At least 20% of car owners in Nigeria own a Toyota corolla based on our statistics. That may not be true but we sure know that the 2004 Toyota Corolla is one Nigerians love so much because of its low-cost maintenance and fuel economy. Well, the Japanese automobile company has remodelled this lovely car to suit the needs of the 2023 car owner. For the 2023 model, Toyota has created a GR-tuned version and there are many things to love about this vehicle.
2023 Toyota Corolla Exterior
For the exterior, aluminium is used for the hood and front door panels, with light and strong high-tensile steel in critical areas to ensure the car’s structure can safely absorb and dissipate impact forces. So you will worry less when a danfo driver bashes your car. Hood, fender and rear bumper ducts and a flat underfloor reduce drag, add downforce and improve stability.
The wide stance and broad hatch exterior design of GR Corolla projects a strong, attack ready style with its black GR badged functional matrix grill. The automobile has functional air ducts on both sides, the front grille on the Circuit Grade comes in gloss-black and features integrated LED fog lamps. Auto on/off LED headlamps and LED DRLs are standard on both grades.
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Both grades feature wide front and rear fender flares. The Circuit Edition features a bulging hood with functional gloss-black air ducts. The Carbon Fibre roof on the Circuit Edition is matched with a matte-black roof-mounted shark-fin antenna. The Core Grade features an aluminium hood with a colour-keyed roof and matching shark-fin antenna. Gloss-black heated power outside mirrors with turn signal indicators, gloss-black window moulding and black GR Corolla badges are standard on both grades.
At the rear, both grades feature a rear lower bumper cover with functional air vents, for an extra touch these vents are gloss-black on the Circuit Edition. The tapering of the roof and rear pillars are complemented by a high mounted matte-black rear spoiler on the Circuit and a gloss-black rear-lip spoiler on the Core Grade. The wide track and flaring of the rear wings emphasise the car’s wide and low silhouette.
2023 Toyota Corolla Interior
The design of the GR Corolla’s interior reflects the car’s performance, particularly around the driver’s cockpit. Incorporating the feedback of professional drivers, a GR Full TFT metre was recently developed with a 12.3-inch colour Multi-Information Display (MID) that has a GR metre with 4WD mode, turbo pressure, gear position indicator and tachometer. The brightly lit display is designed for easy viewing in any condition and even features a start-up GR animation.
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The shift lever has a shortened stroke for a quick throw between gears. Positioned where the driver’s arm is naturally lowered from steering, the action is light with short shift strokes, adding to the performance quality. GR Corolla uses a pull-type mechanical parking brake.
The Circuit Edition’s interior is finished in black with red trim details around the door handles, centre console, steering wheel and side air vents, and the Core Grade is finished with black and silver details. Automatic climate control, power windows with one-touch auto up/down and heated front seats and steering wheel are standard on Circuit Edition. Heated front seats and steering wheel are available with the Cold Weather package option on Core Grade.
It has the Toyota new Audio Multimedia system which features an 8-inch touchscreen, the system offers an improved user experience and a wide range of enhanced connectivity and convenience features, including being Over-the-Air (OTA) updatable. Users can interact with the new system’s design through touch and voice activation. With Intelligent Assistant available through Drive Connect, simple phrases like “Hey Toyota” awakens the system for voice-activated commands to search for directions, find Points of Interest (POI), adjust audio controls, change the cabin temperatures and more.
2023 Toyota Corolla Specification
| Engine | 1.6L 3-Cylinder Turbo |
| Power | 300hp |
| Torque | 273 Lb.-Ft |
| Manual Transmission | 6-Speed |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | N/A |
2023 Toyota Corolla Release Date
The release date for the 2023 Toyota Corolla hasn’t been made public but it is expected that the car will be unveiled to the public before the end of the year.
2023 Toyota Corolla Price
Official prices aren’t out yet but it is estimated that the 2023 Toyota Core will cost about ₦ 14,000,000 and the Circuit Edition, ₦17,000,000, excluding duties fee
2023 Toyota Corolla Trims
We expect the 2023 model will have a similar lineup and we’ll update this section once we have complete information.] The Corolla is offered in five main trim levels: L, LE, XLE, SE and XSE, plus a couple of special trim levels. The SE Nightshade Edition and the Apex Edition are special versions that add on a few extra features to the corresponding trim. Feature highlights include:
L
Starts you off with:
- 139-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine
- Continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT)
- LED headlights
- 15-inch steel wheels
- 7-inch touchscreen
- Driver information display
- Two USB ports
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
- Cloth seats
All Corollas also come with:
- Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
- Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
- Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Corolla and the car in front)
LE
Adds a few more features, with:
- 16-inch steel wheels
- Heated side mirrors
- Automatic climate control
- USB port for rear passengers
- 8-inch touchscreen
- Premium fabric seats
- Keyless entry
XLE
Gives the Corolla more premium features such as:
- Upgraded LED headlights and accent lighting
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- Proximity keyless entry with push-button start
- Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
- Sunroof
- Upgraded driver information display
- Heated front seats
- Power-adjustable driver’s seat
- Simulated leather upholstery
SE
Reverts back to the LE’s features but is sportier thanks to:
- 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (169 hp, 151 lb-ft)
- Normal and Sport driving modes
- Dynamic-shift continuously variable transmission (CVT)
- Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters (CVT only)
- Available six-speed manual transmission
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Sportier exterior trim accents
- Sport front seats
SE Nightshade
Has the SE’s features but with:
- Blackout exterior trim
- Unique 18-inch black-painted alloy wheels
XSE
Combines the SE and XLE’s feature upgrades
Apex Edition
Adds sportier handling and styling to SE and XSE trims with:
- Upgraded suspension components
- Lower ride height
- Optional summer performance tires
- Black and bronze exterior trim
Some features that come standard on the higher trims can be ordered as options on the lower trims. A premium JBL sound system is optional on the XLE, SE and XSE trim, and adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves) are optional on the XLE and the XSE.
2023 Toyota Corolla Buying Guide
Overall, the 2023 Toyota Corolla is an excellent automobile with a low fuel economy. Either of the trims will serve your automobile needs. However, if you seek performance, it is advised that you get the Core trim.
2023 Toyota Corolla Safety Features
The GR Corolla comes with a host of additional standard Connected Services. Safety Connect includes an Emergency Assistance Button (SOS), 24/7 Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification, Stolen Vehicle Locator and Collision Assistance with a 1-year trial service. Service Connect offers drivers the capability of receiving Vehicle Health Reports, Maintenance Alerts and reminders with a 3-year trial.
