2023 Honda Civic Type R v Toyota GR Corolla GTS road/track comparison (inc. lap times)

Just a decade or so ago, the idea that two of the hottest hatches ever created would be based on the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic would have been laughable.

But Japanese performance cars have made a resurgence and, for proof, look no further than the new Nissan Z, Subaru BRZ and the Toyota GR Yaris, 86 and Supra.

Now, it’s time to put the two newest members of the club – the Honda Civic Type R and Toyota GR Corolla – head to head and you might be surprised at Scott Newman’s verdict.

Fast Forward
00:00 Intro
01:12 Pricing and specs
03:30 Type R Interior review
04:12 GR Corolla Interior review
04:44 Infotainment & safety
05:27 Passenger space
06:12 Luggage space
06:59 GR Corolla road test
10:25 Type R road test
14:29 Lap times
17:58 Verdict

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[gabrielarch]

Own both, 20, 000km on Corolla vs 2000 on Civic. Spot on review! Head says Honda, heart…Corolla, more “smiles per miles”. Cheers…

[Duuhvis]

I own the GR Corolla and I couldn’t be happier with my purchase. I know people poo poo on the interior, but it is perfect for me. Even the lack of an arm rest hasn’t bothered me one bit. After all, I bought it for its uniqueness and performance.
Great video!

[jeanblue]

So the track time difference is largely down the the tyres PS4S vs YOKO ADVAN. Would like to see a comparison on the same tyres.

[johnnyresistance]

Great review, nice to see an Aussie channel with lap times too.

[billshoe]

I’m guessing tires was the biggest deciding factor here in the track times. Would love to see these two on the same tires

[ericvermeulen]

I own a GR rally Yaris and all i can say is it’s simply amazing

[dkcreativedslrvideo]

Still think the Corolla is a better all rounder. It’s quicker off the line and would be my pick for a spirited drive, especially on a wet greasy back road.

[Driver]

The Integra S is edging so close to M2C used prices....even used AMG 45 CLA and GLA, would be a great comparo of these different cars but all drivers cars. Wonder how close an I30N is to the Civic Type R? In the US the Elantra N is @$10k cheaper than a Type R.

[washout]

*correction. Civic does have speed sign recognition

[nfspeedy]

In Australia you dont have traffic sign recognition on the Type R? Thats weird. In europe we have it in every honda as standard since 2016 even the Honda Jazz/Fit have it...

[boskojovanovic]

Very good informative review. I know people don't buy these cars for their aesthetics, but I don't think I could live with that Toyota interior as a daily driver.

[mappyfrappy]

Depends on what you want to do with it. I find my stock CTR much more preferable vs my heavily-modded STI for most things. Yeah, in wet/snow, not so much. But no one should be racing around in those conditions anyway. Right? If you're on the fence, just sell all personal belongings and get a 911 turbo. You may be sleeping in it, but you won't have any complaints about how fast it its.

[Crownleyian]

Dude comparing the handling of a GR Corolla stating it’s better than a GR Yaris, well my dude what GR Yaris we talking about here? Rallye or Standard without the LSDs and worse stock tires? Because according to your channel didn’t see you drive a GRY Rallye…

[jimmyvu]

Front wheel drive has its limits. I’ll take the Corolla any day.

[hellgateiscloseddontgother]

I start to hate honda dealership for jake the price to 60k or 70k just the type R .

[fergusodaly]

Which one would you trust more in rain, snow, dirt?

[sawd]

The Civic is a class above but rally car, GR Corolla included are almost always more fun.

[GNP]

Another win for the CTR. seems to be the verdict for most car reviews. Just an observation, for what it’s worth

[-Cold-World]

Civic has MPS4S Corolla has MPS4 (missing the S)… and civic has 265vs235 on Corolla. Only fair comparison would be on identical tires

[vMaxHeadroom]

Both are terrifically good hot hatches but boy so over priced essecially with the low production runs so there is a mark up or a long wait. The i30n I think was the last afordable hot hatch before that even started creeping up in price but now end of life! Hot hatches used to be just about affordable for the average person, that is what made them so unique but now I think they are a dying breed and these are probably the last before the EV world completly takes over...something I am not looking forward to but hey, I am old and on the way out but thank God I got enjoy the best back in the eighties and nineties.