What’s New for the 2025 GR Corolla?

Here at Marietta Toyota, we’re proud to offer the full Toyota lineup, including practical commuter cars, hard-working trucks, rugged SUVs, and sporty performance cars. Right now, we’ll be zooming in on that last category because there’s a new Toyota GR Corolla for sale for the 2025 model year, and we have some exciting changes to cover.

If you’re interested in getting your thrills behind the wheel of this hot hatch and want to know what the new model has on its sleeve, read on as we dish out the details.

An Overview of the 2025 GR Corolla

When the GR Corolla debuted for the 2023 model year, it made headlines for bringing a whole new level of power to the Corolla nameplate. Before it got the Gazoo Racing treatment, the Corolla was a practical, fuel-efficient car perfect for driving to work or running errands around town. But the GR version is truly a performance model, boasting specs comparable to what you’ll find on legendary competitors like the Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf R.

It hit the scene with a turbocharged engine capable of cranking out 300 hp, a six-speed manual transmission, and a rally-inspired design that matches top-notch performance with an athletic aesthetic, so you know at a glance what this baby is capable of.

Direct Automatic Transmission

For the first two years of its production, the GR Corolla was available exclusively with a manual transmission. While this is extremely uncommon among modern vehicles, it’s standard fare for a performance model; enthusiasts who appreciate driving not just as a mode of transportation but as an activity in and of itself are more likely to enjoy having the extra level of control that a stick shift provides.

This is because automatic transmissions don’t always provide the most thrilling driving dynamics, since experienced human drivers—who are attuned to the full context of the moment—have a better idea of when to switch gears to maximize performance than the non-sentient mechanism that drives the transmission.

Given all of that, it might surprise you to hear that the 2025 GR Corolla will be offered with an 8-speed automatic transmission. If you love driving a manual, don’t panic: the trusty 6-speed MT will be returning to the lineup for the new year as standard equipment; the automatic will be offered alongside it, not replacing it. This will open the GR Corolla up to a wider pool of potential drivers, since plenty of people these days don’t know how to drive a stick shift, and that includes some drivers who do appreciate a good performance model.

Of course, Toyota’s legendary Gazoo Racing division couldn’t just slap any old transmission system into the GR Corolla. Instead, they’ve crafted a system that’s worthy of the athletic vehicle it’s a part of. The Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT) is engineered to deliver a thrilling experience on par with what an experienced driver in command of a manual can deliver.

It shifts more quickly and sharply than most automatics and is programmed with a sequential pattern that leans into the vehicle’s momentum, enhancing your maneuvers as you drive. While you can let it do its thing autonomously, paddle shifters built into the steering wheel let you take charge when you want to break free from the automatic’s pattern. Overall, it’s an impressive step forward that democratizes the model, inviting in new drivers to see what the GR Corolla can do.

Launch Control

If you’re on the fence about whether to stick with the manual or give the new automatic a try, you should know that you need the DAT to use one of the GR Corolla’s exciting new features: launch control. If you want to go from zero to sixty as quickly as possible in a controlled environment, you can use this function to get the perfect launch every time. This is a great tool for those who are new to performance driving, and even those with some experience under their belts can appreciate its fine-tuned perfection.

Re-Tuned for Better Action

While the DAT is certainly the headliner of the 2025 model year, it’s not the only new trick that the GR Corolla has up its sleeve. There are a number of more subtle improvements that come together to create a significant difference in how the hot hatch performs. First and foremost, the engine has been re-tuned to produce more oomph. While horsepower remains the same at 300 hp, torque has shot up from a maximum of 273 to 295 lb-ft. As with previous models, the 2025 GR Corolla can distribute that torque differently to meet different driving challenges, with three settings letting you tackle normal driving, gravel, and the track.

The engine isn’t the only thing that’s been refined; the rear springs and anti-roll bars have also been adjusted to give you ultimate control while you’re behind the wheel. Additional rebound springs in the front and rear of the car give you more stability while cornering, so you don’t have to be afraid of tight turns. The front end has also been adjusted, and not just to give the front end a fresh new look: improvements to the model’s cooling system prevent the engine from overheating during long sessions of driving at high speeds.

New Premium Plus Trim

There’s a new option at the top of the trim list for the 2025 model year: the GR Corolla Premium Plus. With this trim, you’ll get all of the benefits of Premium, including an exceptional audio system, wireless charging pad, and heated front seats, plus several extra features that make the hatchback look and feel more athletic. You can see the difference at a glance by keeping an eye out for the forged carbon fiber roof and matte black wheels gracing the exterior, as well as a hood bulge with functional gloss black air vents that keep the engine cool. Behind the scenes, a standard sub-radiator is also helping with temperature control.

Step inside, and you’ll find a black-trimmed interior with bold red stitching and a standard head-up display that lets you keep track of vital information without taking your eyes off the road (or the track) for even a single instant. With this tech, you don’t have to divert your attention to keep track of your speed or notice important warnings from the safety and diagnostic systems. Some of these features, like the sub-radiator, are available add-ons for the Core and Premium trim levels, but others are exclusive to this top-tier trim.

Race Here Today to Get Your GR Corolla

Hearing about all of the new features on this sporty car is definitely exciting, but it can’t hold a candle to the feeling of actually getting behind the wheel. Whether you’re already a fan of the GR Corolla or are new to the nameplate, you’ll love everything that the 2025 refresh has brought to the table. Instead of sticking to surface-level details like style, this makeover gets deep into the substance of the car and truly makes it even better than the already incredible model that it was for 2023 and 2024.

You don’t have to take our word for it; you can see it for yourself here at Marietta Toyota. While we can’t let you loose on a racetrack where you can put the pedal to the metal, we can hook you up with a test drive where you can get a taste of how the GR Corolla performs. We’re sure that, once you take a nibble, you’ll want to sign up for a full-course meal!