2024 Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Soldiers on in Blue Flame, Morizo Gets Replaced by Premium

While other carmakers shy away as far as they can from passenger cars these days, Toyota doesn't want to abandon them. As such, they still have compelling offerings like the Sienna MPV, the Camry mid-size sedan, or the entire Corolla family. Best of all, they also try to stand out in the sports car crowd with the GR Corolla hot hatchback.

While most other rivals play it safe with two-door sports cars, Toyota dares a leap of faith with the GR Corolla – the bigger brother of the beloved GR Yaris pocket rocket. And it's also quite affordable, with the 2023 model year starting at $35,900 with the GR Corolla Core, followed by the Circuit and Morizo Editions from $42,900 and $49,900, respectively. Well, scratch the latter out; it just got replaced and sent to car Valhalla.

We still don't know how much the 2024 Toyota GR Corolla costs (Nissan, for example, just announced the 2024 Nissan Z Nismo goes to dealerships from at least $65k!), but we know a lot more about the core changes to the lineup. As such, for 2024MY, Toyota has ditched the Morizo Edition in favor of a new GR Corolla Premium grade that steals features from the Premium package and makes them standard – like the Torsen LSDs (limited-slip differential) at the front and rear.

The new trim also features an upgraded Brin Naub suede-trimmed interior with heated seats and steering wheel, JBL Premium Audio, or a wireless cell phone charger. Shade choices are few, though - Heavy Metal, Ice Cap, Black, or Supersonic Red. It's even slimmer for the 2024 GR Corolla Circuit Edition, which comes dressed either in Blue Flame or Ice Cap. Additional changes include the arrival of standard black forged aluminum 18-inch BBS wheels, and GR Corolla owners can further tap into the high-performance ethos with "an expanded lineup of Toyota Gazoo Racing performance parts."

Those include stuff like performance lowering springs and performance shocks or the Rear Sport Wing for the Core and Premium models. The engineers have also upgraded small details like the mounting bolts of the steering wheel, rear suspension, and battery ground. At the same time, the aero changes include the addition of aluminum sheets to the front and rear bumpers, while the front bumper duct shape change improves airflow across the outlet.

Meanwhile, the power credentials remain the same - the turbocharged G16E-GTS 1.6-liter three-cylinder turbo engine still churns out 300 hp at 6,500 rpm and 273 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,000-5,500 rpm. All three GR Corolla variants – Core, Premium, and Circuit Edition will arrive at nationwide dealerships sometime later this year.