The 2025 Toyota GR Corolla brings a host of updates, including an automatic option.
Toyota’s been on a roll these past few years, finally breaking out from building an endless line of practical, but ultimately boring cars. Now, we have the latest GR 86, the GR Supra (of course), and this: the GR Corolla. We’ve had the hot Corolla for a couple model years, of course, but the 2025 version includes an option that will vastly broaden its appeal, and its sales volumes: an automatic transmission.
In essence, Toyota is pulling a reverse-Supra here. When it first reintroduced the Supra name for the 2020 model year, it only came with an 8-speed automatic transmission, before the automaker answered enthusiasts’ clamors to bring a 6-speed manual into the mix. With the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla, we’re seeing the exact opposite scenario play out, as the brand’s “Direct Automatic Transmission” complements the 6-speed manual, which was formerly the only option if you wanted the hot Corolla. With this inclusion, the company says it has “expanded the fun quotient” for its turbocharged, all-wheel drive hatch.
That’s not the only change coming for the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla, either. In fact, it gets a range of dynamic improvements whether you buy into a set of paddle shifters or a gear stick with a clutch pedal. First off, engineers bumped the 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine’s torque output up from an already healthy 273 lb-ft to a beefier (and more common, really) 295 lb-ft. So, it now nearly matches the Honda Civic Type R for grunt, but it also gets the advantage of sending its power toward the rear wheels or all four evenly, depending on how you want the torque split.
Beyond the automatic gearbox and the added power, the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla also adopts launch control, gets a redesigned front bumper to improve cooling if you check the new sub-radiator option, adds Torsen limited-slip differentials front and rear as standard equipment across the whole GR Corolla range, and sees some suspension changes to improve overall handling and suppress wheel lift, like adding rebound springs and tweaking the rear coils and stabilizers. The trailing arm mounting point on the rear axle has also been raised to reduce squat during hard acceleration and improve the GR Corolla’s cornering habits.
Speaking of cornering, all 2025 Toyota GR Corolla models ship with a set of 235/40-R18 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires.
Interior bits don’t change much, other than the automatic transmission.
For 2025, Toyota is doing away with special trims like “Circuit Edition” or “Morizo” (at least for now), and bringing in a more conventional three-step trim process. This year’s GR Corolla bakes all of the dynamic changes that formerly came on the Circuit Edition into the base Core trim, while Premium and Premium Plus add features on top.
The Premium trim, for its part, gives you more creature comfort including GR-branded Brin Naub suede-trimmed seats. You also get an 8-speaker JBL audio system, dual-zone automatic climate control, a heated steering wheel and heated front seats, front and rear parking sensors, a gloss-black front grille and access to the “Heavy Metal” exterior color. Ice Cap, Black and Supersonic Red continue to be available across the GR Corolla range.
As for the Premium Plus, you get a couple of extra tech features, but you also get goodies like a forged carbon fiber roof. Other upgrades with this top-end trim include hood bulges with functional gloss black air vents, the optional sub-radiator mentioned earlier for better engine cooling under hard use, matte black wheels, a head-up display and red stitching for the suede seats and interior elements, rather than gray.
How much will the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla cost?
Toyota says the updated GR Corolla will arrive later this year, in both manual and automatic forms. If you’re keen on the exclusivity the manual-only version brought, I don’t blame you…but this will mean a lot more GR Corollas will probably be cruising the streets (and hitting the race tracks) in the relatively near future.
At the moment, the automaker has not shared how much the 2025 GR Corolla will cost. Even with the updates, it’s unlikely the Core trim will rise much above the 2024’s $37,635 base price. If anything, I’d expect something a bit closer to $38,000 or maybe $38,500. Premium and Premium Plus trims should tip the MSRP over $40,000 and wind up somewhere in the mid-to-upper-$40,000 range. It’s unclear whether the 8-speed automatic will cost extra, or whether it will be available to buyers as a no-cost option.
Purchase of any 2025 Toyota GR Corolla also comes with a complimentary 1-year NASA membership. No, not that NASA — the National Auto Sport Association. Owners who set up a time to participate will “enjoy a host of benefits”, including one free high-performance driving event session and discounted registration to NASA-sanctioned events. The high-performance driving event expires one year from your purchase date, whether you use it or not.
Nathan had the opportunity to check out the Toyota GR Corolla reveal in LA as well as get a glimpse of the new 2025 GR86 Hakone Edition, both of which are in the video below. Check it out!
