Don't Sleep on the 2024 Corolla XSE! The GR Corolla's Surprisingly Fun Sibling

[@Thankyou_3]

Great video Brian! This Corolla is a hidden gem within the segment. It is Made in Japan…that itself people should be running to buy this Corolla.

[@BrianMakse]

Couldn't agree more!

[@VitoC.]

Just has a car this hatch as a car rental. Very impressed. Loved the therapist comment lol

[@BrianMakse]

Glad you liked it!

[@bjsimon802]

these are fun cars, my corolla was over 20 years old

[@bobbyjones2112]

It’s a good looking car. I just think the civic is better, because they did a complete redesign in 22.

[@rosstoolfan]

I believe the Civic drives better as well. I test drove a Corolla hatchback manual and was not excited at all. Just an a to b car for me.

[@babymamba96]

@@rosstoolfanI mean yeah most people arnt drag racing

[@genzigzag]

Great review, I wish Toyota would offer the hatchback with their 5th gen hybrid powertrain. Its unfortunate Toyota dropped the manual transmission.

[@bjsimon802]

next gen probably

[@timw2083]

The XSE is on the shortlist for my kids.... along with the Mazda3 hatch, CX30, CH-R and HRV. I lean towards the XSE to compliment my GR Corolla 😂

[@josephortega8026]

Awesome review.. Which one is the best for first time buyer the Honda or this Corolla hatch?

[@BrianMakse]

Two different categories, really. But you can't go wrong with either. Civic is MUCH bigger and available with the 1.5T, which are meaningful considerations. As a city car, this Corolla hatch ticks all of the boxes.

[@markvicferrer]

There's such a wide gulf between the GR Corolla & the regular one that I think an XRS version could fill that gap. The hatchback is a little too small for me, but it looks like they'll never bring over the wagon version that's sold in other parts of the world.

[@larryowens3704]

Nice review. You keep referring to the GR Corolla but I don’t see any formal review. Will you be doing one?

[@BrianMakse]

I think we’ve done four episodes on the GR Corolla.

[@alexle1935]

I'd take the Mazda 3 over this, they are roughly the same size, but the Mazda 3 is a more upscale car, it's more comfortable and quieter.

[@dustincribbs5501]

Review the Versa S , save the manuals.

[@BrianMakse]

I’m booked until October…

[@EverydayYeti]

I’m waiting for the next design that doesn’t put an iPad on the dash

[@ELITECHUBOBOYT]

How old are you

[@BrianMakse]

12

[@ELITECHUBOBOYT]

@@BrianMakse bruh.

[@psewgobind]

For masses, Civic always trumps Corolla, I wonder if that has changed

[@ratsofatso5525]

Nope, still Civic. But I would tolerate a GRRolla.

[@psewgobind]

@@ratsofatso5525 Not the Type-R just the regular Civic Sport (vs Sport Corolla). 11th Civic has gotten soo big, only crazy Type-R can have the street cred, otherwise it's too big and not as nimble as yore.

[@stevemartegani]

No manual No care

[@BrianMakse]

Talk to the guys over on our recent Golf R episode. They’re fetishizing their dual clutches.

[@stevemartegani]

@BrianMakse I actually found the DSG on the GTI/R to be far superior to the Manual, mostly due to gearing and mushy feel of the manual while the DSG was highly engaging. Bought a 2017 GTI Sport and had it for a bit. However, they did change the programing and to the 7 speed in 2018 making it feel slightly worse. Haven't driven a MK8 yet though to compare. Surprised VW kept the manual in the Jetta GLI for 2025, but that car looks to be more of a minor refresh... Toyota ditching the manual from the base Corolla basically removes it from the Enthusiast segment. But they do have the GR of course.