Compare the2026 Toyota GR CorollaVS 2025 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 has standard Parking Assist to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The WRX doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

The GR Corolla has a standard blind spot warning system that 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/tS offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the GR Corolla has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the WRX Limited/GT/tS offers Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and driver alert monitors.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the GR Corolla for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, 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’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 50 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 21st.

The GR Corolla’s 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 is faster than the Subaru WRX (manual transmissions tested):

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

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota GR Corolla higher (4 out of 10) than the Subaru WRX (2). This means the GR Corolla produces up to 15.6 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the WRX every 15,000 miles.

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.

The GR Corolla Auto’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The WRX doesn’t offer launch control.

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

The GR Corolla stops much shorter than the WRX:

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the GR Corolla is 1.1 inches wider in the front and .8 inches wider in the rear than on the WRX.

The GR Corolla handles at 1.02 G’s, while the WRX Limited pulls only .95 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The GR Corolla executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the WRX tS (24.9 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 25.3 seconds @ .76 average G’s).

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

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the GR Corolla is quieter than the WRX Limited (70 vs. 71 dB).

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 GR Corolla Premium Plus has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The WRX doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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 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 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.

On extremely cold winter days, the GR Corolla Premium Plus’ standard 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 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front 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 won out over the Subaru WRX Limited.

The GR Corolla was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023. The WRX has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Toyota Corolla outsold the Subaru WRX by almost 13 to one during 2024.