Toyota Corolla GR Sport Set To Debut In Malaysia Soon – Estimated RM152,800

2022MY Thai-spec Toyota Corolla Altis GR Sport featured.

A refreshed iteration of the twelfth generation Toyota Corolla sedan (marketed as the Corolla Altis in select regional markets) is set to go on sale in Malaysia soon. We can confirm following a tip off that UMW Toyota Motor had quietly updated the model’s webpage on its website with this new tentative price list.

Tentative prices for the upcoming refreshed Toyota Corolla.
(Source: UMW Toyota website)

Whilst the images featured on said model page still shows the existing version of the C-segment sedan, the new price list indicates this will soon change. Moreover, Malaysians will finally receive the GR Sport-treated version of said model too.  Before we get into details, here’s a quick recap…

The Toyota Corolla in its current pre-facelift 1.8G form first introduced in late 2019.

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) first launched new Corolla in late 2019 featuring two grades, both powered by the same 1.8-litre 4-cyl petrol plus CVT automatic powertrain package. More importantly, the model underpins the latest Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, thus enabling it to feature a bevy of new bits, none more crucial than the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) suite of active driver assistance (ADAS).

However, the Malaysia-spec Corolla seems to have missed out on other bits enabled by said new TNGA bones, namely a hybrid powertrain choice, as well as a sporty GR Sport option. Instead, both of which are offered to buyers north of our border in Thailand, which is where the Malaysia-bound version is assembled and shipped from too.

2022MY Thai-spec Toyota Corolla Altis GR Sport pictured.

With this upcoming minor refresh, it appears Malaysia will still miss out on the hybrid, but not the GR Sport option. Both the existing E and G grade trimlines will continue and, based on the tentatively price list we acquired, the GR Sport flavour will be presented as a cost-option upgrade package that’s offered exclusively for the range-topping 1.8G variant.

This differs slightly from how UMWT markets other GR Sport models, which were positioned as the new performance flagships in their respective ranges – i.e. the Corolla Cross and Hilux, as well as the previous generation Vios. What hasn’t changed is this package’s promise of enhancing the model through the adoption of sport-tuned suspension matched with an equally sporty aesthetic inside and out.

Previous generation Toyota Vios GR Sport. A successor based on the latest AC100 (DNGA) model
hasn't yet arrived though.

Presently, UMWT offers both the GR Sport-treated Corolla Cross (left) and Hilux (right) as performance flagships in their respective line-ups. 

Based on the tentative price list mentioned, this package is set to cost an additional RM5,000 on top of the Corolla 1.8G’s tentative RM147,800 price tag. Effectively, this means those seeking to acquire the refreshed Corolla with a sportier flavour will need to cough up RM152,800 sans insurance.

Toyota Corolla Altis GR Sport promotional video from Thailand.

An injection of sportiness into the Corolla (left) could indeed see it stack up against the rivalling Honda Civic 1.5 RS (right) better.

Perhaps this sporty injection is just what the Corolla needs to fend off the challenges of the eleventh generation Honda Civic (FE), specifically the  1.5 RS variant. Though it doesn’t have a sport-tuned chassis, it does pack a turbocharged heart, sporty RS styling trim, and a marginally cheaper RM151,900 price tag.

Would this sportier flavour of the Corolla sway you away from said rivalling Honda? Hit the comments below with your thoughts…