The Honda Civic Type R and Toyota GR Corolla are fun cars that don’t break the bank. The new Throttle House video pits the two in a drag race to see which is better over the quarter mile. The pair then compete in a rolling race.
Powering the Toyota is a turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine. The factory produces 300 horsepower (224 kilowatts) and 295 pound-feet (400 Newton-meters) of torque. The Civic Type R packs a larger 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which produces more power, producing 315 hp (235 kW) and 310 lb-ft (442 Nm). The two even weigh the same, with only a 2 pound difference – 3,186 lbs (1,445 kilograms) for the Corolla and 3,188 lbs (1,446 kg) for the Honda.
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Toyota’s significant advantage is its all-wheel drive system, since the Honda only drives the front. Driving all four wheels gives the hatchback a huge advantage over the Civic from digging, and that was evident in the first race. Another Toyota advantage is the trim. This is the Morizo Edition, which produces more torque than the standard GR, has tighter gearing, and weighs less than the Circuit Edition.
Toyota rocketed off the line while Honda struggled for traction. However, Honda’s extra power – as small as it gets – was able to show off towards the end of the race, staggering on the Toyota. However, the Corolla’s excellent start still allowed it to finish first.
Rolling races are much different. With Toyota’s lead emasculated, Honda followed Toyota and beat it, driving forward and crossing the finish line first. Toyota got a bit of a jump ahead of Honda at first, but it didn’t last.
The Honda Civic Type R and Toyota GR Corolla aren’t as cheap as their low-powered pedestrian counterparts, but they offer a lot of performance for an affordable price tag. The Type R has been a performance mainstay for years, and adding the GR Corolla to Toyota’s lineup shows the automaker’s fun side. GR Corolla Circuit Edition or entry-level Core can be built for closer races.
