Toyota GR Corolla vs Nissan Z

[V35]

Another side by side

 

[wooferocau]

2026...
I test drove both the Z STD and the Nismo...was going to purchase the Nismo but opted out.
Test drove a CRC and was in awe from the word go !!
Liked it so much i purchased a 2026 manual...
The Z is faster off the mark for sure..BUT any hint of twisty, winding mountain roads such as the Alpine roads where i live and the GRC superior in every way!

Still think the Z is a great car...but for me the GRC is on another level..

 

[bhamvett]

2 different classes of cars.

 

[wooferocau]

2 different classes of cars.

In what way ?
Both being "Sports" cars.

 

[Nis Mo Z]

In what way ?
Both being "Sports" cars.

No, the GR Corolla is a high performance, FWD bias AWD, rally inspired Toyota Corolla, basically a 4 door sport compact.

The Z has always been a sports car with some later models infusing a GT like nature, so basically a GT/Sports car

 

[wooferocau]

No, the GR Corolla is a high performance, FWD bias AWD, rally inspired Toyota Corolla, basically a 4 door sport compact.

The Z has always been a sports car with some later models infusing a GT like nature, so basically a GT/Sports car

No worries...
I get your point.
Just to clarify... i have always been a diehard Nissan fan/owner .... never had a "Toyota" before so new territory for me..

 

[trackratZ]

Can't compare the two, different class and driving types, especially for canyon runs. AWD always has the upper hand.

 

[Tranzor Z]

What everyone is saying is the Toyota is junk.

 

[wooferocau]

What everyone is saying is the Toyota is junk.

Really !!!

 

[Zplz]

No worries...
I get your point.
Just to clarify... i have always been a diehard Nissan fan/owner .... never had a "Toyota" before so new territory for me..

The most reliable cars I've owned over the years have been Toyotas. My first new car was a Toyota Celica and my current "work' car is a "glorified" Toyota, an ES350. I traded in a Toyota Avalon for it that had well over 200K very reliable miles on in it. The least reliable car I've owned was a Mercedes SL500. An absolutely beautiful car that was a dream to drive but very expensive to own, without an extended warranty. It was like maintaining a B2 bomber.

Enjoy your Corolla!

 

[bhamvett]

Same guy says Toyota is junk. They make some of the most reliable cars on the planet. Z is a GT car. GR Corolla is a hot hatch.

 

[Drago86]

2026...
I test drove both the Z STD and the Nismo...was going to purchase the Nismo but opted out.
Test drove a CRC and was in awe from the word go !!
Liked it so much i purchased a 2026 manual...
The Z is faster off the mark for sure..BUT any hint of twisty, winding mountain roads such as the Alpine roads where i live and the GRC superior in every way!

Still think the Z is a great car...but for me the GRC is on another level..

Absolute gem of a car congratulations! I also was considering the GRC vs the Z. I opted the opposite way but absolutely don't fault you in the slightest and think the GRC is superior out of the box in many ways to the standard Z.

The things at the time that turned me away from the GRC were:

1. Overheating AWD on track or even in spirited driving leading to FWD only for a cooling off period. This issue didn't seem to be solved by cooling the clutch pack or even tricking the clutch pack temp sensor. The ECU seemed to use some sort of internal logic that calculated the clutch pack overheat that wasn't figured out yet(probably fixed by now, I haven't kept up with the community).

2. Fragile manual transmission in the GRC: Lots of synchro hub failures at modest power levels, some even stock. Though I think I found a clever solution for this: The lotus Evora shares the same box with similar problems and I'm 99% sure the strengthened gear sets they sell for the Evora to fix this are just heavily marked up mazdaspeed3/6 gearsets. All the ratios match and the speed3/6 never had the same issues despite using the same gearbox to much higher awd tuned powers with no issues. At the time though everyone making serious power just put the purpose-built dogbox in. Cusco also now sells reinforced hubs to fix this, but either way you need to open up/ swap the trans on a brand-new car. The Z has functionally the same transmission and rear end as the 370z which has proven decently reliable to 600+ hp over the years.

3. High seating position with no easy option to lower it without replacing the stock seats. This just made it feel less special than it was when driving around sitting so high.

4. Z is just a reskinned 370 so it has DECADES of tuner support and parts available.

4. I thought the Z looked cooler.


Things the GRC flat out does better than the Z:

1. Better handling out of the box vs the non-Nismo Z variants.

2. Better utilization of space: it's practically the same size as the Z but has 4 doors, a useable back seat and a usable hatch. The Z goes out of it's way to waste space to feel more "sporty" despite it's sedan roots. There is a foot of foam under the z's rear hatch carpet, 2-6 inches between the actual body and the interior trim pieces everywhere etc. This makes the GRC much more practical as a daily.

3. Absolutely SPECTACULAR engine. 1.5L, 300+ HP, 3(!) oil squirters per piston, decently sized turbo from the factory, beautiful heads and ports, a real upgradeable turbo exhaust manifold, ultra stiff block/girdle. There is an Australian tuner who was making a reliable 740 HP on the STOCK BLOCK/ BOTTOM END. If the Z were as power dense and sturdy it would be a 600 hp car from the factory with tunning potential to 1500hp..... let that sink in. Absolutely one of my all-time favorite engines.

4. Significantly lighter despite 4 doors and AWD....

5. Modern underbody Aero (look under the Z it's a mess). The Gr actually has its own unique underbody panels vs the regular corolla

6. Way way way better stock brakes: Same sized front rotors on a much lighter car and two piece rotors from the factory means the GRC doesn't roast its brakes in 1-2 laps like the Z.

7. Sick carbon fiber roof on the version that's priced closest to the Z, lower MSRP on the base model (though if you waited long enough Z's were marked down to around the same price, eventually). The GRC is a great value for what you're getting overall.

Granted, the Nismo Z does hold up a lot better in the comparison, but then the price isn't even close to apples to apples.



Since I was mainly looking for a platform to use as an excuse to indulge in sweet sweet JDM tuner goodies and mod, AND due to the fact that Z's came down to around the same price as a GRC, I chose the Z. But I would love to own a GRC someday if I'm ever fortunate enough to have the funds, space and time to support both,.. and multiple RX-7's....

 

[thesilverbullet]

If i was going this route, i would go with a CTR/ITS for the tuning platform..

personally i prefer the old school rwd and double wishbones up front. Not a fan of struts & fwd based awd setups.

 

[KrackaC8]

Makes me realize how ahead of their time the Evos really were....

 

[wooferocau]

Absolute gem of a car congratulations! I also was considering the GRC vs the Z. I opted the opposite way but absolutely don't fault you in the slightest and think the GRC is superior out of the box in many ways to the standard Z.

The things at the time that turned me away from the GRC were:

1. Overheating AWD on track or even in spirited driving leading to FWD only for a cooling off period. This issue didn't seem to be solved by cooling the clutch pack or even tricking the clutch pack temp sensor. The ECU seemed to use some sort of internal logic that calculated the clutch pack overheat that wasn't figured out yet(probably fixed by now, I haven't kept up with the community).

2. Fragile manual transmission in the GRC: Lots of synchro hub failures at modest power levels, some even stock. Though I think I found a clever solution for this: The lotus Evora shares the same box with similar problems and I'm 99% sure the strengthened gear sets they sell for the Evora to fix this are just heavily marked up mazdaspeed3/6 gearsets. All the ratios match and the speed3/6 never had the same issues despite using the same gearbox to much higher awd tuned powers with no issues. At the time though everyone making serious power just put the purpose-built dogbox in. Cusco also now sells reinforced hubs to fix this, but either way you need to open up/ swap the trans on a brand-new car. The Z has functionally the same transmission and rear end as the 370z which has proven decently reliable to 600+ hp over the years.

3. High seating position with no easy option to lower it without replacing the stock seats. This just made it feel less special than it was when driving around sitting so high.

4. Z is just a reskinned 370 so it has DECADES of tuner support and parts available.

4. I thought the Z looked cooler.


Things the GRC flat out does better than the Z:

1. Better handling out of the box vs the non-Nismo Z variants.

2. Better utilization of space: it's practically the same size as the Z but has 4 doors, a useable back seat and a usable hatch. The Z goes out of it's way to waste space to feel more "sporty" despite it's sedan roots. There is a foot of foam under the z's rear hatch carpet, 2-6 inches between the actual body and the interior trim pieces everywhere etc. This makes the GRC much more practical as a daily.

3. Absolutely SPECTACULAR engine. 1.5L, 300+ HP, 3(!) oil squirters per piston, decently sized turbo from the factory, beautiful heads and ports, a real upgradeable turbo exhaust manifold, ultra stiff block/girdle. There is an Australian tuner who was making a reliable 740 HP on the STOCK BLOCK/ BOTTOM END. If the Z were as power dense and sturdy it would be a 600 hp car from the factory with tunning potential to 1500hp..... let that sink in. Absolutely one of my all-time favorite engines.

4. Significantly lighter despite 4 doors and AWD....

5. Modern underbody Aero (look under the Z it's a mess). The Gr actually has its own unique underbody panels vs the regular corolla

6. Way way way better stock brakes: Same sized front rotors on a much lighter car and two piece rotors from the factory means the GRC doesn't roast its brakes in 1-2 laps like the Z.

7. Sick carbon fiber roof on the version that's priced closest to the Z, lower MSRP on the base model (though if you waited long enough Z's were marked down to around the same price, eventually). The GRC is a great value for what you're getting overall.

Granted, the Nismo Z does hold up a lot better in the comparison, but then the price isn't even close to apples to apples.



Since I was mainly looking for a platform to use as an excuse to indulge in sweet sweet JDM tuner goodies and mod, AND due to the fact that Z's came down to around the same price as a GRC, I chose the Z. But I would love to own a GRC someday if I'm ever fortunate enough to have the funds, space and time to support both,.. and multiple RX-7's....

Absolutely agree with your assessment.

When i test drove the STD Z i was to be honest very disappointed... I expected it to be leaps and bounds superior than my old Z32.
In actual fact it wasn't. yeah the engine is strong and pulls very well but it didn't have the kick of the old VG30DETT ...granted mine is 500+whp.
The handling is what really shocked me! the STD is so soft it wallows around corners ....not at all confidence inspiring!
My Nissan dealer assured me the NISMO was quite an improvement and addresses the issues i had with the STD.
I placed a pre order for the Nismo and was content.
Over the next weeks i had a few concerns. My dealer arranged a NISMO for a test drive.
The NISMO was indeed quite a step up from the STD .... Handing much better, BUT still not what i was expecting or hoping for.
The Z feels BIG/HEAVY and not confidence inspiring when pushed in winding roads, my old Z32 suddenly felt quite good in comparison!!
The Engine /power in the Nismo is very good...strong and tonguey ...but the old VG30DETT feels better up top.

I cancelled my NISMO order .

When i went looking at alternatives i went for the SUPRA , but there were none available new.
This is when i spotted the GRC. On first look i looked at the specs and seen the 1.6 Littre 3 CYL engine !!
I thought ..NO WAY and walked away laughing.
The dealer persuaded me to at least take the GRC for a drive before i completely dismissed it.
I agreed, but didn't expect much.

Well, that's when my whole perspective of the thing changed.
I could not believe how a pissy little 1.6ltr ( 3 cyl) could output this much power and torque !!
It honestly blew me away.
Pulling out of corners it actually feels stronger ( more HP) than the new Z . It pulls and just keeps pulling (strongly) until you hit the limiter. I absolutely fell in love with the 3cyl engine.
The other attribute of the GRC i love.....HANDLING.
Even the NISMO spec feels big and cumbersome compared to the GRC.
Push the NISMO in corners and you will find its limits ......push the GRC and it just feels like its stuck on rails .... it ridiculous the corner speeds you can attain.
Brakes .... No comparison.......GRC by a mile.

Physical looks.... I love the Z looks.....always will.
The GRC i loved from the front, but it is still a "Hatch" ...but it has grown on me and i very much like it.

I love how the G16E engine is a purely designed from ground up race engine...... It is a beautifully built engine.
Mine will remain stock, but i have spoken to LAMSPEED RACING here in AUS and they say G16E @ 600+ HP for reliable daily driving is a reality!!

As i have stated over i still think the Z ( NISMO) is a terrific car but for "ME" the GRC is just on another level.

We are just so lucky we still have choices at this point.......as time goes by i think they will become extremely limited in regard to TRUE sports cars with a combustion engine.

Whatever you drive.....ENJOY !!