The SUV segment may be the hot topic these days but there’s something that will always remain hotter in our minds – it’s, of course, the hot hatch segment. If you are in the market for a vehicle that has a sports car performance combined with the practicality of a good old hatchback (or a small saloon), there are plenty of options on the market today. And a new video compares three of the most popular names in the category.
Sam CarLegion on YouTube decided to line the Toyota GR Corolla, Subaru WRX, and Honda Civic Type R on the drag strip and see which one of these small but fast cars is the fastest in a series of different drag races. This isn’t a super scientific battle but in the name of objectivity, all three cars have a manual transmission and are 2023 model year versions. The engines under the bonnet are very different, though.
Gallery: 2023 Toyota GR Corolla First Drive Review
The Subaru WRX has the largest mill with a displacement of 2.4 litres. This is a turbocharged flat-four engine good for 271 bhp and 258 pound-feet of torque delivered to all four wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox. The WRX tips the scales at 1,543 kilograms (3,401 pounds) and isn't a hatchback but a saloon.
The Honda Civic Type R, in turn, has a smaller 2.0-litre unit with a turbocharger. It generates 315 bhp and 310 lb-ft of torque sent to the front wheels exclusively. The car from Japan weighs 1,447 kg (3,190 lbs) and has a six-speed manual transmission.
Hot Hatch Wars:
Last but not least, the Toyota GR Corolla has the smallest 1.6-litre turbocharged engine. It has a peak output of 300 bhp and 273 lb-ft of torque, sent to all four wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. In terms of weight, it sits between the other two contenders with a weight of 1,493 kg (3,291 lbs).
These are just the dry factory numbers. As you know, many other factors affect the performance of a car in a drag race, including traction and reaction times.
Source: Sam CarLegion on YouTube