2025 Toyota GR Corolla Automatic vs. Manual Comparison: Is It Still Impressive Without a Manual Transmission?
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When Toyota introduced the GR Corolla in North America, it quickly received acclaim for its powerful turbocharged three-cylinder engine, impressive all-wheel-drive traction, and exclusive manual transmission. Enthusiasts who favor manual driving were thrilled with the GR Corolla's steadfast third pedal. However, Toyota soon announced an automatic variant.
While traditionalists might have felt a bit irritated by Toyota’s decision to release an automatic version of the GR Corolla, it’s understandable why they did it. Making the car accessible to those who either prefer not to or cannot drive a manual could lead to increased sales of the GR Corolla, which ultimately benefits Toyota by providing more exciting cars. But the question remains: is the automatic version as enjoyable as the manual?
The answer is both yes and no.
Nico DeMattia
The Hardware
Toyota graciously allowed me to drive an automatic GR Corolla for a week, but I was eager to experience the manual version as well. Fortuitously, our News Editor, Adam Ismail, owns a manual model. We met up with both cars for a side-by-side comparison, not just to see which was superior (I think we already know that answer) but to explore the differences and determine if the automatic could replicate the manual's spirit without compromising too much enjoyment.
Adam’s 2024 Toyota GR Corolla Manual.
2025 Toyota GR Corolla Automatic.
Nico DeMattia
Though the two cars share the same color, they have slightly different appearances due to the visual updates Toyota incorporated for the 2025 model (Adam’s is a 2024). Some changes are functional, such as the larger front air intakes for improved cooling, a transmission cooler for the new eight-speed automatic, new rebound springs, updated rear coils and stabilizers, higher trailing arm mounting points, and standard Torsen front and rear limited-slip differentials (which were optional in the previous model). The engine remains a 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder producing 300 horsepower, but torque has increased from last year's 273 lb-ft to 295 lb-ft. According to Toyota, this boost in torque allows the car to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in nearly a tenth of a second faster than before, achieving a 4.9-second sprint regardless of transmission.
Adam's manual model also features aftermarket wheels fitted with Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires, which were better suited for this late-January test than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer tires on the automatic press vehicle.
Adam’s 2024 Toyota GR Corolla Manual.
2025 Toyota GR Corolla Automatic.
Nico DeMattia
The Drive
Adam and I traveled for about an hour to meet in western New Jersey, where the dull, mostly straight roads were wet from melted snow, a typical winter condition. Having driven the automatic for a few days prior, I was eager to get behind the wheel of the manual and see how it felt.
Toyota may have made significant suspension enhancements aimed at increasing the stability of the 2025 GR Corolla, but I'd be misleading if I claimed to notice a substantial difference on everyday roads. So, let's focus on the powertrains.
Nico DeMattia
Shifting into first gear, I was instantly charmed by the manual. The transmission felt akin to the one in the Toyota GR86, a gearbox I genuinely admire. Inputs and touchpoints are crucial in a sports car, and the manual shifter in the GR Corolla provides a solid, high-quality sensation. In contrast, the automatic has a bland shifter akin to the one found in a standard Corolla, lacking the excitement expected from a performance-oriented vehicle. The paddle shifters for the automatic aren’t much better; they are made from low-quality plastic and have very limited travel, resembling buttons more than genuine shifters, which diminishes the enjoyment of manual shifting.
Given the heavily boosted three-cylinder engine, the GR Corolla has a torque curve reminiscent of an 80s rally car: little to no power until around 3,000 RPM, dropping off around 5,500 RPM. Thus, maximizing its performance requires quite a bit of effort, but when you do and keep it in that optimal range, it’s exhilarating—simpler to achieve with the manual.
Nico DeMattia
Toyota
Having eight gears feels excessive for this vehicle, as it shifts too frequently in automatic mode, disrupting the gradual torque build-up, and there's an overwhelming number of gears to cycle through when shifting manually. Thanks to the manual’s fewer, longer gears, it's easier to stay in the powerband, and unlike an automatic, which is sequential, you don't need to consider how many paddle downshifts are required to find the right gear. The manual facilitates quicker and more enjoyable driving in the GR Corolla.
As for the shifts themselves, the automatic changes gears swiftly and smoothly. It employs a typical Aisin eight-speed automatic, so
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