Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Toyota GR Corolla Premium Plus
Specs
Class: Sporty/Efficiency Automobile
Nation of Manufacture: Japan
Shade: Supersonic Crimson
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- |
| Gas Financial 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 should not replicate Shopper Information’s impressions of the whole mannequin lineup. | |
| Massive & Tall Consolation | |
| Massive Man | B |
| Tall Man | B |
| Massive & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Massive” ranking primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking primarily based 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)
Gas sort: Premium fuel
Base value: $45,515 (not together with $1135 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at car: Particular paint ($475) computerized transmission ($2000)
Worth as examined: $49,125
Execs and Cons
The good: Absolute pleasure to drive
The nice: Moderately roomy and sensible
The not so good: Agency trip, heaps and plenty of noise
Assessment
Each one in every 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 perimeters of mountains, been arrested for streaking, and frequents that membership downtown that frequently makes the night information.
Corolla on Steroids
To not anthropomorphize a preferred automobile, 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.
Based mostly on the mild-mannered Corolla hatchback—a compelling first-car alternative for kids beginning to make their means on the earth—the GR tosses refined practicality to the wind, and as a substitute embraces efficiency with the type of madcap madness that may solely be displayed by somebody fairly certain about what it’s their doing.
Costs and Trim Ranges
Supplied 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 just 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 value, and possibly specs, neither of these automobiles presents of the type of uncooked, hot-breathed visceral expertise the GR does.
Efficiency Upgrades
And although born of humble lineage, the GR boasts distinctive meeting therapy, that includes further 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 unbelievable turbocharged 1.6-liter 3-cylinder engine rated at 300 horsepower—and a considerable 295 pound-feet of torque. All GRs additionally function commonplace 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 embody a 60-percent/40-percent entrance/rear setting for routine driving, a 50/50 bias for observe use, and a 30/70 alternative for drifting.
Shopper Information not too long ago spent per week behind the wheel of a 2025 Toyota GR Corolla Premium Plus Computerized in Supersonic Crimson. All instructed, our take a look at automobile 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 similar dimension. That signifies that there’s lots up grownup front-row area, and an inexpensive quantity of room within the second row. Which means, for all of its delightfully absurd efficiency potential, the GR is definitely somewhat sensible.
Cabin Appointments
The cabin itself is nothing particular, and in comparison with the aforementioned Golf R, it appears to be like and feels just a little low lease. That mentioned, all the things is effectively screwed collectively, and tidy as effectively, however virtually each different $50,000 automobile we are able to consider feels extra upscale.
Connectivity
Luckily, the Corolla’s management and infotainment setup is primary Toyota stuff, which implies it’s straightforward to make use of and glitch free. That mentioned, listening to music and/or podcasts within the GR Corolla is difficult considerably by the automobiles 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 out there computerized transmission the automobile 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 creator usually frowns on excessively tuned exhaust blare, the loopy cacophony of sounds that the GR produces are solely consistent with the automobile’s peaky, edgy nature.
Journey and Dealing with
Likewise, the GR’s dealing with is a few straight and honesty as any sporty car can hope to be. The steering is extremely direct and exact, and helps the automobile really feel extra like its rotating than truly cornering. Zipping round city is extra enjoyable than it needs 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 robust, and provide wonderful suggestions via the pedal.
And whereas the trip could be greatest described as uneven, it falls in need of being really harsh. And, issues quiet down properly on the freeway. That mentioned, the noise by no means fairly goes means—know this earlier than you propose to take your new GR on lengthy freeway drives.
Did we point out the noise? OK, shifting on…
Gas Financial system
Regardless of all the things, together with a really spirited analysis drive, our take a look at automobile returned higher than 23 mpg over about 100 miles. Strive that in a Mustang GT.
Cargo Area
And, as a result of the GR is, at its coronary heart, a Corolla, the automobile nonetheless boasts a totally sensible cargo space situated underneath a totally sensible rear hatch.
Worth
What’s shocking just isn’t how a lot loopy {hardware} has been integrated into the GR Corolla; it’s how effectively 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 automobile is an absolute pleasure to drive, and can probably serve fortunate house owners as a type of day by day visceral remedy.
Should you can afford a GR Corolla, and know what you’re moving into, we are saying go for it. Life is brief and your commute needs to be enjoyable. So, possibly you possibly can’t be the loopy cousin in your loved ones, you possibly can nonetheless personal his automobile.
Hearken to the Automobile Stuff Podcast
2025 Toyota GR Corolla Premium Plus Photos
Click on under for enlarged photos