2025 Toyota GR Corolla AT Brief Review: Ignore the Prejudice, This Car Is Awesome

      Caleb Jacobs

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      I’ve heard all the complaints about the Toyota GR Corolla from my car reviewer friends. “It costs around $50,000 and is made of cheap plastic,” they lament. “It’s slower than a Type R,” they complain. And you know what? They’re right. In fact, it’s even slower than a Hyundai Elantra N, yet I couldn't care less because this car is amazing.

      I spent a week with the new GR Corolla equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission, reliving my hot hatch days from high school, before I had any real responsibilities. I learned to drive for enjoyment in a Mk4 GTI, and even as a diehard VW fan back then, I would have been impressed by a car like this. Now that I have a wife and three children, it doesn’t make sense for me in any world, which is likely why I enjoyed it so much.

      Caleb Jacobs

      Firstly, it’s incredibly light-hearted. Sure, it has a tough appearance, but it’s more in a boy-racer style. The hood vents, wide fenders, and large grille speak to that. This is evident inside as well, as the usable trunk space is significantly reduced by a rear strut brace that I doubt most customers even asked for.

      Just look at how little space is left after I put a chainsaw and its necessary accessories in the trunk:

      I like to think I'm the first person to have ever put this kind of cargo in the trunk of a GR Corolla. Caleb Jacobs

      If we were to evaluate the GR Corolla based on practicality—which I don’t believe is the intent—it would score poorly. However, the reality is that it’s a performance car that happens to be a hatchback. This was my conclusion after trying and failing to fit two car seats in it. (One fits fine, but the other just won’t squeeze in if the driver’s seat is pushed back for my 6’5″ frame. You can read the full dad review here.)

      I’ll tell you how much all of this mattered when I pushed the accelerator down on some two-lane Ozark roads: Not at all. I couldn’t care less that a 55-inch TV wouldn’t fit between this car’s deceptively narrow haunches as I zipped through parts of my daily commute faster than ever before. It was more than just a testament to its 300-horsepower, 1.6-liter turbo three-cylinder—though it was that, too. Rather, it illustrated that all the critiques from my friends were like a 15% Rotten Tomatoes rating for a movie that receives overwhelmingly positive reviews from actual viewers.

      That’s when I reached out to my friend who knows the score. Adam Ismail, a fellow senior editor at The Drive, opted for this over a Honda Civic Type R. Here’s his reasoning:

      “One of the things I love about this category now is that each car feels wildly different. The GR Corolla doesn’t have the Civic Type R’s sharpness, but it feels more visceral and a bit rougher in a fun way. I also believe it looks better and think if you’re spending over $40K on a sport compact, you should get all-wheel drive since rally cars are the best.”

      Caleb Jacobs

      Now, Adam’s is a manual, whereas I tested the paddle-shift automatic. I might lean towards his choice if I were to buy one, but there’s no real reason to shame someone who chooses otherwise, especially when the eight-speed performs this well.

      The shifts are quick, allowing you to access the powerband as soon as you want the car to speed up. It doesn’t restrict you from lower gears due to concerns about high revs—at least within reason. I frequently shifted between third, fourth, fifth, and sixth without feeling frustrated with the transmission. It also didn’t bog down the engine when I was driving normally and came across a steep hill, which are plentiful where I live.

      I didn’t even have to worry about whether I was in the correct gear as I approached a large sweeper. The digital dashboard readout is very clear, showing you your position in the rev range at a glance. Toyota has set the limiter at 7,000 rpm once the engine warms up, with peak horsepower available at 6,500 rpm, which encourages keeping it revved up. The lagging turbo appreciates that, too.

      Caleb Jacobs

      I can’t compare it to a Type R or an Elantra N since I’ve never driven those. I’m okay admitting that because the GR Corolla was a blast, completely unclouded by comparisons. Perhaps those cars are quicker; I don’t know, but the Toyota provides all the fun.

      For me, the all-wheel-drive traction is the highlight. It was incredibly rainy during the