Just to share my test drive experience of the Toyota Corolla GR Sport just recently. It's not supposed to replace my current Ford Focus mk3 but is currently the top choice as a family car for my dad.

I would have to say, after test driving the Corolla GR Sport I now appreciate the Focus mk3 even more. The Corolla GR Sport performs more like a family car although it's marketed as having improved sporty GR handling. I was hoping it could somehow match the Focus mk3 in areas of handling and performance, but I was wrong. The Corolla GR Sport not only feels less powerful but the steering feel is a huge difference from the accurate and perfectly weighted steering of the Focus. This is the area where I think separates the difference in ride and handling between the Focus and Corolla GR Sport.

Despite the reduced performance, handling and driving dynamics, I'll likely go with this Toyota Corolla GRS as it ticks most of the boxes as a family car when compared to other alternatives. The areas where the Corolla GR Sport showed improvement over the Ford Focus are a roomier cabin for rear passengers, better rear legroom and softer leather seats which translate to slightly better comfort.

As for the Ford Focus mk3, i now appreciate it even more although there were some bad hiccups with the vehicle earlier and some poor decisions on going with a 2nd hand steering rack, not once but twice. I'll likely replace the steering rack to a new one during the next service to keep the vehicle in tip top condition. All other parts such as engine mountings and worn parts have been replaced 2 months ago during the scheduled service.

The pictures below show the Corolla GR Sport which I test drove just recently. The white coloured one looks the best to me. Even with 18" black sports rim, sports tuned suspension, springs and absorbers, the handling of the vehicle still can't match the trusty old Focus mk3 sedan with 16" wheels. Having spoiled by the 2.0 litre engine and DCT, the Corolla'S 1.8-litre engine and Super CVT feels noticeably less powerful and more sluggish. Looking past the performance in handling and acceleration power, as a whole it's actually not that bad as the overall package is quite good when compared to the competition out there. I find the Corolla GR Sport to be quite elegant looking especially with the revised front bumper.