Key Takeaways
- Toyota reveals an updated 2025 GR Corolla with an available eight-speed automatic transmission.
- Sharper handling comes courtesy of suspension improvements; the three-cylinder gets a torque boost.
- Subtle styling updates improve aerodynamics and cooling.
The Toyota GR Corolla has been made better for MY2025, with a host of improvements being introduced for the new model year. Aside from subtle styling enhancements, customers can now select an eight-speed automatic racing transmission. But that’s not all that has changed. Launch control has been introduced, alongside suspension upgrades aimed at making the hot hatch even sharper than before. Let’s take a closer look at the changes Toyota has made.
2025 Toyota GR Corolla
- Base Trim Curb Weight
- 3,252 lbs
- Engine
- 1.6L Turbocharged Inline-3 Gas
- Horsepower
- 300 hp
- Transmission
- 6-Speed Manual
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
All GR Corollas are powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine that develops 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. That’s up from 273 lb-ft of torque and should make the hot hatch feel more responsive than before. Premium trims are now available with a sub-radiator that provides greater engine cooling. This is standard on the Premium Plus.
New Automatic Transmission Will Broaden Appeal
The big news is the introduction of an automatic option, which first appeared on the updated GR Yaris. Officially known as the 8-speed Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT), this isn’t your average self-shifter. Unlike the auto ‘boxes in the GR Supra and GR86 – which rely on speed and deceleration to plan gearshifts – the DAT’s software senses how the driver uses the throttle and brakes and anticipates ideal gearshift times before there’s even a change in driver behavior. This, says Toyota, creates a sensation “similar to that of professional drivers.”
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Toyota worked hard to ensure the automatic feels as lively and exciting to drive as its manual counterpart. The eight-speeder optimizes the revs even at cruising speeds and allows drivers to choose from four modes – Sport, Normal, Custom, and ECO. The ‘box has been tuned for Sport mode and promises to maximize performance on race tracks or just on the way to the office, and was developed with the aid of racing drivers who tested it in real motorsport conditions.
Toyota Took To Fiji Raceway To Sharpen Handling
Vehicles fitted with the new DAT receive an automatic transmission fluid cooler as standard and a launch control system. The mechanical improvements don’t end there, though. The GR team took the hatch to Fuji International Speedway and put the GR Corolla through the same processes used in the development of its Super Taikyu race cars. The engineers wanted to improve traction under hard cornering, so rebound springs were added to the front and rear suspension to minimize inner wheel lift under hard cornering.
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Elsewhere, the rear coils and stabilizers were improved to “help boost ground contact response and controllability when turning.” The trailing arm mounting point has also been raised which has also improved the vehicle’s cornering. Lastly, the all-wheel drive hot hatch will receive standard front and rear Torsen LSDs, pushing its dynamic capabilities even further. In recent weeks, Toyota has also improved the dynamic capabilities of the GR86 sports coupe.
Subtle Styling Tweaks And A New Trim
The styling has also been subtly updated for MY2025. For a start, the front bumper now has a more aggressive look than the outgoing model. But Toyota hasn’t done this for aesthetic reasons. Instead, the redesign allows for superior aerodynamic performance and cooling and makes room for the brake ducts, radiator, intercooler, sub-radiator, and auto transmission fluid cooler. The brake ducts have been enhanced to suck in more air.
Three trims are available: Core, Premium, and Premium Plus (which is new for 2025). 18-inch wheels can be found on all three models, with the Premium Plus receiving a unique matte black finish. Regardless of the trim, all GR Corolla models wear 235/40 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires. Customers can choose from four exterior colors:
- Black
- Ice Cap
- Heavy Metal (Premium Paint option)
- Supersonic Red
Safety, Pricing, And Availability
The new Premium Plus trim is well-equipped and receives everything the Premium gets, including a carbon fiber roof, a muscular hood bulge, a head-up display, GR Brin Naub seats with suede upholstery and red stitching, and gloss black air vents. Inside, all GR Corolla models receive an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system also has cloud-based navigation, and voice activation that responds to the “Hey, Toyota” command. The system is also capable of receiving over-the-air updates, keeping it up to date over the lifespan of the car.
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On the safety front, all 2025 GR Corolla models receive the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 driver assist suite. This includes Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Road Sign Assist, lane departure assist, automatic high beams, a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, and Lane Tracing Assist. And to show customers just how seriously Toyota takes its performance cars, the 2025 GR Corolla comes with a complimentary one-year membership to the National Auto Sport Association (NASA). This will give drivers discounted admission to NASA events, a free High-Performance Driving Event, and more. The new GR Corolla will reach dealerships in the winter, with pricing to be announced closer to the on-sale date.
News Summary:
- 2025 Toyota GR Corolla Is Here With More Torque, More Carbon Fiber, And An Automatic
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