Your comparison between the two cars is awesome and is spot on with my experiences. I started watching your reviews a few months ago and it is one of the reasons I purchased a GR Corolla. I really like how you structure your reviews. I previously owned the GR Premium ($42k) and now the Civic Type-R ($46k). I am a Honda guy, so I am biased. My thoughts on the two. GR: Core with performance pack and Premium are better value than CTR at MSRPs. Premium had more features, such as fog lights, parking sensors, heated seats and steering wheel, homelink and frameless rear view mirror. GR is more playful and fun on street during backroad driving. I think due to the smaller size, lighter steering and more body roll. GR interior is very functional but appearance and some materials are cheaper. If poor weather driving is experienced, then the AWD would be great. I am retired, so if the weather is bad, I just don’t drive. 😊 CTR: Seems much more serious and wants to show how amazing the handling is for a FWD. I will never take a car to the track. On the street, it seems like the CTR traction is limitless. Especially if you are being reasonably reasonable. CTR seats are amazing. Even though they look like race seats, they are surprisingly comfortable. I don’t have much wiggle room in them, but they work great. The GR seats are easier to get in and out of and live with on a daily basis. The Bose audio is much better than the JBL in my opinion. Not even close. Even though CTR has adaptive dampers, it is tuned to be stiff and is also bouncy. Comfort setting is maybe Ok for street driving but I plan on swapping damper module for the ITS one. CTR engine is powerful and responsive from 2k to 7k. GR is mainly powerful from 3k to 6k. I understand that from 0-60, GR might be slightly faster due to AWD. I personally don’t do full throttle 1st to redline. Just seems so hard on a car. I like to be reasonable in 1st and then have fun in 2nd and 3rd gear. For this, the CTR seems to pull a fair amount stronger to me. Also cruising at 70 on highway in 6th gear, CTR has better roll on performance. CTR shifter is better. Shorter throws and better feel. Fuel economy very similar. Also with fairly small tanks, the range is poor on both, so it makes it seem the MPG is even worse than actual. Not a big deal personally, since I don’t have to drive a lot of miles. If storage is important, the CTR is quite a bit better. I prefer the CTR styling overall. I prefer the 24M GR front end styling, but do not like the GR rear styling. I like that Honda created exclusive fender and rear metal panel to achieve wider track instead of just adding plastic pieces. Random thoughts. Not sure if it was just my GR, but at night the left light created this strange double peaked shadow, especially during turns. The first time it startled me, because it looked like something was in the road. 😂 Overall thoughts. The GR is a great car, especially for the price. (Core and Premium) I like the smaller overall size and is more fun on the street. For me, I do prefer the CTR. Especially since I do not need AWD. Even though I am not going to track it, it just feels “special” every time I drive it. The better audio, perceived interior quality and improved storage is a bonus. At least in the Midwest, both cars can be bought for MSRP. They are not readily available, but with searching and some patience, it is possible. I appreciate that we have reasonably priced gas cars with this level of performance. Not sure how much longer it will last.
I'm glad both companies give us these cars with different with flavor too. Thanks for watching the GRC videos! The headlight shadow is really weird, I think it has something to do with the headlight angle and the bumper shape?
Have not driven the GR Corolla. I have four years now with my 2018 CTR. Fantastic storage, excellent stability at speed. Seats are the best! Engine is a joy. Shifting is a pleasure. Brakes are easy to modulate and very effective. Steering is fast and accurate. Grip seems endless. It is a scalpel. Don't need awd in the AZ desert, so fwd works. To have a car with this much room and storage and still this lightweight is brilliant. No. you don't buy a CTR for the sound. Or to drift. And a 39.5 ft turning circle makes parking or u-turns more challenging. Low front ground clearance requires care on steep driveways or pulling into parking spaces.On tight right turns you want to avoid curbing the tires. Once you're used to it not really an issue. Having owned an MR2-S and even an MGB in the past, I miss their small size and nimbleness on super tight turns. And the top down experience. But as dailies they were a fail by comparison. That said, the CTR is a joy on a curvy road or a turn. It rewards you if you drive it well. but doesn't try and kill you if you get it wrong. Merging or passing is easy. I used to lust after the EVO or STI"s I test drove. Not now. The CTR is a...keeper. The very opposite of a one trick pony.
Couldn’t agree more. It’s as if Honda knows this and purposely tries to force us into an upgrade we don’t want by not making the car we actually do want.
Really enjoyed this awesome review! Lots of respect for the GRC. I own an FL5 and have driven a Grolla as well. The Type R feels like it’s in another league. The GRC is a great car but the Type R feels like a special one.
Absolutely great commentary, you’ve a great way with words. Something that’s hard for others to duplicate. Wishing you many years of success. PS I’m a GR Corolla fanboy haha
I chose the GRC, but you really can't go wrong with either. CTR will feel more refined, but I want/need AWD and the physical handbrake. Also, it's very neat to give people a ride and then surprise them with the fact that it's only a 3 cylinder.
I'm in the market for both. I can not get over the interior for the corolla, and also that its only about 212 hp after drivetrain loss. FL5 is the clear winner.
Did you hear about the few instances where about 2 GRC caught fire and then Toyota told the owners that they voided their warranty when they exceeded 80-85mph?
@@speedracerzero Yeah I heard that there was foul play with one of them at least. That it was a prior salvage. Just saying, plenty of instances of them covering vehicles.
A 3 cylinder that is a ticking time bomb. It’s headscratching they didn’t just use the inline 4 from the Yaris rally car. Not even the rally car has a 3 cylinder!
Both are impressive and I think it just depends on whatever aspect you prioritise. I'd never fit in the Corolla GR but I bet it's a rocket. Tuners are getting insane numbers from that engine too. Thanks for a decent quick review!
One thing you didn't mention, is if you live anywhere that gets a lot of snow you might want the GRC. Now I've driven a fwd integra and even a 300zx in blizzards in New York and Vermont. Any car can handle a lot of snowy conditions with the right tires, and maybe some sandbags in the trunk if it's rwd. But I got the GRC specifically to go snowboarding and it's a beast in the snow. So awesome to drive on mountain roads with several feet of fresh snow. I've owned a lot of sporty cars but I never had that homologated rally car like an EVO or STI. AWD with around 300hp and a stick. This is it, and I love it.
The CTR felt like an absolute behemoth size-wise when I drove it, with a massive turning radius too, I would need some serious time getting used to it as a daily in an semi-urban environment. The appeal of the GRC to me is the size, but definitely the CTR was more pleasing to drive for me. Really frustrating, I wish the Civic hadn't become such a large car, its bigger than fairly recent Accords in fact.
Generally in 100% agreement! But, I have owned the GR Corolla…21,000km then type R … 8,500km now back to the GR Corolla 9000 km. All trouble free all .. driven! My preference, the GR Corolla fun factor and all road/weather advantage. Easy choice here (pacific northwest). Cheers🙏🏻
Great comparison! Got a blue GRC Circuit at MSRP after expecting to go Integra Type S. The CTR was in the running but winter is real in WI and giving up heated seats would be tough. 4WD and cheaper tires were also part of the appeal of the GRC, and my wife can’t stand the CTR spoiler. 😂 Anyway, I love that all of these exist, and feel kinship rather than animosity for anyone I see driving any of them. (Or an Elantra N or a Kona N or a Golf R…) Great time to be a driver!
I think one of the fascinating points about these cars is the argument of “enthusiasm” vs “spec sheet”. These cars are intentionally made as a compromise, and likewise, you don’t get the ultimate performance from either in a sense. The GRC is smaller, and has a rev-happy 3 cylinder, that you hypothetically could take to a track day. The Type R has especially refined suspension and geometry that allows for it to put down 300 horsepower without similar hop/torque steer from the N products. Each has its own character, and it’s up to you as the consumer, an enthusiast: are you more excited about the GRC or the Type R? Your own experience will vary, and a lot of it has to do with how excited you get about the car while seeing it every day. You can’t let someone fool you into thinking that one is better than another, because fundamentally they’re cars meant to be enjoyed, not necessarily professionally raced and benchmarked. Like… One is better for a track day. When was the last time you went to a track day? When was the last time you drove in snow? Each buyer will see different benefits from each. Buy the one that makes YOU happy. Thank you for coming to my TED talk.
Excellent points. You are very much correct. I don’t understand why people have to completely bash a car because they prefer a certain car. I have owned both. For me, the CTR is more “special” and that is why I still own it. However, I very much enjoyed the GR and appreciate what Toyota has done with it.
@@brianr14190I’m in a similar boat. I’ve owned a WRX STi, went to a mustang GT, and am now into the hot hatch segment. I’d ideally get into a CTR because of its curb appeal, but I don’t think it’s “settling” to get into the GRC instead for a cheaper price point. Plus the 3cylinder reminds me of my motorcycle, which is a weirdly cool plus! I had the STi, but the GR Corolla has more cool factor to me that makes it worth the money.
@@andreshadoYes, the GR is a great car and a lot of fun. I think the Premium at $42k is a very good value. I did enjoy the sound of the GR more. It has more character with the 3 cylinder. The stock exhaust can sometimes be boomy around 2k RPM. I was not a big fan of the initial startup, since it goes to 2k RPM. I wondered if it was annoying for the neighbors.
@@Realistick Going to face a real issue getting into $100k+ cars with them installing the 'meh suede' alcantara on many of the touch points then. Not criticizing the viewpoint but simply the reality car manufacturers see the alcantara as an upgrade over leather and cloth. Likely would have knocked the optional alcantara steering wheel over the standard leather on the Type-R. Though on the interior simply the lack of piano black in the Civic makes it a large step up over the copious amount of it in the GR Corolla imo before even considering the alcantara vs cloth door card material, seat quality, shift knob feel (The Morizo shift knob upgrade is by far the worst hand feel of all the options) and dash impressions. In the end the GR Corolla rightfully deserved the whooping, anytime you are considering swapping in the lower tier door cards that's a problem, they should have just used the XSE cards instead of the very base model cloth inserts even if it added 5 lbs of weight (it doesn't).
4-cyl. FWD in the Civic Type-R alone is the better pick for maintenance and longevity. GR Corolla really needs a 4 banger, it's 3-cyl. AWD suits the GR Yaris better.
Part of the point of the 3 cylinder is the lighter weight and further back and down position. I'd never say it's the essential issue with either car as all heavily boosted cars have fairly similar personalities. Make the turbo system more efficient through port designs, fin design, or just a better turbo bearing package they all can be made to have very similar power bands.
@@SparklingWalrus 🤦 No. You're part of the 'if it's in WRC it needs to be in my car' complainers. The 3 cylinder was chosen because it's a multi platform engine where there's hydrogen, hybrid and V6 variants for this design. Because it's light, compact and has a low center of gravity. Because it can produce 300-500hp without too much work. The WRC engine was never going to pass emissions. So demanding that engine, you might as well demand the sequential gearbox too.
@Vermonstered I’m not saying use the actual race engine. I’m saying use the block and detune it to pass emissions and regulations like how the 4G63 was in the production Evo. It’s like you ignore everything I said
@@SparklingWalrus 🤦 You make it seem like that's a simple task like someone who doesn't know anything. No dummy, you can't just take a race engine and expect it to be a consumer level engine not only for emissions but general reliability and maintenance. Takes a lot of stupid to believe that.
GRC has *so* much more character with its engine and all the sounds it makes. Former FK8 owner that now has a GRC. Also in Oregon I love I can go all out in all weather. I hate FWD wheel hop/spin.
@@flowermaria1212 I would say about 95% as fast. If you live in a wetter climate where you're more likely to have wheel slip, it's going to feel quite a bit faster because the Type R has problems putting the power down in the first three gears in the rain. The Type R has a better power curve/more power, but it lacks character. Reminds me of a vacuum.
I got a GRC. owned 11 Hondas over the years but i left Honda after my K series drama and havent looked back. Good to see both Honda and Toyota re-emerge with fun affordabke manual cars!! A win win for everybody!!
When you started this endeavor. I had my guess as to which car you would select. I have one question. Had you been able to acquire the type R at the time you got the GR. Would you be in the market right now? It's my opinion from owning a sport touring. There is something special about the 11gen civics. Even the LX.
I'll never regret buying my Type R. It is such a fun daily and so freaking practical. I'm always shocked at how much I can fit in it. Plus the seats are some of the most comfortable I've sat in. I've done a few 1000+ mi trips in mine and was super comfortable the whole time. I'd have to get out constantly when I had the Elantra N. I also barely go a day without someone wanting to talk to me about it lol
Fellow GRC owner here, 555 engineering just found out that the transfer case is the culprit for the AWD system overheating in heavy track use, not the rear clutch pack in the rear differential. But let's be honest, the average guy that buys a GRC will be DD this and won't be reaching the temp levels seen on the track. I hoped Toyota backed up their claim that the GRC was track ready, but it is quite far away from that statement. With some cooling upgrades from 555, the GRC would be better suited for the track.
I went with the GRC. I use mine as a daily driver and actually hopes it snows this winter. They are both very good cars. I've heard that noise, I thought it was from the turbo.
Great video.. As much as I love Toyota but I'd take the type r any day. The only mod I do is that integra suspension module and hopefully find a way of removing the rear wing because I'm not interested in the track or drag racing. The face-lifted GRC apparently has revised suspension so I wonder if it will be softer or more harsh.. Only time will tell.
I absolutely adore my GRC. I’d take it anyday over the type R. I also really like the type r, it’s just to me the GRC is more special. It still blows my mind that a 3 cylinder can be this fast. I think the type R is super cool but but the GR just puts a wider smile on my face.
@@Jesse-x4oimagine being this pressed over an opinion😂. You the type to divide the tuner community. The GRC and Type R community hate this childish behavior. You probably have neither. Do better!!
@@SuperSmoovyhaven't seen them blow up however there have been instances of the engines combusting and Toyota refusing to honor the warranty claiming the owner exceeded the speed limit. Driving 85 mph shouldn't be grounds for voiding the warranty.
Test drove both and went with the CTR. The GRC didn't feel much more special than my WRX. The CTR felt like a precise driving machine. The shifter and "pull" is still fun 5 months later.
Man, I love these cars so much. And I don't mean just these two - I mean all hothatch backs. They're stupid fast, with fantastic grip to throw them around some winding roads, tough sounding exhausts, and great day-to-day livability. They grab people's attentions, they're "cheap-ish" to maintain (compared to other sports cars), and you WILL have fun if you have any of these - Fiesta ST, Focus RS, i20N, i30N, Type R, A35, A45, M135i, GR Yaris, GR Corolla, Megane RS, etc. I purchased a brand new i30N before they are gone forever, and I can tell you that EVERY single time I get in the car to drive somewhere, I have this HUGE stupid grin on my face that goes from ear to ear. Objectively, some of these might be better than the others, but I can safely tell you that any hothatch back will have you jumping where you stand whenever you have to go for a drive. With that said, this comparison video was excellent.
Only real drawback that made me not choose the CTR is the lack of AWD. It's definitely more of a complete package but as someone who lives with snow half of the year, GRC is more than perfect. Yes, FWD is fine for snow, but it feels sacrilegious to drive a CTR on snow. There's a reason why you don't see them in winter.
@@axledog7297 Or go up on width! I run 275 30R 19 rather than the stock 265 and the ever so slightly taller side wall actually improves ride quality more than you would think! The crashiness is gone!
2 месяца назад+3
No, it aint... I drive only in +R 😅😅😅😅😅fake engine noise is taken care of with the individual settings.. and a Milltek Non-Res complete exhaust.. 😅😅😅😅😅😅...I don't even hear it anymore....I just hear the hum of the exhaust .....
@@CJ-gh4eh and dropping down to an 18" wheel provides EVEN MORE sidewall... There was zero chance I was sticking with any type of 19" wheel, especially the porky OEMs. I lost 8 lb per corner while I was at it.
The irony is that both cars are known to overheat during extended track use, and this is well-documented by now. Forums for both the Type R and the GRC are filled with stories of overheating issues.
2 месяца назад+11
@VidNibs hahahahah what's that Reddit? And it's always the people who have modified the shit out of their fl5's always...do you own either?
I drove a new civic Si for awhile while mulling over between a gr corolla or type-r/Integra type-s. Living in Canada with bad weather and not tracking my vehicle often made the corolla the easy choice for the money, the Canadian Core at least (finding an FL5 in Canada is a JOKE.) If the Si had just a bit more power and a hatchback design, I might've kept it because the quality/features for the money is pretty great here in Canada. But man is the GR fun when it snows! I think if you're not seeking a true track demon on a budget or entry luxury interior then the GR is the more capable all season car, but if you want more track focus, live in a warmer climate, or have more passengers often the Type-R (without any ADM) is a great choice, or even the Elantra N. But there are good reasons to pick either car.
$52k for a GRC? Holy crap....a marked up Golf R will have more power, better gas mileage, can actually drift the rear and won't overheat....not to mention heated/cooled seats, HUD, sunroof, etc...
Trying to find an FL5 in the PNW for anything under $5k was impossible for me the past couple of months since they fly off showroom floors for that price. Was able to get a DE5 for MSRP, though there were 4 other people there to buy the same car and other dealers in the area had them listed for $10k over.
@@Realistick Yup, and like him I do wish I could have gotten an FL5 for msrp because I think I could be happy with the tradeoffs and get the same driving dynamics with the ADS module, but it just wasn't worth the effort. Dealers on the west coast for the FL5 are just terrible to deal with unless you get lucky or have some influence I guess.
I’m on the west coast, on the west side of an affluent beach town. I’m surrounded by guys with industrial-strength Visa cards to whom $10k markups are merely a mild annoyance. Wear your body armor to the Honda showroom, you are gonna need it.
@@m4u5 Ron Tonkin Acura in Portland just hooked me up with a 2025 DE5 for *basically* MSRP. They charge $1k markup for cilajet "ceramic coating" but I told them I would just pay the $1k without the "ceramic coating" because I'm getting a legitimate coating elsewhere. Instead they said I could just get their wheel and tire protection instead which I can cancel and is prorated. So if I want, I can just get the money back for that or keep it since the low profile tires might get screwed up on a pothole and it's for 84 months. I was actually really happy with the trade in value and price of the vehicle they ended up getting me since it was essentially MSRP with no real hassle. They were pretty upfront that their ADM is just that coating, which I respected. Everywhere else in the PNW I've tried sucks in comparison.
The type R is, just fun and it feels like a car! The GR, it feels built solid, its fast it does exactly what you tell it to do. Both reliable im sure, but the GR just has so much reliability feeling, its like...im i living? Its hard to explain lol.
I also drove the CTR before buying a GRC. I agree with you that it's a better track car, but I could care less as I don't track my cars. My track is the endless back mountain roads of the PNW where I found the GRC to be the superior car. Both cars are great but I found the CTR too polished while the GRC was a lot lore fun. Plus it's a game changer in winter, which you didn't mention, with the AWD. Plus the heated steering wheel and seats are fantastic in the GRC. And to me, the electric parking brake on the CTR is a deal breaker, on an enthusiast car? Give me a break. And I personally couldn't handle tithe red interior. I also liked the smaller size of the GRC, bigger isn't always better.
Very good summary and I almost 100% agree. I previously owned a GRC and now own a CTR. For just having fun on a backroad, the GRC is better. Smaller and more playful. For me, I prefer the CTR a little more overall. However, the CTR can be a little too serious and wants to show you how amazing the handling is. On the street, the traction seems endless. The GRC just wants to have fun and not be so serious. 😂 CTR interior looks higher quality, seats are amazing, audio is better, shifter is better, engine has more linear power from low RPM all the way to redline. Both are great cars and glad Honda and Toyota offer them. At MSRP (possible in midwest) I think both are good value. With additional features, the GRC Premium is better value than CTR. I watched some of your videos. Thanks for the tip on the volume knob. Amazing how switching to RAV4 knob was big improvement.
I wouldn’t call it too polished, it just more dedicated to feedback & performance. Fun is all subjective though so I do see how you can have more fun with the GRC given how confident it is. I did mention the all weather advantage and AWD a couple of times but I tend to only push a car when the pavement is dry so that’s not a big deal to me, just an added bonus. The CTR feels more like a sports car, and it’s more practical and comfortable which is why I gave it the crown this time. The GRC feels more like how Id imagine a rally car to feel and I appreciate its simplicity, I just had a better time in the Honda and the other qualities make it easier for me to recommend… if you can find one🥴
@@brianr14190if you drive a CTR in anything but dry clean smooth pavement it won’t handle as good as the GRC. He clearly shows it in this video. Depending on your location the scale can tip significantly in favor of one vs the other. The CTR felt to me as a much more purpose build it’s not the best civic since it’s missing some big features that the touring has and it’s more of a “side” project .
@@fpsinvaderYes, each person has different needs on what they want. I traded in a Civic Hybrid Sport Touring for the CTR. It had more features, but none that I need for my driving. It was a great car, but I decided I wanted a manual and a more engaging car. For me, I recently retired and do not have a commute. The CTR is my second vehicle and I only drive it when I want. I understand the GRC would be better in bad weather. I would be a little surprised that with the CTR in Comfort suspension mode, that the GRC would handle better on rougher roads. But, I do not have exact comparison data, but that is my opinion. If I had to drive the car year around in the Midwest, I for sure would still have the GRC. Again, I appreciate both cars and glad consumers have options.
@@brianr14190 I agree that both are great cars. I don't like the interior of the CTR, the layout is okay but all the red is terrible. I also hate that it doesn't have heated seats and steering wheel. And for an enthusiast car not having a real hand brake is a deal breaker. The shifter is too smooth and has no feel at all. I like a smooth shifter but I also want it to have some mechanical feel to it. I get that with the GRC. The CTR does have the better engine being a bigger 4 banger but the GRC is great as long as you keep it above 3k rpm. For me though the CTR wouldn't be half the car the GRC is during the winter months. If someone lives down south I can see it being an option. No bad choice here, but to be I do agree with you that a Premium offers the best bang for the buck of them both.
I get that the civic probably does most things better, probably more refined, probably the better overall car. However, I’ll be buying the Toyota because awd and Toyota.
a better comparison would have been against a circuit edition corolla. both priced similarly. i know mechanically there is no difference but aesthetically the circuit edition looks miles better than any FL5 especially the blue flame color imo.
I heard that someone had a GR Corolla and it caught on fire! He then tried under warranty to get a new one. He went to Toyota and they asked him if he had tracked the still stock GR Corolla. My understanding it came from the top of Toyota he’s on his own, they’ll do nothing. So you have a car with a track mode button and if you just use it once and you loose you warranty. So this questions to me is a no Brainer.
I think there’s more to those stories than was originally reported. I kept digging into one of the stories and hearing details like the car misfiring and the guy going 130 mph on public roads while saying there was a problem. Dealer said fuel was getting combusted in the turbo as a result and causing a fire. I could also see the owner’s POV that the car was recently cleared by service so it shouldn’t have had a problem. I came to the conclusion that I couldn’t come to a conclusion yet. I’m keeping my eyes and ears open on that one but I wouldn’t be terribly concerned with the warranty just yet.
@@Realistick Toyota also doesn't give a lot of confidence with the GR86 with the low oil pressure issues either. Still think the Honda is in general the more reliable product for this segment.
@@chrislo2007I dont think any of cases of low oil pressure on the GR86 were stock cars. From what I can remember it’s past a certain level of g-force. Still an issue for sure, but 90% of owners aren’t going to experience that because they won’t be running 200tw tires with aftermarket suspension
@ doing that while the car’s misfiring is relevant. The more I read on it and the more time passes without hearing any other similar cases, the more I don’t worry.
My buddy paid 50 for a GR . He thought he would enjoy it everyday . He was done in 6 weeks . Great car but to much for an older guy everyday . He now has a Acura type s and all is well .
Have the grc and had the fl8 r. Type r motor is soooo much better than the rattle trap 3 but the type r always feels at a loss for traction being fwd. It always felt overpowered. Grc is way more fun and never ever has traction loss short of pulling the e brake but it does feel like a crappy econo car with a really lame duck tractor motor. Both are flawed. No clear winner
Which car has the better ride quality? I bought a GR Corolla and just couldn't take its extremely harsh, jarring ride. Is the Type R's ride less harsh and more compliant in Comfort setting?
I got the GRC. Love the short wheel base and with awd, i can take advantage of it on uphill especially and downhill on mountain pass. I dont track so didnt get the type r.. If mountain pass roads are more flatter, i would get the type r.
@@30hours51I have owned a 95 Integra LS with summer tires and 2005 WRX (which by the way has a rear LSD) for years. The Integra is lighter, and funner to drive. But as soon as it rains I find I have to dial it back even with it's meager 140hp because of its inability to put down the power. Where the WRX is an AWD traction beast that I can keep pushing no matter the weather. Even in the snow it is a very capable car that actually feels like a rally car.
@@evoman44 which is something im glad with for living in a state where theres no harsh weather besides sun. Although I appreciate the GR Corolla, I would much rather spend my money on the Type R
0:57 this is the issue i had with the GR Corolla, all the journalist sold this car as a hardcore awd rally car, only for me to be disappointed at it when i drove one because compared to my gr86, this thing feels so much more toned down
I think the difference there is that the GR86 is a ground up sports car. It handles much better, gives more feedback, and is an all-around more eager car (outside of straightline speed). The GR Corolla is just an insane corolla with awd and a distinct character, which is what I was trying to get at with the whole intro and the lines preceding the one you pointed out.
@@Realistick From that POV it would make sense, but there's still so many people over selling this car as the new ae86 or the new group A celica, which just isn't true, it is a cool car, but in a world where it's full of competitors it doesn't feel extremely special to me, I really thought this is the second coming of a lancia delta integrale when it came out but then it was just feels like a extremely sports corolla that isn't playful at all when i drove it
CTR > GRC The FL5 CTR has more room and can fit tall people like myself at 6'4", just like its cousin, the DE5 ITS. I don't care for AWD because where I live, it is not necessary nor need it. Other people that get it, they get because they live in colder climate states or want it just to want to prove something. I don't know what it is with people's obsession over a manual handbrake. They aren't racecar drivers and y'all aren't going to do nothing, but tear it up and pay the money replace it when it is broken and doesn't hold upright in its locking position. If the DE5 ITS, didn't exist, then 100% I would choose the FL5 CTR without hesitation, but because this video is about the CTR and GRC, my decision stands at I'd go with the FL5 CTR over the GRC.
It’s about driver engagement and a manual parking brake is much more satisfying than an ebrake . I thought that was dead obvious for everyone but maybe not
Type R has a nicer interior, NVH, technology, better manual, and practicality. The GR has AWD, cheaper price in some trims, and little more fun on the road.
@@Fadic4I dunno about tech I mean parking sensors heated steering and seats on the grc vs type r . Depending on your daily commute and weather you may value these above all else
Hoda seems like the more serious car and much nicer (I really like the interior - old Porsche vibes), but they are both ugly and FWD is no bueno. Honda makes great cars for the track (I've driven both on track and both are fun). Neither has much tuning overhead - Honda due to FWD, and GR due to stressed 3 cyl. Golf R/S3 seems to me to be the sweet spot and easy 11sec quarter with a tune. I have the GR lol (used to have an S3 - trying to talk myself into a new RS3 but I'm cheap and have an R8 already lol)
Over 13,000 miles since February in my 24 CE GRC and I adore this car so much. I did switch out the pitch mount, which did increase NVH at idle, but even before I felt the car was an absolute blast to drive. I'm also in the north, and have winter tires already mounted on a second set of wheels for it, and I plan on winter driving it so the AWD is a huge plus. Like I've seen here in the comments, you cannot go wrong with either. I wish toyota would offer an ECU flash to get 23-24 MY cars the extra torque lol.
Not a single report of engine/trans failure on NHTSA complaints. Some people have reported clutch issues or engine issues after a misshift but we’ll need more time to know if that’s driver error or not.
Nice comparison but.... With your seating position you should not drive even slowly with some shitbox. And if you don't (can't ) set yourself right behind wheel, it is hard to believe you on this topic.
Type R has more space for sure! Better looking is subjective. But the Type R is definitely not cheaper. I daily a GRC and this car is such a blast to drive daily, especially in a cramped city. Ive moved states in this car, hauled bikes and camping gear with it. It definitely has some great practicality too
@@mengx94 nah. Miss my '08 Caliber SRT4. Full bolt ons and a tune. Made 345whp 346wtq. At my local track, best 1/4 mile run was 13.362 @112.8mph. Trap speed on these new cars is SLOW
Your comparison between the two cars is awesome and is spot on with my experiences. I started watching your reviews a few months ago and it is one of the reasons I purchased a GR Corolla. I really like how you structure your reviews.
I previously owned the GR Premium ($42k) and now the Civic Type-R ($46k). I am a Honda guy, so I am biased.
My thoughts on the two.
GR: Core with performance pack and Premium are better value than CTR at MSRPs. Premium had more features, such as fog lights, parking sensors, heated seats and steering wheel, homelink and frameless rear view mirror.
GR is more playful and fun on street during backroad driving. I think due to the smaller size, lighter steering and more body roll.
GR interior is very functional but appearance and some materials are cheaper.
If poor weather driving is experienced, then the AWD would be great. I am retired, so if the weather is bad, I just don’t drive. 😊
CTR: Seems much more serious and wants to show how amazing the handling is for a FWD. I will never take a car to the track. On the street, it seems like the CTR traction is limitless. Especially if you are being reasonably reasonable.
CTR seats are amazing. Even though they look like race seats, they are surprisingly comfortable. I don’t have much wiggle room in them, but they work great. The GR seats are easier to get in and out of and live with on a daily basis.
The Bose audio is much better than the JBL in my opinion. Not even close.
Even though CTR has adaptive dampers, it is tuned to be stiff and is also bouncy. Comfort setting is maybe Ok for street driving but I plan on swapping damper module for the ITS one.
CTR engine is powerful and responsive from 2k to 7k. GR is mainly powerful from 3k to 6k.
I understand that from 0-60, GR might be slightly faster due to AWD. I personally don’t do full throttle 1st to redline. Just seems so hard on a car. I like to be reasonable in 1st and then have fun in 2nd and 3rd gear. For this, the CTR seems to pull a fair amount stronger to me. Also cruising at 70 on highway in 6th gear, CTR has better roll on performance.
CTR shifter is better. Shorter throws and better feel.
Fuel economy very similar. Also with fairly small tanks, the range is poor on both, so it makes it seem the MPG is even worse than actual. Not a big deal personally, since I don’t have to drive a lot of miles.
If storage is important, the CTR is quite a bit better.
I prefer the CTR styling overall. I prefer the 24M GR front end styling, but do not like the GR rear styling. I like that Honda created exclusive fender and rear metal panel to achieve wider track instead of just adding plastic pieces.
Random thoughts. Not sure if it was just my GR, but at night the left light created this strange double peaked shadow, especially during turns. The first time it startled me, because it looked like something was in the road. 😂
Overall thoughts. The GR is a great car, especially for the price. (Core and Premium) I like the smaller overall size and is more fun on the street.
For me, I do prefer the CTR. Especially since I do not need AWD. Even though I am not going to track it, it just feels “special” every time I drive it. The better audio, perceived interior quality and improved storage is a bonus.
At least in the Midwest, both cars can be bought for MSRP. They are not readily available, but with searching and some patience, it is possible. I appreciate that we have reasonably priced gas cars with this level of performance. Not sure how much longer it will last.
I'm glad both companies give us these cars with different with flavor too. Thanks for watching the GRC videos! The headlight shadow is really weird, I think it has something to do with the headlight angle and the bumper shape?
Have not driven the GR Corolla. I have four years now with my 2018 CTR. Fantastic storage, excellent stability at speed. Seats are the best! Engine is a joy. Shifting is a pleasure. Brakes are easy to modulate and very effective. Steering is fast and accurate. Grip seems endless. It is a scalpel.
Don't need awd in the AZ desert, so fwd works. To have a car with this much room and storage and still this lightweight is brilliant.
No. you don't buy a CTR for the sound. Or to drift. And a 39.5 ft turning circle makes parking or u-turns more challenging. Low front ground clearance requires care on steep driveways or pulling into parking spaces.On tight right turns you want to avoid curbing the tires. Once you're used to it not really an issue.
Having owned an MR2-S and even an MGB in the past, I miss their small size and nimbleness on super tight turns. And the top down experience. But as dailies they were a fail by comparison.
That said, the CTR is a joy on a curvy road or a turn. It rewards you if you drive it well. but doesn't try and kill you if you get it wrong. Merging or passing is easy.
I used to lust after the EVO or STI"s I test drove. Not now.
The CTR is a...keeper.
The very opposite of a one trick pony.
Classy write-up 👍🏻
I have a GRC CE and it also has that W at night with the lights. It’s more centered though. I find it to be strange but it doesn’t bother me.
As cool as the Type R is, it would have been great if the Civic Si was built on the Hatchback, would have been a great every day car.
This.
Couldn’t agree more. It’s as if Honda knows this and purposely tries to force us into an upgrade we don’t want by not making the car we actually do want.
I mean, that's like saying it would've been nice if the Type R was $30k lol
Civic si needs to be closer to 250 HP/torque. It's way way to close to a regular civic. Needs to be in a middle between type r and civic.
@@chrislo2007funny enough: the type r was $35,000 6 years ago.
I got me a Type R. It does feel well thought out and VERY special indeed. Your conclusion is validated.
Really enjoyed this awesome review! Lots of respect for the GRC. I own an FL5 and have driven a Grolla as well. The Type R feels like it’s in another league. The GRC is a great car but the Type R feels like a special one.
Absolutely great commentary, you’ve a great way with words. Something that’s hard for others to duplicate. Wishing you many years of success. PS I’m a GR Corolla fanboy haha
If they only were sold for
I chose the GRC, but you really can't go wrong with either. CTR will feel more refined, but I want/need AWD and the physical handbrake. Also, it's very neat to give people a ride and then surprise them with the fact that it's only a 3 cylinder.
I'm in the market for both. I can not get over the interior for the corolla, and also that its only about 212 hp after drivetrain loss. FL5 is the clear winner.
Did you hear about the few instances where about 2 GRC caught fire and then Toyota told the owners that they voided their warranty when they exceeded 80-85mph?
@@speedracerzero Yeah I heard that there was foul play with one of them at least. That it was a prior salvage. Just saying, plenty of instances of them covering vehicles.
@@speedracerzero one had already been in an accident that's why it was voided...
A 3 cylinder that is a ticking time bomb. It’s headscratching they didn’t just use the inline 4 from the Yaris rally car. Not even the rally car has a 3 cylinder!
Both are impressive and I think it just depends on whatever aspect you prioritise.
I'd never fit in the Corolla GR but I bet it's a rocket. Tuners are getting insane numbers from that engine too.
Thanks for a decent quick review!
One thing you didn't mention, is if you live anywhere that gets a lot of snow you might want the GRC. Now I've driven a fwd integra and even a 300zx in blizzards in New York and Vermont. Any car can handle a lot of snowy conditions with the right tires, and maybe some sandbags in the trunk if it's rwd. But I got the GRC specifically to go snowboarding and it's a beast in the snow. So awesome to drive on mountain roads with several feet of fresh snow. I've owned a lot of sporty cars but I never had that homologated rally car like an EVO or STI. AWD with around 300hp and a stick. This is it, and I love it.
Another excellent video, Tyler. The GR Corolla is my favorite.
Thank you! Part of me wants to buy another down the road, modify it and relive rally fantasies🤠
The CTR felt like an absolute behemoth size-wise when I drove it, with a massive turning radius too, I would need some serious time getting used to it as a daily in an semi-urban environment. The appeal of the GRC to me is the size, but definitely the CTR was more pleasing to drive for me. Really frustrating, I wish the Civic hadn't become such a large car, its bigger than fairly recent Accords in fact.
Generally in 100% agreement! But, I have owned the GR Corolla…21,000km then type R … 8,500km now back to the GR Corolla 9000 km. All trouble free all .. driven! My preference, the GR Corolla fun factor and all road/weather advantage. Easy choice here (pacific northwest). Cheers🙏🏻
The PNW is perfect GRC stomping grounds! Congrats on the car🤟
I really appreciate you including your research on reliability and potential issues. it's crazy that most reviews don't.
I love my FL5... I feel like like you can't go wrong either way tho especially if you need AWD... great video!
Really amazing series, excited for your overall rankings video!
Thank you for watching it🤟
Great comparison! Got a blue GRC Circuit at MSRP after expecting to go Integra Type S. The CTR was in the running but winter is real in WI and giving up heated seats would be tough. 4WD and cheaper tires were also part of the appeal of the GRC, and my wife can’t stand the CTR spoiler. 😂 Anyway, I love that all of these exist, and feel kinship rather than animosity for anyone I see driving any of them. (Or an Elantra N or a Kona N or a Golf R…) Great time to be a driver!
I think one of the fascinating points about these cars is the argument of “enthusiasm” vs “spec sheet”. These cars are intentionally made as a compromise, and likewise, you don’t get the ultimate performance from either in a sense. The GRC is smaller, and has a rev-happy 3 cylinder, that you hypothetically could take to a track day. The Type R has especially refined suspension and geometry that allows for it to put down 300 horsepower without similar hop/torque steer from the N products. Each has its own character, and it’s up to you as the consumer, an enthusiast: are you more excited about the GRC or the Type R? Your own experience will vary, and a lot of it has to do with how excited you get about the car while seeing it every day. You can’t let someone fool you into thinking that one is better than another, because fundamentally they’re cars meant to be enjoyed, not necessarily professionally raced and benchmarked. Like… One is better for a track day. When was the last time you went to a track day? When was the last time you drove in snow? Each buyer will see different benefits from each. Buy the one that makes YOU happy.
Thank you for coming to my TED talk.
Excellent points. You are very much correct. I don’t understand why people have to completely bash a car because they prefer a certain car. I have owned both. For me, the CTR is more “special” and that is why I still own it. However, I very much enjoyed the GR and appreciate what Toyota has done with it.
@@brianr14190I’m in a similar boat. I’ve owned a WRX STi, went to a mustang GT, and am now into the hot hatch segment. I’d ideally get into a CTR because of its curb appeal, but I don’t think it’s “settling” to get into the GRC instead for a cheaper price point. Plus the 3cylinder reminds me of my motorcycle, which is a weirdly cool plus! I had the STi, but the GR Corolla has more cool factor to me that makes it worth the money.
@@andreshadoYes, the GR is a great car and a lot of fun. I think the Premium at $42k is a very good value. I did enjoy the sound of the GR more. It has more character with the 3 cylinder. The stock exhaust can sometimes be boomy around 2k RPM. I was not a big fan of the initial startup, since it goes to 2k RPM. I wondered if it was annoying for the neighbors.
I got the type r and I love it
Great video comparison! I went with the GRC for the AWD and the unique 3 cylinder engine. Either car is a blast to own.
Never heard alcantara be called, 'cheap mock suede' before. Especially when compared to the cheap literal felt the GR Corolla has on its door card.
Valid, but I think the meh suede was one of my only nitpicks on the $46k CTR interior😂 The GRC caught much more of a verbal whooping.
@@Realistick Going to face a real issue getting into $100k+ cars with them installing the 'meh suede' alcantara on many of the touch points then. Not criticizing the viewpoint but simply the reality car manufacturers see the alcantara as an upgrade over leather and cloth. Likely would have knocked the optional alcantara steering wheel over the standard leather on the Type-R. Though on the interior simply the lack of piano black in the Civic makes it a large step up over the copious amount of it in the GR Corolla imo before even considering the alcantara vs cloth door card material, seat quality, shift knob feel (The Morizo shift knob upgrade is by far the worst hand feel of all the options) and dash impressions. In the end the GR Corolla rightfully deserved the whooping, anytime you are considering swapping in the lower tier door cards that's a problem, they should have just used the XSE cards instead of the very base model cloth inserts even if it added 5 lbs of weight (it doesn't).
Fabulous job on this video. Subscribed.
Type R for the win.
for the wheel spin
@janoycresnova9156 not a drag car lol
Type R is superior
I test drove both and picked the GRC circuit edition but it was a tough choice. Both priced at sticker in the Midwest
Solid review. +1 for swapping in the DE5 ADS module to solve (in my opinion) the FL5's biggest flaw.
Thank you! And yeah, you weren’t kidding about that damping😂
I just picked up new CW Type-R. I am 56 so I think I am going to pick up ITS ADS for a more compliant ride.
4-cyl. FWD in the Civic Type-R alone is the better pick for maintenance and longevity.
GR Corolla really needs a 4 banger, it's 3-cyl. AWD suits the GR Yaris better.
Part of the point of the 3 cylinder is the lighter weight and further back and down position. I'd never say it's the essential issue with either car as all heavily boosted cars have fairly similar personalities. Make the turbo system more efficient through port designs, fin design, or just a better turbo bearing package they all can be made to have very similar power bands.
@@VermonsteredTotal BS. The Yaris rally car has an inline 4. GR Corolla should use the same rally inline 4 engine but detune it to pass emissions etc.
@@SparklingWalrus 🤦 No. You're part of the 'if it's in WRC it needs to be in my car' complainers. The 3 cylinder was chosen because it's a multi platform engine where there's hydrogen, hybrid and V6 variants for this design. Because it's light, compact and has a low center of gravity. Because it can produce 300-500hp without too much work. The WRC engine was never going to pass emissions. So demanding that engine, you might as well demand the sequential gearbox too.
@Vermonstered I’m not saying use the actual race engine. I’m saying use the block and detune it to pass emissions and regulations like how the 4G63 was in the production Evo. It’s like you ignore everything I said
@@SparklingWalrus 🤦 You make it seem like that's a simple task like someone who doesn't know anything. No dummy, you can't just take a race engine and expect it to be a consumer level engine not only for emissions but general reliability and maintenance. Takes a lot of stupid to believe that.
Put gr corolla powertrain and awd into a type r body then it would be perfect!
Next civic type r probably be all wheel drive hybrid drive train lol
Hello no. That 3 cylinder sucks
GRC has *so* much more character with its engine and all the sounds it makes. Former FK8 owner that now has a GRC. Also in Oregon I love I can go all out in all weather. I hate FWD wheel hop/spin.
Agreed 100%.
Does it feel faster/as fast as fk8? Cross shopping between these 2.
@@flowermaria1212 I would say about 95% as fast. If you live in a wetter climate where you're more likely to have wheel slip, it's going to feel quite a bit faster because the Type R has problems putting the power down in the first three gears in the rain. The Type R has a better power curve/more power, but it lacks character. Reminds me of a vacuum.
I got a GRC. owned 11 Hondas over the years but i left Honda after my K series drama and havent looked back. Good to see both Honda and Toyota re-emerge with fun affordabke manual cars!! A win win for everybody!!
R18 probably… can’t be a K. 😂
@@SATO_FD2R k series for sure man. Never had a R18. But do they have issues too?
Love my gr corolla
When you started this endeavor. I had my guess as to which car you would select. I have one question. Had you been able to acquire the type R at the time you got the GR. Would you be in the market right now? It's my opinion from owning a sport touring. There is something special about the 11gen civics. Even the LX.
i have a 2014 tc and have been following the GRC for years. Definitely a big contender for my next car
I'll never regret buying my Type R. It is such a fun daily and so freaking practical. I'm always shocked at how much I can fit in it. Plus the seats are some of the most comfortable I've sat in. I've done a few 1000+ mi trips in mine and was super comfortable the whole time. I'd have to get out constantly when I had the Elantra N. I also barely go a day without someone wanting to talk to me about it lol
2 questions Are you Asian? And you don’t regret paying $1000 a month?
How bad is the wheel spin and hop off the line? If I floor it at the lights, would I be scared for my life?
@@janoycresnova9156 You definitely get some spin through 3rd, but not a lot of wheel hop. I had the Elantra N before and it had serious wheel hop
Fellow GRC owner here, 555 engineering just found out that the transfer case is the culprit for the AWD system overheating in heavy track use, not the rear clutch pack in the rear differential. But let's be honest, the average guy that buys a GRC will be DD this and won't be reaching the temp levels seen on the track. I hoped Toyota backed up their claim that the GRC was track ready, but it is quite far away from that statement. With some cooling upgrades from 555, the GRC would be better suited for the track.
I picked the GRC over the TypeR. Having AWD is too good to pass up.
Congrats!
Same, I love it. 10k miles in 6 months
16k on mine, love it!
Great review! I'm 6 1 so height tests like you did is really important 👍
I went with the GRC. I use mine as a daily driver and actually hopes it snows this winter. They are both very good cars. I've heard that noise, I thought it was from the turbo.
This exact topic has been a recent question in my head, so thanks for this video
Great video.. As much as I love Toyota but I'd take the type r any day. The only mod I do is that integra suspension module and hopefully find a way of removing the rear wing because I'm not interested in the track or drag racing. The face-lifted GRC apparently has revised suspension so I wonder if it will be softer or more harsh.. Only time will tell.
I absolutely adore my GRC. I’d take it anyday over the type R. I also really like the type r, it’s just to me the GRC is more special. It still blows my mind that a 3 cylinder can be this fast. I think the type R is super cool but but the GR just puts a wider smile on my face.
It also blows up when pushed hard, you guys are funny 🤣. K20c1 is a works horse it's exclusive the R/S I'd have to argue that point.
@@Jesse-x4oimagine being this pressed over an opinion😂. You the type to divide the tuner community. The GRC and Type R community hate this childish behavior. You probably have neither. Do better!!
@@SuperSmoovy your right I own and ITS. I stand on what I said.
@@Jesse-x4o where have you seen the G16E-GTS blow up? These engines are pretty stout
@@SuperSmoovyhaven't seen them blow up however there have been instances of the engines combusting and Toyota refusing to honor the warranty claiming the owner exceeded the speed limit. Driving 85 mph shouldn't be grounds for voiding the warranty.
Test drove both and went with the CTR. The GRC didn't feel much more special than my WRX. The CTR felt like a precise driving machine. The shifter and "pull" is still fun 5 months later.
Man, I love these cars so much. And I don't mean just these two - I mean all hothatch backs. They're stupid fast, with fantastic grip to throw them around some winding roads, tough sounding exhausts, and great day-to-day livability. They grab people's attentions, they're "cheap-ish" to maintain (compared to other sports cars), and you WILL have fun if you have any of these - Fiesta ST, Focus RS, i20N, i30N, Type R, A35, A45, M135i, GR Yaris, GR Corolla, Megane RS, etc. I purchased a brand new i30N before they are gone forever, and I can tell you that EVERY single time I get in the car to drive somewhere, I have this HUGE stupid grin on my face that goes from ear to ear. Objectively, some of these might be better than the others, but I can safely tell you that any hothatch back will have you jumping where you stand whenever you have to go for a drive.
With that said, this comparison video was excellent.
Great review! Thanks
I loved the Type R felt like a better daily, very pure
Only real drawback that made me not choose the CTR is the lack of AWD. It's definitely more of a complete package but as someone who lives with snow half of the year, GRC is more than perfect.
Yes, FWD is fine for snow, but it feels sacrilegious to drive a CTR on snow. There's a reason why you don't see them in winter.
Integra suspension module and defeating the fake engine noise is a must for the type R. Sucks to have to spend more after paying that much
at least the module is pretty inexpensive though
18" wheels with a bit more sidewall is also a highly recommended move. Combined with the ITS ADM, it's quite nice.
@@axledog7297 Or go up on width! I run 275 30R 19 rather than the stock 265 and the ever so slightly taller side wall actually improves ride quality more than you would think! The crashiness is gone!
No, it aint... I drive only in +R 😅😅😅😅😅fake engine noise is taken care of with the individual settings.. and a Milltek Non-Res complete exhaust.. 😅😅😅😅😅😅...I don't even hear it anymore....I just hear the hum of the exhaust .....
@@CJ-gh4eh and dropping down to an 18" wheel provides EVEN MORE sidewall...
There was zero chance I was sticking with any type of 19" wheel, especially the porky OEMs. I lost 8 lb per corner while I was at it.
The irony is that both cars are known to overheat during extended track use, and this is well-documented by now. Forums for both the Type R and the GRC are filled with stories of overheating issues.
@VidNibs hahahahah what's that Reddit? And it's always the people who have modified the shit out of their fl5's always...do you own either?
He can't even get out of his mom basement to take a shower, why would he even need a car?
Known issue. Even with fk8. They do overheat when driven hard enough around a track. Gr corolla is alot worse though.
Just lower the boost pressure.
every car under $50k are known to overheat on track lol
They should have given the GR Corolla a four banger (much more overhead room for tuning potential), and kept the little three cylinder for the Yaris.
I drove a new civic Si for awhile while mulling over between a gr corolla or type-r/Integra type-s. Living in Canada with bad weather and not tracking my vehicle often made the corolla the easy choice for the money, the Canadian Core at least (finding an FL5 in Canada is a JOKE.)
If the Si had just a bit more power and a hatchback design, I might've kept it because the quality/features for the money is pretty great here in Canada. But man is the GR fun when it snows! I think if you're not seeking a true track demon on a budget or entry luxury interior then the GR is the more capable all season car, but if you want more track focus, live in a warmer climate, or have more passengers often the Type-R (without any ADM) is a great choice, or even the Elantra N. But there are good reasons to pick either car.
I've been loving my GR Corolla
both are great cars....I was quoted $52K for the Corolla w/ the markup and $75K for the Type R w/ markup. Crazy.
Wow. $75k. With a little patience, can get for MSRP in the Midwest.
$52k for a GRC? Holy crap....a marked up Golf R will have more power, better gas mileage, can actually drift the rear and won't overheat....not to mention heated/cooled seats, HUD, sunroof, etc...
Why does the GR-Corolla have 3 cylinders instead of the usual 4 in most cars. Is there some kind of advantage with 3 instead of 4?
Really want to know this answer. It makes zero sense
GRC easily, awd is a huge benefit.
Type R
You can take the traction control completely off by being in +R and holding down the traction control button.
Am i wrong to say, that even been discontinued, evo x remains the only one between gr corolla, amg A35 and golf R which gives more rwd feelings yet?
Trying to find an FL5 in the PNW for anything under $5k was impossible for me the past couple of months since they fly off showroom floors for that price. Was able to get a DE5 for MSRP, though there were 4 other people there to buy the same car and other dealers in the area had them listed for $10k over.
That’s what Fenton of Zygrene did too, it seems to be the best solution out there
@@Realistick Yup, and like him I do wish I could have gotten an FL5 for msrp because I think I could be happy with the tradeoffs and get the same driving dynamics with the ADS module, but it just wasn't worth the effort. Dealers on the west coast for the FL5 are just terrible to deal with unless you get lucky or have some influence I guess.
I’m on the west coast, on the west side of an affluent beach town. I’m surrounded by guys with industrial-strength Visa cards to whom $10k markups are merely a mild annoyance. Wear your body armor to the Honda showroom, you are gonna need it.
@zwortek i am in Seattle too. Any good toyota or honda dealer selling at msrp for these cars?
@@m4u5 Ron Tonkin Acura in Portland just hooked me up with a 2025 DE5 for *basically* MSRP. They charge $1k markup for cilajet "ceramic coating" but I told them I would just pay the $1k without the "ceramic coating" because I'm getting a legitimate coating elsewhere. Instead they said I could just get their wheel and tire protection instead which I can cancel and is prorated. So if I want, I can just get the money back for that or keep it since the low profile tires might get screwed up on a pothole and it's for 84 months.
I was actually really happy with the trade in value and price of the vehicle they ended up getting me since it was essentially MSRP with no real hassle. They were pretty upfront that their ADM is just that coating, which I respected. Everywhere else in the PNW I've tried sucks in comparison.
The type R is, just fun and it feels like a car! The GR, it feels built solid, its fast it does exactly what you tell it to do. Both reliable im sure, but the GR just has so much reliability feeling, its like...im i living? Its hard to explain lol.
I also drove the CTR before buying a GRC. I agree with you that it's a better track car, but I could care less as I don't track my cars. My track is the endless back mountain roads of the PNW where I found the GRC to be the superior car. Both cars are great but I found the CTR too polished while the GRC was a lot lore fun. Plus it's a game changer in winter, which you didn't mention, with the AWD. Plus the heated steering wheel and seats are fantastic in the GRC. And to me, the electric parking brake on the CTR is a deal breaker, on an enthusiast car? Give me a break. And I personally couldn't handle tithe red interior. I also liked the smaller size of the GRC, bigger isn't always better.
Very good summary and I almost 100% agree. I previously owned a GRC and now own a CTR. For just having fun on a backroad, the GRC is better. Smaller and more playful. For me, I prefer the CTR a little more overall. However, the CTR can be a little too serious and wants to show you how amazing the handling is. On the street, the traction seems endless. The GRC just wants to have fun and not be so serious. 😂
CTR interior looks higher quality, seats are amazing, audio is better, shifter is better, engine has more linear power from low RPM all the way to redline. Both are great cars and glad Honda and Toyota offer them. At MSRP (possible in midwest) I think both are good value. With additional features, the GRC Premium is better value than CTR.
I watched some of your videos. Thanks for the tip on the volume knob. Amazing how switching to RAV4 knob was big improvement.
I wouldn’t call it too polished, it just more dedicated to feedback & performance. Fun is all subjective though so I do see how you can have more fun with the GRC given how confident it is. I did mention the all weather advantage and AWD a couple of times but I tend to only push a car when the pavement is dry so that’s not a big deal to me, just an added bonus. The CTR feels more like a sports car, and it’s more practical and comfortable which is why I gave it the crown this time. The GRC feels more like how Id imagine a rally car to feel and I appreciate its simplicity, I just had a better time in the Honda and the other qualities make it easier for me to recommend… if you can find one🥴
@@brianr14190if you drive a CTR in anything but dry clean smooth pavement it won’t handle as good as the GRC. He clearly shows it in this video. Depending on your location the scale can tip significantly in favor of one vs the other. The CTR felt to me as a much more purpose build it’s not the best civic since it’s missing some big features that the touring has and it’s more of a “side” project .
@@fpsinvaderYes, each person has different needs on what they want. I traded in a Civic Hybrid Sport Touring for the CTR. It had more features, but none that I need for my driving. It was a great car, but I decided I wanted a manual and a more engaging car. For me, I recently retired and do not have a commute. The CTR is my second vehicle and I only drive it when I want.
I understand the GRC would be better in bad weather. I would be a little surprised that with the CTR in Comfort suspension mode, that the GRC would handle better on rougher roads. But, I do not have exact comparison data, but that is my opinion.
If I had to drive the car year around in the Midwest, I for sure would still have the GRC.
Again, I appreciate both cars and glad consumers have options.
@@brianr14190 I agree that both are great cars. I don't like the interior of the CTR, the layout is okay but all the red is terrible. I also hate that it doesn't have heated seats and steering wheel. And for an enthusiast car not having a real hand brake is a deal breaker. The shifter is too smooth and has no feel at all. I like a smooth shifter but I also want it to have some mechanical feel to it. I get that with the GRC. The CTR does have the better engine being a bigger 4 banger but the GRC is great as long as you keep it above 3k rpm.
For me though the CTR wouldn't be half the car the GRC is during the winter months. If someone lives down south I can see it being an option. No bad choice here, but to be I do agree with you that a Premium offers the best bang for the buck of them both.
would be a intresting to put the gr corolla vs the EN since prices are so comparable
I did one a few months ago!
Nice comparisons
I get that the civic probably does most things better, probably more refined, probably the better overall car. However, I’ll be buying the Toyota because awd and Toyota.
a better comparison would have been against a circuit edition corolla. both priced similarly. i know mechanically there is no difference but aesthetically the circuit edition looks miles better than any FL5 especially the blue flame color imo.
The GRC is a millimeter away from being a true AWD WRC homologation car. I’m a WRC fan. I’d pick it every time.
GRC-WRX-EVO 24-7 dry-wet-snow
I heard that someone had a GR Corolla and it caught on fire! He then tried under warranty to get a new one. He went to Toyota and they asked him if he had tracked the still stock GR Corolla. My understanding it came from the top of Toyota he’s on his own, they’ll do nothing. So you have a car with a track mode button and if you just use it once and you loose you warranty. So this questions to me is a no Brainer.
I think there’s more to those stories than was originally reported. I kept digging into one of the stories and hearing details like the car misfiring and the guy going 130 mph on public roads while saying there was a problem. Dealer said fuel was getting combusted in the turbo as a result and causing a fire. I could also see the owner’s POV that the car was recently cleared by service so it shouldn’t have had a problem. I came to the conclusion that I couldn’t come to a conclusion yet. I’m keeping my eyes and ears open on that one but I wouldn’t be terribly concerned with the warranty just yet.
@@Realistick Toyota also doesn't give a lot of confidence with the GR86 with the low oil pressure issues either. Still think the Honda is in general the more reliable product for this segment.
@@chrislo2007I dont think any of cases of low oil pressure on the GR86 were stock cars. From what I can remember it’s past a certain level of g-force. Still an issue for sure, but 90% of owners aren’t going to experience that because they won’t be running 200tw tires with aftermarket suspension
@@Realistickbut how’s him going 130 on any road relevant, if toyota lets it go that fast then their warranty should cover it.
@ doing that while the car’s misfiring is relevant. The more I read on it and the more time passes without hearing any other similar cases, the more I don’t worry.
Great review
Team Type R here ! (but I prefer FK8 look)
My buddy paid 50 for a GR . He thought he would enjoy it everyday . He was done in 6 weeks . Great car but to much for an older guy everyday . He now has a Acura type s and all is well .
When did Marc Rebillet start reviewing cars? I love it.
I'll pick the one whose engine doesn't catch fire when you push it hard.
Honda never offers heated seats in a type r and the aluminum shift knob is the type r knob
Have the grc and had the fl8 r. Type r motor is soooo much better than the rattle trap 3 but the type r always feels at a loss for traction being fwd. It always felt overpowered. Grc is way more fun and never ever has traction loss short of pulling the e brake but it does feel like a crappy econo car with a really lame duck tractor motor. Both are flawed. No clear winner
Which car has the better ride quality?
I bought a GR Corolla and just couldn't take its extremely harsh, jarring ride.
Is the Type R's ride less harsh and more compliant in Comfort setting?
Type r is a little better but ive heard great things about the type r if you buy the acura integra type s damping module ($300)
And Mr. Goat explain that it's not fake suade in the Type R it's alcantara, same material they use on supercars
The Type R is so gorgeous that it's dangerous.
I thought the GR would be lighter. It’s only like 100 lbs less than my Golf R and it’s got a DSG
I got the GRC. Love the short wheel base and with awd, i can take advantage of it on uphill especially and downhill on mountain pass. I dont track so didnt get the type r.. If mountain pass roads are more flatter, i would get the type r.
the awd in the grc has no real advantage over the Civic Type R in dry conditions.
@@30hours51I have owned a 95 Integra LS with summer tires and 2005 WRX (which by the way has a rear LSD) for years. The Integra is lighter, and funner to drive. But as soon as it rains I find I have to dial it back even with it's meager 140hp because of its inability to put down the power. Where the WRX is an AWD traction beast that I can keep pushing no matter the weather. Even in the snow it is a very capable car that actually feels like a rally car.
@@evoman44 which is something im glad with for living in a state where theres no harsh weather besides sun. Although I appreciate the GR Corolla, I would much rather spend my money on the Type R
I already own and paid off an fk8. Looking into the manual Supra.
Will never regret buying my FL5 Type R. I'm fortunate that I get to daily drive my Type R, and it's a damn good one.
Anyone who desires $1000/month + car payments can do this. But most people don’t want to do that with a Civic…
@@JacesOwnWorld It’s a Asian thing
Yeah man. We know what people do with their money and dictate what they should do with it
@JacesOwnWorld what are u talking about? I have a Type R FL5 and my payments are sub 500. I did put 25k down and msrp. Actually I got mine below msrp
@@JacesOwnWorld okay? But what does that have to do with his comment. He said he doesn’t regret it, not that he can’t afford itv
Im a toyota fan but on the track u only can do 2 laps coz the AWD system overheats.
0:57 this is the issue i had with the GR Corolla, all the journalist sold this car as a hardcore awd rally car, only for me to be disappointed at it when i drove one because compared to my gr86, this thing feels so much more toned down
I think the difference there is that the GR86 is a ground up sports car. It handles much better, gives more feedback, and is an all-around more eager car (outside of straightline speed). The GR Corolla is just an insane corolla with awd and a distinct character, which is what I was trying to get at with the whole intro and the lines preceding the one you pointed out.
@@Realistick From that POV it would make sense, but there's still so many people over selling this car as the new ae86 or the new group A celica, which just isn't true, it is a cool car, but in a world where it's full of competitors it doesn't feel extremely special to me, I really thought this is the second coming of a lancia delta integrale when it came out but then it was just feels like a extremely sports corolla that isn't playful at all when i drove it
Now watch Toyota kill the manual Corolla GR since they have the 8 speed out now.
CTR > GRC
The FL5 CTR has more room and can fit tall people like myself at 6'4", just like its cousin, the DE5 ITS.
I don't care for AWD because where I live, it is not necessary nor need it. Other people that get it, they get because they live in colder climate states or want it just to want to prove something.
I don't know what it is with people's obsession over a manual handbrake. They aren't racecar drivers and y'all aren't going to do nothing, but tear it up and pay the money replace it when it is broken and doesn't hold upright in its locking position.
If the DE5 ITS, didn't exist, then 100% I would choose the FL5 CTR without hesitation, but because this video is about the CTR and GRC, my decision stands at I'd go with the FL5 CTR over the GRC.
It’s about driver engagement and a manual parking brake is much more satisfying than an ebrake . I thought that was dead obvious for everyone but maybe not
I'd have the civic... Toyota stated going past 85MPH is abuse.. and it burns..
But when you're in Europe, you get the GR Yaris which looks better, but is smaller. But it's also 15 grand cheaper than the Type R...
Type R: Track warrior
GRC: Road/Commute warrior
Proud GRC owner here 👍
Type R has a nicer interior, NVH, technology, better manual, and practicality.
The GR has AWD, cheaper price in some trims, and little more fun on the road.
@@Fadic4I dunno about tech I mean parking sensors heated steering and seats on the grc vs type r . Depending on your daily commute and weather you may value these above all else
The Corolla isn't a better commuter car you can't fit adults in the back and far less overall space. How so?
Do you have fire extinguisher 🧯?
@@Carlos.Riverarecency bias is crazy
Hoda seems like the more serious car and much nicer (I really like the interior - old Porsche vibes), but they are both ugly and FWD is no bueno. Honda makes great cars for the track (I've driven both on track and both are fun). Neither has much tuning overhead - Honda due to FWD, and GR due to stressed 3 cyl. Golf R/S3 seems to me to be the sweet spot and easy 11sec quarter with a tune. I have the GR lol (used to have an S3 - trying to talk myself into a new RS3 but I'm cheap and have an R8 already lol)
Holy crap that corolla is loud as hell!
Over 13,000 miles since February in my 24 CE GRC and I adore this car so much. I did switch out the pitch mount, which did increase NVH at idle, but even before I felt the car was an absolute blast to drive. I'm also in the north, and have winter tires already mounted on a second set of wheels for it, and I plan on winter driving it so the AWD is a huge plus. Like I've seen here in the comments, you cannot go wrong with either. I wish toyota would offer an ECU flash to get 23-24 MY cars the extra torque lol.
The GR is dealing with catastrophic engine failures. Type are has a much better interior and no mechanical issues.
Not a single report of engine/trans failure on NHTSA complaints. Some people have reported clutch issues or engine issues after a misshift but we’ll need more time to know if that’s driver error or not.
Honda still the coolest compare to Gr Corolla. Did I say Honda type R is sexy definitely
Fun Fact: You can make any ordinary civic fast by slapping a turbo but you can never make an ordinary Corolla to a GRC.
Nice comparison but.... With your seating position you should not drive even slowly with some shitbox. And if you don't (can't ) set yourself right behind wheel, it is hard to believe you on this topic.
"Respectfully, Mr GOAT." Lol 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Corolla will last if driven intelligently and safely
Type R is the superior car. Take em both around a track. All you need to know
If im gonna daily the car, i'll go with the type R
I personally would go for a Honda, it's more practical, better looking, and slightly cheaper to acquire than a GR Corolla!
All those are wrong besides better looking
@@NorthKoreasSon Have you actually looked at the specs and actual sale prices of both vehicles before you commented?
@@chih6654 Yes, we have, and it is common to get a GR Corolla Circuit Edition or Premium for $500-1000 under MSRP.
@chih6654 obviously, I've seen gr corollas for msrp and the cheapest civic I've seen was at least 2k above msrp
Type R has more space for sure! Better looking is subjective. But the Type R is definitely not cheaper. I daily a GRC and this car is such a blast to drive daily, especially in a cramped city. Ive moved states in this car, hauled bikes and camping gear with it. It definitely has some great practicality too
12:05 Is that the iconic spot where a dodge viper fell of the cliff?
Very close it seems but not quite!
GR Corolla is roughly 400lb heavier than my '06 FG2 Civic Si coupe, and I have no fear in my K20Z3 catching on fire 😅
2 cars out of 12k sold in the USA. Also both of those guys didnt give us the full story, an ignored pretty much all questions.
K20 can also gap anything 🤭
@@mengx94 nah.
Miss my '08 Caliber SRT4.
Full bolt ons and a tune.
Made 345whp
346wtq.
At my local track, best 1/4 mile run was 13.362 @112.8mph.
Trap speed on these new cars is SLOW
@@yukonstriker1703Only ran 13.3 at 350 wheel?
@@walkemdown4127 Yup.
2.2 60'
Was a bitch to launch.
All season street tires.
By the end was hauling though.
112.8 vs these two at barely 106 😂
Have both here in the garage and the GRC is the more enjoyable driving experience!
Tranny and steering feel is faaaar superior on the Type R