2019 Corolla Hatchback

I bought my car used with 3,300 miles on the clock, in November 2020. Over a couple of years I made a few modifications and traveled 60,000+ miles. I had hoped that the GR Corolla platform development might pass down some upgrades to the E210, but that hasn't manifested yet. Since then, Toyota has stopped offering a manual gearbox for the commuter Corolla lineup--and the GR launch has suffered from dealer markups and limited production. Regardless, the E210 platform has found fans and impressed some of us enough to invest time and money into trying to squeeze a hot hatch out of a Corolla.

Up top, you should know there really isn't that much out there for these.

On the Toyota platform, many parts are interchangeable between models and careful engineering can be found all over the car, making work on it a breeze. The high gas mileage north of 40mpg highway and 28 city from a naturally aspirated engine makes this an excellent daily driver. I fit an entire prehung door inside the car, trunk closed--the cargo space is great. The Corolla is still inexpensive, so we know it has to compromise somewhere. The materials used in the interior even on the highest trims, even on the new GR Corolla, not great. And contrary to what you'd think, the M20A-FKS engine is rev happy. The torque down low is sufficient to get rolling, but the tall gears mean that it picks up the pace a lot more in the sweet spot. Acceleration picks up past 3600, and it feels strongest around 5500, redline is about 7200. When you stay on the pedal, the engine sings in a way that reminds me of classic Honda motors. High compression, high revs, naturally aspirated, in a chassis that is practical and light (enough)--it's a winning formula.

But that doesn't change that the car feels boring as it is from the factory. The steering is quick but lifeless, it gives no feedback. The throttle tends to delay just behind your pedal input, and the revs hang high when you shift. The tall gears go on forever, and the cabled shifter is more of a selector than a lever. The seating position feels pretty high, you really notice it when cornering. And yet, with a suspension drop, I sit below the eyeline of other drivers. Oh and the suspension... it rolls pretty hard stock. The lack of feedback combined with that makes it the opposite of confidence-inspiring during testing.

As much as I'd love to shed some of those 3,060lbs, it's hard to lose any significant weight without seriously compromising safety, and this is a daily driver. I have the Integra to satisfy that kind of experience. There's several key components I upgraded to give the driver some confidence.

[talk about upgrades]

A quick side note... owners should beware that this new series of engines is built in a way that rebuilding is unrealistic. This may deter you from investing in this platform, given that the engine is not serviceable in its stock form right now. If you blow it, you need a new one, and yours is a total loss.