2025 Toyota GR Corolla
The GR Corolla embodies Toyota’s revered GAZOO Racing division, as a lively all-wheel-drive hot hatch with a well-documented pedigree. It’s just the ticket for drivers who want power, handling, and serious fun at an approachable price point.
Its first model year in the U.S. was 2023, after the GR Yaris enjoyed strong sales in Europe. The GAZOO Racing division built the GR Corolla in the same vein as Toyota’s World Rally Championship cars. Bringing it to the American market pleased driving enthusiasts who sought a sporty hatchback still made with a manual gearbox that also had a good slate of comfort and convenience features. For 2025, Toyota has added the eight-speed Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic Transmission, opening GR Corolla ownership to those who don’t want to row their own gears. A new trim grade, Premium Plus, has been added as well, differentiated by its forged carbon-fiber roof, hood bulge, gloss-black air vents, and sub radiator. Even the torque output is higher this year, increasing from 273 lb.-ft. to 295 lb.-ft.
Trims, Powertrain, and Performance
The trim trio for the 2025 GR Corolla consists of the Core, Premium, and Premium Plus. They get 300 horsepower (295 lb.-ft. of torque) from their turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine. Drivers who aren’t thrilled to have the six-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission can choose the optional eight-speed automatic, which comes with paddle shifters. The GR Corolla showcases Toyota’s GR-FOUR all-wheel-drive system, with selectable torque distribution settings: Normal (60:40 front-to-rear), Track (30:70), and Gravel (50:50). Its other specialized components include a sport-tuned suspension, front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials, and a drive-mode selector (settings: Eco, Normal, Sport, and Custom). With the manual transmission, the 2025 GR Corolla returns 21 mpg around town and 28 mpg on the highway; the automatic transmission achieves 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway.
Standard Features
The lowest-priced trim, the Core, has everything it needs to make you look forward to getting behind the wheel, even just to go to the supermarket. Those amenities include a triple exhaust with stainless-steel ends, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 high-performance summer tires on 18-inch wheels, Smart Key proximity entry, push-button ignition, aluminum sport pedals, automatic climate control, cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a 12.3-inch digital multi-information display, two USB-C charge ports, exterior mirrors with integrated turn- indicators, and a 60/40-split fold-down second-row seatback with a center armrest and beverage holders. Its exterior lighting (automatic-on/off headlights, daytime running lights, and taillights) is all LED.
Upgrades for the Premium consist of a second automatic climate control zone, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and upholstery in a mix of Brin Naub suede and leatherette. The debuting Premium Plus stands apart with a forged carbon-fiber roof, red interior contrast stitching, a head-up display, and a sub radiator to optimize engine cooling.
Advanced Safety Technology
Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 is standard issue in the ’25 GR Corolla. This specialized suite of driver-assist tech consists of automatic high beams, dynamic radar cruise control, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, and road sign assist. A blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert are found on every trim as well. The Premium and Premium Plus are augmented with front and rear parking sensors.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The GR Corolla’s 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system brings together all of the necessary features for staying informed and entertained on the road. That list consists of Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a sound system: the Core has an unbranded unit with six speakers, while the Premium and Premium Plus receive a JBL upgrade with eight speakers.
All three trims come with a 30-day trial subscription to Wi-Fi Connect. The Premium and Premium Plus add a one-year trial to Drive Connect (Cloud Navigation with Google Points of Interest, Intelligent Assistant voice recognition, and Destination Assist), which is optional for the Core via a paid subscription.
