My Honest Review of the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla: A Rally Car You Can Drive to Walmart

Updated On: January 12, 2026

I have been driving cars for a long time, but nothing prepared me for the Toyota GR Corolla. I finally got my hands on the new 2025 model to see what the hype is about. Everyone on the internet says this is the best “hot hatch” you can buy right now. After spending some time with it, I think they might be right. But its not perfect.

This review is for regular people who want a fun car but also need to get to work. I am writing this to help you decide if you should spend your hard-earned money on this little beast.

Table of Contents

Quick Spec Table

Feature	Specification
Engine	1.6L Turbo 3-Cylinder (G16E-GTS)
Horsepower	300 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Torque	295 lb-ft @ 3,250-4,600 rpm
Transmission	6-Speed Manual OR 8-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain	GR-FOUR AWD (Adjustable)
0-60 MPH	~4.9 seconds
Curb Weight	~3,280 lbs
MPG (Est.)	21 City / 28 Hwy
Price (Base)	~$39,995

What is the GR Corolla?

First, lets get the basics out of the way. “GR” stands for Gazoo Racing. That is Toyota’s racing division. This is not the slow Corolla your Uber driver uses. This car is special.

Toyota took the regular Corolla hatchback body and changed almost everything. They made it wider. They gave it a special engine. They gave it all-wheel drive. They built it in a special factory in Japan where they check everything by hand.

For 2025, Toyota made some big changes. The biggest news is that you can now get an automatic transmission. Before this, you could only get a stick shift (manual). They also gave the engine more torque, which is the twisting force that pushes you back in your seat.

Exterior Design: It Looks Angry

When you walk up to the GR Corolla, you notice right away that it looks different. It looks like it hit the gym. The fenders are very wide. This is to fit the big sticky tires.

The front of the car has a huge black grill. For the 2025 model, they changed the bumper a little bit. It now has bigger air vents to help cool the engine. If you look closely, you can see radiators and intercoolers peeking through. It looks very aggressive.

At the back, there are three exhaust tips. Yes, three! Two on the sides and one big one in the middle. It looks very cool and makes a unique sound. The car sits low to the ground, and it has 18-inch black wheels that look great.

My neighbor asked me, “Why did you put a body kit on your Corolla?” I had to explain that it comes like this from the factory. It turns heads, but mostly from other car guys. Regular people just think it is a loud Corolla.

Interior: It is Still a Corolla (Mostly)

This is where things get a little mixed. When you open the door, you are reminded that this car is based on an economy car. The dashboard and door panels are mostly hard plastic. It does not feel like a luxury car. If you want a fancy interior, go buy a Volkswagen Golf R or an Audi.

But there are some nice touches. The steering wheel is wrapped in leather and feels great in your hands. It has the “GR” logo on the bottom. The seats are sport seats with big bolsters. They hold you very tight when you turn fast. They are comfortable for short trips, but on a long road trip, they can feel a bit hard.

The best part of the interior is the gauge cluster. It is a fully digital screen. You can change how it looks. In Sport mode, it shows you a big tachometer (RPM counter) and a gear indicator. It looks like a video game screen, but in a good way.

The infotainment screen is okay. It has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which is all I really need. It connects wireless, which is nice. The sound system is decent, but the car is loud inside, so you have to turn the volume up high.

The Engine: Small but Mighty

This is the craziest part of the car. The engine is tiny. It is only a 1.6-liter 3-cylinder engine. Most 3-cylinder engines are found in very slow economy cars. But this one has a huge turbocharger.

It produces 300 horsepower. That is 100 horsepower per cylinder! That is insane. For 2025, Toyota increased the torque to 295 lb-ft for all models. Before, only the special “Morizo” edition had that much torque.

When you start the car, it has a deep rumble. It does not sound like a normal 4-cylinder engine. It has a unique growl. When you drive it, you can hear the turbo whistling and whooshing. It sounds like a rally car.

Transmission: Manual vs. Automatic

I drove the new 8-speed automatic transmission. Toyota calls it the “DAT” (Direct Automatic Transmission). I was worried it would be boring, but it is actually very good.

Usually, automatic transmissions in sporty cars are slow or confused. This one is smart. It knows exactly when to shift. If you brake hard for a corner, it downshifts for you instantly. It feels very connected to the engine. It also has paddle shifters on the steering wheel if you want to shift yourself.

However, if you know how to drive a stick shift, I still think the 6-speed manual is more fun. The manual transmission lets you feel more involved. But if you sit in traffic a lot, the automatic is a great choice now. You don’t have to worry about a heavy clutch pedal in stop-and-go traffic.

Driving Impressions: The Fun Factor

This is why you buy this car. Driving the GR Corolla is an absolute blast.

The All-Wheel Drive system is called “GR-FOUR.” It is very special. You can change how the power is split between the front and rear wheels.

Normal Mode: 60% front, 40% rear. Good for daily driving.
Gravel Mode: 50% front, 50% rear. Good for snow or dirt.
Track Mode: Variable split (used to be 30/70, now it varies). Good for going fast on a race track.

I took the car to a winding road near my house. The grip is endless. You can turn the steering wheel, and the car just goes exactly where you point it. It feels very safe but also very exciting. You can feel the rear wheels pushing you out of the corner.

The ride is stiff. You will feel every bump and pothole in the road. If you live in a city with bad roads, you might get tired of it. It bounces around a lot. My wife did not like the passenger seat because of how bumpy it was.

The noise is also high. On the highway, there is a lot of tire noise and wind noise. It is not a quiet cruiser. But when you step on the gas pedal and hear the engine scream, you forget about the noise.

Daily Usability: Can You Live With It?

Living with the GR Corolla has some challenges.

Cargo Space: The trunk is very small. Because the battery is in the back (for weight balance) and the rear differential is under the floor, the trunk floor is very high. You can fit a few grocery bags, but not a big suitcase. If you need to carry big things, you have to fold the back seats down.

Back Seat: The back seat is tight. It is a Corolla, so legroom is okay for kids, but adults will be cramped.

Gas Mileage: This is a performance car, so don’t expect Prius numbers. I averaged about 22 MPG mixed driving. On the highway, I got maybe 26 MPG. It has a small gas tank (13.2 gallons), so you have to stop at the gas station often.

Launch Control: The new automatic model has Launch Control. It helps you take off very fast from a stop. It is fun to use, but you probably won’t use it much on the street.

Trim Levels and Pricing

For the US market, there are three main trims for the 2025 model.

Core: This is the base model. It has cloth seats. For 2025, it now comes standard with the Torsen Limited Slip Differentials (LSD). This is a big deal. Before, you had to pay extra for them. The price starts around $39,995.
Premium: This adds nicer interior bits, heated seats, a better sound system (JBL), and parking sensors. It also has red brake calipers. This is the sweet spot for most people. Price is around $42,500.
Premium Plus: This replaces the old Circuit Edition. It has a forged carbon fiber roof (to save weight), a bulge in the hood with vents, and darker wheels. It looks the coolest but costs the most. Price is around $46,500.

Comparison with Rivals

How does it compare to other cars?

Honda Civic Type R: The Civic is faster on a track and has a nicer interior. It is also bigger and more practical. But it is only Front-Wheel Drive. The Toyota has AWD, which is better for bad weather. The Civic feels more precise, but the Toyota feels more wild and rally-like.
Volkswagen Golf R: The Golf R is more grown-up. It is quieter, more comfortable, and has a nicer interior. It is faster in a straight line because it has a dual-clutch transmission. But it is a bit boring compared to the GR Corolla. The Toyota has more character.
Subaru WRX: The WRX is cheaper and slower. It is a sedan, not a hatchback. The GR Corolla is in a higher league of performance.

Final Verdict

Is the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla worth it?

Yes, absolutely.

If you want a car that makes you smile every time you drive it, this is it. It is raw, mechanical, and exciting. It reminds me of older sports cars from the 90s but with modern technology.

The new automatic transmission opens the door for more people to enjoy it. If you have a spouse who cannot drive stick, or if you have bad traffic on your commute, the auto is a great option. You do not lose much fun factor.

It is expensive for a Corolla. $45,000 is a lot of money. And the interior is cheap. And the ride is harsh. But you are paying for the engineering, the engine, and the AWD system. You are paying for the “GR” magic.

If you can live with the small trunk and the stiff ride, I highly recommend it. It is one of the last true fun cars left before everything goes electric. Get one while you can.