2023 GR Corolla vs. Honda Civic Type R

Comparison

The Toyota GR Corolla and the Honda Civic Type R are both dynamic performance hatchbacks. However, the Toyota GR Corolla presents a more rounded experience with its National Auto Sport Association (NASA) membership perks, comfort and convenience features, standard all-wheel drive (AWD), and a lower starting MSRP of $35,900 for the Core Edition — all while providing performance that rivals that of the Honda Civic Type R.

 

The GR Corolla is compact and powerful, embodying the Gazoo Racing department’s multi-decade motorsport engineering and design expertise. A 1.6-liter, 3-cylinder turbocharged engine, GR-Four all-wheel drive with selectable modes, and a 6-speed short shift manual transmission with rev-matching complete an experience that resonates with your inner rally racer.

 

The Honda Civic Type R is a car revered among car enthusiasts for its striking design and performance marks. Now in its sixth generation, the Civic Type R represents some of the best performances the hot hatch segment has to offer.

 

Both these performance vehicles have plenty to offer, but which of them delivers greater value? Find out in this hot hatchback head-to-head comparison between the 2023 GR Corolla and the 2023 Civic Type R. 

Highlighted Features

2023 GR Corolla

2023Civic Hatchback

Base MSRP

$35,900

$43,795

Engine

1.6L inline 3-cylinder

2.0L inline 4-cylinder

Horsepower

300

315

Adaptive cruise control

Yes

Yes

Speakers

6 , Optional 8 JBL

12 BOSE Premium Sound System

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Copyright © JATO Dynamics Limited, 1990-2023. All Rights Reserved. For comparison purposes only. JATO has been diligent in providing accurate and complete information. However, JATO does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the data, and the information may not be comprehensive or use the same terminology as used elsewhere on this site. For additional details, see vehicle's "Full Specs" on Toyota.com or contact your Toyota dealer.

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Toyota GR Corolla vs. Honda Civic Type R

Safety

Find out if the Toyota GR Corolla or the Honda Civic Type R has more when it comes to safety and convenience features.

  • The Toyota GR Corolla is equipped with ten airbags, including an Advanced Airbag System with driver and front passenger dual-stage airbags, front side airbags, a driver knee airbag, a passenger seat cushion airbag, front and side curtain airbags, and seat-mounted side airbags. The Honda Civic Type R comes with 10 airbags, including driver and front passenger Advanced Front Airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, driver and front passenger front side airbags, rear outboard passenger side airbags, and side curtain airbags with rollover sensor.
  • The Toyota GR Corolla comes with Toyota Safety Sense™ 3.0 (TSS 3.0), which includes a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), and Road Sign Assist (RSA). The Honda Civic Type R comes standard with Honda Sensing features like a Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation System, Lane Keeping Assist System, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition System, auto high-beam headlights, and cruise control.
  • All Toyota GR Corolla models come with a 1-year trial of Remote Connect, which allows drivers to use a smartwatch to lock/unlock doors, locate a parked vehicle, check vehicle status, and monitor guest drivers. The Honda Civic Type R comes with a 3-month trial to HondaLink® Remote, which includes Amazon Alexa Skill, remote locking and unlocking, speed alerts, vehicle location, and a geofence alert to monitor other drivers.
  • The Toyota GR Corolla features Toyota’s standard Star Safety System, which includes enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), four-wheel Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), and Smart Stop Technology® (SST). The Honda Civic Type R includes Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control, an anti-lock braking system, electronic brake distribution, and brake assist. However, the Civic Type R does not have a feature comparable to the GR Corolla’s Smart Stop Technology® (SST).
Toyota GR Corolla vs. Honda Civic Type R

Performance

Heart-revving turbocharged engines and sophisticated suspension systems make for a thrill-filled drive. Check out which hot hatch delivers greater performance in this GR Corolla vs. Civic Type R performance comparison.

  • The Toyota GR Corolla comes with a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline 3-cylinder engine that has a max of 300 horsepower and a max of 295 lb.-feet of torque (for the Morizo Edition). The Honda Civic Type R has a 2.0L, inline 4-cylinder VTEC engine that has a max of 315 horsepower and 310 lb.-feet of torque.
  • The Toyota GR Corolla comes standard with GR-FOUR all-wheel drive (AWD) on all trims, with three selectable power settings: torque distribution (front: rear) - Street (60:40), Touring (30:70) & Track (50:50) for optimized handling. The Honda Civic Type R is available only in the front-wheel drive (FWD) option.
  • The Toyota GR Corolla comes standard with a 6-speed intelligent manual transmission (iMT) with rev-matching. The Honda Civic Type R features a 6-speed manual transmission (6MT) with rev-match control.
  • Every 2023 GR Corolla comes with a 1-year membership to the National Auto Sport Association. The Civic Type R does not come with a comparable membership perk.
  • The Core and Circuit editions of the GR Corolla come with Michelin® Pilot® Sport 4 high-performance summer tires while the Morizo comes with Michelin® Pilot® Sport Cup 2 high-performance summer tires. The Honda Civic Type R comes standard with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires.
Jumbo Card Image Toyota GR Corolla vs. Honda Civic Type R

Design

Sleek, head-turning designs and wide, sporty stances give these hot hatches unmistakable road presence. Find out which vehicle appeals to you in this Civic Type R vs. GR Corolla design comparison.

  • The Toyota GR Corolla can seat up to 5 people in the Core and Circuit editions, and up to 2 people in the Morizo edition, including the driver. The Honda Civic Type R can seat up to 4 people, including the driver, and it doesn't have a 2-seat version like the GR Corolla's Morizo Edition.
  • The Toyota GR Corolla features a “rally-built hot hatch” body style, with a hatchback to provide easy access for transporting cargo. The GR Corolla Circuit Edition features a forged carbon-fiber roof for reduced weight and a lower center of gravity to improve handling. The Honda Civic Type R is also a hatchback, with an all-resin hatch and a roofline and wing spoiler designed to promote rear-view visibility.
  • The Toyota GR Corolla comes standard with automatic climate control, while the Honda Civic Type R comes with dual-zone automatic climate control.
  • The Toyota GR Corolla features a functional matrix front grille with side air ducts, along with side fender vents, a rear diffuser, and rear bumper ducts. The Honda Civic Type R has a low hood vent, side underbody spoilers, front fender outlets, integrated rear fenders, and a new rear spoiler and diffuser.
  • The Core and Circuit editions of the Toyota GR Corolla have a passenger volume of 84.6 cubic feet and a cargo volume of 17.8 cubic feet with the rear seats up. The Honda Civic Type R has a passenger volume of 99.0 cubic feet and a cargo volume of 24.5 cubic feet with the rear seat up.
Toyota GR Corolla vs. Honda Civic Type R

Warranty

Read about warranties, maintenance plans, and roadside assistance plans you get with the Toyota GR Corolla versus Honda’s Civic Type R.

  • The Toyota GR Corolla comprehensive warranty package includes a Basic Warranty for 3 years/36,000 miles. The Civic Type R comes with a 3-year/36,000-mile Limited Warranty.
  • The GR Corolla comes with a Powertrain Warranty for 5 years/60,000 miles and a Corrosion Perforation warranty for 5 years/unlimited mileage. The Civic Type R comes with a Powertrain Limited Warranty for 5 years/60,000 miles and a Corrosion Limited Warranty for 5 years/unlimited miles.
  • 24/7 Roadside Assistance is available for all new Toyota GR Corollas for 2 years, unlimited miles. The Honda Civic Type R includes 24-hour emergency road service for 3 years/36,000 miles.
  • The GR Corolla comes with ToyotaCare, a factory-scheduled maintenance plan that covers normal maintenance for 2 years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. The Honda Civic Type R comes with Honda Service Pass, which provides complimentary factory-scheduled maintenance for up to 2 years or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first.
  • The GR Corolla has a Service Connect trial subscription available for up to 10 years and includes personalized maintenance updates and vehicle health reports. The Honda Civic Type R has a complimentary HondaLink package, which includes vehicle maintenance notifications, a vehicle health report, and an app dashboard that allows users to check the mileage, fuel range/level, and oil life.
Jumbo Card Image Toyota GR Corolla vs. Honda Civic Type R

Technology

Multimedia touchscreens, multi-information displays, and immersive audio systems help you stay on course and online. Check out the technology features of these hatchbacks in this Toyota GR Corolla vs. Honda Civic Type R technology comparison.

  • The Toyota GR Corolla features a standard 8-inch center console touchscreen compatible with wireless Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay®. The Honda Civic Type R features a 9-inch color center dashboard touchscreen, with wireless Apple CarPlay® and wireless Android Auto™ compatibility.
  • The Toyota GR Corolla comes standard with a 12.3-inch multi-information driver display featuring power settings, turbo pressure, a center tach, and gear position indicator lights. The Honda Civic Type R features a 10.2-inch Driver Information Interface Screen, which can be customized through the 4-mode drive system, wherein +R mode includes track-focused gauges.
  • The Toyota GR Corolla has Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging and a wireless phone charger is included in the Honda Civic Type R.
  • The GR Corolla Morizo edition has two speakers as a standard feature, while the Core edition has six speakers, and the Circuit edition includes eight JBL® speakers. The Honda Civic Type R comes standard with a 12-speaker Bose Premium Sound System, including a subwoofer.
  • The Circuit and Morizo editions of the Toyota GR Corolla come with a 1-year trial of Drive Connect, which includes Cloud Navigation with Google Points-of-Interest data, Intelligent Assistant with Hey, Toyota, and Destination Assist. The Honda Civic Type R has a Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with Voice Recognition and Honda Real Time Traffic.

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Toyota GR Corolla vs. Honda Civic Type R

Conclusion

Both the Toyota GR Corolla and Honda Civic Type R are highly desirable performance hatchback cars whose nameplates are held dear by many car enthusiasts. 

  • The Toyota GR Corolla comes standard with GR-FOUR all-wheel drive on all trims, which optimizes power distribution between its wheels, enhancing traction across different types of track and road conditions. The Honda Civic Type R comes only with front-wheel drive.
  • The Toyota GR Corolla comes standard with a smart key system with GR Push Button Start to lock and unlock the doors and the hatch without using the key fob. Push-button start also allows you to start the engine without removing the key fob from your pocket or bag. The Honda Civic Type R comes with a push-button start but does not have a smart hatch unlock function.
  • Every 2023 GR Corolla comes with a 1-year membership to the National Auto Sport Association. Benefits include one High-Performance Driving Experience with personalized instruction from an association professional on how to drive your GR Corolla and discounted admission to association-sanctioned events. The Honda Civic Type R does not have a comparable membership perk.
  • The Toyota GR Corolla is a small hatchback with big performance marks. Like every Toyota bearing the GR badge, the GR Corolla’s track-born DNA is backed by several years of Gazoo Racing expertise, technology, and passion. The GR Corolla’s mechanicals, ergonomics, and perks are all carefully selected to deliver a driving experience tailored to inspire the rally racer in you.
Published on August 15, 2023