Car Buyer's Guide

Toyota GR Corolla vs Toyota GR86

Toyota GR Corolla

Toyota GR Corolla

Toyota GR86

Toyota GR86

Verdict

The RM72,950 gap is substantial: the GR Corolla costs RM368,950, but brings 296 hp, 400 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 5.3-second 0-100 km/h time. It is also the usable choice, with five doors, five seats and pre-collision braking. The GR86 at RM296,000 is 184 kg lighter, rear-wheel drive and has a 226-litre boot, 13 litres more than the hatch. For Malaysian buyers who want one fast manual for weekday duty and wet roads, take the Corolla; for a lighter two-door sports car, the GR86 is the cleaner fit.

GR Corolla

Pick the Toyota GR Corolla if you need five seats and five doors, plus 296 hp, 400 Nm and all-wheel drive.

GR86

Pick the Toyota GR86 if you want the RM72,950 cheaper, 1,291-kg rear-wheel-drive manual coupe.

Key differences

  • Price: GR Corolla RM368,950; GR86 RM296,000.
  • Power and torque: GR Corolla 296 hp and 400 Nm; GR86 234 hp and 250 Nm.
  • Driveline and 0-100 km/h: GR Corolla all-wheel drive and 5.3 seconds; GR86 rear-wheel drive and 6.3 seconds.
  • Weight: GR Corolla 1,475 kg; GR86 1,291 kg.
  • Practicality: GR Corolla has five doors and five seats; GR86 has two doors and four seats.
  • Driver assistance: GR Corolla has pre-collision braking and adaptive cruise control; GR86 has neither.

GR Corolla

  • 296 hp and 400 Nm from a 1.6-litre turbo engine.
  • All-wheel drive with front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials.
  • Five doors, five seats, pre-collision braking and front/rear parking sensors.
  • RM72,950 more expensive than the GR86.
  • 184 kg heavier than the GR86.
  • 213-litre boot is 13 litres smaller than the GR86's.

GR86

  • RM72,950 lower price and 184 kg less weight.
  • Rear-wheel drive and rear limited-slip differential.
  • 226-litre boot and a full-size spare tyre.
  • 234 hp and 250 Nm trail the GR Corolla's 296 hp and 400 Nm.
  • 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time is one second slower than the GR Corolla's.
  • Two doors, four seats, no pre-collision braking and no parking sensors.
Price & overview
PriceRM368,950RM296,000
Body typeHatchbackCoupe
SegmentC-SegmentSports Car
AssemblyCBUCBU
Ownership
Road tax / yearRM207RM767
Powertrain
Engine Tech12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing
Capacity1,618 cc2,387 cc
Horsepower296 hp234 hp
Torque400 Nm250 Nm
FuelPetrolPetrol
Bore87 mm94 mm
Compression Ratio10.512.5
Drivetrain
TransmissionManualManual
Transmission Name6MT6-speed Manual
Gears66
Transmission ManufacturerToyotaToyota
DrivelineAll Wheel DriveRear Wheel Drive
Performance & Efficiency
0-100 km/h5.3 seconds6.3 seconds
Top Speed230 km/h226 km/h
Dimensions
Length4,407 mm4,265 mm
Width1,851 mm1,775 mm
Height1,479 mm1,310 mm
Wheelbase2,640 mm2,575 mm
Weight1,475 kg1,291 kg
Fuel Tank50 litres50 litres
Doors52
Seats54
Boot Space213 litres226 litres
Front Tyre235/40R18215/40R18
Rear Tyre235/40R18215/40R18
Spare TyreTyre Repair KitFull Size
Factory TyresYokohama Advan ApexMichelin Pilot Sport 4
Chassis
AssemblyJapan (CBU)Japan (CBU)
Front SuspensionMacPherson Strut with StabiliserMacPherson Strut with Stabiliser
Rear SuspensionDouble Wishbone with StabiliserDouble Wishbone with Stabiliser
Front Wheels18" Alloy18" Alloy
Rear Wheels18" Alloy18" Alloy
SteeringRack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)
Chassis NotesTorsen Limited Slip Differential Front and RearRear Limited Slip Differential
Safety
AirbagsDriver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's KneeDriver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee
ABS/EBD
Stability Control
Alarm
Immobilizer
Airbag Disable Function
Child Safety LockManual for Rear Doors
Seat Belts5 Three-point4 Three-point
Blind Spot Info System
ISOFIXAvailable on 2 Outer Rear SeatsAvailable for 2 Outer Rear Seats
Autonomous Braking SystemYes, Pre-collision Braking
Lane-keeping AssistWarning Only
Collision Warning
Seatbelt ReminderAll SeatsAll Seats
Safety NotesRear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS)
Lighting
HeadlampsLED ProjectorLED Headlamps
TaillampsLED CombinationLED Combination
LED Daytime Running Lights
Rear Foglamps
Wing Mirror Turn Indicators
Cabin
Front SeatsManual AdjustableManual Adjustable
Rear Seats60:40 Split-foldingFoldable
Front Air-conDual-zone Automatic Climate ControlDual-zone Automatic Climate Control
Power Sockets1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Wireless Charger, 1 USB Front, 1 USB-C Rear1 Front, 2 Front USB
Interior LightingMap LightsMap Lights
Cup Holders2 Front, 2 Rear2 Front
Audio9" Touchscreen Display Audio with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers8" Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Convenience
Power WindowsAuto WindowsDriver and Passenger One Touch Auto Windows
Engine StartKeyless Push ButtonKeyless Push Button Start
LocksKeyless OperationKeyless Entry
Auto Headlamps
Cruise ControlAdaptive Cruise ControlPassive Cruise Control
Steering Audio Control
Steering Tilt
Steering Telescopic
Boot OperationRemote Control ActivationManual Operation
Parking Sensor Front4 Sensors
Parking Sensor Rear4 Sensors
Reverse CameraYesYes
Folding Wing Mirrors
Bluetooth
Hill Start Assist
Instrument ClusterFull LCD MonitorDigital/Analogue
Parking BrakeHandbrakeHandbrake
Warranty
Warranty Mileage ManufacturerUnlimited150,000 km
Warranty Manufacturer5 years5 years

Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.

GR Corolla vs GR86 FAQ

Is the Toyota GR Corolla or Toyota GR86 better?

The GR Corolla is better for pace, wet-weather traction and daily usability: it has all-wheel drive, 296 hp, five doors and five seats. Choose the GR86 if a lighter 1,291-kg rear-wheel-drive coupe matters more than outright performance and rear-seat access.

What is the price difference?

The Toyota GR Corolla costs RM72,950 more than the Toyota GR86: RM368,950 versus RM296,000. Its annual road tax is also lower at RM207, against RM767 for the GR86.

Which is more practical for daily use?

The GR Corolla is decisively more practical, with five doors, five seats, 60:40 split-folding rear seats, front and rear parking sensors, and a wireless charger. The GR86 has two doors and four seats, though its boot is slightly larger at 226 litres versus 213 litres.

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