At its heart is a 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 221 kW and 370 Nm, giving it plenty of punch whenever you put your foot down. Acceleration is rapid, and the GR Corolla feels especially eager once the turbo comes on boost, making overtaking and launching onto a back road genuinely exciting.

One of the car’s standout features is its exhaust note. The three-cylinder engine produces a distinctive, aggressive sound that feels mechanical and purposeful rather than overly artificial. Under hard acceleration, the exhaust barks and growls, adding to the sense that you are driving something built for fun.

But speed is only part of the GR Corolla’s appeal. Its GR-Four all-wheel-drive system provides impressive traction, allowing you to put the power down confidently while giving the car a playful character through corners. The sharp steering, responsive chassis and compact dimensions make every bend feel like an opportunity rather than an obstacle.

Ultimately, the GR Corolla is fun because it encourages you to drive it enthusiastically. It combines strong acceleration, a characterful engine and an exciting exhaust note with the agility of a proper performance hatchback. It is fast, engaging and remarkably entertaining every time you get behind the wheel.

This is a Motoring Minute

I’m Rob Fraser

Readers can find all the specifications of the GR Corolla GTS  HERE.

Readers can find more details about the GR Corolla GTS – HERE

TO LISTEN TO THE GR Corolla GTS  – RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

What is good?

• Sporty performance and adjustable AWD
• Fun, personality, and soul.
• Smooth and easy to live with AT.

What is not so good?

• Ride can be a little harsh at times.
• Starting to get a little expensive
• No full-size spare

GR Corolla GTS buyers could also look at:

Buyers of the GR Corolla GTS could look at:  Subaru WRX Sportswagon, Hyundai i30N, Honda Type R, Renault Megane RS, Audi S3.

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Obviously the first thing I noticed was just how low the GR Corolla is. These old knees and hips strained getting in and out.

However once inside it was comfortable with plenty of room for the front occupants. The sports seat kept you snug, but I would have liked some electronic adjustment.

Even though it’s a sports hatchback, there are still some comfort features like heated front seats, wireless apple CarPlay connectivity and a Head up Display.

Performance comes from a 1.6 L three-cylinder turbo petrol engine that provides 221 kW of power and 400 Nm of torque. This drives through a clever GR-FOUR all-wheel-drive system, supported with Torsen®² limited-slip differentials on both the front and rear axles.

The six-speed manual is slick and easy to use and allows you enjoy the raspy exhaust note.

First gear is incredibly short, and you are grabbing second almost immediately. Around town you find yourself driving mainly in fourth and fifth gear.

This is a fun car to drive. That’s its main purpose for me. Simple, performance-based fun.

Drivers can achieve better performance from some of the EV’s running around. But they lack the personality and soul of the GR Corolla.

Pricing for the six speed GR Corolla is from $67,990 plus the usual costs.

This is a Motoring Minute

I’m Rob Fraser

Readers can find more details about the GR Corolla GTS – HERE

TO LISTEN TO THE GR Corolla GTS – RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

What is good?

• Sporty performance and adjustable AWD
• Fun, personality, and soul
• Smooth six speed MT

What is not so good?

• Ride can be a little harsh at times.
• Starting to get a little expensive
• No full-size spare

GR Corolla GTS buyers could also look at:

Buyers of the GR Corolla GTS could look at:  Subaru WRX Sportswagon, Hyundai i30N, Honda Type R, Renault Megane RS, Audi S3.

Radio Segments Motoring Minute

In today’s fast paced world, Listeners often want a quick update or a piece of quirky Automotive news. Listening to Motoring Minute provides that as well as the latest Automotive news and reviews.

Motoring Minute is heard around Australia every day on over 120 radio channels. 

Motoring Minute has an average daily audience of over 550,000 listeners. 

Listeners will find Motoring Minute syndicated through various news sites around Australia. Additionally on the Community Radio Network across Australia

The post Toyota GR Corolla GTS 6 Speed manual 2025 review appeared first on Motoring Minute.

Well, we took it for a run up the freeway and through the Hunter Valley in NSW for a day out. Apart from firm suspension it was a lot of fun.

And he exhaust note has a rewarding crisp burble.

People commented on it everywhere we went. Even the police at the roadside breath testing were interested in it. I found myself chatting to three of them about what it was like to drive.

Inside its well-equipped and comfortable, however I would ask for an additional adjustable lumbar support for my ageing back.

The GR Sport is all about the engine and it’s a gem. A 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine tuned to produce a boosted 221kW of power, close ratio six speed manual transmission and GR-FOUR all wheel drive system

It will happily potter around town and cruise the freeway without fuss. But switch the drive mode to Sport and your set for some fun driver engagement.

The GR Corolla GTS is priced from $62,300 plus the usual costs.

A full drive review can be found HERE

TO LISTEN TO THE GR COROLLA RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

More Toyota GR Corolla GTS thoughts

• The GR Corolla has a split personality
• It looks cool. We were constantly stopped and asked about it.
• The number of comments about how cool it looked was surprising
• Its a lot of fun to drive
• As well as easy to potter around town
• The sports seats hold you firmly in place
• The crisp raspy exhaust adds to the overall sporty ambience.
• Suspension can be a little firm on our goat track back roads.
• with a 0-100km/h time of 5.9 seconds its quick enough.
• The real beauty is in how it simply grips the road like a limpet. It will go around the tightest corners almost perfectly flat.
• Responsiveness from throttle, steering and brake inputs is impressive
• A slick short shift 6 speed manual transmission focusses drivers attention
• However underneath its still a Corolla.
• I’m probably not the target market, but the lack of additional lumbar support for the driver was uncomfortable.
• The 8.0 inch central touch screen is a little behind the market these days
• Its missing a central storage bin, which means no left elbow rest and a lack of storage places for glasses etc.
• The boot is small

Also look at.

Sports hatchbacks are few and far between these days.

Buyers could look at the Subaru WRX Sportswagon, Hyundai i30N, Honda Type R, Renault Megane RS, Audi S3.

Toyota GR Corolla final thoughts

Toyota GR Corolla is cool.

Its quick and fun to drive, providing levels of driver engagement that often costs many thousands of dollars more.

This is Toyota at its best. The best GR model available.

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In today’s fast paced world, Listeners often want a quick update or a piece of quirky Automotive news. Listening to Motoring Minute provides that as well as the latest Automotive news and reviews.

Motoring Minute is heard around Australia every day on over 120 radio channels. 

Motoring Minute has an average daily audience of over 550,000 listeners. 

Listeners will find Motoring Minute syndicated through various news sites around Australia. Additionally on the Community Radio Network across Australia.

The post Toyota GR Corolla GTS 2023 Review appeared first on Motoring Minute.