2023 Toyota GR Corolla Priced From $45,490 in Canada

• There will be three versions: Core, Circuit Edition, and Morizo Edition.

• Under the bonnet sits a 300-horsepower turbocharged 3-cylinder engine.

• AWD is standard.

• The Core version arrives this fall. The CE and Morizo land next spring.

The 2023 Toyota GR Corolla is the one car we can’t wait to drive before year’s end. It so happens to be that we’ve just been informed that we will in fact get to try it out on a track in a few short weeks. Today we learn a critical bit of information: Pricing starts at $45,490.

This figure slams the GR Corolla right into the Volkswagen Golf R’s crosshairs. The latter is priced from $45,995 for the base Core trim meaning that cross-shopping is inevitable. All that remains is the new Honda Civic Type R’s pricing and we’ll get the full picture of this elite group of sport compact cars.

“The GR Corolla is rooted in rally. It was developed under the scrutiny of Toyota’s master driver, Akio Toyoda, and inspired by our legendary history in racing and rallying events,” said Cyril Dimitris, Vice President, Toyota Canada Inc. “With a core model plus two limited editions on offer, this hot hatch is ready to rocket to the top of driver wish lists when it debuts at Toyota Dealers this year.”

The Core version includes everything, or nearly. Look for the turbocharged 1.6-litre 3-cylinder that delivers 300 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, a 6-speed intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT), and the GR-FOUR All-Wheel-Drive system. With all this, the GR Corolla delivers an estimated 0-100 km/h acceleration time of less than five seconds. The AWD is configurable to match a variety of road conditions and driving styles – deploying 60-40, 50-50, or 30-70 torque distribution to the front and rear wheels.

From the press release, here’s how the trims break down:

The 2023 Toyota GR Corolla Core (starting MSRP: $45,490) provides drivers with a well-balanced, responsive, and spirited compact hatch featuring 18″ black alloy wheels and GR Sports seats. The Core grade receives an 8″ Toyota Multimedia system with Service Connect (up to 5-yr trial), Remote Connect (3-yr trial), Safety Connect (3-yr trial), Drive Connect enabled (paid subscription required) along with a 6-speaker audio system, and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Unique to Canada, the GR Corolla Core will come standard with heated front seats and front and rear Torsen® Limited Slip Differentials (LSD).

The 2023 Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Edition (starting MSRP: $53,990) is a limited production, launch-year exclusive model. This edition builds on the Core model, adding a carbon fibre roof, GR red caliper brakes, a vented hood bulge, rear spoiler, GR suede seats, a heated steering wheel, a signature shift knob, and a 3-year Drive Connect (Cloud Navigation, Intelligent Assistant, Destination Assist) trial along with an 8-speaker JBL® Premium Audio system with an eight-channel, 800-watt amplifier.

The 2023 Toyota GR Corolla MORIZO Edition (starting MSRP: $59,990) is also a limited production model. Named after Akio Toyoda’s racing moniker, this is the track-focussed GR Corolla, featuring a re-tuned engine that delivers a higher, 295 lb-ft of torque. This model drops the rear seats to save weight, then securely holds the driver and navigator in Brin-Naub and synthetic leather-trimmed GR sport seats with red stitching and red mesh inserts. Other features include a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission with an Ultrasuede-clad MORIZO signed shift knob, forged 18″ alloy wheels, carbon fibre roof, rear lip spoiler, vented hood bulge, and a suede-clad steering wheel.