The GR Corolla combines a manual transmission, turbocharged power, and all-wheel drive in a playful package.
The Circuit Edition adds exclusivity with rare colour options and upgraded performance touches.
This car’s charm lies in its raw driving experience and infectious three-cylinder soundtrack.

If you’re someone whose yoga isn’t done in tights and on a mat but behind the wheel of a car, the 2024 Toyota GR Corolla is one of the ultimate forms of therapy. It’s not just about speed or power – though it has plenty of both. It’s about how it makes you fizz when you row through its precise six-speed gearbox, hear its turbocharged three-cylinder engine growl, and fearlessly navigate winding roads. For driving enthusiasts, it checks all the right boxes: compact, manual, all-wheel drive, and unapologetically thrilling.

2024 Toyota GR Corolla | Photo: Matt St-Pierre

I spent a week with the Circuit Edition, a rare variant that sits at the top of the GR Corolla lineup. This particular car, finished in Blue Flame, was made to lift your spirits, even on the worst days. As I took it on spirited drives around the countryside, its blend of noise, vibration, harness, and outright fun reminded me why cars like this still matter.

What Makes It Special

The GR Corolla isn’t your typical hatchback. Under the hood, you’ll find an unusual 1.6-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged engine pushing 300 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. While it’s not the fastest car in its class (0-100 km/h takes just over five seconds), the joy isn’t in the straight-line speed. It’s in the way the car engages every sense. The engine’s unique growl and quick-revving nature keep you grinning, while the slick-shifting manual gearbox encourages you to drive it as it was meant to be driven – hard.

The GR Corolla lineup in Canada starts with the Core model at $46,800. The Circuit Edition, however, costs $56,200. While that’s a significant jump, the extras make it worth considering. The Circuit comes with forged 18-inch wheels, a carbon-fibre roof, a more prominent rear spoiler, and suede seat inserts. Only about 160 Circuit Editions will be sold in Canada for the 2024 model year, making it a truly exclusive car. Sadly, it doesn’t return for 2025.

On the Road

Driving the GR Corolla is an experience that’s hard to compare. Its compact size, lightweight (around 3,300 lbs), and exceptional visibility make it incredibly agile. The steering is precise, with just the right amount of feedback, and the suspension strikes a balance between firmness and compliance. Though it’s far from plush, it doesn’t beat you up even on rough Canadian roads. The car feels alive, almost eager to pounce into every corner. The 3-pot’s torque is generous and happy to deliver maximum oomph from 3,000 rpm. This push, combined with the GRolla’s weight, delivers the all-important sense of speed most crave.

The all-wheel-drive system, controlled by a toggle, allows you to adjust the torque split between the front and rear wheels. By default, it’s set at 60/40, but you can switch to 30/70 for rear-biased grins when accelerating hard with a bit of steering input or 50/50 for maximum traction on a track. This flexibility lets you tailor the driving experience to suit your mood and the conditions. The powerful brakes have your back at all times, and pedal placement and travel are ideal for heel-n-toeing.

Is It Perfect?

One thing to note is the size of the GR Corolla. While it’s fine for a solo commute or a weekend blast, it’s tight on space. The trunk is small, and rear-seat passengers won’t thank you for the ride. That said, practicality isn’t the point of this car. It’s here to entertain, and it does so brilliantly.

No, and that’s part of its charm. The GR Corolla isn’t polite, though it can be well-behaved. The infotainment system is basic, the cabin has some Corolla DNA, and the ride can get jittery over rough surfaces. But these quirks fade into the background when you’re behind the wheel, covering ground at a decent clip. This car is designed for people who appreciate driving as an art form, not just a way to get from A to B.

Compared to rivals like the Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf R, the GR Corolla is raw and rather more playful. It’s not as polished as the Type R though it’s a close second, or as refined and versatile as the Golf, but it has a uniquely unique character. And while it may not be the fastest in its segment, it delivers something equally valuable: a huge smile factor.

If you can find one, especially the rare Circuit Edition, don’t hesitate. Cars like this don’t come around often, and when they do, they remind us why we fell in love with driving in the first place.