The 2025 Toyota GR Corolla Automatic Is Real, Real Good: First Drive Review

Toyota’s essence may be distilled into one Japanese phrase: Kaizen. It basically means “steady enchancment,” by no means resting on one’s laurels—and it’s foundational to how Toyota operates. Kaizen is, maybe, why after simply two years on sale, Toyota is already rolling out massive updates for its extremely touted rally hatch.

The large one: An computerized transmission. Should you’re a part of the tedious No Handbook, No Care crowd, take solace in the truth that a six-speed guide nonetheless comes commonplace, and that Toyota expects it to make up a overwhelming majority of GR Corolla gross sales. However know that the automated will assist Toyota promote extra GR Corollas, justifying the mannequin’s continued existence. And that it is a wonderful transmission.  

Rolling out of the pits on the Charlotte Motor Speedway street course—the Roval—this transmission is instantly spectacular. Put the automobile in Sport mode, and it rips off shifts as quick as any computerized on the market, and also you don’t even want to make use of the paddles on the steering wheel. The automobile at all times picks out the proper ratio.

Naoyuki Sakamoto, chief engineer for the GR Corolla, tells us that this transmission is predicated on a normal Toyota eight-speed computerized, and similar to the unit within the new GR Yaris. However aside from the case itself, principally every part is exclusive. It will get shorter gear ratios, new friction materials for the clutches, and a brand new valve physique for sooner shifts. Plus, devoted programming for the automated mode. 

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Nonetheless, it’s much more enjoyable to place the automobile in guide mode and use the (admittedly cheap-feeling) paddles. I’ll cop to some skepticism once I first heard the GR Corolla was getting a conventional torque-converter computerized versus a dual-clutch, seemingly extra befitting of a sport-compact. But, pull the paddle for an upshift and it modifications gear virtually instantaneously, and downshifts are simply nearly as good. The torque converter additionally has a lockup clutch that engages in a short time, so there’s a direct relationship between your proper foot and what the engine is doing.

That is nearly as good as any conventional computerized in the marketplace. I’d put this transmission up there with BMW’s eight-speeds, and if—if—you quit something to a dual-clutch, it’s made up for with easy shifts in on a regular basis driving. The auto additionally has nicer ratios than the guide, with shorter third, fourth, and fifth gears that assist hold the GR Corolla within the meat of its powerband. Be aware, although, that it’s important to transfer the gear selector over to the left to get an actual guide mode—utilizing the paddles in Drive does the unusual however typical Toyota factor the place you may select the best ratio the transmission will use. That’s positive in a Highlander, however maybe not a GR Corolla.

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Professionals: Glorious Computerized Transmission, Playful Chassis, Drives Like Nothing Else 

When you notice the automated is just by no means underfoot, you may think about the remainder of the GR Corolla. Which is great. Tweaks to the rear suspension assist make an already playful automobile extra so, whereas additionally upping stability in high-speed cornering. There’s a softer rear anti-roll bar to assist with turn-in and rotation, however tighter rear springs to take care of the unique automobile’s roll stiffness. Toyota additionally added a little bit of anti-squat on the rear to assist underneath acceleration, and throughout, there are new dampers with inside rebound springs that act like a extra subtle bump cease, higher controlling physique motions.

With out driving new and outdated GR Corollas back-to-back, it’s tougher to guage the suspension modifications, however this one has an exquisite steadiness. The Roval is deceptively technical, and there are moments the place you set a ton of load within the automobile. Exiting flip three, a third-gear proper, you’re fairly closely loaded up, pointing in the direction of the runoff. You solely want a lightweight brake for flip 4, however you’re scrubbing off pace pointed in considerably the mistaken route. 

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It’s an odd complicated, however the GR Corolla likes to brake and switch. Get a bit weight on the nostril, and the automobile intuitively makes for the apex. Then get again to energy tremendous early, let the all-wheel drive system and entrance and rear limited-slip differentials—now commonplace—type every part else out.

A brand new Observe all-wheel drive mode has a variable torque cut up, from 60:40 to 30:70, and it really works away subtly. The GR Corolla by no means feels rear-biased, but it doesn’t really feel so proscriptive, so all-wheel drive both. It’s a really intuitive factor.

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Cons: Bouncy Low-Pace Trip, Booming Exhaust, A Bit Extra Costly Than Final 12 months

All of the issues we beloved concerning the authentic are right here in abundance, too. The engine has a lot character, with its gruff three-cylinder sound and powerful mid-range torque. Toyota truly upped torque from 273 pound-feet to 295, and it pulls onerous all through the rev vary. The steering isn’t essentially the most talkative, but it’s very straightforward to inform grip ranges by way of the seat of your pants, and the brakes really feel nice. That stated, Toyota wouldn’t allow us to run steady laps within the automobile, so we will’t say how they stand as much as actual abuse.

Plus, the six-speed guide remains to be a ton of enjoyable. It may be notchy at occasions, and the pedals are spaced too far aside for heel-toe downshifts, so that you depend on the GR Corolla’s computerized rev-matching system. But, it stays the clear fanatic’s selection. Nevertheless, I used to be so impressed by the automated that I wouldn’t blame anybody for going two-pedal. 

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Sadly, we solely had a couple of half-hour to pattern the GR Corolla on the street. Even in a restricted time, although, the automated continued to make a case for itself. You’ll by no means be fooled into pondering this can be a common Corolla—the low-speed experience remains to be bouncy and the exhaust is boomy. However the computerized smooths issues out, ironing out shifts when driving round city, whereas nonetheless being sharp and responsive if you need it to be.

All this comes at a value. The bottom Core mannequin rises by $2,360 to $39,995 with vacation spot, although it does now include the entrance and rear limited-slip differentials commonplace. The mid-tier Premium is up by $1,120 to $42,575, whereas the top-dog Premium Plus begins at $46,850. Going for the automated provides $2,000 to all trim ranges. But, a Golf R begins at $46,890 and it doesn’t have something just like the character of the GR Corolla, and the Civic Sort R’s MSRP is within the mid-40s, too. And nothing else on sale drives just like the GR Corolla. 

And this one is even higher than earlier than. Possibly there’s one thing to this complete Kaizen factor. 

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