Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Toyota GR Corolla Premium Plus
Specs
Class: Sporty/Efficiency Automotive
Nation of Manufacture: Japan
Colour: Supersonic Purple
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 101
Actual-world gas economic 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 automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and will not replicate Client Information’s impressions of your entire mannequin lineup. | |
| Massive & Tall Consolation | |
| Massive Man | B |
| Tall Man | B |
| Massive & Tall consolation rankings 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 Sort | Turbocharged 3-cylinder |
| Transmission | 8-speed computerized |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gas economic system: 19/27/22 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gasoline kind: 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 nice: Absolute pleasure to drive
The great: Fairly roomy and sensible
The not so good: Agency experience, heaps and many noise
Evaluate
Each one among 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 recurrently 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 fascinating.
Based mostly on the mild-mannered Corolla hatchback—a compelling first-car alternative for children beginning to make their approach on the earth—the GR tosses refined practicality to the wind, and as a substitute embraces efficiency with the kind 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 pricey in comparison with the usual Corolla. However, the usual Corolla purchaser will not be 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 vehicles gives 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 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 characteristic 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 monitor use, and a 30/70 alternative for drifting.
Client Information lately spent per week behind the wheel of a 2025 Toyota GR Corolla Premium Plus Automated in Supersonic Purple. All instructed, our take a look at automotive got here to $49,125.
Room and Consolation
Humorous factor concerning the GR, it appears smaller than a standard-issue Corolla hatchback, although it’s the similar measurement. That signifies that there’s lots up grownup front-row house, and an affordable quantity of room within the second row. Because of this, for all of its delightfully absurd efficiency potential, the GR is definitely quite sensible.
Cabin Appointments
The cabin itself is nothing particular, and in comparison with the aforementioned Golf R, it appears and feels a little bit low hire. That mentioned, all the things is effectively screwed collectively, and tidy as effectively, however virtually each different $50,000 automotive we will consider feels extra upscale.
Connectivity
Happily, the Corolla’s management and infotainment setup is primary Toyota stuff, which suggests it’s straightforward to make use of and glitch free. That mentioned, listening to music and/or podcasts within the GR Corolla is sophisticated 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. Even saddled with the obtainable 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 creator usually frowns on excessively tuned exhaust blare, the loopy cacophony of sounds that the GR produces are fully in line with the automotive’s peaky, edgy nature.
Journey and Dealing with
Likewise, the GR’s dealing with is a couple of instantly and honesty as any sporty car can hope to be. The steering is extremely direct and exact, and helps the automotive really feel extra like its rotating than really cornering. Zipping round city is extra enjoyable than it must 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 by means of the pedal.
And whereas the experience will be greatest described as uneven, it falls wanting being really harsh. And, issues calm down properly on the freeway. That mentioned, the noise by no means fairly goes approach—know this earlier than you propose to take your new GR on lengthy freeway drives.
Did we point out the noise? OK, transferring 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 situated underneath a totally sensible rear hatch.
Worth
What’s stunning will not be 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 road racer would decide to driving a GR Corolla each day, we envy the parents who select to take action. The automotive is an absolute pleasure to drive, and can seemingly serve fortunate homeowners as a type of every day visceral remedy.
In the event 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 must be enjoyable. So, possibly you possibly can’t be the loopy cousin in your loved ones, you possibly can nonetheless personal his automotive.
Take heed to the Automotive Stuff Podcast
2025 Toyota GR Corolla Premium Plus Photos
Click on under for enlarged pictures
