Quick Review: 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport - Just the balance buyers secretly needed

Commenters were very swift in asking for 'UMWT to bring in' the Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport into Malaysia, when the eponymous model debuted in Taiwan. A couple of years since then, that wish is now true as it adds to our ever-expanding GR umbrella.

It's no 'full-GR' model – that's the race-bred GR Yaris, GR Corolla, GR86, and GR Supra's game – but the GR Sport line is meant to carry some of that genealogy to cars people like you and me drive to work.

Also read: Its name is not Supra, but Toyota GR Supra – What GR means for TRD?

So Toyota doesn't just slap on some stickers and call it day, these GR-S cars have actual improvements done to them.

Updated suspension, but is it 'better'?

In the case of today's subject, there's three performance tweaks to note. The suspension is now stiffer, there's an additional brace in the centre of the chassis, and the electric power steering system benefits from a new 'sports' computer to boost response.

The promise is that these upgrades enliven handling by reducing body roll and chassis flex, while adding sharper input.

Having driven it rather briefly on the roads surrounding Sepang International Circuit – big mix between smooth and spotty tarmac – we'd say the improvements are...not very drastic, but they're there.

If you've driven the standard Corolla Cross before and found its comfort-oriented suspension a little too spongy for your tastes, then yes, you'd appreciate the GR-S treatment better. We'd say it's one way engineers polished the TNGA chassis' capabilities.

Also read: Toyota Corolla Altis' TNGA platform, what is it and does it make any difference?

It doesn't instantly make it the most acrobatic in class, but the extra feel you get involves you a bit more than the regular variants do. There's less body roll too; so some of that 'lumbering giant' feel has been sharpened, which we think spells for added confidence leaning into the turns.

The trade off to the GR-S regimen are slight demerits to comfort. Firmer suspension equates to slightly more jitters inside, most noticable over patchy roads. But it's not adjustable-suspension levels of stiff, so if that was your concern, rest easy.

That's where all big news are, really. Under the hood it's the same 139 PS and 172 Nm from the 1.8-litre NA four-cylinder (yup, not the hybrid, that doesn't get the GR-S treatment just yet), and there's no retouching of either the engine or the CVT automatic, which keeps 7 virtual ratios.

Also read: Review: 2020 Toyota Vios GR-Sport - The ride and handling champ in class

On the outside you get a bespoke bodykit, new lights, exclusive dual tone paint, and fresh wheels. Inside you have darkened trims, GR-branded seats (they are still the fantastic leather items, just with a new skin), and a smattering of GR bits and bobs.

Everything else is a carryover from the 1.8 V variant that serves as its base; yes that includes the foot brake, and the full array of Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) ADAS suite.

Verdict

Where does it stand then? You'll be paying Hybrid prices – RM 142,000, which in itself is a circa RM 5k difference with the regular 1.8 V – so it's all up to what you want really.

There is no right or wrong answer to whichever.

Think of it this way. If you want a peak comfort, highly efficient SUV to drive you and yours around, then sure, spring for the Hybrid.

Also read: Review: Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid - Come on HR-V, give it your best shot

But if you want a little bit more balance to things – one that sits nicely between the model's famed comfort and its rivals' sportier disposition – then the Corolla Cross GR Sport is worth looking into.

Also read: Review: Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 V - HR-V contender brings value to the masses, but the cabin...