Topic: Toyota GR Corolla Tease

[JohnnyMac]

Details here: https://www.autotrader.ca/editorial/20220914/pricing-for-300-hp-2023-toyota-gr-corolla-announced/

Both the Circuit and Morizo are both limited production first year only models.

From that Autotrader article, "The 2023 Toyota GR Corolla is a 300-horsepower AWD rocketship that comes with an impressively competitive price."  I do not think it deserves the "impressively competitive price" comment.  If you compare it feature to feature to the Golf R, it's not exactly at the same level, although I'm not sure of the whole list of features for the base model.  The Golf R comes in one trim and basically has a choice of either adding the sunroof or DSG.  The GR Corolla comes in base model form without some nice features that come standard on the Golf R.  Then you compare that price to say the Elantra N, again, not the best.  The Civic Type R is coming out, but it likely will be a one trim vehicle with everything my Civic Si has (so more options than the base GR) but we don't know the pricing on that.

One things for sure, having options is a great thing and I'm happy that Toyota is getting back into the performance vehicles.

[OliverD]

I expect the Corolla is a bit more hardcore than the R. Personally, as a daily driver, I'd choose the R.

[Jaeger]

An absolute bargain at $60k. 

[JohnnyMac]

I expect the Corolla is a bit more hardcore than the R. Personally, as a daily driver, I'd choose the R.

"Hardcore" in what sense?  Obviously the top trim and the middle trim have some extra pieces that are purely for performance, like the carbon roof and the loss of rear seats.  But the base core (which is the price that is competitive to the Golf R) I'd say isn't any more hardcore than a Golf R.  And yes, I'd choose the Golf R as a daily driver too, just more comfy and leans more luxury.

[OliverD]

I expect the Corolla is a bit more hardcore than the R. Personally, as a daily driver, I'd choose the R.

"Hardcore" in what sense?  Obviously the top trim and the middle trim have some extra pieces that are purely for performance, like the carbon roof and the loss of rear seats.  But the base core (which is the price that is competitive to the Golf R) I'd say isn't any more hardcore than a Golf R.  And yes, I'd choose the Golf R as a daily driver too, just more comfy and leans more luxury.

Hardcore as in stiffer, louder, fewer amenities, etc.

[JG20]

My money would go to the GRC vs the R. But then we usually keep our cars way past warranty...

Prices are not cheap, but not unreasonable in this market.

[evil_twin]

I expect the Corolla is a bit more hardcore than the R. Personally, as a daily driver, I'd choose the R.

"Hardcore" in what sense?  Obviously the top trim and the middle trim have some extra pieces that are purely for performance, like the carbon roof and the loss of rear seats.  But the base core (which is the price that is competitive to the Golf R) I'd say isn't any more hardcore than a Golf R.  And yes, I'd choose the Golf R as a daily driver too, just more comfy and leans more luxury.

2023 Golf R is $47,900 MSRP in Canada I believe?  Up about $2,500 over 2022.  So it kind of splits the middle between Core and Circuit for this Toyota.

[HeliDriver]

So, $46k gets you LSDs at each end? That sounds pretty reasonable to me, although I know my wife would be pushing for the $54k model just to get the heated steering wheel. 

I'd 100% choose this over a Golf R.

[JohnnyMac]

I expect the Corolla is a bit more hardcore than the R. Personally, as a daily driver, I'd choose the R.

"Hardcore" in what sense?  Obviously the top trim and the middle trim have some extra pieces that are purely for performance, like the carbon roof and the loss of rear seats.  But the base core (which is the price that is competitive to the Golf R) I'd say isn't any more hardcore than a Golf R.  And yes, I'd choose the Golf R as a daily driver too, just more comfy and leans more luxury.

2023 Golf R is $47,900 MSRP in Canada I believe?  Up about $2,500 over 2022.  So it kind of splits the middle between Core and Circuit for this Toyota.

Well yes the Golf R started at $44,995 I think when it was announced, then about 6 months later it went up to $45,995, and now it's $47,495.  Got to love inflation. 

[Layne]

I expect the Corolla is a bit more hardcore than the R. Personally, as a daily driver, I'd choose the R.

"Hardcore" in what sense?  Obviously the top trim and the middle trim have some extra pieces that are purely for performance, like the carbon roof and the loss of rear seats.  But the base core (which is the price that is competitive to the Golf R) I'd say isn't any more hardcore than a Golf R.  And yes, I'd choose the Golf R as a daily driver too, just more comfy and leans more luxury.

2023 Golf R is $47,900 MSRP in Canada I believe?  Up about $2,500 over 2022.  So it kind of splits the middle between Core and Circuit for this Toyota.

Pricing is excellent for what you get.

However, getting an allocation will be an issue.

[evil_twin]

I expect the Corolla is a bit more hardcore than the R. Personally, as a daily driver, I'd choose the R.

"Hardcore" in what sense?  Obviously the top trim and the middle trim have some extra pieces that are purely for performance, like the carbon roof and the loss of rear seats.  But the base core (which is the price that is competitive to the Golf R) I'd say isn't any more hardcore than a Golf R.  And yes, I'd choose the Golf R as a daily driver too, just more comfy and leans more luxury.

2023 Golf R is $47,900 MSRP in Canada I believe?  Up about $2,500 over 2022.  So it kind of splits the middle between Core and Circuit for this Toyota.

Well yes the Golf R started at $44,995 I think when it was announced, then about 6 months later it went up to $45,995, and now it's $47,495.  Got to love inflation.

Yep, that was my point really.   Gotta compare 2023 vs 2023.   But hey, at least it ain't 2024 pricing!   

I think I'd lean Toyota or Honda in this group.   Just seem more 'fun' but need to see those comparisons roll in...

[Layne]

I expect the Corolla is a bit more hardcore than the R. Personally, as a daily driver, I'd choose the R.

"Hardcore" in what sense?  Obviously the top trim and the middle trim have some extra pieces that are purely for performance, like the carbon roof and the loss of rear seats.  But the base core (which is the price that is competitive to the Golf R) I'd say isn't any more hardcore than a Golf R.  And yes, I'd choose the Golf R as a daily driver too, just more comfy and leans more luxury.

2023 Golf R is $47,900 MSRP in Canada I believe?  Up about $2,500 over 2022.  So it kind of splits the middle between Core and Circuit for this Toyota.

Well yes the Golf R started at $44,995 I think when it was announced, then about 6 months later it went up to $45,995, and now it's $47,495.  Got to love inflation.

Yep, that was my point really.   Gotta compare 2023 vs 2023.   But hey, at least it ain't 2024 pricing!   

I think I'd lean Toyota or Honda in this group.   Just seem more 'fun' but need to see those comparisons roll in...

Apparently these will be manufactured in really small quantities so from an investment perspective, the Toyota would likely be the better purchase.

[Bubba]

I believe Toyota has created one for the ages.  Tune in to Barrett-Jackson in twenty-five years to see how many were quickly put in storage.

[HeliDriver]

Aside from the actual limited edition models (Circuit and Morizo,) my understanding is that this is going to be a regular production car. They’re not going to flood the market with them, but they are going to build near as many as they can sell.

Just comparing it to the Civic Type R: Honda built 48,000 of those over five years. That’s 9,600/year, compared with the 8,600 GR Corollas Toyota is planning to build the first year. But unlike the CTR that was sold worldwide, those GR Corollas are all basically coming to North America.

Yeah, I’m sure it’s going to be near impossible to get one the first year (like damn near every car these days  ), but I don’t see this turning into some kind of super special piece of unobtainium.

[Layne]

This is a great video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zLUsVxpspU

Jason kills me.   

[Great_Big_Abyss]

This is a great video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zLUsVxpspU

Jason kills me.   

I can't wait until the other Jason (Cammisa) gets his hands on it and does a review.  He's got the best car content on YouTube right now.

[Layne]

This is a great video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zLUsVxpspU

Jason kills me.   

I can't wait until the other Jason (Cammisa) gets his hands on it and does a review.  He's got the best car content on YouTube right now.

Haggerty - yes indeed.  He was great with MT and even better now with Haggerty.

[warp]

So to compare the Corolla Core trim to the Golf R:

Pricing: 45,590 vs 47,495...about $2000 more for the R

The Corolla Core has a front and rear Torsen LSD, the Golf has a front LSD with rear multiplate clutches which distribute torque.

The Corolla Core has a driver controlled front to rear torque distribution of 60:40, 50:50 and 30:70. The R apportions torque automatically depending on driving conditions upto a maximum of 50% to the rear.

The Corolla only has a manual transmission as of date though there are reports of some Japanese market mules running an 8 speed automatic, the Golf R has the manual as well as the DSG

The Corolla Core has cloth seats, the R has leather upholstery.

If nothing else the availability of of a competitor for the R will reduce the current 2-3 year wait list for the R which Patrick DI posted in the other thread.

Added later: I forget about one more difference:

The R has adjustable dampers, the Corolla does not.

[JohnnyMac]

Doesn't seem like the Corolla has the best acceleration or handling based on Motortrends testing.  https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2023-toyota-gr-corolla-first-test-review/

That being said, I'm not sure this is truly a production model or just a early model that is given to journals for review.  It's plenty fast enough for fun, I was just expecting a little more with the 0-60 time considering it's AWD.

[Bubba]

Doesn't seem like the Corolla has the best acceleration or handling based on Motortrends testing.  https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2023-toyota-gr-corolla-first-test-review/

That being said, I'm not sure this is truly a production model or just a early model that is given to journals for review.  It's plenty fast enough for fun, I was just expecting a little more with the 0-60 time considering it's AWD.

I'd be perfectly happy with a Corolla that can run those numbers.  I know mine can't.