With the massive arrival of electric cars and the great popularity of SUVs, small sports cars are becoming increasingly rare on the market. Fortunately, there are still manufacturers that believe in this category, such as Toyota with its Corolla GR. So, you won't be surprised to learn that the little sports car is back in 2025, with several small improvements.
The big news this year is the addition of an automatic transmission. Yes, you read that right—the little Corolla GR will now be available with an automatic transmission. I know, this might seem less exciting, especially for a small sports car of this caliber, but I promise you that Toyota has gone all out. It’s an 8-speed automatic transmission, with programming optimized to enhance performance. Of course, it's clear that purists will remain interested in the 6-speed manual transmission, but this new automatic transmission is likely to attract new buyers, and that's what really matters in the end.
More Engine Torque
Under the hood of the Corolla GR, there is still a 1.6-liter, 3-cylinder turbocharged engine. What changes for 2025 is the engine torque, which increases from 273 to 295 lb-ft. At first glance, this might not seem like much, but I assure you, it's the kind of thing that makes all the difference on the track. As for the power, it remains the same at 300 horsepower. That’s not all, as the Japanese manufacturer has also improved the suspension and other technical details that make the car even more precise and sharp on the track.
In terms of design, there are no major changes, but the Toyota Corolla GR does get a new front bumper, giving it even more character. The interior also offers its share of changes with a higher-quality finish and a few enhanced technical details, particularly in the heads-up display.
The exact release date is not yet known, but it’s expected that the 2025 Toyota Corolla GR will hit dealerships this winter. As for its price, it hasn’t been revealed yet, but we can certainly expect a slight increase.
Jean-Sébastien Poudrier
