Our neighbours tend to get the good stuff. Well, in this case it might be up for debate but truth be told, the GR Sport goods here extends beyond the cosmetic so colour us a little envious of the Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport that’s been launched in Thailand prior to the Thailand International Motor Expo 2021 beginning 1 December 2021.

Headlight Magazine delves into the details, that being the petrol-electric Atkinson-cycle 2ZR-FXE engine with 98 PS and 142 Nm. The electric motor draws power from a 6.5-Ah nickel-metal hydride battery to deliver an additional 72 PS and 163 Nm for a combined output of 122 PS to the front wheels via the e-CVT.

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This combo will be the same found in the Corolla Cross Hybrid about to be launched in Malaysia. However, Taiwan was made privy to the Corolla Cross GR Sport before Thailand but it makes do with the 1.8-litre 2ZR-FE 1.8-litre naturally aspirated mill that was introduced in the initial Corolla Cross for Malaysia.

Setting the Corolla Cross GR Sport apart from the mundane trims would be a redesigned bumper that incorporates fog lights mounted in a higher position. The grille and trims are black with a mesh design applied to the lower intake as well.

Rounding off the lower edges of both bumpers and the side skirts are a faux metal finishing for a sturdier look. The roof is painted black.

In the cabin, the 9.0-inch infotainment screen will remind you of the extra coin you splurged with a GR Sport visual every time you start the vehicle. A GR engine start button and GR logo embossed on the headrests will continue to remind you of said fact as well.

Lastly, ensuring this isn’t a cosmetic con job is a set of sports suspension developed by the GR division and a chassis reinforcement brace. It’s difficult to say if these translate into tangible improvements for handling in the real world but good thing we grade on effort.

It’s unclear to what extent the GR Sport goodies will be made available here but do expect some variation of it once the Corolla Cross Hybrid is launched. For now, the only GR Sport model sold here is the Vios GR Sport.

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Over in Taiwan, the Corolla Cross GR Sport is priced at 875,000 New Taiwan dollars (~RM131k) with the hybrid requiring a bit more at at 945,000 New Taiwan dollars (~RM142k). Over here, the Corolla Cross can be had in two 1.8-litre naturally aspirated trims priced at RM124,000 for the 1.8G and RM129,266 for the more premium 1.8V.