The Toyota GR Corolla has definitely added some excitement to not only the Corolla lineup, but Toyota’s total lineup. Now Toyota has made the 2025 GR Corolla even better, thanks to some powertrain updates, suspension and a new face.
The big news is that Toyota has added an automatic transmission to the options list. Of course the six-speed manual is still available, but with the addition of an automatic, the GR Corolla can now capture a wider audience. It also gives it a leg up over the Honda Civic Type R, which is only available with a manual. The transmission is an eight-speed that Toyota calls the GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT).
According to Toyota the automatic transmission features optimized software that senses the way the driver steps on the brakes and operates the accelerator. It anticipates when gear shifting is optimal even before changes in vehicle behavior occur. The DAT also launch control.
The automatic transmission isn’t the only change under the hood, since the 1.6 liter 3-cylinder turbo engine now has more torque. It now generates 300 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. To improve cooling an automatic transmission fluid cooler comes standard on models with the DAT, while a sub-radiator is available as on the Premium trim level and standard on the new Premium Plus trim.
Toyota also gave the 2025 GR Corolla a new front bumper that is also supposed to improve the cooling and performance. The new bumper makes room for a radiator, intercooler, improved brake ducts, the available sub-radiator, and the available automatic transmission fluid cooler behind the front bumper.
To make it even more capable on the track, Toyota added rebound springs to the front and rear suspension to suppress inner wheel lift, while the rear coils and stabilizers have been optimized.
The 2025 Toyota GR Corolla is available in three trim levels: Core, Premium Grade and Premium Plus. The latter is new for 2025 and adds a forged carbon fiber roof, a bulge hood with gloss black air vents, the sub-radiator, black wheels and a head up display. The 2025 GR Corolla will arrive this winter.
