Who needs a Toyota GR COROLLA? - 2023 Subaru WRX Review (6-speed manual) 4K

The latest generation of Subaru's WRX is a bit controversial. But one thing is for certain, it's still an impressive performance car despite how it might look on the outside.
Don't have time for the full review?
0:00 What is a Subaru WRX
0:35 Price + Features
2:25 Boot
2:38 Back Seats
3:14 Interior
5:14 Warranty, Servicing and Reliability
6:32 Safety Features
7:18 Power
7:56 Launch Control?
8:24 Competitors
8:30 Manual Shifter
9:47 Brakes
10:20 Handling
12:53 Fuel Economy
13:36 Low Redline?
14:03 Should you buy it?
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[@seanmabey1609]

I looked at the GR corolla and ended up purchasing a wrx for $27K. Theres no way the GR corolla is worth $13-20k more than this.

[@ProductReviewCars]

I still need to test it. But honestly, the WRX is so worth the asking price by comparison.

[@seanmabey1609]

@@ProductReviewCars id love to see a performance side by side review of the two.

[@jayczyzyk7607]

The manual is better performance oriented than wrx as is tge all wheel drive us more advanced in the gr

[@steve8803]

@@jayczyzyk7607 have fun overheating the rear diff in the GRC and the absolutely useless rear seating. So tiny.

[@jayczyzyk7607]

@@steve8803 great new rear and outstanding transmission

[@tkegger21]

I just got my 2023 wrx couple days ago. As for someone who drives a CVT 2014 civic for the past 6 years, the wrx is the most fun vehicle that I have ever driven. It is very responsive even on 5th and 6th gear and Im only keeping the revs below 4k.

[@wrx_wes]

Left my 21 civic CVT for a 6-speed manual 23 wrx ignition red. Best Dec ever made ✅

[@TheHayabusa09]

Gotta say Cameron; your car reviews are undoubtably up there with the best of all Aussie reviews! Narration, interior/exterior shots and general overall layout showing standard features is excellent. Any chance you're planning on reviewing the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV '23 edition anytime soon? Keep up the great work.

[@ProductReviewCars]

Really appreciate that! Haven't yet, but hopefully in the next few weeks.

[@billisdewillis5]

WRX reviewed by Tom Ripley…awesome. Didn’t know Matt Damon was into conveyance for the masses. I bought the 2022 Subaru WRX PS (poverty spec) in Canada in November for $33,030 CAD…really good value for money here. The Si is $3,000 more, the Elantra N is $8,000 more, the MX-5 is more…

[@ProductReviewCars]

hahah. Gotta say, it'd be the ideal winter car too.

[@josephpereira75]

In person the wrx rules. The look actually works. It stands out . Power is underrated. This car is fast. I have a 2023. Very underrated hp.

[@rapidtransit340]

I have one to . The linear power is there but feels underwhelming to me . Not a fan

[@davidlewis-laurent8876]

This review was incredible, especially for never driving a WRX. Covered so much. And I think you perfectly described the car. I personally hate the rear of this car. The rest is meh ... But I didnt like the prior version and now I own one, and love the look. The car is amazing in stock form, however if you're into modifying there is TONS of support. I think it is all you need you have an amazing driving experience for an amazing price on the street. My anniversary reminder is set to the day I bought it ;)

[@ProductReviewCars]

Really appreciate that! Thank you! I'd be so keen to buy one of these newer ones to mod. And good use of the anniversary reminder!

[@ImVirusMate]

Great video ❤

[@ProductReviewCars]

Thank you!!

[@thusmarshal8815]

With the aftermarket support and the power that is produced from that engine with aftermarket I don't know how one would look at the Corolla. The Corolla runs higher boost from factory and with a bit of boost added its a machine

[@alexisreyes5033]

I have gotten a wrx 2022 for 36k and it drive so good, and I love the turbo noise

[@ProductReviewCars]

IKR! Biggest suprise tbh

[@creaseoner]

Great review I love my 22 wrx .👍🏻

[@ProductReviewCars]

Thanks!

[@chadbrown7648]

I have the same one in same color here in the states love it great car paid 35k us

[@ProductReviewCars]

Not too bad. It's a best spec.

[@aaronkim3856]

i love your energy !

[@ProductReviewCars]

THANKS!

[@mikeyz8775]

Does it have duel port injection. What does that mean. Or should i go ej

[@shaunmorse4089]

Center rear bumper light or reflector how did you get that

[@greym6436]

You simply cannot beat the WRX value and pkg IMO. Toyota wanted to play ball so they brought to us the GR Corolla, but then they go and put a super heavy price tag on it, which makes no sense, putting it further out of reach…Hell it’s priced higher then a STI.

[@ProductReviewCars]

I'm keen to drive one to put that to the test. But the sheer price difference makes it harder to justify. Unless you want that trick AWD system in the Corolla.

[@fpvmississippi]

Looking at these!! In the states they start around 30,000

[@ProductReviewCars]

I'd say do it. Unless you're more of a fan of the Elantra N and don't need AWD.

[@Kiss__Kiss]

Okay, I'll bite: That's like saying, who needs an STI when you can have a WRX. Differentials, DCCD, 6 Speed Transmission, that's why. Although anyone can swap their transmission, and not everyone drives in snow/ice commutes during the winter months. So yes, the GR Corolla Core is pretty much like a WRX(Hatch).

[@CobusDerrenberg]

This is a BRILLIANT car - FULL STOP 😎😄💪👍👌✨

[@raymondhachmishvili2483]

The 2023 model is the best looking WRX to date IMO. Love the aggressive front and rear end, but the rear bumper is a bit exaggerated

[@ricktrue8441]

Im sure there will be a special edition with body colored wheel arches.

[@steve8803]

@Rick True aftermarket companies are releasing body coloured arches that have a wider flare.

[@ProductReviewCars]

Let's hope so

[@anthonyabdo5364]

Another KZbinr from Us states the cvt is well tuned and is closer in its 0-100 to the manual then previous gen also shows how fast the ratios are using paddle shifters

[@ProductReviewCars]

I’ve got a review of the CVT coming next week, but can’t say it was more fun to drive than the manual.

[@steve8803]

@Anthony Abdo The manual wrx is quicker than the cvt. Also, paddle shifter on a cvt are fake simulators since the cvt has no gears.

[@anthonyabdo5364]

I know how it works I have that in my honda but the points in the rpm range don't override the way mine does you can keep the rpm in its set ratio and change down fast

[@anthonyabdo5364]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXLRnYaoqJJ_iZY

[@steve8803]

@@anthonyabdo5364 it's fake. Meant to mimic an automatic transmission. They should have used a dct like their competitors.

[@tellyawhatmate]

Very different cars. New WRX has plenty tuning potential, but in stock form, Its no where near as special as a Yaris GR

[@ProductReviewCars]

Oh for sure

[@mikimenendez]

Really? The WRX is a lot better

[@omarnanana]

2023 wrx the goat in its range

[@100Paladins]

no tire presure monitor system in Canada🤣

[@ProductReviewCars]

Bruh

[@steve8803]

@jun zhu do you not know how to use a tire pressure gauge? Since it snows in Canada, many people run a separate winter wheel and tire set up. No need to waste money on a second set of sensors.

[@AlanAnt]

It’s mandatory in the US , now.

[@Kichoman1983]

I actually hate TPMS solely for the fact that you can’t swap wheels without getting some error code on your dash. And if you want to grab an extra set of TPMS from factory, you might fall off your chair after seeing the price tag.

[@CollinMac96]

Crazy right

[@harlequin75]

Matt Damon is an Australian automobile reviewer now?

[@operationgetthugs232]

Elantra N/i30 sedan N better?

[@ProductReviewCars]

Depends. Don’t want AWD? Then sure. But it defs rides a lot stiffer than this.

[@CollinMac96]

Yikes

[@GR_Papi]

Me in the US mad cause you get a spare tire 😮

[@ProductReviewCars]

So weird they do that

[@jayczyzyk9707]

i30 sedan is not a boxer engine way different

[@ProductReviewCars]

It's also not a Subaru. So probs shouldn't compare.

[@AustinSamuelF]

Trust me. The new automatic WRX is incredibly good with extremely fast shifting, dual clutch fast.

[@ProductReviewCars]

It's a CVT, it's going to shift fast since it's simulated gears. After driving both, I would only opt for the manual if given the choice. The wagon gets a pass since its the only transmission option it gets.

[@gandhiwitcrocks4946]

It's not a dual clutch it's a cat 😂

[@seffseffseffseffseff1662]

it's shifts are convincing but imo the main issues are it weighs too much, isnt very durable, and can't handle tunes well.

[@MrTian1212]

We the US market doesn’t got rear heated seat, no spare tire, no rain sensor wiper…. 😢😢😢

[@ProductReviewCars]

That’s actually such a cop out

[@mikimenendez]

“Nowhere near as darty” as a Toyota GR Yaris… Still, it can beat it on track, so, be careful with these WRX! They can surprise you on road and specially on dirty ones…

[@ProductReviewCars]

I need to do a track comparison test by the sounds of it

[@mikimenendez]

@@ProductReviewCars would be amazing! Keep up the good work!

[@shibujoseph5666]

@07.30, 204kw 🤔🤔

[@donnymac575]

Steering wheel is on the wrong side, otherwise looks great 😊.

[@ProductReviewCars]

Yes, you are right

[@josipcolic4719]

biggest let down for you is biggest plus for me. also, why do you start in 1st gear? 🥺

[@ProductReviewCars]

why do I start in 1st gear? huh?

[@josipcolic4719]

@@ProductReviewCars you can skip and start in second gear for faster launch. just need to bring rpm up a bit

[@curtfox91]

First thing i myst say YOU WILL NEVER have a boxster sound without Modifications. So many reviewers think your gonna automatically get that sound on a stock car just because it can produce that sound. No you need headers and exhaust.

[@ProductReviewCars]

Yeah but Porsche can do it from factory. I’m sure there’s a way for Subaru to do it.

[@steve8803]

@Curtis Fox91 Boxster is a Porsche. Also, the subaru "rumble" was because of the unequal length headers.

[@AustinSamuelF]

The OEM sports exhaust gives you the boxer sound…

[@steve8803]

@@AustinSamuelF no, it doesn't. That's just a catback. You need unequal length headers to get the rumble, there are aftermarket companies that offer that. It's pointless imo.

[@Kichoman1983]

Agreed, the magic is in the unequal length headers for the EJ25, you won’t get that in the JDM EJ20. FA motors have equal length headers so the famous boxer rumble is definitely lacking when compared to EJ25.

[@sshah2545]

Who needs them? Someone who wants more power, LSD AND better fuel economy. The 2018 WRX was the most disappointing car I've ever owned. Never lived up for me. Always felt like I should've gotten an STI

[@ProductReviewCars]

Lets hope they pull an STI for this latest gen...even though they probably won't

[@sshah2545]

​@ProductReview Cars if they do it'll be an 'eSTI' at which point they're just whoring out the moniker. They're never again investing the R&D to build a new gas STI engine. There's a reason they flogged the EJ25 for sooooo long without updating it. Subaru is way too conservative of an OEM The GRC and BR86 are the last hurrahs. The Koreans might give us a few more bangers, but unless you're ready to spend 50K+ USD / 60K+ CAD the end of great Japanese sporty cars is upon us

[@bobkloth57]

The excessive black cladding ruins the WRX for me.

[@arealglitterb0y]

Good stay inside the box

[@AustinSamuelF]

You’ll be able to swap the black cladding for painted cladding (takes 10 minutes). AeroflowDynamics has a full replacement kit coming for under $1k within the next 2 months.

[@bobkloth57]

@@AustinSamuelF Thanks

[@jdmking4776]

Hmm I personally think it could be used to mount a wide body kit. Could make it look pretty good

[@boost331]

WRX is a way nicer car for less money. The GR corolla feels like a cheap rental car on the interior. Sure the little 3 banger may be faster from the factory, but the WRX is drastically detuned from subaru. A simple, very conservative tune easily adds another 70 HP and torque.

[@ProductReviewCars]

My thoughts exactly. But I still need to test that Corolla to completely verify

[@christopherbassit2757]

Boooo. GR corolla all day

[@ProductReviewCars]

I'll have to see about that