5 Upgrades on the 2025 GR Corolla That Make It Better Than Ever

If you’re looking for a sporty hatchback that delivers amazing driving dynamics, you can’t go wrong with the GR Corolla. Designed by the experts in Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division, this high-powered model is a great pick for enthusiasts who believe that the journey should be just as fun as the destination. And for the 2025 model year, the GR Corolla is getting a slate of upgrades that make it even better.

As your Toyota dealer near Acworth, we here at Marietta Toyota are happy to help you stay up-to-date on the models we offer. If you’re considering upgrading to a new hot hatch, then you’ll want to know exactly what the new GR Corolla has up its sleeve. So, let’s take a look at five highlights that give you a good idea of how this compact performance hatchback has been improved for the 2025 model year.

#1. Available Automatic Transmission

While the regular Corolla is aimed at everyday drivers, the GR Corolla is working to please a different demographic: automotive enthusiasts. This group is a rare breed of drivers who tend to favor manual transmissions. While most drivers prefer the convenience of an automatic, those looking for a higher level of control over their drive are still hanging onto the classic stick shift. Because of this, the 2024 GR Corolla was available exclusively with a 6-speed manual—but that’s changing for the 2025 model year.

If you still prefer a manual, don’t panic; that option isn’t going away. But an optional eight-speed automatic transmission is being added to the lineup, which opens the model up to drivers who appreciate sporty dynamics but don’t know how to drive a stick and don’t have the time or will to learn. The automatic also makes the GR Corolla more relaxed for day-to-day driving, which is handy for drivers who need a jack-of-all-trades car for both joy rides on the track and errand runs around Acworth.

Toyota put in a lot of effort to make the automatic as sporty as possible. It’s optimized for dynamic performance, sensing the way that you operate the accelerator and brakes to shift gears at just the right time. This allows you to focus on steering and setting the speed without losing the precision timing of gear shifts.

#2. Launch Control

If you do opt for the automatic transmission, you’ll also be able to make use of another new feature: launch control. Designed to optimize the way the car accelerates from a standstill, this feature keeps a steady engine RPM so it can have power ready to go before you engage the throttle, maximizing traction and letting you zoom from zero to sixty lightning-quick. So, if you like to let loose at one of the many driving tracks in the Atlanta area, you’ll be able to launch like a pro and get off to a great start.

#3. Re-Tuned Engine

Like the 2024 model, the 2025 GR Corolla is powered by a three-cylinder turbocharged engine that punches above its weight, delivering a whopping 300 hp so you can get some serious speed. But while that figure remains the same, the engine has been re-tuned for the new model and now delivers more torque. Instead of 273 lb-ft, the GR Corolla now delivers 295 lb-ft of torque, a figure that was previously exclusive to the 2023 Morizo special edition that sat at the top of the trim lineup for the GR Corolla’s debut.

And with the GR-FOUR all-wheel drive system that’s returning for 2025, you can distribute that torque differently to respond to changing weather and terrain. After all, the GR Corolla is inspired not by NASCAR-style racing but by rallying, a motorsport that requires some rugged capability. The system’s three settings split front and rear torque at different ratios; with the turn of a dial, you can switch from 60:40 for normal driving to 50:50 for loose gravel roads; the track setting adjusts continuously as you go, reacting to the environment and your input behind the wheel in order to pick the right spot between 60:40 and 30:70. These settings help you get the best traction possible so you can drive with confidence wherever you go, throughout Acworth and beyond.

#4. New Premium Plus Trim

The GR Corolla is available in a variety of trims, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs and budget. The entry-level Core and eye-catching Premium are returning for the 2025 model year; the newcomer is the top-tier Premium Plus. With this trim, you’ll get plenty of street cred among auto enthusiasts. Its forged carbon fiber roof, vented bulge hood, and gloss-black rear spoiler let passersby know that you’re driving a car with some serious chops—and, of course, they’re not just for show: the lightweight roof brings the car’s weight down and lowers its center of gravity, while the hood bulge features functional air vents, and the spoiler improves aerodynamics.

On top of that, you’ll also get a standard head-up display, which projects useful drive data directly onto the lower windshield so you don’t have to take your eyes off the road, even for a fraction of a second, to look at warnings, navigation directions, your current speed, or other info. This can come in handy during sporty driving, but it’s also a nice feature to have for drives around town or for road trips where navigation directions are extra important. The Premium Plus trim also features exclusive matte black 18-inch wheels, which are surrounded by Michelin Pilot Sport 4 performance tires, which are designed to give you plenty of grip on the road.

#5. Equipment Enhancements

Alongside major upgrades like the higher torque figure and new automatic transmission, several minor changes make the GR Corolla perform even better under a wider variety of conditions. For instance, the suspension system has been re-tuned to provide more stability while cornering, so you can take tight turns while remaining perfectly in control. This was achieved by adding rebound springs in the front and back, preventing inner wheel lift. The rear coils and stabilizers were re-tuned as well, improving ground contact for maximum control.

The front bumper has also been altered, providing bigger vents and space for newly available cooling components. If you often take your joy rides during hot Georgia summers, you’ll certainly appreciate this change. For models with an automatic transmission, the new transmission fluid cooler comes standard at any trim grade. On top of that, a sub-radiator is an available option on the Premium trim and standard fare on the Premium Plus trim. These systems prevent the engine from overheating without hurting aerodynamic performance.

Check Out the 2025 GR Corolla Today

All of these upgrades add up to make a new GR Corolla that’s truly something special. Even if you’ve seen a 2023 or 2024 model before, it’s worth taking a look at the 2025 model in person to see how all of these upgrades come together. Take the short drive to Marietta today to get a taste of this hot hatch and see if it’s right for you. While we can’t quite let you go hog wild on the track, we can hook you up with a test drive, where you can experience the GR Corolla’s driving dynamics and see how the new automatic feels compared to the manual. If you love sporty cars, you really don’t want to miss out on this one.