Compare the2023 Toyota GR CorollaVS 2022 Subaru WRX

The GR Corolla has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The WRX doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The GR Corolla’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the WRX.

The GR Corolla has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the WRX Limited/GT offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the GR Corolla has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the WRX Limited/GT has a rear cross-path warning system.

The GR Corolla’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The WRX doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the GR Corolla and the WRX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the GR Corolla for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Subaru doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the WRX.

There are almost 2 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Subaru dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the GR Corolla’s warranty.

The battery on the GR Corolla is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the GR Corolla’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The WRX’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 19 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Subaru is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Subaru is ranked 8th.

The GR Corolla’s standard 1.6 turbo 3-cylinder produces 29 more horsepower (300 vs. 271) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (273 vs. 258) than the WRX’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder. The GR Corolla Morizo Edition’s standard 1.6 turbo 3-cylinder produces 29 more horsepower (300 vs. 271) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the WRX’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Toyota GR Corolla (base engine) is faster than the Subaru WRX (manual transmissions tested):

On the EPA test cycle the GR Corolla gets better mileage than the WRX:

To facilitate fast shifting and allow the driver to focus on the road, the GR Corolla has a standard up-shift light to indicate when the engine is approaching redline. The WRX doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

For better stopping power the GR Corolla’s brake rotors are larger than those on the WRX:

The GR Corolla stops shorter than the WRX:

The GR Corolla’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the WRX’s standard 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GR Corolla has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the WRX.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the GR Corolla is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the WRX.

The GR Corolla’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (58.4% to 41.6%) than the WRX’s (59.9% to 40.1%). This gives the GR Corolla more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the GR Corolla’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the WRX’s (36.1 feet vs. 36.7 feet). The GR Corolla’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the WRX’s (36.1 feet vs. 36.8 feet).

The GR Corolla is 10.2 inches shorter than the WRX, making the GR Corolla easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The GR Corolla’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The WRX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The power windows standard on both the GR Corolla and the WRX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the GR Corolla is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The WRX prevents the driver from operating the rear windows just as it does the other passengers.

The GR Corolla’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The WRX’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the GR Corolla the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the WRX can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the GR Corolla (except MORIZO Edition) has a standard rear wiper. The WRX doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the GR Corolla has standard extendable sun visors. The WRX doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The GR Corolla’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Subaru only offers heated mirrors on the WRX Premium/Limited/GT.

On extremely cold winter days, the GR Corolla’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The WRX doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota GR Corolla offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The WRX doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its December 2022 issue and the Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Edition won out over the Subaru WRX Limited.