I Bought A GR Corolla - The Hottest Hot Hatch!

The GR Corolla’s All-Wheel-Drive System

The host introduces his 2024 Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Edition and demonstrates its unusual all-wheel-drive setup with the car raised off the ground.

Unlike many AWD systems, the GR Corolla’s rear axle is geared to rotate about 7% faster than the front axle. On the road, a slipping center clutch accommodates that difference so the tires can roll at compatible speeds. Increasing pressure on the clutch sends more torque rearward: the rear axle effectively resists the front axle’s rotation, transferring torque to the rear.

The driver can select 60:40, 50:50, or 30:70 front-to-rear torque distribution. The host notes that the system normally sends power to both axles rather than operating primarily as a front-wheel-drive system that engages the rear only when needed. Torsen limited-slip differentials at the front and rear also help direct power toward wheels with available traction.

AWD demonstration

• The host put tape marks on the tires and first attempted the test with stability and traction controls active. The systems intervened, and the engine stalled.
• After fully disabling those systems, he ran the car with the center clutch set to its most rear-biased mode and counted wheel rotations.
• The rear wheel ended up slightly ahead of the front. The measured difference was much smaller than the theoretical 7%, which the host attributes to clutch slip and possible differences between wheel speeds.
• He presents the test as a demonstration of the gearing concept, not a precise measurement of the full 7% difference.

Engine and Transmission

The GR Corolla’s 1.6-liter, three-cylinder turbo engine produces 300 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 273 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm, with boost reaching about 25.2 psi. The host calls it a particularly large, “honest” 1.6 liters: 1.618 liters.

He explains that three-cylinder engines can have naturally balanced primary and secondary forces, helping this engine run smoothly despite having fewer cylinders. Toyota’s D-4S fuel-injection system combines direct and port injection. The host values the port injection because it can help keep the intake valves cleaner than direct injection alone.

The 2024 model comes only with a six-speed manual transmission. The host likes its solid shifter, easy clutch operation, optional automatic rev-matching for downshifts, and short gearing. He notes rev hang as a drawback.

The gearing puts the car close to its rev limit at 60 mph in second gear, so published 0–60 mph times vary depending on testing and shifting methods. The host cites Car and Driver and MotorTrend as examples.

Why He Bought the Car

The host expected not to like the GR Corolla. He generally dislikes small, highly turbocharged engines because of turbo lag and weak low-end response, but driving this car changed his mind. He finds it lively, distinctive, and unusually playful.

He contrasts the car with his earlier Subaru STI, which he enjoyed on dirt and snow but found less special on pavement, and his Crosstrek, which he bought primarily for practicality. He wanted a fun car rather than simply the most refined daily driver. He describes the GR Corolla as more dramatic and toy-like than the Volkswagen Golf R, while acknowledging that the Golf R is capable, refined, and understated.

He also seriously considered the Honda Civic Type R and regards it as similarly fun. He sees the Civic as more spacious and practical, but the GR Corolla’s AWD was decisive because he often drives on snowy mountain roads. Other factors in the GR Corolla’s favor included its 18-inch wheels and thicker tire sidewalls, which he expects to be more comfortable and less vulnerable to damage, and its mechanical handbrake. He contrasts the latter with the Civic Type R’s electronic parking brake.

The host emphasizes that he bought the car himself and paid MSRP. With options, its pre-tax price was $47,177.

Why the Circuit Edition and 2024 Model Year

The Circuit Edition’s distinguishing features include Flame Blue paint, forged BBS wheels, a hood bulge and vents, a forged-carbon-fiber roof, a larger rear spoiler, blue interior stitching, a special shift knob, and a Circuit Edition badge.

The 2024 Circuit Edition was limited to 1,600 units. The host says its roughly $5,000 premium over the Premium trim is not justified by performance alone, but he personally likes its appearance. Its carbon-fiber roof also makes it about eight pounds lighter than the Premium.

Because the owner’s manual warns about keeping the matte roof clean, the roof is protected with matte-finish XPEL film. The host also says the car received paint-protection film, window tint, and a ceramic coating, and that he had some badges and rocker-panel stickers removed.

He prefers the 2024 over the 2025 for three main reasons:

1. Color: Flame Blue was available on the 2024 but not the 2025 when he discusses the lineup.
2. Front styling: He prefers the 2024’s continuous body-colored front lip to the 2025’s extended black front grille.
3. AWD controls: The 2024 lets the driver select and lock a 30:70 rear-biased split; the 2025 does not offer the same lock-in setting.

He also acknowledges the 2025’s advantages: Track mode can automatically vary torque distribution between front- and rear-biased settings to improve corner exits, its revised front end offers more cooling support, and peak torque rises to 295 lb-ft while peak horsepower remains unchanged.

Tires and Exterior Details

In a sponsor segment, the host discusses Continental’s ExtremeContact Sport 02, an ultra-high-performance summer tire he uses on the GR Corolla and his Tesla Model 3 Performance. He describes it as responsive, high-grip in wet and dry conditions, and comparatively durable for a summer tire.

He contrasts it with Continental’s ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus, a high-performance all-season tire that can handle light snow. For winter, he plans to use Continental VikingContact tires.

The host says most of the GR Corolla’s visible exterior vents are functional. The hood and front-fender vents help remove engine-bay heat. Some side intakes are blocked and decorative, though another vent ahead of the front wheels connects to the engine bay.

Closing Remarks

The host says he is content with the car as it is and has no current plan to track it. He jokes that he will not drive it above 85 mph and points viewers to other videos for driving impressions and a more detailed visual explanation of the AWD system.

Speakers and Sources Featured

• Jason, host of Engineering Explained — Narrator and presenter of the AWD demonstration.
• Continental — Sponsor featured in the tire segment; its ExtremeContact Sport 02, ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus, and VikingContact tires are discussed.
• Toyota — Cited for AWD specifications and model-year changes; the owner’s manual is also referenced.
• Car and Driver and MotorTrend — Cited for differing 0–60 mph testing results.
• Volkswagen — A Golf R press-release statement is quoted.
• XPEL and Elite Window Tint — Credited for vehicle-protection film, tint, and related work.