Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Toyota GR Corolla Premium Plus
Specs
Class: Sporty/Efficiency Automobile
Nation of Manufacture: Japan
Colour: Supersonic Purple
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 automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and should not replicate Shopper Information’s impressions of your entire mannequin lineup. | |
| Large & Tall Consolation | |
| Large Man | B |
| Tall Man | B |
| Large & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Large” 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 automated |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gas financial system: 19/27/22 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gas kind: Premium fuel
Base worth: $45,515 (not together with $1135 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check automobile: Particular paint ($475) automated transmission ($2000)
Value as examined: $49,125
Execs and Cons
The good: Absolute pleasure to drive
The nice: Fairly roomy and sensible
The not so good: Agency journey, heaps and many noise
Evaluate
Each considered one of us has a loopy cousin, or possibly a loopy in-law. The man who by no means appears to maintain a daily job, however has ziplined down the perimeters of mountains, been arrested for streaking, and frequents that membership downtown that usually 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 preserve issues fascinating.
Based mostly on the mild-mannered Corolla hatchback—a compelling first-car alternative for kids beginning to make their approach on this planet—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 dedicate to a life outdoors of the margins.
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 sporty JCW trim. The Subaru WRX can be within the ballpark. However although shut in price, and possibly specs, none of these vehicles provides 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 the usage of industrial adhesives to create a extra inflexible construction.
Different GR upgrades included efficiency brakes, severe 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 normal AWD, and include both a 6-speed guide or 8-speed automated 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 alternative for drifting.
Shopper Information lately spent every week behind the wheel of a 2025 Toyota GR Corolla Premium Plus Computerized in Supersonic Purple. All advised, our check automobile got here to $49,125.
Room and Consolation
Humorous factor concerning the GR, it seems to be smaller than a standard-issue Corolla hatchback, although it’s the similar measurement. That signifies that there’s loads up grownup front-row area, and an inexpensive quantity of room within the second row. So, 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 seems to be and feels a bit of low hire. That stated, every little thing is nicely screwed collectively, and tidy as nicely, however nearly 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 simple to make use of and glitch free. That stated, 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 street the GR Corolla is each bit as wild because it seems to be. Even saddled with the obtainable automated 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 below the hood and from the exhaust pipes. Whereas this writer usually frowns on excessively tuned exhaust blare, the loopy cacophony of sounds that the GR produces are totally consistent with the automobile’s peaky, edgy nature.
Experience and Dealing with
Likewise, the GR’s dealing with is about as uncooked and honesty as any sporty automobile 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 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 glorious suggestions via the pedal.
And whereas the journey might be finest described as uneven, it falls in need of being really harsh. And, issues quiet down properly on the freeway. That stated, 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, shifting on…
Gas Financial system
Regardless of every little thing, together with a really spirited analysis drive, our check automobile 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 automobile nonetheless boasts a completely sensible cargo space positioned below a very sensible rear hatch.
Worth
What’s stunning just isn’t how a lot loopy {hardware} has been included into the GR Corolla; it’s how nicely 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 possible serve fortunate homeowners as a type of day by day visceral remedy.
If you happen to 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’ll be able to’t be the loopy cousin in your loved ones, you’ll be able to nonetheless personal his automobile.
Hearken to the Automobile Stuff Podcast
2025 Toyota GR Corolla Premium Plus Photos
Click on under for enlarged photographs
