2025 Toyota GR Corolla Review and Test Drive

A new automatic transmission option could make this hot hatch enticing to more driving enthusiasts.

Connor Hoffman | 

Oct 23, 2024 | 5 min read

Connor Hoffman

A rally-bred, track-focused version of the Toyota Corolla hatchback, the GR Corolla was previously available exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission. These days, many driving enthusiasts can't drive a stick, so Toyota has made the 2025 GR Corolla a possibility for them by adding an automatic transmission option.

That prompts the question: Is the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla still a blast to drive without its clutch pedal? To find out, I headed to Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina.

For the 2025 GR Corolla, Toyota offers Core, Premium, and Premium Plus trim levels, and base prices range from the high $30,000s to the mid-$40,000s. Those ranges include the destination charge to ship the car from the factory in Motomachi, Japan, to your local dealership.

For this GR Corolla review, I test-drove the Premium Plus trim solely on the race track. Aside from the automatic transmission, the only option on my test car was a new extra-cost paint color called Heavy Metal, bringing the manufacturer's suggested retail price to $47,085, including the $1,095 destination charge. Toyota provided the vehicle for this GR Corolla review and paid for airfare, lodging, and meals during the evaluation period.

Connor Hoffman

Is the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla a Good Car?

If you're in the market for a hot hatch but don't want to drive a car with a manual transmission, you no longer have to limit yourself to a Volkswagen Golf GTI or Golf R. The GR Corolla, previously only available with a stick shift as with the Acura Integra Type S and Honda Civic Type R, now comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission that snaps off quick shifts like the best dual-clutch automatics. It also includes a launch-control feature. Don't worry; it's still plenty of fun to drive.

Connor Hoffman

What Sets the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla Apart

Adding the automatic transmission option isn't the only new thing about the 2025 GR Corolla. The car's turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower now makes 295 pound-feet of torque, matching the output of the limited-run Morizo Edition from 2023, the GR Corolla's first year on sale.

In addition, front and rear limited-slip differentials are now standard on all three models. Toyota also tweaked the GR Corolla's airflow for better cooling performance and adjusted the rear suspension for more stability through corners.

The GR Corolla's Automatic Feels Like a Dual Clutch

The best automatic transmissions seamlessly shift between gears, responding to accelerator and brake inputs to ensure you have the right amount of power for any given situation. That's how the new eight-speed automatic feels in the 2025 GR Corolla, and its behavior reminded me of a dual-clutch automated manual gearbox, in a good way.

Toyota's engineers gave the eight-speed automatic closer gear ratios, similar to the GR Corolla's standard manual gearbox. The company calls it the Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT), and paddle shifters on the steering wheel add more driver engagement. Still, the transmission's software does such a great job of ensuring you can quickly accelerate out of corners that I found myself trusting the computer instead of slapping my fingertips on the paddles.

Connor Hoffman

Another benefit of choosing the DAT over the stick is its launch-control system. Put the GR Corolla in Track mode, turn off the traction control, pull both paddle shifters on the steering wheel, smash both pedals to the floor, and the car holds engine revs a little over 2,000 rpm. Let go of the brake, and the GR Corolla will launch.

This year, Toyota also unlocks an additional 22 lb-ft of torque from every GR Corolla's turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine. The increase won't be noticeable to most drivers, but it helps with the car's overall performance.

Official fuel-economy estimates are unavailable, but despite only driving around Charlotte Motor Speedway's road course as fast as I dared, I averaged 15.5 mpg, according to the car's trip computer.

Connor Hoffman

Thankfully, More Traction Aids Are Now Standard

All 2025 GR Corollas have front and rear limited-slip differentials, which help send the right amount of power to any of the four wheels. The limited-slip differentials used to be an option on the entry-level Core model, but now they're standard across the model line.

They pair with the customizable all-wheel-drive system, which can vary the torque split from 60:40 front-to-rear to 30:70 while in Track mode. I preferred the latter setting, delivering most of the car's power to the rear wheels, making the 2025 GR Corolla feel more nimble through tight corners.

Some other differences aren't noticeable from behind the wheel but help decrease lap times. For example, wider air intakes on either side of the lower grille help improve airflow and cooling performance. In addition, Toyota engineers increased rebound on all four corners and revised the rear spring rates to keep the car planted.

Those improvements and the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires make the 2025 GR Corolla ready to grip and rip around a racetrack, even with the new eight-speed DAT. Undoubtedly, they also translate to more fun when driving on your favorite canyon road.

Connor Hoffman

Manual transmissions typically provide a more engaging driving experience because they make you feel more connected to the car. However, modern automatics can match that level of driving enjoyment and provide even faster acceleration. That's true of the updated 2025 Toyota GR Corolla and its new eight-speed DAT.

Connor Hoffman

Connor Hoffman is a writer and editor based in Kansas City. Prior to becoming a freelance writer, he was an editor at a national car magazine and worked in communications at a major automaker. He loves off-roading and camping in his 4Runner, golfing (poorly), and shredding on his mountain bike.