Toyota Corolla GR Sport - Warm Hatch (ENG) - Test Drive and Review

Toyota Corolla Hatchback Dynamic Force GR Sport is not a true GR Corolla. GR Sport is a styling package, which includes things like specially designed alloy wheels or steering wheel wrapped in perforated leather with red stitching. But the most important option, which sets the Corolla GR Sport apart from regular the regular models is the optional adaptive variable suspension (AVS).
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↔ Toyota Corolla Hatchback dimensions:
✔ length: 4380 mm
✔ width: 1790 mm
✔ height: 1460 mm
✔ wheelbase: 2640 mm
✔ boot/trunk: 313-1004 L
💲 Toyota Corolla Hatchback 1.8 starting price: 27 550 euro
💲 Toyota Corolla Hatchback GR Sport 2.0 Hybrid Dynamic Force price as tested: 40 000 euro
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#MarekDrivesENG #ToyotaCorolla #GRSport
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Index:
0:00 intro
1:00 Corolla vs. Auris
2:00 boot
4:45 rear seat
5:25 kokpit
7:30 Corolla GR Sport
8:05 AVS
9:00 driving impressions
9:30 performance
10:55 pricing
11:20 conclusion

[@Coomberg]

I got one - its great!! Couldn't care less about the cup holders, door storage, "having fun" etc.etc (why are reviewers obsessed with this stuff!!). What I care about is the fuel economy (great), ease of driving (great!) and the reliability (hey, its a carolla!).

[@emptyMan0]

The hatchback still looks fresh and cool to me even a few years later probably because all I see are estates and sedans.

[@fabiancaser754]

Corolla will get a big mid cycle refresh for the 2023 model year (will arrive at dealers soon), including new tech and 12 more hp (196 hp).

[@aljazzy6625]

Yes dude this is the type of review I needed!!!! Yes yes million yes

[@auser6426]

I've got a 2019 Corolla TS H3 Premium in the same colors, thats the trim level just below the GR trim. Agree on the posistion of the USB connector. As for the fuel economy, I have done 60.000+ km and is avageing 20 km/l. This car is a car I would buy twice.

[@bondjamesbond9041]

Good car. Good review.

[@shotten99]

I’ve got a 2019 2.0. The lack of boot space is a definite drawback, but the fuel economy is impressive. It’s not going to be as exciting as a Focus ST diesel or VW GTD, but it’s got plenty of power on tap and it’s been as reliable as you could expect. Plus 3.8 l 100/km is definitely possible in city driving.

[@SykeusOne]

Very happy with my 2.0 Hatchback 2021. I got in norway, where they offer 5 + 5 years warrenty (Up to 10 years total or 200k KM, as long it gets a toyota service a year) I am planning to have it for long!

[@shotten99]

@@SykeusOne I am planning to do the same. This car is one of the best kept secrets on the market.

[@Alex_G_M]

@@SykeusOne It was this or the Mazda 3 for me, but the Corolla GR 1.8 starting at ~410.000kr is a bit overpriced, especially compared to what you get with the Mazda 3. My current Corolla(or Auris, but still basically a Corolla) is still going strong, but I really want to get a new fossile fuel hathback before they’re gone. How do you like the automatic transmission on the Corolla? I’m a bit skeptical myself, but that’s more due to never having owned an automatic myself.

[@K_N_44]

@@Alex_G_M which Auris do you got and what engine?

[@matthewstier8394]

​​@@Alex_G_MI drove a 1.8 today, first time I have driven a proper hybrid. The transmission is super smooth, even the high revs at full throttle didn't bother me that much. My own car is a Kia Proceed GT with a double clutch transmission, this is a really good transmission but the Corolla's is definitely smoother👍 I would seriously consider either a corolla touring sports 2.0 or a Rav 4 hybrid for my next car, the only problem is that I don't need a newer car because my mileage is low since I take a company vehicle home and I have an MX5 too, and NC same as Marek's! And I love my Mazda...

[@andrequedanca]

I own one and I gotta tell you guys after a year that I love this car! Its the sexiest Hatchback C segmment alongside Mazda 3. The boot space is more than enough, my wheelchair fits the boot easly! It's the best hybrid on fuel economy, I usually do between 2,5L & 4,5L/100km and the interior has high built quality, even comparing to most C segment cars. The GR Sport trim it's easly the best looking one of all the trims Corolla offers. The only downsides I can think of are the performance, yes it's slow if you are used to fast cars and the infotainment can get laggy sometimes. The Android Auto doesnt work wireless, you have to connect your device by USB C, it can be a downside asweel. I rate this car a 9,5/10 and hope I will only switch it for a Lexus :D

[@DaveDVideoMaker]

The GR Corolla is mainly for the US and Canada where the GR Yaris isn’t sold. It’s also coming to Brazil, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. That uses the same 3cyl turbo in the GR Yaris but has 304PS and 370Nm of torque. It won’t be coming to Europe sadly.

[@MarekDrivesENG]

It's OK, I'll let Toyota fly me business class to the US to drive one anyway :)

[@planiolro]

Looking forward to Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid review….

[@Verbindungs]

I like it but have trouble envisioning its market niche: an environmentally aware sporty driving affluent single?

[@laupakhin]

Thanks for the review Marek. This particular variant is forbidden fruit where I live, as they don't sell the more powerful hybrid here. We also don't get the estate, which means we're stuck with something that both slow AND small - at least the sedan still has a longer wheelbase. I agree with you on the lack of boot space. My parents wanted were looking to buy another Toyota after their previous one lasted over 20 years, but took the Corolla off their list as the boot is just tiny. The Mazda 3 hatch also had the same issue. My guess is that they're targeting the market that they used to make small coupes for - people that want something stylish and sporty looking but not necessarily with sports performance.

[@MarekDrivesENG]

Yeah, if I were in the market for something stylish and sporty, but not necessarily with sports performance I'd get an MX-5. Oh, wait... I did 🤪

[@laupakhin]

@@MarekDrivesENG For sure man :). For my previous car I managed to persuade myself that a Toyota 86 was not only good value for money (same price as a top spec small car, so it was), but because it had back seats and a boot it was totally practical as well (my now mother-in-law disagreed). Too bad we only had space for one car and I had to sell it.

[@MarekDrivesENG]

You sold your mother-in-law? Well done! :)

[@laupakhin]

@@MarekDrivesENG Considering selling the sister-in-law for an Ioniq 6 :D

[@nintendoatarikiller]

I want this so bad to come to canada

[@paulcase5931]

Good review. I have a UK-spec 2021 GR Sport estate. Unfortunately it falls short of the European spec cars as it doesn't have AVS, wireless charging or the full projector headlamps. Fingers crossed the 2023 refresh will include these plus the extra colours the Euro cars get.

[@MarekDrivesENG]

I always found it interesting, how certain regions don't get certain colors. Back in the day Poland fell under the Scandinavian color scheme in Mazda line-up, so we got a lot of really dark colors, whereas the rest of Europe had a more lively color palette. The AVS may be an option even on the GR Sport, so the only thing to differentiate it from a regular Corolla would be the red stitching on the steering wheel and GR Sport wheels. Toyota. What can I say? :)

[@paulcase5931]

@@MarekDrivesENG it is bizarre. I was a little disappointed when I compared the UK configurator to the Euro one and found options such as a black roof, bright colours etc. Especially bizarre when you consider the car is built in the UK!

[@MarekDrivesENG]

Indeed. It's the Burnaston plant, right? I've been there on one of my two trips to the UK.

[@paulcase9156]

@@MarekDrivesENG it is Burnaston, yes. One of the plants a lot of people forget about when they talk about the British car industry, along with Nissan Sunderland.

[@anthonyhughes886]

Same here. I have a 2022 gr touring sport without all the European extras 🤔

[@emanuelmarcos]

The 1.8 is the logical choice for a second or third car, that in my opinion. Very fuel efficient.

[@feridunozmen]

I should say, the exterior design is super nice! Yet again, the prices... maybe a focus st line would be an alternative though (regardless of the history between you and ford guys in Poland :) )

[@kevinn1158]

A VW Golf R costs 46k CAD or 31k Euro..... That rear seat area looks like a torture chamber. Seriously Toyota? Fun video though. Thanks Marek.

[@Ambienfinity]

Nice, but if I were looking for a pocket rocket, I'd got for the Yaris GR. I'm pretty sure there's more boot space and certainly more rear leg room in my old Honda Jazz.

[@MarekDrivesENG]

Honda Jazz is THE hatchback. They could pretty much stop making anything else.

[@Ambienfinity]

@@MarekDrivesENG I've had three, Marek, about to get a Mk4, so I can't disagree! Great review, as ever, though! If I were going for something like this, I'd probably go for the estate, or even the Swace.

[@MarekDrivesENG]

Yeah, whichever comes out cheaper to lease and run. I love the current Jazz BTW.

[@Ambienfinity]

@@MarekDrivesENG Yep, it was largely your favourable review (particularly about the improved acoustic insulation etc.) that made me decide to get a mk4. "Hybrid just kicked in YO.!" ;-)

[@TomasJot]

Yesterday I had opportunity to drive standard 1,8 l hybrid version. I think Corolla HB version is misunderstanding in terms of noise insulation, suspension work, seating possition, boot and space in rear vs Yaris Cross, CR-H and RAV4🙈

[@TomasJot]

P.S. I totally agree with all your notes about this car, Marek. Similar findings from my expierence too👍

[@extreme8808]

I've opened this video with high expectation for the Corolla hatch . . until you couldn't keep a straight face while talking about the boot 😂 It's barely believable that Toyota went from leading the sensible pack to "if you need to buy a Toyota" in a few years time. I'm genuinely rooting for them to get back on track.

[@MarekDrivesENG]

They are getting their act together in the ride and handling department, but as far as packaging....

[@extreme8808]

@@MarekDrivesENG Oh yes, their full-fledged GRs are really good. But to get a Golf competitor on the market with its boot smaller than a Polo . . that's a fail of the "Toyota should've known better" variety. I think Japanese makers in general have made a big step backwards as of recently. Maybe Mazda is a partial exception.

[@MarekDrivesENG]

That's because Mazda's premium :)

[@williamegler8771]

Your inference that red cars are faster made me laugh. I owned a tornado red Volkswagen Passat that I drove pretty aggressively. It was equipped with a 1.8L turbo 4 cylinder. I traded it in for another Passat but this one was silver and equipped with the much more powerful 3.6L 6. I drove the silver one in a much more sedate manner.

[@MarekDrivesENG]

See what I mean? It's like a Ferrari. Red is fast!

[@Manc-fh5we]

180 hp? 2L 2023 model has 196bhp. There’s no leather, it’s all synthetic and no CVT it’s transmission is e-CVT. Completely different design.

[@ram64man]

I know space is a premium but that Design for the battery is just terrible , that’s just too small for most families, just because you’re a 2.1 doesn’t mean your dead inside

[@edgk490]

What's the deal with visibility over shoulder, anybody considers it as a factor when choosing car?

[@MarekDrivesENG]

If you don't want to rely solely on blind spot monitoring it's something to consider.

[@edgk490]

​@@MarekDrivesENG Isn't blind spot nonexistent with properly adjusted mirrors?

[@MarekDrivesENG]

In adjacent lane it's almost non-existent. However driving on a multi-lane carriageway for example if you're switching from the left lane into the middle lane, there's a good chance you're not going to see a person switching from the right lane to the middle lane. I checked today :)

[@edgk490]

@@MarekDrivesENG So... you, when switching lanes on a highway, always look over shoulder? :)

[@MarekDrivesENG]

@Edgars K I've been taught to check my mirrors AND look around. Having this exchange, I started checking for blindspots, and with a bit of bad luck you can find some even in adjacent lanes. Even if you think you're OK, you have to consider other drivers (and bikers), who may be moving considerably faster, and behave in an erratic manner. I know the first thought often is that it's THEM who should pay attention or suffer the consequences, but I don't care whose fault it was, when I'm stuck on the side of the road waiting for police to clean the shit up.

[@janhendrikschuette5225]

I just cannot understand why so many carmakers don't offer wireless Android Auto. Even the super cheap Dacias have it. This might be a dealbreaker especially for the younger more tech affine buyers

[@manosmargaronis3082]

The subtitles are too big. Can you please make them smaller? Thx!

[@MarekDrivesENG]

I don't make the subtitles. They are autogenerated by KZbin. Try fiddling with settings.

[@manosmargaronis3082]

@@MarekDrivesENG Thx!

[@leemarsh9727]

What colour is that red called

[@MarekDrivesENG]

This is Toyota. They have one red. And 4 greys :)

[@robertkeri1421]

I say as a toyota fan, this corolla series does not have a single good feature. Everything is cruelly spoiled! This is a shame from the world's largest manufacturer!

[@ricglass4944]

should not have GR badge in 2022/2023. GR is associated with Performance in Yaris and Corolla from 2022

[@gregj7916]

would pass as a decent hire car...

[@MarekDrivesENG]

Hire cars are even quicker, regardless of the colour. They are also very good off road :)

[@Ambienfinity]

'Nothing drives like a rental'!

[@t0urniquet]

How do I like it? Bye Toyota. Another overpriced, cramped non practical hatchback with a 2.0 slow engine... 🥴🙄