would make it a TRD, it's basically XSE but sporty

[@r3games1985]

I still love how your favorite back road still says slow lol

[@kappa8290]

Beautiful

[@dh12.]

Looks like a blast to drive and honestly more affordable than a demanding girlfriend!

[@tinhinnh]

🤣🤣😂

[@Ethan_Alexandur]

Both are money pits but at least a car is more fun 😂

[@dknollRX7]

@@Ethan_Alexandur and you can get inside the car whenever you want…

[@tinhinnh]

@@Ethan_Alexandur well both can be fun 😉

[@Ethan_Alexandur]

@@tinhinnh I’ll take the car

[@shamako4ever718]

Alright Joe let’s see what this Toyota GR Corolla will do for us

[@RaitisRides]

I like the way that you did that!

[@spikeimperial]

Would you recomend the base model as a first purchase? 😮

[@stefano182]

@Raiti's, do you prefer a Ford Focus RS or a GR Corolla? Just kind of curious as I am in the market for an AWD Turbo car.

[@jeffmoore8607]

Love when he says "turn singles" hehe 😂

[@danielguerra3871]

I starting to like this one than that new WRX this thing is good in the snow ❄️

[@jamesd0ng440]

It would be nice to buy if the dealers kept sales local

[@RaitisRides]

Good call on that one.

[@JG-mg3if]

Damn I love that color!! Got a ice cap white myself 😁

[@RaitisRides]

Nice choice!

[@steveng.8429]

If you know how to dance like tinker bell on your toes 😂😂😂😂 this guy cracks me me up!

[@FLEXjs]

300 HP? That's nuts. My wife has a Fiat Spider with a turbo 1.4 and it has 160 HP. Wow.

[@AstroZombie1]

And still had room for groceries

[@PWCDN]

most likely like all cars, this will be at a cost to reliability. Just because its a Toyota doesn't mean it can defy physics and material science.

[@stefantakacs]

Looks great. Still waiting for mine to come in, really losing interest since my dealership is useless.

[@therealdjx214]

I'm trying to decide on getting one of these or a new Tacoma 🤔.

[@hollydillion1315]

Hard to decide between this and the Type R!

[@whatsforsupa]

The pizza roll rant was unhinged but I absolutely loved it

[@seagrass7125]

Toyota is making lots of cool stuff, who woulda thunk it. I’m in love with this car, perfect for up here in Maine. Can fit my incoming puppy and have fun all year. I had a 2011 red Sti hatch back in the day, these remind of that.

[@anthonypiantidosi2053]

Hey bro, Maine here too! Looking between this and new GLI

[@onterrioredmon5711]

I want one now Joe

[@LuisUrbieta]

Viva the Toyota GR Corolla!

[@ADT2525]

Grill and mirrors also the bottom intake should be carbon fiber. Wonder if there are any aftermarket carbon for those

[@jaketheginger1333]

At 29:30 you made a civic all jealeous lmao

[@SpeckNV]

Id buy one but they wont seel them for MSRP in my area and i refuse to pay markups

[@jimsgaragetoys]

Quite a few incorrect facts about the GRC. It's not 100hp per liter, it's actually 187.5hp per liter. It's more like 100hp per cylinder. You can also easily see the oil pressure, coolant temp, and oil pressure. There are many different small squares of information that you can choose from and have 3 different screens in memory that you can quickly choose from. You can also change the tach in sport mode or custom mode to a straight line if you prefer. A loaded Core is still thousands less and is the same mechanically. While the CF roof is cool it was stated to only save less than 2 lbs as the aluminum roof is still very light. Bottom line is the GRC is amazing in any trim level but you did forget to mention the new Premium trim level that will fall between the Core and the Circuit. Toyota didn't change anything from what they said on the 2024 model in relation to the rear clutch pack sensor and the overheating. Luckily it only happens on the track so the majority of GRC owners won't have this issue and many that have tracked the car haven't had any issue either. Some issues the after market has solved like the armrest issue with the SXTH armrest and Forge came out with a very nice short shifter for under $100 that is adjustable and works great.

[@suazzz3070]

With the markups I wish it was 43 grand

[@1996Gtalum]

I always love your videos.

[@DM72513]

19:27 You can set it to change the tach to be horizontal in Sport mode.

[@regieds]

I wish this went for low 30s, I would have picked it up instead of a WRX.

[@chrisgelo1425]

The way I see it Joe Toyota is really kicking a** and taking names! And I think they're going to continue with their winning streak with the debut of the 2025 Camry. And Joe I'll go out on a limb here and say that they'll unveil the TRD Camry first. Based on the first teaser, I do see front splitter extension on the side.😮

[@RaitisRides]

Oh just wait to see what Toyota had plans for. Things are getting good!

[@chrisgelo1425]

@RaitisRides Joe, your making my heart pitter patter for what's coming down pipeline!

[@HansDelbruck53]

ass?

[@chrisgelo1425]

@HansDelbruck53 Exactly. Didn't want KZbin flagging me lol 😆

[@HansDelbruck53]

@@chrisgelo1425 I think even KZbin doesn't see ass as a four letter word.

[@76nhl]

What a Beauty!

[@boots_n_coots]

I can’t wait to get me one o’them Circus Editions! Whoo-hoo!

[@RaitisRides]

LOL I see what you did there!

[@boots_n_coots]

@@RaitisRides seriously Joe I’d sell my grandma for one of these GRs, haha

[@krusig7467]

I want one so bad. ❤❤❤

[@sargentthiccboi9333]

I was looking at the 23 civic si before but this. This is fucking badass. Especially since I’m driving a 03 vibe this car reminds me of it so much. It looks like a vibe on steroids. I’m so happy we’re getting more hot hatches here now. All we need now is for Ford to bring us the st back

[@huang221]

100 horse power per “cylinder” not per liter, it’s only 1.6 liter.

[@ludenprime]

This car is sweet

[@RaitisRides]

You have great taste!~

[@TheSpeedDemon64]

Love the new GR Corolla!

[@RaitisRides]

You have great taste!

[@TheSpeedDemon64]

@@RaitisRides I sure do!

[@shawnbentley536]

Just put my deposit in on a 2024 core fully loaded and surprisingly got it at msrp. Its at the port right now I'm so excited I can't wait!

[@heuilleman]

Did you received it ? Whats youre thought ?

[@shawnbentley536]

@heuilleman honestly it's great already put 5000 miles on it and have had no issues with it.

[@jaymellathomas7958]

Beautiful colors ❤

[@Almighty_cornholio]

Great car

[@RaitisRides]

Toyota really did a great job with it!

[@alexismerced2981]

You're right, nothing is cheaper in the market

[@RaitisRides]

It is crazy to say that!

[@LS2DNA]

Guys put your socks away 😂😂, oh man I love this car 🚗

[@Fearless-Hyena]

I havent seen a single one in nyc, i wanted to trade my elantra n but i decided to keep it instead

[@islanddon865]

This looks like a track car all the way. I'm sure it's nimble as heck, but not necessarily in a Miata way. If you can pop for $44k, it's a real "grin making machine".

[@andrewg9236]

It's the best 2 lap track car in the world... Then it goes horrible wrong 🔥

[@kingpikachuthethird]

Okay Joe but is it better than the 2024 Elantra N? When is that video coming out 👀

[@KN-jw7ts]

I’m a form over function type of guy, and understand that looks are subjective……..but that Elantra N could be one of the ugliest cars ever made. Which disqualifies it out of the gate.

[@jordanplays-transitandgame1690]

Definitely not dollar to dollar. And I don't care how thick the cylinder walls are its still a 3 cylinder, instant no for me.

[@jordanplays-transitandgame1690]

@@KN-jw7ts The 2024 looks nice but the old one 🤢🤮

[@AstroZombie1]

I would love to get this and jack it up to 400hp with minimal mods.

[@mags3376]

Picked mine up 4 days ago at MSRP. Absolutely worth the wait, got a White Circuit Edition 🔥

[@JG-mg3if]

Congrats, same spec here and price ✊🏽

[@spectralknights2]

No mark up price?

[@JG-mg3if]

@@spectralknights2 None for me 😁

[@JCTiggs1]

2024 Golf R or Corolla GR?

[@bt9765]

I have searched far and wide and have yet to be able to find a dealer selling these at MSRP. It’s horrible.

[@Briantholt]

They’re out there but it’s a pain to find. I got mine at msrp but it was originally 5k markup. I just said no lol

[@khanyin3372]

I think it's maybe greatest little car 🚗 for us in northern or north east states because of snow ❄️ and ice some time it not gonna cut it with Civic type R or Elantra N.

[@PumpkinCobra]

More fun than the elantra N?

[@KN-jw7ts]

Definitely better looking, but that’s not saying much. That Elantra is Aztec levels of ugly.

[@gregp.7148]

The BMW i3 (EV) has carbon fibre roof as well. Yeah baby!

[@davidp2888]

Pocket rocket? Joe's gonna tell us if it's a zonk or not.

[@RaitisRides]

I love this car and it is a blast to drive!

[@cgeorgudis]

For that money I’ll get a regular mustang 2024 Gt manual 😂🎉😂

[@Tanim8753]

Order Year and half ago still waiting

[@darrengodbee3397]

I can’t have one because I can no longer drive a stick shift after having had a massive stroke oh well

[@pumbanwk]

“You get the hood with the bulge, so guys put the socks away you don’t need them” 😂😂😂😂😂 Favorite car review’s. Bought the Supra and now the gr Corolla because of the in depth reviews

[@cedric182]

I’m gonna have to zonk those shoes

[@JoseRodriguezkb]

“Guys put the socks away “ 🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂💀💀💀💀💀💀💀

[@jarelsuckrajh5932]

The japanese version of the gr corolla Is different from the American version, the difference is that the Japanese version has no jbl speakers on the sides and you don't get the startup animation sound. Also you dont get the sign shift knob on the Japanese version of circuit edition

[@timbrown9731]

I’m hoping Toyota will put this 3cly in other platforms say…..an MR2????

[@martinelantraratedn]

In Canada all Gr corolla come with those wheels

[@RaitisRides]

Oh wow thanks for sharing that info.,

[@kevinlindsey9537]

Actually for 2024 you have 3 options. 1.Core 2.premium 3.circuit edition.

[@alejandrocerdenia1235]

I will see what that Gr will do in world rally circuit here in the USS.

[@liudxdx]

2:38 wait that piece not functional? I’ve owned my GR for almost a year never noticed there’s no holes lol

[@FoolyCooli]

It is open on the core and morizo edition but they've blocked it off on the circuit edition for some reason. I believe it should be open for all trims on the '24 model.

[@liudxdx]

@@FoolyCoolioh I have the Core

[@Q..M]

People intend for this to be some type of 1/4 mile contender against a hellcat… if your into rally racing or track, this car is basically in it’s own class at those.

[@RaitisRides]

This is so very true!

[@dr.allanlopezhernandez3400]

The best car of the decade 👌 😍 🙌 ❤️ 💙 ✨️ 👌!!!!!

[@maoinc13]

I checked this car online and the GR Corolla Circuit Edition is 46k not 44k then you need to add the mark ups from the dealer you'll end up paying at least 52k for this GR