Honda Won't Like The Toyota GR Corolla's Price And Drivetrain

Honda Won't Like The Toyota GR Corolla's Price And Drivetrain originally appeared on Autoblog.

There aren’t many hot hatches to choose from

The hatchback segment isn’t what it used to be, and hunting for a model with high performance brings your options down to just a handful of models. Among them are the Toyota GR Corolla and Honda Civic Type R, both of which offer more than 300 horsepower. When it comes to getting the most bang for your buck, however, Toyota’s hot hatch undercuts the Civic Type R’s price while offering similar amenities and performance.

2025 Toyota GR CorollaToyota

The Toyota GR Corolla is more affordable than the Civic Type R

Available from $39,160, the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla is the more affordable hot hatch, with theCivic Type R priced from $45,895. The Honda Civic Type R is available in just one trim level with a set list of standard equipment outside of optional accessory packages. The Toyota GR Corolla is available in three trim levels: Core, Premium, and Premium Plus.

All models ride on 18-inch gloss black wheels accented by red front brake calipers and LED lighting, while the triple exhaust and air vents do more than just look the part. Toyota’s hatchback rides on a sport-tuned suspension and includes front and rear limited-slip differentials. Inside, the base model boasts fabric sport seats with GR badging on the headrests. An eight-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and a six-speaker audio system come standard.

2025 Toyota Corolla GRToyota

Upgrading to the Premium trim will cost you $41,740, but it comes with more upscale features, including an eight-speaker JBL premium audio system. The mid-tier GR Corolla offers more comfort, featuring leather-trimmed heated sport seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. In terms of safety, the Premium model adds front and rear parking sensors to the standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite.

The Premium Plus trim starts at $45,815, rivaling the Honda Civic Type R's price tag. The top-spec GR Corolla boasts a gloss-black rear spoiler, carbon-fiber roof, and hood bulge with functional black air vents. The interior gets an upgrade as well, with red stitched accents. Storage space remains the same across all trim levels, at 17.8 cu ft. of cargo space with the rear seats upright.

2023 Honda Civic Type RHonda

The Honda Civic Type R, comparatively, rolls out on 19-inch black wheels with a triple exhaust and Brembo brake calipers. LED lighting, black side sills, and a black wing spoiler create an intimidating aesthetic. Inside, Honda’s hot hatch includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum shift knob, and red ambient LED lighting. Bolstered sport seats with red stitching and red floor mats round out the Civic Type R’s interior ambiance. With the rear seats upright, the Civic Type R offers up to 24.5 cu ft. of cargo space.

Toyota GR Corolla features standard AWD

Hot hatches are all about performance and an engaging driving experience, and both Japanese models deliver just that. The Toyota GR Corolla comes stocked with a 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission, producing 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The GR Corolla is also available with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Notably, all-wheel drive comes standard across all trim levels. Fuel economy isn’t anything to write home about, with the 2025 GR Corolla earning up to 24 mpg in combined city/highway driving.

2025 Toyota GR CorollaToyota

The Honda Civic Type R offers slightly higher performance from its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 315 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual is the sole transmission option. Interestingly, the Civic Type R is one of the few performance cars to come with front-wheel drive. The 2025 Honda Civic Type R matches the GR Corolla in fuel economy, earning up to an EPA-estimated 24 mpg in combined driving.

It wouldn’t be fair to write the VW Golf R out of the competition either. Starting at $47,100, the German hot hatch is the most expensive of the trio. Both trim levels come powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 328 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The manual transmission is gone for the 2025 model year, with a seven-speed automatic transmission taking its place. All-wheel drive comes standard as well. Altogether, the 2025 VW Golf R earns up to 25 mpg in combined city/highway driving, putting it slightly above its Japanese rivals.

European 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Black EditionVolkswagen

Final thoughts

Hot hatches are a novelty these days, but there are still some solid options on the market. The Toyota GR Corolla may be the newest performance model in its segment, but it's making a splash by targeting competitive performance at an affordable price. The all-wheel drivetrain only adds to the engaging driving experience enthusiasts look for in hot hatches. While the Honda Civic Type R may offer a tad more power, its front-wheel drivetrain and higher price could offset that advantage.

Honda Won't Like The Toyota GR Corolla's Price And Drivetrain first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 14, 2025

This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared.