GR Corolla Makes Type R Sweat; Proves Honda Needs to Re-Strategize
Honda’s 2023 Civic Type R takes on a fierce newcomer in the all-new 2023 GR Corolla and barely ekes out a win.
Ok, so the whole Honda vs. Toyota vs. Subaru vs. literally every Japanese automaker battle is nothing new. But in this video from YouTuber Sam CarLegion, we get a nice look at how two heavy-weights in the compact scene (WRX & Type R) square up against the newcomer GR Corolla.
Buckle up, ’cause this one’s a doozy.
And Honda, you’ve got some explaining to do…
Fighting Out of the Red Corner
First up, we’ve got our beloved Type R. We all know the specs, but it’s worth repeating because they just sound so nice for an easily-attainable FWD sedan.
It’s got 315 HP from a 2.0-liter, turbo 4-cylinder, 310 lb-ft of torque, six gears on a manual tranny, and a curb weight of 3,190 lbs.
In the WRX, we have a chunkier boy at 3,401 lbs. That’s a whole person’s-worth of extra weight. Much of that is due to the AWD system, but the 271 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque aren’t doing it any favors to make up for that extra weight. All of this from a classic flat-4 Subaru configuration and a 6-speed manual.
Now for the new kid. The GR Corolla sports a very impressive 300 hp. From 3 cylinders. In case you really suck at math, that’s 100 horsies per cylinder. Which is absurd. The 1.6L engine is mated to a 6-speed manual and pumps out a respectable 273 lb-ft of torque via an AWD system. Lastly, the GR Corolla sits at 3,291 lbs, right between the FWD Type R and AWD WRX.
Off to the Races
To start with, we get the WRX up against the GR Corolla. The first few heats consist of rolling races, beginning at 50 kmh (32 mph). The GR wins these pretty comfortably. Next, they run the pair through a straight drag race, which ultimately ends with a close-won 5.1 second 0-60 and 13.7 second 1/4 mile from the Corolla.
One has to imagine the excess bloat of the WRX really affected its ability to compete in this one. Yes, it’s only 110 pounds, but that extra weight certainly makes a difference from a line start.
Next, the GR Corolla takes on the Type R. In a roll race, the Type R is the clear winner. But the drag race gives Honda something to think about.
Despite being lighter and more powerful, the Type R barely eked this one out.
Two reasons:
- FWD vs. AWD advantages
- Weight difference
It’s evident to all that a FWD vehicle simply isn’t going to out-gun an AWD car with the same power in a straight-line race. The grip advantage and power transfer are just too good in an AWD setup.
Beyond that, the Type R (despite its FWD configuration) is not much lighter than the GR Corolla. Just 100 lbs. You’d have to assume that if Honda could shave a few dozen pounds, that’d be enough to make this a comfortable win.
Our Main Takeaway
Ultimately, the Type R won out by 1/10th of a second. But that’s way too close for comfort for any Honda fanboy.
Hopefully, Honda can find a way to slip in some more carbon fiber, bump up the power a bit, or improve the power delivery off the line, because the GR Corolla is here to stay. Credit where it’s due, Toyota unleashed a monster of a car in the GR Corolla.
Here’s to hoping this rivalry pushes these Japanese titans to keep improving upon these amazing vehicles.
Photos: YouTube, Sam CarLegion