After depriving the American market of performance hatchbacks like the GR Yaris, Toyota made the decision to design and manufacture a specific vehicle for US roads only: the Toyota GR Corolla. Designed by the brand’s performance team, Toyota Gazoo Racing, this hatchback embodies a plethora of race-inspired engineering elements. The GR Corolla arrives as a 2023 hot hatch, taking on the Honda Civic Type R, the Volkswagen Golf Type R, and the Subaru WRX.

The GR Corolla lineup comes equipped with the GR-Four all-wheel drive system, a six-speed clever manual transmission, and a 1.6-liter, 300-horsepower three-cylinder turbo engine. The brand makes the GT Corolla at a GR factory in Motochami, the birthplace of legendary vehicles like the Lexus LFA, the Supra A80, and the Yaris.

But despite being the newest member of TOYOTA'S GAZOO Racing sports car family, the first-ever 2023 GR Corolla is assured to leave a lasting mark on North American roads. Meticulously honed at many of Japan's top racing circuits with professional drivers at the wheel, the vehicle ensures the best performance.

The GR Corolla will be available in three trim levels: Core, Circuit Edition, and the track-focused MORIZO Edition. The GR Corolla Core trim level will be available in the fall of 2022, and it will be the only model we will be able to test drive this year. The Circuit Edition will be available in the first quarter of 2023, while the MORIZO Edition will arrive in the fourth quarter of 2023.

With its incredible features, the Toyota GR Corolla might steal the show. Read on as we examine its design, interior, powertrain, and other features.

Related: This Is Why Gearheads Should Consider Buying The 2023 Toyota GR Supra 3.0 Manual

The 2023 Toyota GR Corolla Has A Race-Inspired Exterior Design

Black 2023-toyota-gr-corolla-front-angle
Toyota

For the GR Corolla, a highly stiff body was specifically built to deliver control deserving of the GR label. Toyota GR Corolla boasts one of the sportiest exterior designs, featuring racy accents that are both practical and eye-catching from every viewpoint. The brand based the GR Corolla on the GA-C platform, paving the way for a rewarding performance. We can confidently state that this is the current Corolla in its boldest and most aggressive form.

The front fascia gets a distinctive matrix grille with the GR emblem, which comes standard on all versions. Additionally, all grades come standard with auto-on/off LED headlights and LED DRLs. On the Core grade and MORIZO Edition, there are practical air vents flanking both sides of the grille. Hard to miss are the large front and rear fender flares, and the 18-inch cast alloy wheels with 15 thin spokes, which significantly boost its profile. The 2023 Toyota GR Corolla is around 1.5 inches longer and 2.4 inches wider than the standard Toyota Corolla Hatchback. But, while both models share a 103.9-inch wheelbase, the GR Corolla has unique proportions, with a 173.5-inch length, a 72.9-inch width, and a 58.2-inch height.

The rear end looks incredibly sporty too, with functional air vents in the lower bumper, which come in a gloss black on the Circuit Edition. We also love the triple exhaust with stainless steel pipes, which come in a design that not only lowers exhaust pressure but also dampens exhaust noise and boosts efficiency. The core grade has a ground clearance of 5.3 inches and the MORIZO Edition sits lower, at 5.1 inches. On top of that, the car's wide track and flared rear fenders emphasize its low, wide silhouette.

RELATED: These Are The Reasons Why We're So Excited About The Upcoming Toyota GR Corolla

The Toyota GR Corolla Has An Above-Average Interior Design And Technology

2023-toyota-gr-corolla-interior-dashboard-view
Toyota

The Toyota GR Corolla has an eye-catching interior that flaunts a GT-themed instrument cluster, seats, and console, as well as subtle chrome accents. The seats in the Circuit Edition and the Morizo come concealed in a high-quality Brin Naub suede and synthetic leather, with red stitching and red mesh inserts. On the core trim, users get fabric-padded seats, with gray stitching. The Morizo tops this up with an Ultrasuede-wrapped steering wheel and a signature shift knob.

In the center of the dashboard is the 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, which carries the Toyota Audio Multimedia system comes. Other interesting features are the GR start/stop button and dual USB charging connections. The mainstream model’s sound system has six speakers, but the Circuit Edition gets bigger 8 JBL-branded speakers.

Besides the new GR complete TFT meter measures 12.3 inches and displays information such as turbo pressure, 4WD mode selection, and gear position indicator. The renowned Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 is standard on all GR Corolla models, which includes improvements made by system sensors with advanced detection abilities.

RELATED: These Are The Key Differences Between The Toyota GR Corolla And GR Yaris

The 2023 Toyota GR Corolla Has An Upgraded Engine Offering A Remarkable Performance

2023-toyota-gr-corolla-front-angle-on-road
Toyota

Toyota made a few tweaks to the engine, allowing it to produce an astonishing 300 horsepower at 6,500 RPM and 273 lb.-ft of torque between 3,000 and 5,500 RPM. The maximum boost on the Morizo is higher, and its peak torque is between 3,250 and 4,600 rpm, giving the engine enough RPMs to handle the potent engine. A six-speed manual gearbox governs the gears, relaying the power to the wheels via the GR-Four all-wheel-drive system.

One of the best decisions the brand made was to adopt the GA-C platform, which promises a great driver, whether you’re driving on the highway or the racetrack. There is a lower ground clearance, which improves the handling of the vehicle while keeping the body lean to a minimum, even in the sharpest corners.

The GR Corolla's nose and tapering roofline lead to its 0.35 coefficient of drag. But, to lessen drag further, the car’s aerodynamic design pushes air around the car, where it's channeled onto the rear lip spoiler. The shape of the front and rear canards, as well as the GR-FOUR stamped lower rockers, efficiently channel airflow down the sides of the vehicle, allowing you to go achieve high speeds without stressing the engine. Torsen limited-slip differentials come standard on the Circuit Edition and Morizo, but as an option on the Core trim.

In pursuit of improved performance, the Japanese manufacturer went to great lengths to lower the weight of the GR Corolla while retaining strength and safety. And the result was a 3,252-pound. As a result, the car uses a lot of lightweight elements, like the forged carbon sheet that conceals the ceiling in the Circuit and MORIZO Editions. Three front/rear power splits are available for the AWD system: 50:50 for optimal stability, 30:70 for more dynamic, engaging qualities on the track, and 60:40 for regular driving. According to Toyota, the benchmark 0-60 mph sprint takes the GR Corolla in under five seconds.