IS the 2024 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition the BEST AWD Hot Hatch?

We drive the 2024 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition to find out if it is the BEST AWD Hot Hatch?

CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
0:49 What is the Circuit Edition
1:45 Suspension and Differential
2:09 Under the Hood and Specs
2:42 Competition
3:05 Cargo Space
3:24 Pricing
3:55 Rear Seat
4:31 Interior and Tech
6:57 Driving
13:12 Verdict

The 2024 Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Edition is the highest trim you can get now that the Morizo is sold out. This little hot hatch is a 300-hp, all-wheel-drive hooligan and affordable performance cars don’t get much better than this.

I drove the Morizo version a year ago and although it had more torque, a close-ratio transmission, and shorter differential gears, it was missing its back seats, making taking your wife and mom-in-law a tad difficult.

The 2024 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition is an impressive blend of performance, style, and advanced technology, making it a significant departure from the Corolla's traditional reputation as a reliable but somewhat unexciting compact car.

The exterior design of the Corolla GR Circuit Edition is aggressive and sporty, with a distinct aerodynamic profile that includes a prominent front grille, sleek LED headlights, and bold lines that emphasize its performance capabilities. The exclusive GR badging and unique color options, such as Heavy Metal and Ice Cap, make it stand out from the regular Corolla models.

What's New?

Toyota said the Circuit Edition wouldn't return for 2024 but it has and there are a couple of changes one of which is a new color choice, Blue Flame. It also receives black forged aluminum 18-inch BBS ® wheels similar to the lightweight wheels that came with the 2023 MORIZO. They are wearing 235/40 Michelin Pilot 4s tires which are smaller than the Morizo's and definitely not as sticky as the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s.

It also gets black side rocker graphics that run up to the stamped GR-Four logo. Brakes are ventilated 14-inch discs with 4-piston calipers at the front and ventilated 11.7-inch 2-piston calipers at the rear.  The Front suspension is a MacPherson-type strut and at the rear, you get a double wishbone type multilink.

The Circuit Edition and the Premium trim get Front & Rear Torsen Limited Slip Differentials, the base model does not, however, for $1,100 you can add them to the Core model. The curb weight is a very svelte 3,262 lbs.  

Under the hood

The Toyota GR Corolla makes 300 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, down 20 lb-ft over the Morizo trim but it'a not something you would notice. These numbers are quite remarkable considering it has a tiny 1.6-liter turbo 3, yes only 3 cylinders. It drives all four wheels through a 6-speed manual only and if you get the launch right and sifts right it will go from 0 to 60 in a manufacturer-claimed 4.99 seconds.

The top speed is 142.9 mph and you can get 28 mpg on the Highway with a light right foot but you need to use Premium (91+ Octane).

2024 Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Edition Numbers

BASE PRICE: $44,740
PRICE AS TESTED: $46,476
VEHICLE TYPE: Front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 4-door hatchback
ENGINE TYPE: 1.6 liter turbocharged inline 3
POWER: 300 hp @ 6,500 rpm
TORQUE: 273 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed manual with rev-matching
CURB WEIGHT: 3,262 lb
ZERO to 60 mph: 5.0 sec
TOP SPEED: 143 mph (limited)
TIRES: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, Front: 2355/40 ZR-18, 245/40 ZR-18
EPA FUEL ECONOMY: Combined/city/highway 24/21/28
OUR OBSERVED: 19.2 mpg 
PROS:  Incredible chassis balance and grip, Scintillating handling,  Superbly quick
CONS: Hard ride, exhaust could be more aggressive