Toyota GR Corolla Road Trip Review // Cut out for the open road?

#Toyota #Corolla #gazooracing #grcorolla
We loaded up the #hothatch GR Corolla for a road trip from Naples, FL across the Everglades, and down the Florida Keys. Here's my expereince from Key West in the Toyota GR Corolla with it loaded with people, bags, and supplies.
#turbo #manualtransmission #savethemanuals #awd #grfour #roadtrip #floridakeys #keywest
00:00 - Tour of GR Corolla
08:38 - Key West Driving
27:04 - Trip Timelapse

[@mrgurulittle7000]

I wish Subaru would make a WRX hatchback to compete with this GR Corolla. I love the GR Corolla though.

[@kristoferfc6525]

yeah, a STI hatchback to compete

[@mrgurulittle7000]

@@kristoferfc6525The closest thing is the Levorg, which is a wagon variant of the WRX that’s based on the same platform as the Impreza. But they don’t even offer the Levorg in the US, let alone, an STI variant, period!

[@stevethomas760]

A 21 year WRX hatchback owner. Would have bought a STI hatch if it would have been available. Subaru didn't want me as a customer, no hatch or STI. Bought a GRC 2/23.

[@mrgurulittle7000]

@@stevethomas760Agree. They should at least make a STI.

[@kristoferfc6525]

@@stevethomas760 Yuuuuuup that explains it perfectly for me

[@DN.4444]

Review is awesome, per usual, Kirk, but I LOVED that it was a road trip! Loved the adventure clips in the last segment! So amazing you and your buddies got to go, also a great way to show that a GR Corolla is a practical car after all!

[@AmericanDuck]

Kirk, I enjoy your reviews because your comments on size and comfort are a nice comparison because we are the exact same size.

[@xbluehedgehogx]

I have a manual 2019 XSE, and I've thoroughly enjoyed it for 142k miles now. Plenty of road trips taken, and driving friends around. I like that the seats fold down flat, and the roof racks are well worth purchasing. I'm torn on having another car payment to get a GR, but I would absolutely utilize it as I do my XSE. For as much fun as I have beating on the XSE, I can't see how the GR wouldn't be a practical sporty daily.

[@AbrahamArthemius]

The new GR Yaris facelift will basically get the same engine tune as the GR Corolla with around 304hp in Japan (as usual Europe gets a slightly lower number at around 280+hp).

[@kristoferfc6525]

I have a '24 Premium, absolutely love it. Gonna buy the Circuit hood and spoiler to make it look better, but it's the same color as yours Heavy Metal

[@dannyphamous]

Would love a comparison video against the Type R

[@stevethomas760]

I've owned my GRC since 2/23. I've done two road trips from Atlanta to Florida, Mecum Kissimmee & Manatee trip with my daughter (Blue Springs). Decent road car for 2-3 people, it is a smaller car. Drive the car 65% of the time, splitting it with a hybrid Maverick. Very adequate daily, wouldn't mind a little more room. I had to do a lot of calling to find a dealer who wasn't gouging, Core $40.5k. Kirk, continued solid reviews.

[@mike_wellington_]

I need to take a trip back out to Key Largo. I miss it out there.

[@umbrahighwind1220]

Around February I did a cross country tour from Michigan to California and I do not regret it one bit. Would do it again if I could.

[@SKChow-jg2zt]

I've been to Key West twice and love it!!! The 1st time I flew to Miami and drove there; The 2nd time I drove 21+ hours (plus traffic) down. Both times I rent an SUV for the trip, and they were amazing drive!!! If I do it again I would LOVE to obtain such performance hatchbacks and drive down there!!! 😁😁

[@skatetown100]

right on .. the B roll .. brought me to the Keys!!

[@teeth-man]

I did the Key West drive back in January 2023. I'm from New York, so I flew into Miami. Got a base model charger which was a comfy, albeit boaty ride down. Highly recommend at least once.

[@beefen7921]

great review Kirk! Key West is gorgeous BUT expensive.. still fun though!.. although the GR Corolla is a fantastic car all around, I wonder how the engine will hold up long-term.. guess that remains to be seen.

[@shawnacevedo8842]

Wish we could get the Lexus LBX GR Corolla equivalent in the US, my biggest complaint for using GR Corolla for cruising is lacking creature comfort, need that ventilated seats for the summer

[@KirkKreifels]

They're perforated and breath well at least

[@eleanormassaro5195]

Hey Kirk. When you headed out that way from Naples, which highway did you take, alligator alley or US 41/Tamiami Trail?

[@jordez1]

You’re not in your femenino hybrid SUV Kirk, the GR will put a huge smile in anybody’s face, specially when you’re more engaged and focused on the road.

[@LeoTheShortGuy]

Awesome

[@1InfinityShade]

First and foremost, allow me to commend you on the excellent video. I am keen to learn more about your GoPro setup featured in the footage. Having owned both a GR86 and a GR Corolla, I have come to appreciate the blend of fun and practicality these vehicles offer. To enhance the ride quality, my initial step was to replace the stock 235 tires with 245 PS4 A/S tires. Even this modest increase in tire width made a substantial difference, particularly for someone like myself residing in a city with notoriously rough roads. Additionally, I opted to upgrade the shift linkage bushings and the engine pitch stop mount. These modifications have significantly improved the feel of my shifts, resolving any issues I previously encountered when engaging 1st, 3rd, or 5th gears. Admittedly, there is a slight trade-off in terms of increased Noise, Vibration, Harshness (NVH) when stationary, but I find it to be a worthwhile compromise.

[@jdrules23]

Is there any news when the auto from yaris Gr is coming in the Gr Corolla? Auto makes more sense for busy city life.

[@craigo2142]

Nice to mix up the reviews. Too bad there aren't more hot/mild small hatchbacks being made or imported here. Wondered what you think about 3 cylinder engines -- especially turbos -- but, also, NA's like in GM products. Thanks for the vacation!!

[@jasonbenfante6110]

US 1 in that car would have been really tough for me… hours of 50 mph max speed amidst tons of radar guns in a rocket ship? Probably could have cleared the Bahia Honda bridge gap in that baby too! Hope the live music at Hogs Breath and sunsets at the square were fantastic.

[@upperleftnorthwest4278]

What kind of mount are you using for the in car front shot? Is it attached to the cupholder?

[@rightlanehog3151]

Kirk, I would rate the GR Corolla just behind the Corolla Touring Sports for road trips. 😉

[@PhillyFan20]

It's a shame wagons don't get a lot of love here in the US. They've become a novelty here.

[@rightlanehog3151]

@@PhillyFan20 If someone had told me a year ago the Crown Estate/Signia wagon was coming to this market, I would have happily joined in the daydreaming but remained highly skeptical due to the ugly realities of the cold, cruel North American auto market. If the Signia succeeds in the Premium price range, there is always a chance Toyota could bring over the Corolla wagon for those of us with a less than premium budget. The AWD Hybrid Corolla wagon would be the 'obvious' choice. 🤞🤞

[@DannySarbs]

Kirk, I have a 24 GRC core in ice cap white. Love the driving characteristics. However, I find that I'm constantly being tailgated at red lights where other cars seem to be within inches of my bumper. How would you go about trying to remedy this? Are people just assholes in my city? Love the vids man

[@aurorajones8481]

I daily a WRX manual and i dont get sick of it. I mean i don't do hard core traffic tho. Ugh... auto's. I have a similar distain for auto rev matching. It dulls you down in skill and capability using that. I mean if you buy this car you value you that. Its a "poser" button.

[@micolashscream9003]

Try driving bumper to bumper traffic daily and I guarantee you will change your mind

[@dr.allanlopezhernandez3400]

The best 3 motor with 3 cylinders!!! Too fun !!!

[@kurona]

Thanks for the review! Actually wanted to know, how did your passengers find the ride comfort, particularly in the rear seat? So far one minor issue I had was the louder exhaust noise in the back seats, which made talking a little more difficult, but not unmanageable -- just gotta speak louder 😂

[@KirkKreifels]

I had a 6'1+ friend in front passenger, behind him 5'5 friend. Neither ever complained about space.

[@trdrav4]

Only thing you guys were missing was a track day! (Homestead wasn't open? lol)

[@etagged]

What about the size of the gas tank? Was that an issue?

[@jimsgaragetoys4963]

I agreed with most everything you said but I'm so happy that it doesn't have any type of pops and bangs. I hate that crap and all it does is draw the attention of the police and people that I don't want to notice my GRC!

[@Keen_Edge]

Really wondered how it'd be for long trips because of the missing center elbow rest. I saw that a big oversight when i first saw the interior.

[@Xander1Sheridan]

it really isn't. I had a Yaris for a decade without a elbow rest. I drove all over the place and never once noticed or cared.

[@realtalk5931]

Heard you’ve been having some problems with your tables.

[@Flexium_GG]

I currently have a supra but my wife wants me to get a car with back seats for when we have kids in a few years.. would the back seats in this be spacious enough for car seats?

[@MalicousCat]

I have my sons forward facing carseat in no problem, but for a newborn unless you wanna move the front seat all the way up it probably wont fit

[@Allfather88]

Hey Kirk, any word if the GR Corolla may be coming with the 8spd auto?

[@KirkKreifels]

No word. It could come to the LBX F for Lexus... or a UX F!

[@Allfather88]

@@KirkKreifels Oh man, an LBX-F would be awesome too.

[@cheeko_914]

Why would they put an auto in a car like this

[@loganyuan222]

Maybe 2025?

[@islanddon865]

It is definitely a cool car. As a countryside cruiser, why not? I see the Miata as it's main competitor in this size of car, IMHO. The Miata looks slicker and the image it exudes to me is finesse and supreme interconnection with the car. I haven't driven this car, but l hope our astute presenter will offer a comparison comment.

[@shinn43]

what the miata cant compare in size.. the main competitor for this car is Type R or maybe the Elantra N.

[@islanddon865]

@@shinn43 The Mazda is shorter, narrower and almost 500lbs lighter. 500lbs? Like hauling two chubby guys in the trunk. I'm a Lotus/Colin Chapman kind of entusiast. "Adding power makes you faster on the straights. Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere. Simplify, then add lightness." -Colin Chapman Lotus Founder

[@shinn43]

@@islanddon865 I know so how is a two door convertible the main competitor for a 4-door hb

[@islanddon865]

It is sold, not as a family 4 door, but as a hot, compact, affordable sports car like the Miata. It is sold as a "Hot Hatch". It is comparable to the N, or the R, but l'm interested in sports cars that can handle like a snake on sandpaper, but that don't beat up your kidneys with a race car, buckboard ride.

[@shinn43]

@@islanddon865 Yes it's sold as a hot hatch so how is a 2 door sports coupe roadster its main competitor

[@spinnetti]

Its funny how 300hp is just "sporty" now. Just got mine this week. That said, the 400hp in my recently sold modded S3 felt more "right" from a HP standpoint since with that you can do 4-wheel burnouts :)

[@aurorajones8481]

23:07 300 hp for the streets. Thats a loaded statement. Power and speed SHOULD be based on your capabilities as a driver or rider but that cant be done analog. Impossible. So we are left with blanket speed limits the same for indigent and skilled alike leading to speeding tickets. Its that simple. If there were such a sliding scale id be at the top besting you all. I know cause i do it w/ out permission

[@aurorajones8481]

Case in point... im proud of myself for this if you cant tell. I bested two Ducati Panigale's on the highway with moderate traffic. Un known riders... i mean i ride those bikes myself but still. In a WRX!!!! HAAAAAA i would not let up. Honestly tho they had to have been holding back. You give me that bike and I'm doing 200mph so no chance really. Its all in how comfortable you are with proximity of other drivers and riders. Thats what gets you speed.

[@volcalstone]

25:52 is that a burn to Raiti's Rides? 😅😅😅

[@streamius]

Definitely a zonk.

[@NsteveA]

How does the interior road noise compare to say something like a GR-86?

[@KirkKreifels]

It's seemingly less than 86

[@kore996]

Do we know how many 2024 GR Corolla’s are coming to the United States and Canada?

[@Xander1Sheridan]

not enough.

[@kore996]

@@Xander1Sheridan I have a ‘23 circuit edition so from a financial perspective I say the less the better but from the perspective of wanting to keep these type of vehicles alive, I will agree with you that it’s not enough

[@johnpatricklim4509]

Is this your own car or borrowed...?

[@James_1337]

How's the adaptive cruise control?

[@KirkKreifels]

Good. Addictive at times.

[@paceauto5382]

Trying to order one is near impossible or the make up is through the ceiling. 🤦🏽‍♂️🤷🏽‍♂️

[@nickjacobsss]

they are for sale everywhere in the midwest with little to no markup, cars like this arent selling nearly as well anymore with interest rates skyrocketing and cost of living going up

[@patchouli9]

Toyota made a real nice WRX STi hatch

[@ISR403]

I want one so bad, I have a F56 cooper S

[@ubroberts5541]

I have a 2023 VB WRX. Four vents on the dash. Larger interior. Longer wheelbase. True sedan. Better for long road trips in the southwest. The little GR is way overtuned from the factory.

[@yoowen8132]

You keeping your hand on the shifter was painful to watch lol. Great review!!!!

[@KirkKreifels]

I need an armrest.

[@yoowen8132]

Lol. Good point. I was surprised there’s no armrest.

[@stevethomas760]

@@KirkKreifels Aftermarket, put one in a few weeks after purchase (along with a spare tire).

[@cheeko_914]

​@stevethomas760 why would you add a spare? It comes with a plug and inflation kit. The reason they put that instead of a spare is for weight savings.

[@cheeko_914]

​@stevethomas760 and unless you're carrying a full size tire in your trunk all the time, you don't put a smaller diameter tire on an awd car unless you wanna destroy your differential.

[@Duuhvis]

My GRC is the perfect road trip car… for myself haha

[@housco11]

Is automatic double clutch available in the USA or anywhere?

[@KirkKreifels]

Not yet

[@tails300]

There’s a performance oriented eight speed automatic available on the GR Yaris overseas, it’s not a DCT how ever (thank the heavens).

[@mofayer]

I don't think they'll ever bother to invest in auto because the demand will prob always outweigh supply. Same goes for the type R.

[@tails300]

@@mofayernever say never.

[@mofayer]

@@tails300 I didn't, I Said "I don't think they'll ever' 😜

[@TheNickcorbz]

Just thought i’d correct you on the differentials, 60-40 means 60 to the rear and 40 to the front. 30-70 is 70 to the front 30 to the rear.

[@cheeko_914]

Wrong. And those numbers are only "up to". It doesn't lock it at those numbers.

[@zerokool-2058]

Always carry de-bug spray when going on road trips. LOL

[@hededcdn]

Why three cylinders? Weight advantage?

[@chibbyylol]

Lighter, lower center of gravity and all

[@VELO_ALEX]

Rally car.

[@Xander1Sheridan]

I want a blue one so bad, but the price is just too much and the finance rates are insane.

[@1Springloaded]

I want to hear from the buddy who spent 6 hrs in the back seat. He may have something to say. I certainly would.

[@faheemabbas3965]

Turbo Florida.

[@MrCovert23]

Why can’t Toyota make a sedan version of this instead of a hatch?

[@VELO_ALEX]

Because the people who want this car want a hatch.

[@GhostPrime21]

Cant wait for them to drop the auto into the gr corolla

[@VOLVO2LUV]

HEY

[@jjfordingpoursoulstudios8581]

When will you "Car guys" learn plastic interiors are not cheap, but all about weight savings in a performance car. Nobody that orders/buys a circuit edition wishes they came with an extra 100 lbs of leather so the door panels and dash "look nice." C'mon now.

[@Mylifeislegendary836.]

Agree.

[@E38vip]

Yup… even back when evos were a thing the fastest trim had plastic door handles…

[@mrgurulittle7000]

Gotta tell that to the BMW/Hyundai fanboys.😂 It’s funny them going bizarre about the cosmetics of the car.

[@mrgurulittle7000]

@@E38vipDarn, I miss Evos.

[@Mylifeislegendary836.]

@@mrgurulittle7000 Evo was a monster. I love the old Evolution FQ400 that was crazy fast

[@LoveLikeaHurricane]

missing a compact spare .....

[@ubroberts5541]

$143.00 on eBay. Just bought one.

[@Kevin-xz4jq]

I love this car. But the interior is a crime.

[@mrgurulittle7000]

90s JDM sports cars had plastic interiors to save unnecessary weight. If you wanted a car for cosmetics, then this isn’t the right one.

[@Mylifeislegendary836.]

​@@mrgurulittle7000 you are so right my friend. This is a hot hatch and not a rolls Royce

[@Kevin-xz4jq]

@@mrgurulittle7000 i dont care about plastic. I love plastic. Its the layout, the giant stupid infotainment sticking up..etc etc. If we got the new Yaris cockpit, itd be awesome. Plastic and all.

[@Kevin-xz4jq]

@@Mylifeislegendary836. Hot hatches can have cool interiors too.

[@Mylifeislegendary836.]

@@Kevin-xz4jq yes sure but people who are going to buy this don't really care about the interior and only Care about power performance and handling.

[@jeretso]

Dark interior makes it look even smaller and cheaper. More red or silver accents please Toyota.

[@stevethomas760]

Some color would really help. It is a small car, though.

[@thebumpban4959]

Turbo hiss 😂 its also running the most boost to make power out of that 3 cylinder