A recipe for assured good instances
There are many autos to check apples to apples towards the Toyota GR Corolla with its 8-speed computerized transmission. It competes towards the Subaru WRX, Volkswagen Golf R, and even the Mini Cooper Countryman JCW. All of those autos have turbocharged engines, make gobs of energy, are based mostly on four-door commuter platforms, and all have all-wheel drive (AWD). By the identical estimation, the Hyundai Elantra N straight competes towards the Honda Civic Si and the Civic R, the Volkswagen Jetta GLI, and even the bottom mannequin Alfa Romeo Giulia 2.0.
Each of those automobiles supply excellent bang in your buck and are remarkably fast on the observe. Actually, I’d go so far as to say that they’re two of the perfect driving autos of their class. Even with the 8-speed computerized within the Toyota or the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission within the Elantra N, they’re each extraordinarily athletic. Base costs for a GR Corolla hover round $40,000, whereas the Elantra N begins underneath $34,000. If you happen to add the automated transmissions and some packages, each autos soar by one other 10 p.c or so.
Each of the autos featured have “computerized” gearboxes. Whereas the Hyundai has a dual-clutch (DCT) setup, the Toyota GR Corolla makes use of an 8-speed computerized transmission. Usually, the DCT is a best choice for prime efficiency because it’s often lighter, has fewer shifting elements, and reacts to efficiency shifting with lightning velocity. The factor is, the automated transmission Toyota is utilizing is remarkably quick as nicely. It is exhausting to see which one is best for efficiency, however the Toyota transmission is smoother in site visitors.
I’ve been fortunate sufficient to have pushed each autos on quite a lot of race tracks and secured a back-to-back one-week mortgage of every. I commuted each each day in Los Angeles and in different cities, together with some mild street journeys up and down the coast. After getting some seat time and studying what these fun-to-drive automobiles are prefer to dwell with, I discovered which one makes extra sense.
Experiencing the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla: The psychological affected person
If you happen to get the much more highly effective, and track-capable Morizo model of the GR Corolla (and you don’t have any intention of monitoring it), you’ve got points. By itself, the GR Corolla is a stiff, virtually dental-work-shattering trip. Get the Morizo, and you might drop a filling or two and get an indignant little automobile that growls like a perturbed honey badger. That drone from the turbocharged 1.6-liter 3-cylinder engine is surprisingly low, and a bit tough. Even on full boil, it feels like nothing else, and its 300 horsepower grunt and as much as 295 lb-ft of torque are channeled via a remarkably quick 8-speed computerized transmission. Sure, a six-speed handbook is non-obligatory, nevertheless it’s a very good wager the automated will promote nicely.
All of that energy may be despatched to the rear selectively, which is considered one of my favourite elements of the GR Corolla. If wanted, a 60/40 break up can immediately kick in and ship as much as 70 p.c of the torque to the rear axle, and even obtain a 50/50 break up in torque; all of it relies on the observe floor and your wants. The steering ratio was not too long ago elevated, and for some, the steering could really feel a bit heavy. The Toyota GR Corolla comes with a entrance MacPherson strut suspension and a double-wishbone multi-link rear suspension. All the pieces stiffens up on the Morizo model, and it is no joke.
Round city, the GR Corolla supplies a sparse and easy inside, with a small-ish display and few frills. The seats are extraordinarily nicely bolstered, and the steering wheel is almost race-quality. On backroads, the GR Corolla is likely one of the most succesful automobiles on the market. Interval. Its potential to hunker down and squirt via corners is almost at supercar ranges, regardless of its meager 300 hp. Stopping and going, turning and exploding out of a nook, it is simply on one other stage. Sadly, it is also unforgiving on something however pristine roads, which makes commuting a little bit of a chore. The 8-speed computerized GR Corolla is rated at 19 mpg metropolis, 27 mpg freeway, and 22 mpg mixed.
It ripples with blistered fenders, wings, floor results, and extra road swagger than a Fifties gangster. Even and not using a fancy sticker job, it is clear to see what it’s and what it is meant to do. Who knew a Corolla may very well be such a naughty automobile?
Experiencing the 2025 Hyundai Elantra N DCT: Virtually as quick because it appears
The Hyundai Elantra N DCT positive appears prefer it’s tremendous quick. By including a variety of cladding, huge wings, plenty of go-fast decals, and beefy wheels, the general picture of the Elantra N is a bit youthful for some, nevertheless it’s way more docile than the GR Corolla. It sounds and feels refined by comparability, nevertheless it nonetheless packs a severe punch. It comes with a 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 286 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque. Hyundai added an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission as an possibility, however there’s a six-speed handbook transmission on supply as nicely.
All the facility is fed solely to the entrance wheels, though Hyundai was good sufficient to equip it with a limited-slip entrance differential, which helps rather a lot. There are completely different drive modes that change the general character of the Elantra N, and you’ll really feel it within the steering, throttle response, and even the variable suspension and multilink rear setup. The chassis is not as rock stable because the GR Corolla, nevertheless it’s greater than sufficient for many. It is nonetheless agency, nevertheless it’s forgiving too.
Sure, the Elantra N is a a lot happier automobile to drive each day, however the GR Corolla is much extra of a observe weapon, and it has real road cred. On backroads, the excellent suspension setup permits for severe efficiency driving, proper as much as the restrict. There’s little physique lean, however there’s extra head-tossing than within the GR Corolla. There’s extra package inside, too, with bigger screens and extra comfy seats. The 2025 Hyundai Elantra N has an EPA-estimated ranking of 20 mpg metropolis, 27 mpg freeway, and 23 mpg mixed.
Although it would not have large fenders and a large wing, it nonetheless appears prefer it’s constructed for enjoyable on the road. Possibly slightly an excessive amount of for some, in the event that they’re hoping to maintain a low profile. It positive will not be confused along with your auntie’s Elantra.
Remaining ideas
The “Want for Pace” crowd will adore the Toyota GR Corolla 8-Pace as it is a hoot on nearly each floor. It is depraved quick, even for individuals who do not partake in utilizing handbook transmissions, and it is greater than enjoyable to drive. Nonetheless, it isn’t for everybody, and it may be a handful for people who desire a each day driver that may mellow out when wanted. That is the place the Hyundai Elantra N shines.
Regardless of trying a bit overwrought from the surface, particularly for individuals who need to preserve their internal speed-demon secret, the Hyundai Elantra N DCT is a easy each day driver. Regardless of this, you possibly can nonetheless open it up and sustain with extra highly effective autos on the race observe. It has usable house and makes each day driving an journey. No matter which one you select, you will undoubtedly depart the motive force’s seat with a smile in your face. Not solely that, however each of those automobiles are examples that the automotive trade can nonetheless make enjoyable rides, you simply must know the place to look.
