Toyota Corolla GR Sport

A more rugged version, and the latest addition to Toyota’s Corolla and GR-S line-ups, the new Corolla GR Sport, upgraded and launched in Malaysia.

Based on the regular 1.8G model, the suited-up 12th-generation (E210) C-segment sedan underpins the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform.

Fully-imported (CBU - Thailand), available via UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT - distributor) is one variant (Corolla GR-S - MYR 149,800).

Price (OTR, w/o insurance) includes UMWT’s standard vehicle warranty (five years, unlimited-mileage).

Three exterior colours (Platinum White Pearl - Black roof, Red Mica Metallic - Black roof, Attitude Black Mica). One interior colour (Black - Red stitching).

The new Corolla GR-S has a cleanly-/sharply-sculpted and tiered dashboard, linked to a low-rising centre console (armrest, wireless charger).

Soft-/hard-touched, it sees a single-tone (Black) colour scheme with contrast trimmings (Smoke Silver Metallic accents, Red stitching).

Filling-up the space are driver/central displays (instrument cluster, infotainment), and angular air-conditioning vents.

Inclusively, the layout is well-designed and non-cluttered. Ergonomically-arranged with easy reachability (driver-oriented, user-friendly).

Installed is a setup of 12.3-Inch Colour TFT Multi-Information Display (MID) digital instrument cluster. 

The system supports four themes (Casual, Smart, Tough, Sporty) and three layouts.

Sportily-comfortable, the interior sees leather-suede (Black) upholstery with contrast double-stitching (Red) and GR embroidery (headrests).

The front gets electronic-powered (driver - eight-way, lumbar) and manual-operated (passenger - multi-way) bolstered seats. The rear gets a manual-operated (60:40 split-fold) bolstered bench. 

Included are armrests (front - centre console, rear - centre seat fold-out), and head rests (front, rear).

The five-seater sedan offers generous cabin space, providing ample interior mobility for the occupants (front, rear).

Sufficient head-, shoulder-, and leg-room.

Practical storage areas. E.g., side door/seatback pockets, partitioned/caverned centre console spaces, and a glove box.

Mounted is a three-spoke-rounded steering wheel, wrapped in leather (Black) with contrast trimmings (Silver) and GR emblem (Black-Red-Chrome - bottom-spoke).

Features are multi-function (Audio, MID, Telephone, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control - DRCC, Lane Tracing Assist - LTA), column adjustments (tilt, telescopic), and paddle shifters. 

Drive is aided by an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system (GR Sport tuned).

Provided are four cup holders (two - front, rear), and four bottle holders (one - side doors).

Multiple power outlets are equipped. E.g., USB ports (front, rear), 12 V socket (front), and a wireless charging pad (front - integrated phone clip).

Accessing its electronic-powered (hands-free - remote/key fob) tailgate, opens up to 470-Litres of load capacity.

Tipping the scale at 1,370 KG, the new Corolla GR-S stands at 4,635 MM long, 1,780 MM wide, 1,435 MM tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,700 MM.

Sportily-aerodynamic, it exudes an aggressive exterior, emphasised by sharply-formed and smoothly-cut contours.

The front-end sees cleanly-sculpted bonnet/quarter panels, and Toyota’s GR Sport bumper/radiator grille (angularly-shaped/upper, lower).

Accentuations, body trimmings (Black - grille, side mirrors, side window surrounds), and Toyota/GR emblems (top bumper - Chrome/lower grille - Black-Red-Chrome).

Athletically-toned, it continues the aggressive profile, emphasised by horizontally-aligned and sharply-cut creases.

The rear-end sees a straight-cut roofline, muscular quarter panels, an upright tailgate, and Toyota’s GR Sport spoiler/bumper (upper, lower/angularly-shaped, diffuser). 

Accentuations, body trimmings (Black - spoiler, diffuser, side window surrounds), and Toyota/GR emblems (top tailgate - Chrome/bottom tailgate - Black-Red-Chrome).

Sharply-angular, the headlamps are framed inward-tilted with pointed edges. Installed are Bi-LED units.

Features are automatic On/Off, LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), Automatic High Beam (AHB), manual levelling, Follow-Me-Home lights, and sequential turn signals (LED).

Largely-angular, the smoked-out (Black tint) tail lamps are wrapped-around with pointed edges. Installed are LED combination units.

Features are automatic On/Off, Follow-Me-Home lights, and sequential turn signals (LED). Paired to the layout is a set of fog lamps (front, rear).

The side mirrors (Black) are electronic-powered (auto-fold, adjust) with turn signals, and blind-spot indicators (Blind Spot Monitor - BSM).

Fitted are ventilated (front) and solid (rear) disc brakes. Drive is aided by an Electric Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold system.

Gripping the asphalt is a set of 18-Inch GR Sport (Black - multi-spoke) alloy rims, rubbered-up in 225/40 R18 Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050 tyres.

The new Corolla GR-S features the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). 

Grouped are Pre-Collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with Steering Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) for All Speeds, Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) for All Speeds, and Automatic High Beam (AHB). 

Others comprise of Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), 3D Panoramic View Monitor (PVM - 360-degree), and Emergency Brake Signal (ESS).

Passive safety includes seven airbags (driver-passenger, driver-knee, front sides, curtains), seat belts (reminders, pretensioners, anchors), ISOFIX (two - outer-rear-seat), Electric Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold, parking sensors (two-front, four-rear), parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), electrochromic rear-view mirror (interior), Tyre Pressure Warning System (TPWS), Vehicle Telematics System (VTS), anti-theft system (security alarm, speed-auto-door-lock, immobiliser), Digital Video Recorder (DVR - front-rear), and Toyota Premium Security/Solar Film.

Two selectable drive modes (ECO, SPORT).

Installed is a 10-Inch capacitive touchscreen central display (infotainment). 

The system supports Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Miracast, live navigation, USB and Bluetooth.

The new Corolla GR-S nestles a 1.8-Litre in-line, four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC with Dual VVT-i, petrol engine (2ZR-FE), producing 137 HP (103 KW) at 6,400 RPM and 172 NM at 4,000 RPM.

Mated to the mill is a 10-speed CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with Sport Sequential Shiftmatic (paddle shifters).

Power is sent to the front wheels, via a Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) system.

Fuel tank capacity is at 50-Litres.

The new Corolla GR-S features these conveniences.

E.g., Smart Entry/Start system (engine Start/Stop button - GR-branded), illumination entry system, automatic headlamps (On/Off, Follow-Me-Home, Automatic High Beam - AHB), steering wheel (multi-function, column adjustments, paddle shifters, EPS), electronic-powered (driver - eight-way, lumbar) bolstered seats, parking sensors (two-front, four-rear), parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), electrochromic rear-view mirror (interior), side mirrors (BSM, auto-fold, adjust), Tyre Pressure Warning System (TPWS), wireless charger (integrated phone clip), electronic-powered (hands-free - remote/key fob) tailgate, dual-zone automatic climate control (rear-vents), acoustic glass (windscreen), automatic wipers (rain-sensing, intermittent), luggage tray (boot), and portable tyre pump.

Installed is a dual-zone automatic climate control (rear-vents) system. 

Underpinned is the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, featuring a setup of GR Sport-tuned MacPherson strut with stabiliser (front) and GR Sport-tuned double wishbone with stabiliser (rear).

Overall, it is firm and safe. The ride quality is solid, agile and responsive, with the seats well-bolstered and supportive, offering a sporty driving dynamic.

Good sound insulation, covering all the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) aspects adequately. 

Minimal wind, road, engine and tyre noises. Featured is an acoustic windscreen glass.

The 2025 Toyota Corolla GR Sport offers a thrilling side to the Corolla line-up, with its GR Sport inspired design and new performance dynamic.

Exterior-wise, it is striking with harmoniously sharp proportions and powerful contours, while its interior is premium built with quality materials and refined detailing. 

Driving-wise, the GR-tuned performance upgrades along with a comprehensive suite of ADAS, ups its credibility even more.

Ultimately, the new Corolla GR Sport is satisfactory, especially with all the bells and whistles it comes with at the price offered.