The 2024 GR Corolla Premium is a fever dream.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.ย. 2024
- #toyotavehicleloan
A couple months back, I was loaned a 2024 GR Corolla Premium to test and review. There are things I loved, things I loved less, but all in all it was a delight to drive.
What do you want to know about the GR Corolla?
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Follow Me On Instagram! @lesliedriven
#grcorolla #toyota #letsgoplaces #corolla #hatchback #dailydriver #carreview #reviews
Wait, this was your FIRST video?? Hell of a start! Solid production, well-drafted script, and you're covering a car I might actually care about :) Nice work!
Agreed good work ! Keep getting after it !
Completely agreed! Jeez. The cuts and audio overlays are EXCELLENT.
日本でもあまり見なくなったMR2ですが、私も好きだったので大切に乗ってくれてて嬉しいです。
GR カローラを選ぶマニアックさと🇯🇵日本車への愛を感じます。
大切に気をつけて乗り続けて下さい👍
Love that you made the move to this platform! Can’t wait to see some more MR2 content!
MR2? 👀
AWがアメリカで元気に走ってるのは嬉しい事です！
GRカローラは日本でもなかなか見かけないレアな車です。
ドライビング出来たのはとても幸運だとおもいます！
これから沢山の日本車に触れて欲しいです😊
This is giving me some Doug DeMuro vibes, but in all seriousness, well done with your review on one of the best cars you can buy today!
スティーブ的視点から来ました。MR2を紹介してもらってありがとうございました。とても素敵な車でした。
このGRカローラもかなりマニアックな車なので本当の車好きなのが判りました。
これからも素敵なカーライフを過ごしてください。
Awesome YT debut, Leslie! The only suggestion I could think of is a 4k camera, but the actual content was great! I love the focus on the engine bay from a maintenance perspective; not many reviewers focus on that. Stay shifty!
A 4k camera is definitely on the list of gear to buy. My ancient iPhone is good enough for Instagram so I haven’t invested yet 😅
lav mic on the glasses was so innovative lol. great review!
スティーブさんのチャンネルから見に来ました。MR-2大事にしてていい感じです。日本にも是非いらしてください。
I like the front of it. Much better looking than older generations of Corolla.
The GR Corolla is a little weird looking, but that's one of the things I love about it. Rally cars (race cars in general) aren't really designed with sexy looks as a priority, but they end up looking cooler than a normal consumer car as a result.
As someone who very seriously considered buying one of these things when they first became available (put my name on 4 different dealership waiting lists...gave them a burner phone #, I'm not a masochist😂) I can honestly say this is one of the best, if not THE best real world GR Corolla reviews.
I never ended up with one (I now have a 2021 Mazda 3 turbo hatch, love it) due to early limited availability and insane dealer markups, but I eventually took the offer from one dealership to drive a Circuit Edition..and I can say she pretty much nailed it when giving an overall impression of this thing. Shifter and clutch action are magnificent, the imt actually works and isn't annoying like you'd think, cargo and rear seat space are limited (fine on a car like this) and the suspension tune isn't for unsmooth roads. But man..these things are fun to drive, and that can't be denied. Since I was coerced into the test drive instead of the other way round..mine was a little bit longer and I bombed it on a back road a little bit which was awesome. It was a random Tuesday around 10am so there wasn't much traffic to get in the way, and that was almost enough for me to trade in my Mazda 3 turbo on the spot. I will say changing the torque on the AWD system didn't make a huge difference I could feel, but I wasn't exactly on a track where I could drive the speeds needed to feel it. In other words, 30/70 didn't make it feel rear biased, but then again some rear biased AWD cars don't feel that way either. I still plan to grab one of these someday, but ideally it won't be my daily driver.
That definitely needs more color options. Teal would certainly be a nice addition!
I have noticed Toyota does have some quirky control designs sometimes but I do appreciate that they generally aren't going hard on the screen controls.
スティーブの動画を観ました。
貴方やご主人の日本を愛しているのを感じました。
日本で待ってますよ！
I REALLY appreciate that you touched on the sounds of these little cars. And not just the engine, exhaust, and polite little BOV sneezes (perfect description, BTW).
I know they catch some flak for not having a great sound system. And I'll agree, it's not GREAT. But it's perfectly adequate. Especially when I take into consideration that I've now been daily-ing a Circuit Edition for almost a month, and I find that it's incredibly rare that I turn on music. I love just listening to this thing. All the clunks and thuds and whirrs and whistles and revs and growls and everything. It's an absolute joy of a car to drive, and a big part of that is how it sounds. It sounds like a proper racecar, that's just been dialed back to be an excellent daily-driver.
The rest of your opinions on this car are also spot-on, as well. It sounds like you should buy one!
Edit: I'll also add that, as a 6'4" dude, this car is a PERFECT fit. I had my heart set on an FRS/BRZ/GR86 for years (especially this most recent generation of '86), but it was never meant to be. My legs would not allow me to be comfortable. The MOMENT I sat in my car when taking it out on its first test drive, I fell in love. I've never fit more perfectly into a smaller, sportier car. Minivans and trucks and bigger SUVs? Sure. But even my dad's Celica didn't fit like this car does. But I never have to sit in the back seat lol
Solid video and review. Very professional but still able to crack jokes/have fun with it. Actually found myself sticking around for the whole video as opposed to some others from some channels where i’m watching the timer tick by.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I picked mine up in January this year with 3 miles on the odometer, I'm at about 6900 today. I daily this thing to work, do grocery runs, and hit the local twisties on some weekends. This car does it all. It's comfortable enough to live with on a day to day basis and it just absolutely rips when you need it to
I was fortunate to borrow a GR Corolla Circuit Edition a few weeks ago for a few hundred miles and the whole time I was thinking “I should start a car review TH-cam channel”. Such a great car.
The rough ride may be due to the fact that they didn't take the shipping stops out of the front coils. They forget to take them out on 90% of delivered cars. They forgot on mine and as soon as I got them out, it was a much smoother ride.
Extremely intelligent reviewer
I view the GR Corolla as an exceptional platform for transforming into a sleeper performance hatchback. The factory tires, sized at 235, leave much to be desired, so I promptly upgraded to 245 PS4 A/S tires. This change significantly improved the ride quality, making it far more comfortable for daily driving. As a daily driver, the GR Corolla meets my needs admirably. When I need to make a Costco run, I simply fold down the rear seats, and the cargo space is surprisingly ample-far more than I had with my previous GR86.
While the interior could benefit from more premium touch surfaces and fewer rattles typical of an econo-box, these are minor gripes compared to the overall experience. I knew what I was signing up for, and the GR Corolla’s performance capabilities far exceed expectations for its segment. This car truly punches above its weight class, offering a compelling blend of practicality and exhilarating performance.
tfw no mention of the last grey hatchback with an odd number of cylinders in your driveway
Awesome review, Leslie! I look forward to more videos!
Very cool. It's rare to see a new car that seems so genuinely appealing.
I test drove a gr corolla once, I fell in love and constantly thought about, I test drove another one and same thing, it’s such a fun car to drive but I can’t justify the price and if I was to get one I wouldn’t go lower then the premium trim.
I agree that there isn't a variety of colors it would be nice if they took the Tacoma approach and add as Manny colors as the can like the electric lime color or an orange color that they have. Just make it as fun to look as it is to drive.
Excellent first video... I picked up a GRC as my daily. My daily before this was a Lexus Sportcross.
Looking forward to your next video
Heated seats but not power-adjustable is wild. Great video!
I got 5k on mine, and I agree with the issues you've raised about space in the rear seating. The problem with the clutch is that the engagement range is so short, and it's at the end of the clutch pedal's range of motion. It's just muscle memory, and you get used to it, though, imo
I think this is the first video I’ve seen mention that you can shift gears in cruise control
It’s such a useful feature that is always noticeable when it’s not there!
Hell of a first video. Fantastic review! Subscribed.
Drove a Teal 1994 3 pedal Corolla 14 years. Driven manuel Toyotas since. Scion and Tacomas. Well done.
Picked up my 24' Premium a few days before the new year, have just under 5k miles on it now and it's my only car. Absolutely love the heck out of this car, it's got grip for days
Great video! FWIW the blow-off valve is surely a recirculating type (for emissions reasons) so that probably explains the muted noise. Installing an aftermarket, atmospheric BOV could fix that.
It is definitely the best daily driver!!!! Got my 24 premium by the end of January. I cannot be more grateful for this thing
Love this video. Currently trying to convince my gf to take the payments on the grc I’ve had for 16 months now so I can grab a blue flame circuit!
Very cool little car! Well done Leslie!
I appreciate the down-to-earth style of your video. Great choice for the casual viewers who also happen to like cars!
I will forever detest emission laws not allowing the GR Corolla to be sold in the UK. We do have the GR Yaris (which is phenomenal) but the Corolla just looks so much more well-rounded.
Personally, i'd much rather have the Yaris, but unfortunately they arent sold in america
Great first video! I'm here for more!
These cars seem pretty sick! Great video Leslie
Been driving my 24 Circuit for 3 weeks now and it's just a peach of a car. I get more reactions then my Cayman 4.0
Congrats on adding YT to the LeslieDriven brand! 🎉 The GR Corolla is on my short list of cars I would consider buying. Looking forward to the next video.
Exactly what u said, this does make an okay daily. The suspension is more performance than luxury, but not hearing scare stories like with the Focus RS. My one main gripe are the Circuit Edition seats, they get so hot in the summer, lacked the breath ability and durability of my old GTI Mk7 plaid seats, and they do not seem to go low enough.
Cant believe this is your first video, went to the channel hoping for more about maybe a mazda 3 or something, love the turbo one
Easy auto subscriber... this was your first video? Impressive... great video! I had a HM 23' Circuit but if I had to do it again at todays prices, I'd do the HM premium trim.
Nive review, great choice to show engine bay and talk about repairability.
Great video!
Great video!! I've been itching for a GR corolla. I'll def need to sit in one now that you mention it might be a little tight for people with broad shoulders (like me!) Thanks for the great review!
Great video!! Maybe a few less jump cuts but overall very informative and detailed. Can't wait for more
About the bow off valve, most new turbo cars have a recirculating valve so you'll have to swap that out for an aftermarket BOV. If you want to hear the turbo more, only way to do that is with a more open intake or a bigger turbo ;)
Awesome first video!!! More jdm content on the way? ❤
Just got one of these in January (almost exactly the same spec except I have the roof racks). I daily mine and totally agree with your review, though I would say the ride isn't the most annoying thing, it's actually the lack of lumbar support! Easily the most fun daily for the money, and I'm surprisingly impressed. From one car reviewer to another, great video!
I debated commenting on the lack of lumbar but didn’t want to spend a quarter of the video talking about seats lol
I personally found them comfortable but I don’t need all too much lumbar.
@@LeslieDriven that makes sense lol. Thought the video had really good pacing so I can see wanting to cut stuff like that out.
Agreed on the lumbar. Regarding width, I am 6'4"/215 and have no issue with bolsters. There is a ridiculous amount of fore/aft adjustment, but thigh support is lacking- I installed Desert Does It seat jackers and am good to go.
@@streamius I didn't even know those were a thing. I ordered a set, so maybe that'll help.
This was a really good first video
"I guess I just have a thing for grey hatchbacks at this point" as someone who went with a Heavy Metal premium over a white circuit just because of the color; I feel ya 😂 such an awesome car. Great video!
Yay you started posting on TH-cam! I love your MR2 stuff on ig. I now have another channel to watch while eating lunch :D
Leslie on my favorite platform, youtube!??!! This is Christmas in June
What a fabulous review ! You just found a new subscriber, and I can assume many more lol
I feel the same about all the buttons. Outside-amazing car!!!
Awesome first video! You've earned a subscriber over here!
I love this video! For your being your first video you did an AMAZING job! However, I noticed you own a cat, sooo... where is it? lol
Love the vid! Subbed!
Amazing video! I'll be waiting for your next one.
GR core more like cool press car girl core :3 congrats awsm review !!
make a full length video fot the ctsv PLEASE i remember that being the firsdt thing i saw from you
Congrats for your first YT video! 🥳
Solid start! Thumbs up and subscribed!
Great video! So, I have a 2023 GR Corolla and two children. Regarding space for car seats, I have two in the back for my boys. It’s a little tight but Diono makes a great front facing slim car seat that functions as nice as it looks without sacrificing legroom for a child in the back. We will see how it fares as they get older and taller and we have actual cargo to lug around, but my wife has a CR-V for that reason. It’s a great daily, but if that was our only car it would be an issue for sure.
test drove one a few weeks ago and absolutely loved it, good review
I have a 23 premium and it’s the best car I’ve ever owned! I still think the core premium is the best value.
I have two boys, oldest is 9 and they have plenty of room. However I can see not being great for families with older children.
I’ve upgraded the intake ( MST ) and BOV and opened up the center exhaust and those have all really woken this little weapon up. As a high boost car the BOV sounds amazing! Also the intake is insanely loud.
I do agree with the lack of color options . I have a black one and honestly I think the black looks the best overall.
Great video and commentary. Looking forward too seeing more from you!
More hatchbacks please :)
Good video. Subscribed.
this channel has so much potential, keep it up!!
I know looks are subjective but the model with the bonnet bulge with vents is what attracted me to it along with the wider stance 🔥the only thing i don't like about it as a daily is the tyre noise and now it has some km on it ive notice a dash rattle. But every thing else the seats the way it drives and handle even the entertainment system is good in my opinion as soon as i plug my phone in Spotify comes on im happy is it eargasmn worthy probably not but did it suffice on my 8hr drive to Melbourne from Sydney yes well yeah apart from the tyre noise, ive notice it gets a lot of criticism for not having a centre console i have a 69 ke11 corolla which also doesn't have a centre console and i dont hate it i think its a good thing one less thing to break and it leave the space free for when you getting a bit vigerus with the gear changes
I had to sell my 2017 Focus RS a few years back but now I am contemplating getting back into the hot hatch game. I really don't know if I want another Honda with a Type R to match my 8th gen Civic Si, or a GR Corolla with its AWD. The Circuit edition needs more colors.
Welcome to TH-cam!! Nice review btw
Love your content. May I ask, have you had heating problems with the rear differential?
Awesome job! 💪
These cars look like a lot of fun. I want one so bad. This and the 86.
Dang definitely subbed love the video
Very good review. Manufacturers are packing a lot of tech in modern cars. Maybe reducing some of the tech and putting in a spare wheel would be better. Toyota have never really matched the Germans in interior build design and quality.
I like the look and the mod-ability of the platform so far.
I don't own one, and currently have a Elantra N, but These look like a lot of fun with the 6-speed, AWD and light weight in comparison.
The jump from the Core to the Circuit Edition is definitely rough. I want a circuit, but for ~45k it's hard to justify with only a slight performance margin between it and the Elantra and the ability to mod the Core to be better than the Circuit for less money into it.
Sweet review! Thanks!
Love the vid!
The color choice being so limited, especially for the blue being locked to the circuit edition and the only other choice for that trim level being white is insane. In my area it is so boring because it seems like 90% of newer cars are non descript white SUVs and cars that make it feel like modern vehicles just have no personality to them at all. I am looking into trading in my 2014 civic Si towards one, hopefully next years model will have the blue available on the premium tier since I am not sure how well the carbon fiber roof would fair with my car being out in direct sunlight all the time and going through automated car washes most of the time these days.
Agreed, the blue and voodoo blue Toyota used to use in 2019/2020 is one of my favorite colors on a car. Hoping Toyota will bring it back.
thank you for the review
Man. I need to stop watching GR Corolla videos.
I have a second interview for a job that pays really well coming up, where I would be driving between clients often. I could potentially afford one of these after paying off my other debts. I was between getting something more MPG friendly like the new Camry, or being "irresponsible" and getting a GR Corolla if I get this job. But I'm 99% sold on a GR.
Problem is, I don't have the job yet. And I should probably wait until I've been with the company for 8-12 months before making a big purchase like this, just to make sure I like it and I have job security.
But I want one of these bad boys NOW lol.
#KswapFreeZone (P.S good job with the video, can’t wait to see more from this channel)
First ever viewer of this channel?
GR Corolla ❤
え!!!、GR Corollaはまだ見た事ない。 😥
I wonder if the hatch cargo space is on par with the ‘08-‘14 wrx hatches.
Leslie, great review. Question. For a fun car, just to enjoy driving, what would you choose?
- GR Corolla Core w/ Performance
- Miata Club Softtop
Does the Corolla’s 300 HP and AWD to the Miata’s 181 HP and RWD skew your decision?
I daily drove an NC Club for about 8 years so I might have a bit of bias.
If we’re comparing an ND Club to the GR I’d pick the GR in a heartbeat. The ND is a fantastic car in pretty much every aspect but I slightly favor the steering of the GR
@@LeslieDriven that's a very helpful opinion from someone who's driven both and has an admitted Miata bias! Thank you for your response!
I wish I was able to afford this car, hope I can snag one from the used market in a few years
New car reviewer, who dis?
Thanks for an excellent review! Please do give the cats a scratch from us.
How do you think the seats will hold up on longer drives/road trips. Is there bolstering?
HUBBA HUBBA THICK CAR MOMMY!!!
what an odd thing to comment publicly
One thing i dislike on my GRC is i don't feel the speed, a little tap on the gas in 2nd and i'm already at 50 :(
The GR Corolla is Japan's gift to the drivers of Earth. The majority of us are not worthy.
Good and different perspective I was wondering how it is for city driving I’m from NYC so traffic here sucks
If you’re comfortable with driving a manual in stop and go I’d imagine it’d do pretty well! It’s fairly small so parking would be easy and it blends visually to the untrained eye so it probably wouldn’t draw too much attention.