Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Toyota GR Corolla Premium Plus
Specs
Class: Sporty/Efficiency Automotive
Nation of Manufacture: Japan
Colour: Supersonic Pink
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 101
Actual-world gas financial system: 23.3 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B |
| Energy and Efficiency | A |
| Match and End | B- |
| Gasoline Economic system | B |
| Worth | B |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and will not mirror Client Information’s impressions of the whole mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | B |
| Tall Man | B |
| Huge & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” ranking based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 300-horsepower, 1.6-liter |
| Engine Kind | Turbocharged 3-cylinder |
| Transmission | 8-speed computerized |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gas financial system: 19/27/22 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gasoline kind: Premium gasoline
Base value: $45,515 (not together with $1135 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at automobile: Particular paint ($475) computerized transmission ($2000)
Value as examined: $49,125
Execs and Cons
The good: Absolute pleasure to drive
The nice: Moderately roomy and sensible
The not so good: Agency journey, heaps and many noise
Assessment
Each considered one of us has a loopy cousin, or possibly a loopy in-law. The man who by no means appears to maintain an everyday job, however has ziplined down the edges of mountains, been arrested for streaking, and frequents that membership downtown that repeatedly makes the night information.
Corolla on Steroids
To not anthropomorphize a well-liked automotive, however the Toyota Corolla has such a cousin: GR Corolla. The GR (Gazoo Racing—a Toyota motorsports sub-brand) is the fearless, hyper-caffeinated, thrill machine that—like your loopy cousin—helps make model showrooms attention-grabbing.
Primarily based on the mild-mannered Corolla hatchback—a compelling first-car selection for children beginning to make their method on this planet—the GR tosses refined practicality to the wind, and as an alternative embraces efficiency with the kind of madcap madness that may solely be displayed by somebody fairly positive about what it’s their doing.
Costs and Trim Ranges
Provided for 2025 in Core ($39,995), Premium ($42,575), and new Premium Plus ($46,650), trim ranges, the GR Corolla is dear in comparison with the usual Corolla. However, the usual Corolla purchaser isn’t the GR’s viewers.
Competitors
Whereas direct competitors for the GR is elusive, Volkswagen’s Golf R comes shut, as do some Mini fashions in JCW trim. The Subaru WRX can be within the ballpark. However although shut in price, and possibly specs, neither of these vehicles affords of the kind of uncooked, hot-breathed visceral expertise the GR does.
Efficiency Upgrades
And although born of humble lineage, the GR boasts distinctive meeting remedy, that includes extra chassis welds and using industrial adhesives to create a extra inflexible construction.
Different GR upgrades included efficiency brakes, critical suspension tuning, and loads of exterior and inside trim bit. Sports activities seats are included, too.
Engines
All GR Corollas are powered by an inconceivable turbocharged 1.6-liter 3-cylinder engine rated at 300 horsepower—and a considerable 295 pound-feet of torque. All GRs additionally function normal AWD, and include both a 6-speed handbook or 8-speed computerized transmission.
GR-4 AWD Fashions
The AWD system permits drivers to decide on between three torque-output ratios. Choices embrace a 60-percent/40-percent entrance/rear setting for routine driving, a 50/50 bias for observe use, and a 30/70 selection for drifting.
Client Information lately spent per week behind the wheel of a 2025 Toyota GR Corolla Premium Plus Automated in Supersonic Pink. All informed, our take a look at automotive got here to $49,125.
Room and Consolation
Humorous factor concerning the GR, it appears to be like smaller than a standard-issue Corolla hatchback, although it’s the identical measurement. That signifies that there’s lots up grownup front-row house, and an inexpensive quantity of room within the second row. Which means, for all of its delightfully absurd efficiency potential, the GR is definitely fairly sensible.
Cabin Appointments
The cabin itself is nothing particular, and in comparison with the aforementioned Golf R, it appears to be like and feels a bit low hire. That stated, all the things is properly screwed collectively, and tidy as properly, however nearly each different $50,000 automotive we will consider feels extra upscale.
Connectivity
Fortuitously, the Corolla’s management and infotainment setup is fundamental Toyota stuff, which implies it’s straightforward to make use of and glitch free. That stated, listening to music and/or podcasts within the GR Corolla is difficult considerably by the vehicles prodigious noise output. Extra on that in a second…
Energy and Efficiency
On the highway the GR Corolla is each bit as wild because it appears to be like. Even saddled with the accessible computerized transmission the automotive pulls away briskly from a cease, and midrange energy is each prodigious and simply accessed. And with that energy comes noise, from underneath the hood and from the exhaust pipes. Whereas this writer typically frowns on excessively tuned exhaust blare, the loopy cacophony of sounds that the GR produces are totally in line with the automotive’s peaky, edgy nature.
Experience and Dealing with
Likewise, the GR’s dealing with is a few immediately and honesty as any sporty automobile can hope to be. The steering is extremely direct and exact, and helps the automotive really feel extra like its rotating than truly cornering. Zipping round city is extra enjoyable than it ought to be, and there’s far more grip than any driver can safely discover on a freeway cloverleaf. The brakes, too, are as much as the duty, and really feel immensely sturdy, and provide wonderful suggestions by way of the pedal.
And whereas the journey will be greatest described as uneven, it falls in need of being actually harsh. And, issues cool down properly on the freeway. That stated, the noise by no means fairly goes method—know this earlier than you propose to take your new GR on lengthy freeway drives.
Did we point out the noise? OK, shifting on…
Gasoline Economic system
Regardless of all the things, together with a really spirited analysis drive, our take a look at automotive returned higher than 23 mpg over about 100 miles. Attempt that in a Mustang GT.
Cargo Area
And, as a result of the GR is, at its coronary heart, a Corolla, the automotive nonetheless boasts a completely sensible cargo space positioned underneath a very sensible rear hatch.
Worth
What’s stunning isn’t how a lot loopy {hardware} has been included into the GR Corolla; it’s how properly all of the stuff works collectively. Whereas solely a devoted avenue racer would decide to driving a GR Corolla every day, we envy the parents who select to take action. The automotive is an absolute pleasure to drive, and can probably serve fortunate house owners as a type of day by day visceral remedy.
For those who can afford a GR Corolla, and know what you’re moving into, we are saying go for it. Life is brief and your commute ought to be enjoyable. So, possibly you’ll be able to’t be the loopy cousin in your loved ones, you’ll be able to nonetheless personal his automotive.
Take heed to the Automotive Stuff Podcast
2025 Toyota GR Corolla Premium Plus Photos
Click on beneath for enlarged pictures