Toyota Corolla Hatch vs Toyota GR86

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Toyota Corolla Hatch

2.0 GR Sport CVT Petrol Automatic

Swap Car A

ZAR 605,000 ex-showroom

⚡ 125 kW (168 hp)

🔧 200 Nm

⛽ 14.0 km/l

Toyota GR86

2.4 Automatic Petrol Automatic

Swap Car B

ZAR 799,900 ex-showroom

⚡ 173 kW (232 hp)

🔧 250 Nm

⛽ 10.9 km/l

＋

Want to throw in a 3rd car?

Pick a car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

⚡ Performance GR86

⛽ Petrol Economy Corolla Hatch

🔑 Ownership Cost Tie

The Overall Score — Here's How They Stack Up

🏆 Winner

GR86

/ 100

pts

Corolla Hatch

/ 100

Very close match. Final decision depends on buyer preference.

The Bottom Line

Both Corolla Hatch and GR86 are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance GR86 +4 pts

Efficiency Corolla Hatch +2 pts

Safety Equal

Practicality Corolla Hatch +1 pts

Ownership Equal

Score Breakdown by Category

🏆 Overall Winner

GR86

Performance 14/20

Efficiency 6/20

Safety 20/20

Practicality 8/20

Ownership 12/20

Corolla Hatch

Performance 10/20

Efficiency 8/20

Safety 20/20

Practicality 9/20

Ownership 12/20

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Corolla Hatch

Strengths

Better fuel efficiency
More practical for daily use

Weak Spots

Less powerful engine setup

Best suited to: Fuel Efficiency Family Usage

🏆 Overall Winner

GR86

Strengths

More powerful engine output

Weak Spots

Lower fuel efficiency
Less practical in daily usage

Best suited to: Highway Driving

Which One's Right for You?

Corolla Hatch

Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
Large families needing more practicality and usability

GR86

Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec	Corolla Hatch	GR86
Ground Clearance	130	130
Wheelbase	2640	2575
Length	4375	4265
Width	1790	1775
Height	1445	1310
Kerb Weight	1315	1270
Gross Vehicle Weight	1730	1660
Seating Capacity	5	4
Boot Space	286	237
Towing Capacity	Not Rated	Not Rated
Front Track Width	1490	1520
Rear Track Width	1490	1540
Turning Radius	5.1	5.4

Spec	Corolla Hatch	GR86
Engine	2.0L Dynamic Force Petrol	2.4L Naturally Aspirated Boxer
Engine Type	Inline 4-cylinder M20A-FKS	Horizontally Opposed 4-Cylinder (Boxer)
Displacement	1987	2387
Cylinders	3	4
Valves per Cylinder	4	4
Power	125	173
Power @ RPM	6600 rpm	7000 rpm
Torque	200	250
Torque @ RPM	4400 rpm	3700 rpm
Fuel System	Direct Injection	Direct + Port Injection
Turbocharger	Not Available	Not Available
Top Speed	210	226
0-100 km/h	8.5	6.9
Compression Ratio	13.0:1	12.5:1
Engine Position	Front Transverse	Front Longitudinal

Spec	Corolla Hatch	GR86
Transmission	CVT Automatic	6-Speed Automatic with Paddle Shifters
Drive Type	FWD	RWD
Drivetrain Layout	Front Wheel Drive	Rear Wheel Drive
LSD Available	Not Available	Torsen LSD
Paddle Shifters	Not Available	Standard
Transfer Case	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Differential Lock	Not Applicable	Not Applicable

Spec	Corolla Hatch	GR86
Claimed Mileage	14.0	10.9
City Mileage	11	8
Highway Mileage	17	12
Fuel Tank Capacity	50	50
Emission Standard	Euro 5	Euro 5
AdBlue Tank Capacity	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop	Not Available	Not Available

Spec	Corolla Hatch	GR86
Airbags	8	7
ABS	Standard	Standard with Sport Mode
Electronic Stability Control	Standard	Standard with Track Mode
Traction Control	Standard	Standard
Hill Descent Control	Not Available	Not Available
Hill Start Assist	Standard	Standard
Child Safety Lock	Standard	Standard
ISOFIX Mounts	Standard	Standard
Brake Assist	Standard	Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor	Standard	Standard
Engine Immobiliser	Standard	Standard
Alarm System	Standard	Standard
Central Locking	Standard	Standard
Side Impact Beams	Standard	Standard

Spec	Corolla Hatch	GR86
Cruise Control	Standard	Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control	Not Available	Not Available
Lane Keep Assist	Not Available	Not Available
Lane Departure Warning	Standard	Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring	Standard	Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Standard	Not Available
Parking Sensors	Rear	Rear
Rear View Camera	Standard	Standard
360 Degree Camera	Not Available	Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking	Standard	Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert	Not Available	Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition	Not Available	Not Available

Spec	Corolla Hatch	GR86
Seat Material	Fabric	Sport Fabric/Suede
Seat Adjustment	Manual	Manual
Heated Seats	Not Available	Not Available
Ventilated Seats	Not Available	Not Available
Steering Type	Electric Power Assisted	Electric Power Assisted
Steering Adjustment	Tilt and Telescopic	Tilt and Telescopic
Ambient Lighting	Not Available	Not Available
Folding Rear Seats	60/40 Split	50/50 Split
Front Armrest	Standard	Standard
Rear Armrest	Not Available	Not Available

Spec	Corolla Hatch	GR86
Climate Control	Automatic AC	Manual AC
Power Windows	All Doors	All Doors
Keyless Entry	Standard	Standard
Push Button Start	Standard	Standard
Wireless Charging	Optional	Not Available
Sunroof	Not Available	Not Available
Electric Tailgate	Not Available	Not Available
Automatic Headlamps	Standard	Standard
Rain Sensing Wipers	Standard	Standard
Auto Dimming Mirror	Standard	Standard

Spec	Corolla Hatch	GR86
Infotainment Screen	9-inch Touchscreen	8-inch Touchscreen
Apple CarPlay	Standard	Standard
Android Auto	Standard	Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity	Standard	Standard
Number of Speakers	6	6
Navigation System	Standard	Standard
Digital Instrument Cluster	Full Digital	7-inch Digital
USB Ports	2	2
Wireless Apple CarPlay	Standard	Not Available

Spec	Corolla Hatch	GR86
LED Headlamps	LED Projector	Full LED
Daytime Running Lamps	LED	LED
Fog Lamps	Standard	LED
Roof Rails	Not Available	Not Available
Alloy Wheel Design	18-inch Alloy Wheels	18-inch BBS Alloy
Chrome Exterior Finish	Not Available	Not Available
Body Cladding	Not Available	Not Available
Rear Spoiler	Not Available	Rear Spoiler

Spec	Corolla Hatch	GR86
Tyre Size	225/40 R18	215/40 R18
Wheel Type	Alloy	Alloy
Front Brake Type	Ventilated Disc	Ventilated Disc Brembo
Rear Brake Type	Drum	Solid Disc
Spare Wheel Type	Full Size Steel	Space Saver

Spec	Corolla Hatch	GR86
Front Suspension	MacPherson Strut	MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension	Torsion Beam	Double Wishbone
Chassis Type	Monocoque	Monocoque
Power Steering	Electric	Electric
Steering Column	Tilt and Telescopic	Tilt and Telescopic

Spec	Corolla Hatch	GR86
Service Interval	15,000 km or 1 Year	10,000 km or 6 Months
Approx Service Cost	Approx R3,800	Approx R5,500
Battery Warranty	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Maintenance Plan	Optional	Optional

Spec	Corolla Hatch	GR86
Warranty Years	3	3
Warranty Kilometers	100000	100000
Roadside Assistance	3 Years	3 Years
Anti-Corrosion Warranty	6 Years	6 Years

Spec	Corolla Hatch	GR86
CO2 Emissions	157	177
Start Stop System	Not Available	Not Available
Hybrid System Type	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Noise Level	68	70

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 Toyota GR86 wins with 60 pts vs 59 pts for Corolla Hatch

In structured scoring, GR86 emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Corolla Hatch may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.