WRX vs GR Corolla - Role Reversal | Everyday Driver

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Published 2024-04-14
The Subaru WRX has been a go-to enthusiast do-it-all for its entire history, but the loss of the hatchback version gives the Toyota GR Corolla an advantage. Join us as we drive them back to back and discuss bad weather, good driving, and what makes the best car for every situation.

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00:00 - Giving up on Hatchbacks
2:04 - The perfect match up
4:21 - 3 Cylinders... Madness or Genius?
6:18 - The Boxer continues the fight
11:04 - The Center Diff makes the Difference
14:27 - Is this just an expensive Corolla?
16:45 - What happened to the WRX?
19:00 - (Skip to this and you missed a lot) Tough choices

#Toyota #grcorolla #Subaru #wrx

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All Comments (21)
  • @gregcate4701
    Year and a half ago bought a WRX premium for just under $32K. The jittery ride and peaky motor of the old WRX were gone, heated seats, linear throttle response sold me. But I'm 73, no longer a boy racer, just an old guy who appreciates decent handling, enough power, and a manual.
  • @KTK_808
    271hp, 6 speed, awd, room for 4, all that for $30K…..so I bought one 6 months ago…..Love it! Love it! Love it!
  • @sunnyvalentino
    I drove the GR Corolla for a day. It was very impressive, it gripped, took turns really quick. Its the best AWD car I have ever driven. However, it also made me discover that I'm more of a RWD purist and enjoy the communication and scalpel dynamics of the MX5 and 86 more.
  • @kavirahman
    I MISS MITSUBISHI EVO!.... WRX STI - LANCER EVO - COROLLA GR trio would have been legendary.
  • @acerimmer8338
    8:33 I can tell you that whomever named the center differential "C.DIFF" has never worked in healthcare 😂
  • @mkei8973
    Hi, from Japan!! And thank you for picking two Japanese cars. I think both cars are good and fun. However, Toyota makes more hustle and fun cars recently. On the contrary, Subaru makes more gentle and safety cars recently. I feel same ways on GR86 and BRZ. GR86 is more exciting. BRZ is more gentle.
  • @DirksDiggler
    We can’t talk about these cars without talking about their real world prices right now. The GR Corolla is still marked up at 90% of dealerships. And good luck finding a circuit or Moritsu edition for anything under 50k. The fact you can still get a wrx at msrp is what wins it for me in the end.
  • @Xerthedragon
    It's fine to compare these two, but don't pretend they're in the same price class. In Canada, the WRX Sport (premium) has an MSRP of about 40k. The base Corolla is nearly 50k
  • @OceanLake66
    It’s been 10 years and we’re still upset we don’t get a wrx hatch 😂
  • @rongchangwang
    I brought into my rally red 2015 EVO X GSR right out of college thanks to Todd’s advice back in 2016. I still have that car and would never get rid of it. It is quite amazing after I put on some sticky 245 tires on my EVO X it still out handles the 265 FL5 Type R on the backroad. This review further makes me want to test drive a GR Corolla. It is known (according to Best Motoring in Japan) there some real Mitsubishi engineers that left Mitsubishi after the EVO X project to develop the GR Corolla.❤
  • @Kyle-ty6mx
    Up here in Canada the GR Corolla is significantly more expensive than the WRX. A top trim WRX is still $2k cheaper than a base GR. plus every single Corolla I've seen for sale is also marked up while the WRX is easily found at msrp.
  • I have a GR premium package. And I prefer it over the circuit. I didn’t want the wing because I was going to get an aftermarket WRC wing, which is now on my GR. People know it’s something special and that is just such a cool feeling. I cannot emphasize how many looks and turning heads I get just driving this thing. Some People that don’t know it’s a performance car think I modded an XSE but they say it’s modified really well. Its just such a cool little car and it just scoots
  • @hl9573
    I love the format and presentation of these reviews. It's amazing how the aesthetic and composition has remained very familiar after all these years. In a time when a lot of visual media has evolved to rely on faster cuts, loud music, jarring effects to maintain attention, seeing these videos in contrast invokes a feeling of nostalgia and better times. Hope you guys keep doing what you're doing for years to come!
  • @alexmoores7331
    Nailed the summary in my opinion. I absolutely love both vehicles, and own the 22 WRX Limited 6spd. I got mine new for $34k and have loved every one of the 20k miles I've put on it so far. Got a chance to drive the GR Corolla and don't have any trouble admitting it is sharper and a better performer. But... I have a 30 mile commute to work each way and have three boys. The GR Corolla is the car I want, but it would be such a compromise for what I need it to do. Love them both. Glad they're both available.
  • @Jorge_Magallon
    Great video. Special shout out to the outtakes, especially Paul’s shifting, complete with racing inspired sound effects.
  • @waterhi
    One thing reviewers won't mention is the VB WRX comes from the factory very under tuned. A simple OTS with zero mods will make ~310+ HP to all 4 wheels. My 2023 VB WRX with no mechanical mods and a pro tune will absolutely dust even a tuned GR Corolla. I'm hitting 0-60 in like 4.6 seconds...
  • @turbogeoduck
    Wow, what an awesome pair of cars, and you reviewed them so well! Your down-to-earth style of presenting them really shows that you know (and care about) your audience. Thank you!
  • I own a 2019 STI. I was holding out for the new one. I ended up buying a Morizo and still daily the STI. The lack of STI made Subaru loose all appeal to me.
  • @rereichel
    I own this exact WRX in white. It does deliver for me. No oil use, no rattles, no warranty issues, 28 mpg last 3000 miles. Great review, guys.
  • @CHRoNo-ky6yz
    Another great vid guys! The wheel cladding on the WRX is gaudy imo, It makes the wheel "openings look ginormous. Todd I know you've had it for awhile but I'm loving the goatee buddy.