2025 Toyota GR Corolla

The compact Corolla is usually a bastion of common sense. The GR Corolla turns it into an uncommonly entertaining driver’s machine with a cache of sporty hardware propelled by a turbocharged 300-horsepower engine. This is a side of Toyota we don’t see all that much, but the GR (Gazoo Racing) division certainly knows its stuff.

This generation of Corolla has been around since the 2020 model year, but that’s less important in an enthusiast car like this. The latest touchscreen isn’t really necessary in the quest for speed and dynamic handling. Anyway, the GR Corolla still has enough features and functionality to make it a daily driver. And it enjoys the typical dependability that comes with virtually every Toyota.

The bread-and-butter Toyota Corolla, Corolla Hybrid, and Corolla Hatchback are all reviewed separately. The Toyota Corolla Cross SUV also has its review.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of compact cars and hatchbacks, including the Toyota GR Corolla.

The new top Premium Plus trim replaces last year’s Circuit Edition. The 2025 Toyota GR Corolla is updated with more torque, and sport-tuned 8-speed automatic transmission with launch control is now optional. Torque-sensing (Torsen) limited slip differentials front and rear become standard, enhancing traction. The front end gains a little restyling in the pursuit of performance. The suspension has also been tweaked.

On-Sale Date

Fall 2024.

We recommend the mid-level Premium trim that brings extra features to make everyday driving more bearable. After all, we can’t always be dashing along canyon roads. This is a popular choice among GR Corolla buyers.

Other intriguing hot hatches include the Volkswagen Golf R and its more affordable Golf GTI stablemate, plus the Honda Civic Type R. A couple of entertaining hot compact sedans are the Subaru WRX and the Hyundai Elantra N. The Golf R and Civic Type R are appreciably pricier than the GR Corolla, while the WRX comes with all-wheel drive as standard.

Before buying a new GR Corolla, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. We should also note that due to the specialness of this car and its relative scarcity, you might be hard-pressed to acquire one for the MSRP. The GR Corolla’s residual value hasn’t been estimated yet, but the standard Corolla is among the best in its class. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The GR Corolla rips. It’s an absolute riot. Buy one if you can.

We could probably end this section right now, but you’re here, so let’s add more detail from our time in the GR Corolla. For extra context, that time came on the track and on public roads. The GR Corolla exceeded our expectations in both environments, leaving us giddy with delight.

Thrust comes fast, and torque is heady from 3,000 rpm as it pours from the turbocharged 3-cylinder engine. Don’t smirk. At 1.6 liters, this is a big 3-cylinder, and keep in mind that it produces 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque (up from last year’s 273 lb-ft). Remember when those kinds of numbers were the preserve of V8 engines? And three cylinders are lighter than four. To compare, the much pricier though updated VW Golf R enjoys 328 horsepower, while the regular Subaru WRX drives around with 271 horsepower.

As we put the GR Corolla through its paces on the track, we didn’t detect much turbo lag. The throttle is responsive. The 6-speed manual transmission feels great, and the throws are short. Plus, there’s a rev-matching feature for those cool blips on the downshift.

For 2025, Toyota now makes an 8-speed automatic transmission available. It’s calibrated around Sport mode (the others are Normal, Eco, and Custom) and comes with a launch control as well as paddle shifters under the steering wheel — so drivers can still do their own shifting when they want. The top Premium Plus trim comes with a cooler for the automatic transmission fluid. Toyota seems to have thought of everything. This includes revisions to the suspension to improve stability and controllability in an already impressive setup.

The GR Corolla has a standard all-wheel-drive system, and even this aspect is special. Thanks to a small rotary knob just south of the gear lever, you can vary the amount of power going to which set of wheels. Twist the knob to the left, and it sends more torque to the front in a 60/40 split for daily duties. Then there’s a 50/50 setting for track driving and 30/70 for when that mountain road beckons.

This year, all GR Corolla trims gain front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials for optimum traction. The car feels planted and secure on the track, even with some of the electronic nannies defeated. Switching to the 30/70 split allows for drifting shenanigans. The brakes also performed admirably during our track sessions, yielding little fade even after many laps. All GR Corolla versions come with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires.

On public roads, with the all-wheel-drive system set for the 60/40 torque split and the suspension set to normal, we found the GR Corolla surprisingly pleasant and perfectly capable of handling daily driving duties without jarring spines. Heck, even the version with the manual transmission has adaptive cruise control. And the sport front seats are more comfortable than we expected. The Toyota GR Corolla is a fantastic package.

Fuel Economy

The manual-transmission Toyota GR Corolla achieves 24 mpg in combined city/highway driving. That’s one mile per gallon better than a manual-transmission VW Golf R and two better than a stick-shift Subaru WRX. If somehow you stumbled on the review of this high-performance GR Corolla and are simply seeking an efficient Toyota Corolla for your commute, a standard hatchback returns up to 35 mpg combined, while a hybrid all-wheel-drive Corolla sedan gets up to 48 mpg combined. We’re expecting the automatic version of the GR Corolla to be thriftier than its manual stablemate.

Another great thing about the GR Corolla is that despite its performance focus, it’s still a Toyota hatchback. Which means seating for five and decent cargo room. Enthusiasts love a hot hatch for that special combination of performance and everyday practicality.

The GR Corolla is as civilized as it is swift. All models include a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and an 8-inch central touchscreen. We found the 6-way adjustable driver’s seat perfectly comfortable. With just 29.9 inches of legroom, however, the rear seats are tight — not that many buyers will see the GR Corolla primarily as a family car.

We like the upgraded synthetic leather-trimmed upholstery in the Premium and Premium Plus models, which also have heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The premium JBL audio system in those models is also a boon.

The GR treatment results in a Corolla hatchback on steroids. Flared fenders accommodate the wider track and 18-inch wheels, triple exhaust outlet, and matte black accents. Premium Plus trim goes even further with a hood bulge and functional air vents. Otherwise, the GR Corolla has similar dimensions to the standard Corolla hatch.

This year, the front end has been adjusted to provide better cooling, including for the front brakes, while retaining aerodynamic efficiency. And the new Premium Plus trim comes with carbon fiber roof as standard.

Selectable all-wheel drive
The ability to choose which set of wheels receives more or less power is a game changer for drivers seeking the most control in a variety of conditions. We’re impressed.

Toyota Safety Sense 3.0
Yes, it’s a performance car, but the GR Corolla is still a Toyota. Which means it comes with plenty of active safety tech, including adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assistance, and road sign recognition.

Wireless phone connectivity
The GR Corolla comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto flowing through its 8-inch central touchscreen.

Standard manual transmission
Talk about knowing your audience. Toyota and its Gazoo Racing division were purposeful in creating a true hot hatch, and they understand that most enthusiasts prefer three pedals and a stick. An 8-speed automatic transmission becomes optional in the GR Corolla for 2025, which we think will make that audience wider.

The good life
We’re happy to report that despite its focus on performance, the GR Corolla still offers easy and wireless phone connectivity, plus niceties like heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, automatic climate control, and a JBL audio system.

NASA
The other NASA, the National Auto Sport Association. Toyota includes a year’s membership with the purchase of a GR Corolla and, perhaps more importantly, one free high-performance driving session.

A boost this year brings 295 lb-ft of torque with the usual 300 horsepower from this small but feisty turbocharged 1.6-liter 3-cylinder engine. That output is similar to the VW Golf R and Honda Civic Type R. All 2025 GR Corolla hatchbacks have all-wheel drive and come with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard, offering an 8-speed automatic as an option.

3-Year/36,000-mile Warranty

The GR Corolla’s new-vehicle warranty lasts three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first. The powertrain is covered for five years or 60,000 miles. This is the same as the Honda Civic Type R. The VW Golf R comes with a 4-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. Toyota also supplies free scheduled maintenance and roadside assistance for two years or 25,000 miles.

Safety Ratings

This specific GR Corolla hatchback has not been crash-tested by any agencies in the United States. However, the regular Corolla hatchback took the second-highest accolade of Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and a maximum 5-Star overall score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Standard safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian/cyclist detection.