2025 Toyota GR Corolla First Drive: Automatically Better

The new GR Corolla has a lot going on, from general mechanical improvements right through to an entirely new transmission. Now, Toyota will sell you a GR Corolla with an 8-speed “Direct Automatic Transmission.” It’s marketing speak for an 8-speed torque converter automatic. It’s a massive leap forward in automatic transmissions for Toyota, who has predominantly stuck to much more dated CVTs and traditional automatics until now. So does it make the GR Corolla better too?

Exterior Style: New Face

As a result of improved cooling and a (sometimes optional) sub-radiator, the GR Corolla’s mouth gets a little bigger. Whether you prefer this to the old 2023 grille is up to you, but I happen to like it. The GR Corolla is a wide, shouty car already, especially in the shade of red (the best color) shown here. The grille is simply more of that, and it works great.

This aside, the little hatch looks just the same. Trims were restructured for 2025, with the Circuit trim ending in the 2024 model year and a new Premium Plus. It, and the middling Premium trim, now benefit from a forged carbon roof, while Core (base) models do without. This aside, the trio of trims look more or less the same, which is to say very awesome.

Powertrain and Fuel Economy: More Torque, More Stability

This year, Toyota’s 300-horsepower turbocharged G16E-GTS 1.6-liter 3-cylinder engine nets a boost in torque to 295 pound-feet, up 22 lb-ft from last year. Additionally, front and rear limited slip differentials are standard across the board. In the back, Toyota revised the trailing arm pickup point with a higher mounting point. There’s also a new helper spring in the damper and a new sway bar.

Apparently, all this improves cornering stability. I tend to opt for cornering instability and didn’t notice any major changes in the way both the automatic and manual cars drove across my laps at Charlotte Motor Speedway — though Toyota didn’t have a ‘24 car for us to contrast it with. Frankly, it could simply be that I need more time in the car. I’m not a racing driver, after all. Oh, and the Corolla will still do 24 MPG combined. If you even care.

Handling and Drivability: What’s DAT In The Center Console?

Let’s answer the big question here: is buying an automatic GR Corolla worth it? In a word, No*. There’s two reasons for the asterisk. For starters, you may need hand controls or other to operate a Corolla. Now, there’s a way into the GR for those with disabilities, and I’m all for it. Second, you may want the Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT) if outright lap times are your goal.

See, this is actually a pretty great transmission, especially for Toyota, which is typically not known for performance-focused automatic transmissions. At no point during my 15 or so laps at Charlotte did the car deny me a shift, stumble, or otherwise upset me in a way that having a manual wouldn’t. I was certainly faster with it, as almost any automatic is going to result in a better lap time. The auto is also faster off the line, thanks to a new launch control function Toyota didn't seem entirely confident in. We only got to try it once, and it was pretty clear that the functionality is really just for show and not repeated use. This aside, the auto is easier to drive, as I’ve always had beef with the 6-speed’s oddly spaced pedals that make rev-matching difficult. The new DAT is certainly different, and Toyota says it expects around 80% of GR Corolla sales to go with the six speed.

That said, Corolla is still fun to drive regardless of transmission. The manual is slower, but it’s also more fun. Sliding the diff setting to Gravel (a 30/70 power split front and rear) is the most fun way to get around a circuit, and the Corolla is more than happy to oversteer at the limit. A more refined Track setting for the diffs also bounces power where its needed most, as compared to the 50/50 split in previous cars. Again, it was tough to notice, and I suspect seat time could reveal further differences, as other drivers did say the noticed a change.

Ride Quality and Comfort: It’s Still A GR Corolla

Those new suspension components may help the Corolla on track, but one thing remains a constant: the GR Corolla is stiff. The ride off track and in the city is a tough thing to live with. Personally, the stiff ride is far and away my biggest hangup with the car. I can let go of almost everything else simply because the Corolla is so fun otherwise. On track, that over-stiff suspension feels more at home, and most body roll is cut out of the car. Whether this trade-off is worth it depends on the buyer.

Interior Style and Quality: It’s Still A Corolla

Core trims in the Corolla feel extremely basic, and the 2025 model year hasn’t really changed that. Still, it’s almost cheap for a Core trim with a six-speed, and there’s something to be said for a 300-horsepower, $39,995 hot hatch. Premium and up trims get a much, much nicer interior with more leather, suede, and features. The more upscale-looking interior and seats go a long way here, and so does an upgraded sound system.