Toyota GR Corolla - REAL Owner Review, Pros, Cons, Honest Opinion

[@GaryTheCarNut]

What does the man who drives one think about his GR Corolla Circuit Edition? Check it out here!

[@asifhirji226]

Great review! Soon to be retired Canadian here and for my daily driver I am debating between the GR Corolla, Integra Type S, and Golf R. Lots of pros and cons with each, but I’m happy that cars like these exist for us enthusiasts!

[@GaryTheCarNut]

I certainly agree, take your time, weigh those pros and cons as to what is best for you!

[@Duuhvis]

I’ve owned a focus ST and RS and I will Take my GRC over those anyday. Love this hot hatch!

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Yup, love mine too!

[@bonifaciomagdiwang1697]

I have 2022 Veloster N DCT very good cartoon drive 👍

[@jasonqueen9806]

You have to go out of your way to map your gage cluster preferences to your key--I believe it's called making a profile. Every time you use your key, it will remember your custom settings. That said, I've encountered a glitch with the customizable gage cluster that blew up my right custom gage area and causes it to not remember my setting, and also not see/select from among all the options.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Thanks for the tip, I’ll check that out.

[@SteelYang]

Fantastic video! Very well edited, nice production, and scripted and narrated professionally! Keep up the good work! Much love brother!

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Thank you very much! Please share video with friends and family.

[@705toys6]

Great review ! Thanks for sharing your experience. Lately ive been shying away from the GRC as it seemed to much the "Boy Racer" but knowing you also own Boxster Spyder has me rethinking just how good the GRC really is.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Yes as a “mature” sports car owner one needs to look beyond the “Boy Racer” aspect and appreciate it for what it really is!

[@s4awd2]

It's such a fun car to drive. I have a Tesla Model S Plaid and it no longer gets used. Crashing over bumps does get annoying but the thrill of the drive make it worth it.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Thrilling and fun are 2 words that definitely apply to this car.

[@trigganometry168]

I got the blue stitching in the 24 Circuit edition for daily and my Cayman GTS 4.0 for the weekends!

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Great combo, very similar to mine! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rofNenZjjKl0q80si=NOxcaN5Ivt5F36ON

[@trigganometry168]

@. I actually watched your Spyder video first and this video was suggested at the end of that video 😆. I got a Poverty spec for my Cayman GTS for the same reasons. I wanted to keep the weight off and eliminate as much electronics as possible. Just under $91k I actually wanted a Spyder but as a first time buyer they wanted a 10k mark up.

[@TerryManitoba]

@@trigganometry168 Hey trigonometry - Interesting - I sold 2 911s during covid and now have a GR Corolla Circuit!!! Care to share how the P-car compares to the GRC where it counts and why we buy these cars - on proper twisty roads not necessarily for daily tasks.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

There’s always that markup!

[@GaryTheCarNut]

I guess I would sum it up to say the GR is lots of fun, more engaging, and more sure footed. While the Spyder is much faster and more exciting. On a dry, perfect summer day, early on a Sunday morning, the Spyder is the clear winner and would be my first choice hands down. Drop that top and go! The GR always feels faster than it's actually going, while the Spyder is the opposite.

[@PopHarperYT]

Great video. I just retired last month and will be picking up a GR Corolla in the next couple of months. It's a car from another era and I want to drive the wheels off of it while I am able.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

I couldn’t agree more! Enjoy.

[@spinnetti]

Its a hoot.. Noisy on the freeway though.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Actually I found it not too noisy on the freeway but my friends tell me when I stop by their house they hear me long before they see me!

[@PopHarperYT]

@@spinnetti I recently got rid of a Ford Bronco, which was *the noisiest* vehicle I've ever had. You couldn't have a conversation on the freeway. So, bring on the GRC!

[@stevethomas760]

Stretch run, enjoy it. Bought my Core 2/23 (I'm 74)

[@JoeyJoe-JoeJrShabadoo]

It's such a cool car and a great review of it! I can't decide whether I like it in red more or in blue flame more. Either way, it looks great!

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Very true! The blue wasn’t available when I ordered mine but if it had been it would have been a tough decision.

[@kengit2]

I own a Lexus and I feel quite at home sitting in this car. They use the same soft plastic on the front dash as they do on the Lexus. Digital dash is just as good as on my Lexus but even more refined with more customization options and ease of use. Seats are exactly the same as you would find on the Lexus F cars just different material. With the standard sense 3.0, GR Corolla has more tech . The only difference is the simplicity of the interior, a bit more stoic and purposeful. Reason I didn’t feel in anyway turned off. The only glaring sub par part is the stereo, which I never turn on anyways. I enjoy the full engagement that a manual offers you along with listening to the engine and turbo noises, only symphony you need

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Yes, my wife has a Lexus and I too feel at home in this car as I do in that Lexus, but in a much different way.

[@spinnetti]

I've got one just like it.. Love how you can toss it around on the road. Good fun :)

[@GaryTheCarNut]

It sure is, thanks for watching!

[@shanesnyder7359]

Great review and perspectives! Is the red metallic or non but with a gloss coat? Thanks

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Yes, there is a very fine metallic but it is just barely noticeable. I like it!

[@toninocars]

Very good and honest review. Thanks

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Thanks for watching. Please share video with friends and family

[@DumbledoreMcCracken]

Great color. As a el Camino style pickup it would be coooler.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Yes it probably would.

[@elgoogkcuf]

mk8 gti is the best hot hatch. price to performance

[@GaryTheCarNut]

It is a good contender but the GRC has so many more cool features like the carbon fiber roof.

[@wellsbengston4132]

Thank you for doing this review. I have a deposit on a red 2025 Premium MT for late November delivery. I prefer red stitching, but it's not worth paying Premium Plus money for me. I currently drive a 2007 Focus ST, which has many red accents in the interior.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Congrats, you’ll love it!

[@petertran8623]

My 24 Circuit here in the US has blue stitched seats

[@GaryTheCarNut]

I think all the blue ones have blue stitching. I really really Iike the blue. Nice car.

[@ArthaxtaDaVince777]

If anyone is considering getting one, definitely wait get the 2025 model year, its upgrades to the engline block, handling, suspension are night and day difference over the 2024 model. The variable awd is also another big factor, if you want to feel like a race car, you turn it on and you go through corners crazy fast without losing traction.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Definitely worth considering

[@amill1563]

Do you think you will switch to Akebono pads?

[@GaryTheCarNut]

No, I have never gone from stock pads I prefer to stay with OEM.

[@stevethomas760]

@@GaryTheCarNut Man oh man at the brake dust.

[@stevehuk902]

I ordered a black core yesterday. The nearly 10k difference between the core and premium was a tough pill to swallow. The roof is cool but its needs maintenance. The seats are nice but without cooling im fine with fabric. My only real concern is that there is no way my hockey goalie bag will fit in the back. I does currenlty fit in my civic si's trunk.

[@stevehuk902]

Also I tried it out and I fit perfectly fine behind me at only 5'8 lol

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Flip the back seat down?

[@GaryTheCarNut]

That will make it more versatile for you.

[@stevehuk902]

@@GaryTheCarNut yes sir. And when the family comes to games we take the wife's gli which has an oddly large trunk

[@Ballacha]

having driven the gr yaris on track, i can honestly say the best hot hatch is still m140i period

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Could very well be, these are not sold in North America and I have never seen one. Thank you for mentioning it.

[@Ballacha]

@@GaryTheCarNut well you guys are missing out big time

[@rio_s550]

​@@Ballachawe know

[@amill1563]

I imagine the awd serves you well in Canada.

[@TerryManitoba]

why

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Especially in the snow belt where I live.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Lots of snow here in the winter

[@TerryManitoba]

@@GaryTheCarNut More Americans(draw a line from New York to Northern Ca) live in a snow belt than all Canadians do.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Good to know but we sure get a LOT of snow in the part of Ontario in which I live.

[@Melvin-belvin]

I’m currently chooosing between an m2, gr corolla and integra type s. I know…big difference between m2 and corolla. The reason I’m leaning towards corolla is the expendables. I track a lot and tracking an m2 will get expensive quickly. Brake pads, tires etc. I looked at the pricing for gr track tires and they are way cheaper to replace than the m2 and type s…plus they’re a square setup which makes rotating at the track easier.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Makes perfect sense and I agree but you need to figure out how to keep that rear differential from overheating while tracking.

[@crazihippo92]

555engineering has solution for drivetrain overheating. But you'll be in a out 3k to fix it. Or see how often it affects you at the track prior to making the investment. I wanted to put it out there that the rear diff overheating root cause has been identified and does have a solution

[@brianr14190]

Since you plan on taking the car to the track and considering Integra Type-S, have you considered the Civic Type-R? It is more track focused and the seats are very supportive for aggressive driving, but still comfortable for normal driving.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Yes, the type-R is the best compromise for track use. If that is of primary importance

[@brodiwheeler7583]

Track the Integ or the M2, even M235.

[@DandyDan123]

Buy TuxMats for it instead of the rubber mats!!! Only 210 dollars...so worth it IMO!!!

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Thanks for the input, love the rubber ones that came with the car but I’ll check them out

[@alsacs3635]

Great review.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Glad you enjoyed it! Please share video with friends and family.

[@Aftershok128]

Your GRC is extremely peculiar and very fascinating to me. It has the carbon roof and vented/bulged hood of the Circuit Edition but the matte grille and grey stitching of the base model. There was never a specification of this car that was sold with that combination, ever. I wonder what happened that this car exists. Does it have the Circuit Edition plaque on the panel between the dash and driver side door? Edit: Ah you’re in Canada! Mystery solved.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Yes, it has the plaque and yes things are a little different here.

[@TerryManitoba]

That Red sure buffs out real nice👍 I passed on a few Red Core models and a Blue Circuit - got a White Circuit (blue stitch). Pretty much agree with your overview. Nice nuf Fast nuf Big nuf & Fun as H. Went on a 16 day 5k mile rip to the Pacific Northwest & could not be happier with the GR as a fast mountain shedding rig. (I've done at least 50 similar trips over the last 25 years) Having sold 2 fast (pricier) cars - the GR is my current one and done DD et al rig...

[@GaryTheCarNut]

They are lots of fun, enjoy

[@TerryManitoba]

@@GaryTheCarNut ok - I will - I suppose

[@oldpirate7434]

Saw one today at the dealer and it was over price of 15K, no way IMO, BTW it was the same color as yours which is a awesome color.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Yes dealer markup has definitely put these out of the real of sensible

[@stevethomas760]

I had to do a LOT of calling to find mine (2/23) $40.5 Core

[@lronSausage]

In canada the top trim fully loaded Golf R is the same price as the GR corolla CORE edition, whilst the circuit is nearly 10k more. The Golf R is definitely less engaging, but it is a significantly better daily driver, while still performing as well if not better on the track at the same time. In canada the GRC is quite terrible value. The Golf R is not more expensive, better interior, more features, more room, more power, more cylinders, more displacement, better torque curve, less rev hang, less understeer (GRC is known for understeer), no cooling issues, and you can drive more than 85 mph. If you are willing to sacrifice the "more fun" part that every reviewer only focuses on due to their 2 week ownership, you get all of those other benefits.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Yes, the pricing in Canada is currently higher for the GRC CE than the Golf R but in the US and when I purchased my Circuit edition in 2023, the Golf R is more expensive. I assure you that I can drive faster than 85 mph in my car, no problem, not sure why you would say that one can't? I've owned mine for over one year and it's still very much fun every time I drive it, which is daily. I do agree and as mentioned in my video the rear differential overheating, but only during track days, is a definite flaw.

[@ontarioman6301]

WRX better buy in Canada. 48,000 grand for the core GR. Base WRX is 36,000 grand. Ended up with the WRX sport. No regrets and it was an easy choice for me.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Glad to hear you’re happy with your purchase

[@lronSausage]

@@GaryTheCarNut the 85 mph thing is a half joke. It comes from someone's GRC catching on fire and Toyota refusing the warranty because they said the owner has driven over 85 mph at one point during his ownership of the car and therefore considered aggressive driving (not when it caught on fire driving at 60 mph). The whole thing was on video and the owner was just cruising normally. This news just became a running joke on Toyota and the GRC since it is a performance vehicle designed for track use.

[@ricktrue8441]

What is the watch you are wearing?

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Seiko chronograph, good every day watch

[@timw2083]

Great video 🎉 i have a white Circuit Edition with blue stitching. This really has been a fun daily driver. It fits my needs and wants perfectly. The CX30 was on my list if i wanted something fun but knee friendly 😂

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Fun really describes this car!

[@antikytheramechanism7909]

The Corolla doesn't look like a sports car though. Most people would see it as a 4-door grandma's econobox that it is based on. They should take this drivetrain and put it in something that looks like a 2 door sportscar so that fans of this drivetrain could have something beautiful.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Sure I agree, but somehow that’s part of its underdog charm.

[@ericmichel3857]

Hey Gary, check out Savagegeese's latest video "Civic Type R vs GR Corolla | Last Chapter, Problems Explained" Looks like there may have found a fix for the AWD overheat limp mode issue. It's not cheap and requires significant modification but... Also they explain the issue is not quite what we all thought. Regardless, I thought you would find it interesting.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

I definitely will, thanks for letting me know.

[@Shadows-RC]

"Bawdy panels." All of the O's sounds like AW's. Let me guess....Canadian.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Correct, Canadian!

[@ericmichel3857]

The rear diff overheating on track is nonstarter for me. I am sure it's good enough for the street, but to pay for a car like this and essentially not be able to use it for occasional track days is absurd IMO. And I hear it still primarily understeers, so what was the point? They could have just made it a standard 50/50 and tuned the suspension to rotate adn it would have been fine. This is a fatal flaw for IMO.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Yes, a very valid opinion, it bothers me too that more than enough time has gone by to implement a fix but nothing has happened

[@kengit2]

Using stickier tires on track stops the rear differential overheating. No one can really explain why but it does resolve the problem. The new update on the awd is designed to reduce issue of understeer as it’s now variable improving entry and mid corner turn in

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Good to know. Would have thought stickier tires like Cup 2’s would have made it worse.

[@ericmichel3857]

@@kengit2 Well,, I don't think it is that difficult to understand, unfortunately it is not a fix. First you have to understand how and why it happens in the first place. These cars are not true AWD, really they are FWD cars with a rear drive assist that engages as needed. With the over geared rear, everytime the rear clutch is engaged it is slipping the entire time, and that is what creates excessive wear and heat. On the street the rear only needs to engage probably less than 1% of the time, for example when doing a hard launch, accelerating hard from a corner, and on low traction surfaces. With track driving where you are constantly experiencing those conditions (on high grip surface) the amount of time in this state increases substantially, and that is why it overheats and causes excessive wear. This is why it shuts down quickly under track conditions, the CPU is trying to protect the diff from excessive wear and heat. There isn't even an actual sensor, from what I read it is calculated based on how often the rear is engaged. So if it happens less with sticky R compound tires, that can only be because the rear drive is engaged far less often. Think about why this would happen, if you are a novice track driver you will not spend a lot of time at or near the limit in corners. For those people they don't experience this issue nearly as much as someone that is truly driving the car hard. So if you don't drive the car to hard on track you might be able to prevent or at least reduce how often it happens. However, experienced drivers want to push the car to its limits, that is sort of the whole point so... So, when you put sticky tires on the car it significantly increases the speeds you can enter and carry through a corner. I have seen cases where novice drivers use R compound tires but their lap times do not improve all that much, whereas an experienced driver can easily knock off 2-3 seconds just with stickier tires. So, knowing that the only way the diff overheating would not happen is if the rear diff is engaging a lot less, the only logical conclusion is that these folks were driving closer to the limit on the stock tires however, with the sticky tires they do not have the skill (or confidence) to drive near the new much higher limit, and that requires less engagement of the rear drive. It doesn't actually fix the issue, it just masks it to some degree. I imagine it also makes the car understeer far more than it already does with the stock tires. This is an inherently flawed design for track driving, fine for the street though. I saw an interview recently with the Toyota GR lead design engineer (for the new auto) and the interviewer specifically asked about this issue, and he looked sideways and said point blank that they are "looking into it" and that they do not have a solution at this time. The truth is no amount of cooling is going to fix it, the only solution is to get rid of this rear overdrive design and go back to square 50/50 setup like every other similar awd setup uses. Those can run hard on track all day with zero issues, imagine that. The problem is this is most likely not something that can be fixed in the aftermarket, while you could change the gearing, the CPU control system is designed to work with this rear overdriven system, and that will be extremely difficult to reengineer. What kills me is it doesn't even really do the one thing you want from a rear bias awd system (which is eliminate understeer), all it does is put a damper on your track day. I don't think Toyota wants this to be a track car, I mean look at the torque converter auto they put in it, and how they are treating warranty claims. Seems like it is meant more to look and feel like a sporty street car, and for that it is fine. However, it is not the next EVO/STI, it just kind of looks like it might be, but no. Frankly, I am disappointed.

[@kengit2]

@ericmichel curious, do you own a GR Corolla?

[@tudoralexandru8740]

be sure to not exceed 85mph

[@GaryTheCarNut]

No problem, my tires are rated for far more than that.

[@thehondacura3773]

The battery in the back ruins all of the hatchback practicality🙄

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Not all of it but definitely a great deal. Significantly helps either weight distribution though

[@richardburns9772]

Red ones are the würst

[@GaryTheCarNut]

So much better than non colors like white, black or grey.

[@eppyz]

Best Hot Hatch? No. I personally feel the VW GTI is till top dog. I say this because of several factors. 1. GTI is less expensive. 2. GTI feels more premium. Just close the doors on each and you will see what I mean. 3. GTI has just enough performance to be fun, without sacrificing MPG's. I have personally seen GTI's get over 40 mpg's on the hwy where the GR struggles to get 30. 4. GTI has a center console armrest for driving comfort. GR has no center armrest. 5. Hatch opening. The GTI has a much larger hatch opening giving you the ability to move larger items. For example I was able to move an 8 drawer dresser in a GTI but it would not fit in my friends GR when he was moving house. Lastly Looks. The GR is not the best looking car out there. Not saying the GTI is either, but I feel the GTI overall athletically is more appealing. If you are one that actually "Tracks" your car? Well the GR will beat a GTI on the Track stock vs stock, but that doesn't mean the GTI isn't fun on the track. How many GR owners actually will take their car on the track anyway? None that I know of. As for reliability? Toyota has presumed reliability but the GR 1.6 3 cylinder is a fairly new engine and is already showing some failures, and the EA888 in the GTI has its own problems too, but Reliability is very subjective. Many variables there. In conclusion, I do like the GR. I think Toyota is about 10 yrs too late to the party with this car, but I am grateful it exists. I am a car enthusiast and appreciate these type of cars. For my money though? I want a comfortable, practical efficient, fun sporty hatch and I feel the VW GTI just does this job better.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Appreciate your opinion and agree that the GR is not the best for everyone but for the reasons I mention in the video it definitely is best for me and judging by the comments some others too. Enjoy your GTI

[@eppyz]

@GaryTheCarNut well yes they agree because they're looking for videos about the gr Corolla but Ive driven both in a practical sense like moving furniture or big items and for just daily stuff like going to the store and what not getting better fuel economy having cheaper car insurance having cheaper maintenance costs and all this stuff that adds up every month the GTI for the win. If you're just having one vehicle the Volkswagen GTI is still the Jack of all trades that the grr I think will never be. GR is a great car but more focused for semi track use which most will never really do anyway. Enjoy your GR👍

[@rio_s550]

The GTI is ass ugly

[@jamesnicol3831]

Nothing beats this Japan designed and made car. Your Mexico made gti will fail anb disappoint

[@eppyz]

@@jamesnicol3831 Well, depends, and your being one sided I get it, you like the Toyota, but I have had good luck with VW's. My first VW a 2013 GTI I bought new in 2013 I put 270k miles on it nothing but routine maintenance, and I sold it to my friend who still is driving it today. I then bought a MK7 GTI in 2020 have 100k miles on it now with no issues but maintenance. We also have a 1960 VW Beatle that has been in the family since new with over 1 million miles on its original engine and still going. So do you have a 64 year old Toyota in your family that is still driven daily? I doubt it. So many factors involved to have a reliable car. VW's thus far have been good to me, but then again I take care of my cars where most people do not.

[@curtfox91]

He said Volkswagen type R

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Yes, I misspoke. Got it, "Volkswagen R"

[@brodiwheeler7583]

I hate GOLF ⛳️ 🏌🏽‍♂️

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Me too.

[@amblex3793]

Bro really said the GR corolla is cheaper lol

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Yup

[@stevethomas760]

My Core was $40.5, bought 2/23. Certainly not cheap but worth it for me.

[@joelee1195]

Aren’t you a little old to be driving that car?

[@GaryTheCarNut]

HaHaHa I love these funny comments! Thanks for watching.

[@stevethomas760]

Not old compared to a Redwood. I'm 74, owned a GRC since 2/23.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

That’s great , I can relate as I’m 69

[@stevethomas760]

@@GaryTheCarNut I paddle board with some guys in their 50s. The look of shock when I said "man, just to be 60 again".

[@GaryTheCarNut]

Don’t I know it.

[@frankyjas5184]

These cars are blowing up. Like a LOT!! Something is going on at Toyota. My advice, don’t buy this car anytime soon. I’m a Toyota / Lexus mechanic. Take my advice or don’t.

[@GaryTheCarNut]

That’s interesting. How many have you seen yourself that have blown up and what was the cause?

[@arctictruck10]

​@@GaryTheCarNutmanuals suck

[@frankyjas5184]

@@GaryTheCarNut m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJLHZXaCnJt5Y9E This is a link to a good video that explains what’s going on and worse, how Toyota is handling it. It’s crazy because I love hot hatches. I have a 2015 gti myself. And when I saw the GR corolla I wanted it so bad. I thought it was a great car. And I’m sure it is. But something is going on with these engines. Thanks for replying. Good luck to you and your channel.

[@heathlett275]

What rubbish. None have blown up here. I’ve seen 3 regularly at race events. Any that do blow up are either over revel or are running slicks and need a baffled sump.

[@kengit2]

"Blowing up. Like a Lot!!" ??? I call BS. The stats are 0.0001% of total sold so far. The one guy who brought a lot of publicity was a questionable owner and there were a lot of omissions and commissions in order to push his own surreptitious agenda. Where is he now? Never heard from him again after Cease and Desist letter. The link you provided is just for clicks and the guy who did the video was disingenuous at best