Performance, style, and a hatch without the rip-off.
The 2023 Toyota GR Corolla is one of the most excellent hot hatchbacks we've ever driven, hence why it's a finalist in two 2022 CarBuzz Awards categories: Affordable Fun and Track Weapon.
Pricing for this 300-horsepower all-wheel-drive hot hatchback starts at $35,900, but we've already seen crazy dealer markups that bring the cost up by 50% or more, and that's just for the base Core model. We can only imagine how much dealerships will charge for the Circuit Edition (limited to 1,500 units) and the Morizo Edition (limited to 200 units).
Though it's a stellar performance car, we think there are better options on the used market for $50,000 to $60,000. CarBuzz has compiled a list of five pre-owned alternatives that can all be purchased for less than the price of a GR Corolla with a dealer markup. Every car we've picked has some kind of hatch element with varying levels of practicality.
C6 Corvette Z06
Why settle for a 1.6-liter three-cylinder when you could get a 7.0-liter V8 for less money? The C6 generation Chevrolet Corvette Z06 uses an LS7 engine that develops 505 horsepower mated to a six-speed manual transmission.
That combination gets the car up to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds with an 11.7-second quarter-mile time and a 198 mph top speed. The CarBuzz used car search tool found plenty of examples for less than $50,000, with prices starting around $35,000.
It may not be as practical as the Corolla, but the C6 'Vette has a large glass canopy with 22 cubic feet of storage. That's actually more than you get in the Toyota before folding the seats down. Of course, you only get two seats in the Chevy, but that's still the same amount as the Morizo Edition.
Jaguar F-Type
The Jaguar F-Type Coupe is similar to the Corvette but offers an even lower cost of entry.
Our used search function turned up examples priced at under $30,000 with around 60,000 miles or fewer. Even Jag's base sports car has more power than the GR Corolla, with a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 pumping out 340 to 380 hp. Believe it or not, the 5.0-liter supercharged V8 F-Type R is also available for around $40,000. This model produces a whopping 550 hp.
Once again, the F-Type only provides seating for two, and the trunk isn't massive, with just 11 cubic feet of space. It is still the most exotic car on this list and a bargain, even when used car prices have skyrocketed.
Honda Civic Type R (FK8)
If you can not be talked out of a hot hatchback, we've got one on this list: the previous generation Honda Civic Type R.
The latest Type R is more expensive than the GR Corolla and will likely be hit by the same outrageous markups. But the outgoing FK8 model is now reasonably priced. As a warning, these cars have held their value incredibly well, and prices still hover above the $30,000 mark. Keep in mind the car had a $34,775 starting price when it debuted in 2017. We'd love to let the market crash a bit before buying one, but the FK8 is still around $12,000 less than the new FL5 model.
With a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the Type R is still more potent than the GR Corolla with 306 hp. You only get front-wheel-drive with the Civic, but you have way more trunk space and a larger back seat.
BMW X5 M
We wanted to include a few different body styles on this list that could offer a viable alternative to a hot hatchback.
An SUV like the BMW X5 M fits the bill. The outgoing F85 generation X5 M uses a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 generating 567 hp. With the most power on this list, the BMW rockets to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds despite weighing 2,000 pounds more than the Toyota.
Our search tool revealed high-mileage examples for around $35,000, but a more sorted one can be found in the $40,000 range. With 35.8 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 76.7 cubic feet with the seats folded, the X5 M is the most family-friendly vehicle on the list.
Cadillac CTS-V Wagon
How could a list of expensive hot hatch alternatives be complete without a high-performance wagon?
That's why we included one of the most iconic ones ever built, the Cadillac CTS-V Wagon. These cars are notoriously difficult to find, as most sellers say, “I know what I have.” Good luck finding a manual example near the price of a Corolla (except maybe the Morizo Edition), but we managed to scour the internet for a few automatic ones at under $50 grand.
The CTS-V packs a 6.2-liter supercharged LSA V8, which is boosted to 556 hp. Though it's been outclassed by modern German cars, this was the hottest wagon of its era with a 12-second quarter-mile time and electronically limited 190 mph top speed. It's pretty practical, too, with 25.4 cubic feet in the trunk (58 cubes with the seats folded).
Keyword: 5 Used Alternatives To A Marked Up Toyota GR Corolla