2023 Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport in Malaysia – sportier looks inside/out, tuned suspension; RM142k

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport in Malaysia – sportier looks inside/out, tuned suspension; RM142k

Say hello to a sportier version of the Toyota Corolla Cross. The Corolla Cross 1.8 GR Sport has been launched in Malaysia, and the SUV is differentiated by exterior and interior cues, and there are even some changes under the hood for a “sporty driving feel and greater handling”. Based on the non-hybrid 1.8V model, the Corolla Cross 1.8 GR Sport is priced at RM142,000 on the road without insurance.

The GR Sport immediately looks different from the regular Corolla Cross variants thanks to a two-tone package which puts black paint on the roof, A-pillars, wing mirrors and rear spoiler. Choose from Platinum White Pearl, Red Mica Metallic and Nebula Blue for the rest of the body.

In front, the frame of the grille now “points” into the headlamps (reminds us of the Land Cruiser 200 facelift) to make the eyes less pointy. This frame is in gloss black, and there are mesh inserts for both upper and lower grilles. The bumper is also of a different design, with fog lamps moved to the edges.

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport in Malaysia – sportier looks inside/out, tuned suspension; RM142k

At the rear, GR Sport stands out with clear lenses for the lamps (no red bits), a unique rear bumper garnish/diffuser design. The three notches you see here are also repeated on the side skirts and front lip area. The wheels are 18-inch items (same size as V and Hybrid) with a two-tone machined finish and exclusive GR Sport turbine design. Of course, GR badging can be found on the front, rear and sides.

Inside, the all-black cabin gets red stitching on the leather seats, steering wheel and gear knob. GR logos can be found on the push start button, embossed on the front seat headrests and the carpet mats.

No change in output from the 1.8 litre ZR-FE engine, which puts out 139 PS and 172 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. The Dual VVT-i unit is paired to a CVT with seven-speed manual mode. So what are the GR Sport changes? There’s a “Sport ECU” for the electric power steering that is claimed to increase steering feel and response. There’s also reduced body roll thanks to stiffer suspension (retuned springs and struts), and the addition of a Performance Bar.

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport in Malaysia – sportier looks inside/out, tuned suspension; RM142k

The rest of the GR Sport’s kit list is identical to the 1.8V variant’s. This means that you get roof rails, eight-way powered driver’s seat and reclining rear seats, 9.0 inch touchscreen head unit with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a powered hatch with kick sensor. Also in are seven airbags, Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, 3D panoramic view monitor and a telematics system (car tracker).

At RM142k, the CKD locally-assembled Corolla Cross 1.8 GR Sport is priced RM4,600 higher than the 1.8V. By the way, the range received a price increase for 2023, and the base 1.8G now retails for RM130,400 (+RM2,097), followed by the 1.8V at RM137,400 (+RM2,971). The Corolla Cross Hybrid is yours for RM142,000 (+RM2,009), which is the same price as the GR Sport.

GALLERY: 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport live pics

GALLERY: 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport official pics

GALLERY: 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport brochure

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Kimchi on Feb 17, 2023 at 8:42 pm

    Better than HRV and x50

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 66 Thumb down 19
    • Kumchi on Feb 18, 2023 at 11:46 pm

      I feel hrv has better looks ..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 22 Thumb down 75
      • hazri on Jul 24, 2023 at 11:13 pm

        nope. obviously x50 has better looks. but in the end people choose hrv because it is honda.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 33
        • But HRV looks dated including inside. Even at least Corolla Cross GRS still have better looking inside than HRV interior. Yet, quality for honda also not as good as toyota. Although proton x50 also better interior than Honda hrv but also still not as good as toyota, when comes quality but better than honda

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
        • but in terms of quality, honda loses to rivals

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
      • But HRV looks dated including inside. Even at least Corolla Cross GRS still have better looking inside than HRV interior

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • anonymous on Feb 17, 2023 at 8:51 pm

    what we wanted was an electronic parking brake but UMW instead decided to throw on a body kit and label this as a ‘GR Sport’, increased the price, and called it a day lol.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 68 Thumb down 90
  • tricycle on Feb 17, 2023 at 9:45 pm

    Nah, hr-v better got turbo. Honda Sensing. Price hr-v also ok with all the full specs. Except Honda lack 360 camera. But better go for hr-v. For handling go for cx-30 ckd.

    Toyota let them sleep. Looks at data of Toyota vehicle sales in Malaysia. With boring products, even Honda without commercial van and pick up truck beat them by huge margin.

    Wake up Toyota, stop playing safe. Let there be fun in your products.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 108
    • Rossie on Feb 19, 2023 at 9:59 am

      Even Subaru XV AWD 2.0 N.A sepang record so so only, loose to The Toyota Raize TNGA Ativa 1.0T FWD by the same driver of both car – RiderAth a subaru owner and fans, you sure CX-30 any good or just short and fun for city drive?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 2
    • Sohail on Feb 19, 2023 at 5:27 pm

      Honda Van and Truck?
      Can sell anot?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 1
  • Yeahsure on Feb 17, 2023 at 10:54 pm

    how much longer do they want to milk that pathetic infotaintment size and dessign??

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 4
    • ‘Smart’ people still buy it, why change?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 2
    • But the screen size for infortainment screen corolla cross is 9 inch which is bigger, so what’s there to complain

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Johnmark on Feb 18, 2023 at 3:30 am

    The cars look nice ☺️ I would like to have one some day

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 29 Thumb down 4
  • Disappointed.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 31
  • So they’re not releasing the GR Sport Hybrid version?

    Because saw a youtube review in Taiwan saying that this fuel efficiency is lower than the Hybrid version.

    Hope Toyota can bring the GR Sport Hybrid version here.

    Thanks.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 5
  • Sick&Tired on Feb 18, 2023 at 4:14 pm

    The engine bay looks absolutely hideous!! Couldn’t they just put an engine cover!!??

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 11
    • holofanboi on Feb 28, 2023 at 1:22 pm

      Lol. I now know how Paul and colleagues feel when reading OUR comments back in 2011-2018. Back in the early 2010s when engine cover trend started, most of us hated it. Market demands across decades really is a thing isn’t it? Its ever changing.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Keyboard warrior on Feb 18, 2023 at 7:56 pm

    Overseas Corolla Cross gets full size panoramic sunroof, new 10inch headunit that runs Toyota revamp software, much more advanced front headlights and the most important thing is ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 7
  • UselessUMW on Feb 19, 2023 at 3:52 am

    Still using foot pedal brake and call this sh|t as GR sport? Lol… failed product.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 20
    • Haha. It also lacks lumbar adjustment. I am a proud owner of Corolla Altis G spec. Masih berbaloi than its SUV counterpart

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 13
    • Most important is reliability. This footbrake is more durable than electronic parking brake.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
  • EffKiasuland on Feb 20, 2023 at 8:41 am

    Interior looks old and uninspiring and boring. Hard pass. Get X60 or HRV or pay a bit more and get a CX-5 instead.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 20
    • This interior doesn’t looks boring and uninspiring, ever since come with new platform which is TNGA

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • msia driver on Feb 20, 2023 at 6:01 pm

    2023 new car still using foot parking brake…lulzzz come on toyota malaysia….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 17
  • Good car!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
 

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