A strong turbocharged engine, road-gripping all-wheel drive, and a slick-shifting handbook transmission. Collectively, they create the holy trinity of sought-after automotive fanatic combos. Hallelujah!
This sacred system could conjure up rally fantasies of completely executed Scandinavian flicks round snowy corners, blasts by means of tree-lined levels at breakneck speeds, and crests over dust hills at dizzying velocities. Even when patrons of boosted AWD automobiles aren’t rallying them, they’re having a whole lot of enjoyable on the road and/or observe.
Today, there are solely a few AWD automobiles with handbook transmissions left. Heck, there are only some manual-transmission automobiles and vans left in any respect. Subaru and Toyota are holdouts, nonetheless providing this tasty recipe for efficiency.
The 2025 Subaru WRX tS and 2025 Toyota GR Corolla are superhero variants of the plain-clothes Impreza and Corolla. They’re road-ready rally automobiles. And even for those who’re not going to slip ‘em sideways, they provide wonderful on-road efficiency.
What Makes These Vehicles So Particular?
These are presently the top-of-the-line WRX and Corolla bought in North America. Subaru’s WRX tS takes the already high-performance WRX and provides dealing with enhancements, distinctive inside bits, and particular badging (there’s no energy bump, nevertheless). The tS moniker stands for “tuned by STI,” with STI (Subaru Technica Worldwide) being the model’s motorsports division.
With its delicate decklid spoiler and STI-red tS badges, the WRX tS has an understated look. One which’s matured because the earlier era’s boy-racer WRX STI mannequin. The black fender trim stays controversial.
The GR Corolla transforms Toyota’s run-of-the-mill front-drive CVT-equipped Corolla Hatchback right into a fire-breather. The GR Corolla provides AWD, a six-speed handbook, and nearly twice the facility of an everyday Corolla Hatchback. Plus, there are three flavors for 2025: Core, Premium, and Premium Plus, all with just a few completely different options and colours, however with the identical quantity of energy.
The letters GR stand for Gazoo Racing, which is the designation for Toyota’s performance-oriented automobiles. This originates from Toyota Gazoo Racing, a motorsports division of Toyota. With bulging fenders, a big rear spoiler, and quite a few vents, scoops, and grilles, the GR Corolla is the other of the WRX tS when it comes to styling. It’s in your face and rambunctiously racy.
Totally different Vehicles, Two Very Totally different Engines
Each automobiles make strong quantities of energy, however their engines are fairly completely different. Subaru’s WRX tS makes use of the model’s DOHC 2.4L turbocharged and intercooled FA24 flat four-cylinder engine. This relatively massive four-banger makes 271 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 rpm with 12 kilos of most increase. Redline is simply 6,100 rpm, and energy is usable and linear, with torque approaching early.
The Toyota GR Corolla makes use of a small 1.6L turbocharged and intercooled G16E-GTS inline three-cylinder mill making 300 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 295 pound-feet of twist at 3,250 rpm. The GR cranks the increase as much as a most of 26.3 kilos and has a 7,200 rpm redline. This manic powerplant could also be puny in measurement, however it has notable output. Nonetheless, it must be revved to actually scoot.
On the scales, the WRX tS weighs 3,430 kilos, whereas the GR Corolla is available in at 3,274 kilos for the Core grade. Premium and Premium Plus are a few dozen kilos extra. This offers the GR Corolla a greater power-to-weight ratio than the WRX tS.
Slick-Shifting 6-Pace Handbook Transmissions
Each automobiles may be had with slick-shifting six-speed handbook transmissions. The 2005 WRX tS is handbook solely, however the 2025 GR Corolla gives an elective eight-speed computerized. For comparability’s sake, we’ll solely discuss concerning the manuals.
The WRX tS transmission gives exact, considerably notchy shifts. Those that wish to row their very own gears ought to nonetheless be pleased with its really feel, though there may very well be a extra pronounced really feel within the clutch uptake.
Toyota provides a contact of tech to its handbook gearbox due to the iMT clever handbook transmission. It should mechanically rev-match when downshifting and might supply smoother, sooner downshifts. This characteristic can be simply disabled if desired. Each automobiles’ transmissions supply well-defined gates, quick throws, and nice really feel.
All About All-Wheel Drive
On the subject of AWD, Subaru is among the best names within the enterprise. The WRX tS employs the corporate’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, which works excellently each on the street and on the observe.
The earlier WRX STI had an adjustable heart differential system, however the WRX tS forgoes this. It does have a limited-slip heart differential and energetic torque vectoring to assist in the twisties, in addition to the corporate’s car dynamics management (VDC) system.
Toyota isn’t a stranger to AWD, both. The GR Corolla gives a customizable system letting you set extra energy to the entrance or rear wheels due to its GR-4 system, which is operated utilizing a knob on the middle console. There are three AWD modes: Regular, Observe, and Gravel. It additionally has entrance and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials.
Based mostly on my time behind the wheel, drivers will likely be very pleased with the quantity of grip. The Corolla’s adjustability issue would possibly woo some, however Subaru is a grasp of AWD. The GR’s actual limited-slip diffs are a pleasant contact, nevertheless.
Stiff Suspensions
In case you thought one in every of these automobiles would possibly deal with like a 1974 Dodge Van, you’re mistaken. Each automobiles devour curves, assault corners, and make mincemeat out of canyon roads. Their respective chassis are very keen and will fulfill almost any driving fanatic.
Every is supplied with entrance and rear sway bars and totally unbiased suspensions. The WRX tS will get electronically managed energetic dampers, which may be adjusted as a part of its multi-mode Car Dynamics Controller. This suspension is exclusive to the WRX tS and truly has 4 modes: consolation, regular, sport, and sport+. There’s additionally a devoted observe mode.
The GR Corolla has the same MacPherson strut entrance/multilink rear suspension. Nonetheless, it doesn’t characteristic adjustable damping. That doesn’t make it a slouch by any means, however you merely can’t tweak it for numerous circumstances.
Whereas the GR will get adjustable AWD, the WRX will get adjustable shocks. Each automobiles have a agency experience, however the Corolla’s taut suspension may be too stiff for some on the street. The WRX tS has a extra forgiving road experience.
A few of the Greatest Brakes
Should you’re after a automobile with wonderful brakes, you may’t go mistaken with both of those decisions. One of many WRX tS enhancements over a normal WRX is its Brembo brakes, full with signature gold calipers.
The entrance brakes showcase six-piston entrance calipers with 13.4” entrance discs. The rears have two-piston calipers with 12.8” discs. Each have bigger pads and rotors in comparison with common WRX.
These are a few of the greatest brakes I’ve felt on any new automobile thus far; they’re really standouts. This was evident through the tS launch, which included observe time at Sonoma Raceway in October 2024.
The GR Corolla’s brakes include four-piston pink entrance calipers with 14-inch slotted rotors, and rear two-piston pink calipers with 11.7-inch discs within the rear. This technique does a exceptional job at stopping this sizzling hatchback.
numbers from a wide range of street assessments, the WRX seems to greatest the Corolla from 70 to 0 mph and 100 to 0 mph stops regardless of its heavier weight.
Every day-Driver Responsibility
Stats are simply numbers. What are these road-legal rally automobiles like to truly drive? No doubt, the WRX tS is extra comfy on the road than the GR Corolla. Whereas it gives a agency experience, you don’t really feel each crack and growth joint on the street such as you do within the Toyota.
Nonetheless, the GR feels extra like a hardcore racer than the WRX. Whether or not that’s a great or a foul factor is determined by what number of fillings you’d wish to preserve in your tooth.
Each automobiles have extremely bolstered entrance sport seats, however I felt the eight-way energy Recaro items within the WRX had been extra comfy on longer drives. No less than for my physique. You’d higher like vibrant blue inside accents, although: All tS fashions have this, irrespective of the outside shade.
The Corolla’s inside is considerably extra Spartan. The small 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system feels miniscule in comparison with the WRX’s 11.6-inch unit.
Talking of screens, the WRX tS has a brand new massive, configurable 12.3-inch LCD gauge cluster; the Corolla’s is similar measurement. The Subaru’s gauges are sensible and supply extra shade. The Corolla’s are darker and minimal, however have a wide range of configurations and readouts to make you are feeling such as you’re in a rally automobile. This features a tachometer that’ll flash at you once you method redline as if screaming SHIFT! SHIFT!
Reputations for Acceleration
With extra total energy and a greater power-to-weight ratio, the GR Corolla will outrun a WRX tS in a straight line. Toyota claims a 4.9-second 0-60 time, which has been validated by different retailers.
The WRX tS will scoot to 60 within the low 5-second vary. The WRX runs the quarter mile in 14.0 seconds at 99 mph, in line with Automobile and Driver. Nonetheless, the publication says the GR blasts down the dragstrip at a scant 13.3 seconds at 105 mph.
Are You Actually Frightened About Gas Financial system & Practicality?
You don’t purchase these automobiles for his or her gas economic system. However, for those who’re going to daily-drive both, the WRX tS will get an estimated 19 metropolis, 26 freeway, and 22 mixed mpg. The GR Corolla is EPA-rated at 21 metropolis, 28 freeway, and 24 mixed. The GR Corolla will get barely higher mileage.
Regardless of their similarities, these are very completely different automobiles, particularly in day-to-day use. The WRX tS is a sedan with a big trunk. The GR Corolla is a hatchback with a tiny cargo space.
The GR’s rear seats may be lowered to swallow bigger quantities of cargo, though you don’t get to lock it away. The sedan versus hatchback battle is one for ages, and it continues with these two juggernauts. The excellent news is that each automobiles have a usable again seat to hold a few folks.
If I needed to daily-drive both of those, I’d select the WRX tS. The experience is best, the cabin is extra livable, and it’s a bit extra civilized for road use.
Born for the Observe
Each these automobiles are a complete blast to drive, particularly at their limits. I’ve completed sizzling laps round Sonoma Raceway within the WRX tS, however have solely pushed the GR Corolla on the road.
The WRX tS’ wonderful brakes, 19-inch wheels wrapped in 245/35R19 Bridgestone Potenza S007 tires, and track-mode driving dynamic make this a automobile you may observe all day.
This sedan is really easy to drive quick. Nonetheless, it feels prefer it wants one other 50 or so horsepower to equal its wonderful brakes and keen chassis. These severe about this can flip to the aftermarket for further oomph.
With its lighter weight, increased horsepower, and stiffer suspension, the GR Corolla would probably be sooner round most tarmac tracks. All the things concerning the GR is extra track-oriented. The GR Corolla’s engine/transmission combo enables you to blaze by means of the gears.
The Torsen limited-slip differentials assist claw on the pavement, particularly underneath laborious cornering. Sure, the 18-inch wheels put on 235/40ZR-18 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires, that are narrower than the WRX’s Bridgestones. However bear in mind: The Corolla weighs as much as 156 kilos lower than the WRX.
Flat out, a WRX will do 145 mph, a GR 143, in line with Automobile and Driver.
If I had to decide on a experience for the quickest method across the observe, the GR Corolla would probably win. Contrarily, in line with a number of measured assessments, the WRX has a barely increased roadholding quantity than the Corolla.
As a Rally Automobile
Not many individuals purchase these $40,000+ automobiles to slip round corners within the dust. However for those who had been going to rally one, which might win?
We all know concerning the power-to-weight ratio, we all know concerning the brakes, and we all know concerning the suspension. The WRX’s adjustable shocks could assist when the street turns to gravel. FYI, the tS has 5.4 inches of manufacturing facility floor clearance and WRX has a protracted rally historical past.
Conversely, the Corolla has a devoted gravel mode, which may very well be good on dust roads or a rallycross observe. The GR Corolla has 5.3 inches of floor clearance and gives a barely wider observe (by a scant 0.8 inches).
I couldn’t observe down how a lot suspension journey every automobile has, and that might think about. I can inform you a WRX is 10.6 inches longer than a GR Corolla, creating a bigger automobile to deal with.
To me, this one’s a toss-up. Regardless, neither could be stellar rallying on their tarmac-oriented tires. However altering to one thing extra dirt-oriented would probably make these fierce rivals on rallies.
Pricing
The WRX tS is a brand new bundle for 2025 and begins at $46,875 (together with supply), a $9,955 premium over the common WRX.
With supply, a 2025 GR Corolla begins at $39,995 for a Core mannequin, and $43,050 for a Premium. The Premium Plus begins at $47,125. From a worth perspective, all however the GR Corolla in Premium Plus guise are inexpensive than a WRX tS.
2025 Subaru WRX vs. 2025 Toyota GR Corolla Evaluate: Conclusion
It’s laborious to go mistaken with both of those athletes. They boast spectacular specs, admirable efficiency, and would possibly simply fulfill your rally automobile desires. The WRX tS is extra livable as a day by day driver. The GR Corolla is extra hardcore and appears like a factory-built race automobile. The WRX wants 50 extra horsepower. The Corolla GR may be too punishing on the road.
Irrespective of which automobile you’d select, you’re assured to have a heck of a time irrespective of the place you drive them.
