Compare the2025 Volkswagen GTIVS 2025 Toyota GR Corolla

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen GTI have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Toyota GR Corolla doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The GTI has standard Maneuver Braking that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the GTI and GR Corolla have rear cross-traffic warning, but the GTI has Rear Traffic Alert (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The GR Corolla’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the GTI and the GR Corolla have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

Warranty

The GTI comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The GR Corolla’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The GTI’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the GR Corolla’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

The Volkswagen GTI’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the GR Corolla’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
GTI
	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/32 hwy
GR Corolla
	Manual	1.6 turbo 3-cyl.	21 city/28 hwy
	Auto	1.6 turbo 3-cyl.	19 city/27 hwy

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the GTI’s fuel efficiency. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the GTI’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen GTI uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The GR Corolla requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

Transmission

The GTI offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer an SMG.

Brakes and Stopping

The GTI stops much shorter than the GR Corolla:

	GTI	GR Corolla
100 to 0 MPH	304 feet	329 feet	Car and Driver
70 to 0 MPH	150 feet	167 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	104 feet	110 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The GTI Autobahn’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GR Corolla’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GTI Autobahn has standard 19-inch wheels. The GR Corolla’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The GTI has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the GR Corolla; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The GTI offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The GR Corolla’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The GTI Autobahn handles at .98 G’s, while the GR Corolla pulls only .94 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Chassis

The GTI is 4.7 inches shorter than the GR Corolla, making the GTI easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Volkswagen GTI amounts to more than styling. The GTI has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .31 Cd. That is significantly lower than the GR Corolla (.35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the GTI get better fuel mileage.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the GTI is quieter than the GR Corolla:

	GTI	GR Corolla
At idle	40 dB	52 dB
Full-Throttle	76 dB	81 dB
70 MPH Cruising	71 dB	72 dB

Passenger Space

The GTI has 7.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the GR Corolla (91.9 vs. 84.6).

The GTI has .1 inches more front headroom, 2 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 5.1 inches more rear legroom and .8 inches more rear hip room than the GR Corolla.

Cargo Capacity

The GTI has a much larger trunk than the GR Corolla with its rear seat up (19.9 vs. 17.8 cubic feet).

The GTI’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The GR Corolla Morizo Edition doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the GTI (except S), the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer a memory system.

The GTI (except S)’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The GTI’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The GR Corolla has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The GTI’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The GR Corolla’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the GTI to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the GTI has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer cornering lights. The GTI also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

When the GTI is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The GR Corolla’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Volkswagen GTI and Toyota GR Corolla offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The GTI features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the GR Corolla’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The GTI has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the GR Corolla Premium. The GTI Autobahn also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the GR Corolla.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the GTI (except S) keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The GTI has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the GR Corolla Premium.

The GTI has a standard center folding armrest for the driver and front passenger. A center armrest helps combat driver fatigue. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer a front seat center armrest.

Both the GTI and the GR Corolla offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the GTI has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen GTI has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the GR Corolla Premium/Circuit Edition offers wireless charging.

The GTI Autobahn’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the GTI owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the GTI will cost $910 to $6060 less than the GR Corolla over a five-year period.

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