Toyota Corolla Altis GR Sport 2023

GR Sport is the version of the Corolla Altis developed with the involvement of Toyota Gazoo Racing, the company motorsport division. Visually it means an aggressive front bumper, a black grille, 18 inch wheels and model specific badges. Technically it means revised suspension, a stiffer body and more communicative steering.

The important part is that the sporty character does not cancel out hybrid economy. You get about 4.5 to 5 litres per 100 km, the best figure in the fleet, in a car that is genuinely interesting on the winding roads towards Mai Khao and Promthep Cape.

Compared with the standard Altis 2023: that car is softer and more comfortable on broken tarmac, while the GR Sport is tighter and more precise in corners but firmer over bumps. Compared with the Honda City RS 2024: the City RS is smaller, easier to park and cheaper, but clearly behind on cabin quietness and on fuel use.

The brakes and tyres are chosen for more active driving, which is a real safety margin on wet roads in the rainy season. Fuel is ordinary Gasohol 95 and no charging is required.