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Toyota’s GR Corolla – STILL CRAZY…AFTER ALL THESE YEARS

Car Reviews

Toyota’s GR Corolla – STILL CRAZY…AFTER ALL THESE YEARS

Toyota’s GR Corolla

STILL CRAZY…AFTER ALL THESE YEARS

BEAVERS BEND, Okla.—Whipping through tight switchbacks and constant-radius curves on a lonely stretch of the Ouachita Mountains, I tried to find the handling limits of the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla – but never did.

No matter how hard I pushed the 300-hp hot hatch, it kept rubber affixed to asphalt as stubbornly as a barnacle attached to a ship’s hull. I finally decided the adrenaline-pumping little racer had more road stick than I had driving nerve.

Explosive off the line with 0-60 coming in less than five seconds and 100 mph in 11.4 seconds (according to various testing services), the GR Corolla has a top speed of around 145 mph—and that’s not even what it does best.

The centerpiece of the driveline is an all-wheel-drive system that provides superior traction and control by distributing power to all four wheels. This system features a multi-plate clutch that adjusts the front-rear torque distribution from a 50:50 split to a 30:70 split, ensuring optimal performance across various driving conditions.

Underneath, extensive track testing and the Toyota Gazoo Racing team’s engineering expertise resulted in a fine-tuned chassis and suspension. These include a sport-tuned suspension setup, upgraded brakes, front and rear limited slip differentials and a recalibrated power steering system. 

The result is a track-ready daily driver that sells for $39,000 to $49,000 and is as quick, agile, and responsive as similarly priced rivals like the Subaru WRX, Honda Civic Type R, and Volkswagen Golf R. 

The old rally racer in me loves all these cars, and it would take extensive side-by-side testing to declare one superior to the others. The GR Corolla, however, starts with two advantages: It runs on regular gas and is a Toyota.

It does not, however, deliver the same fuel economy as a run-of-the-mill Corolla. An afternoon exploring the mountains drained the 13.2-gallon tank in less than 200 miles. Oh, well.

As Car and Driver put it, “The GR Corolla is a riot to drive and will put a smile on your face every time you get behind the wheel.”

Little engine, enormous power

Powering the GR Corolla Premium is a potent 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that delivers a remarkable 300 horsepower. In 2024, this powertrain delivered 273 lb-ft of torque, but GR engineers boosted that to 295 for 2025.

Either way, that is an enormous amount of oomph for an engine with the same internal volume as a kitchen blender. Engineers say the three-cylinder design offers reduced weight, improved fuel efficiency and a more responsive driving experience. All the competitors’ engines have larger displacements and four cylinders.

Grey-haired mechanics, however, caution that small, high-output engines work so hard that they can be prone to premature failures. Toyota beefs up the 1.6-L powerplant with high-strength internal components, and, on balance, the little engine, covered under a 5-year, 60,000-mile warranty, seems to be holding its own.

There are isolated reports of head gaskets giving way when the engine is pushed to its limits, oil pump issues, and variable valve timing issues. For 2025, Toyota is offering an auxiliary sub-radiator, which seems a wise investment.

The little engine offers limited opportunities for tuning. About everything that can be done has been. Improved performance might come from weight reduction and handling tweaks.

A 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission is available. Our tester came with the rev-matching six-speed, and we found the throws short and crisp. Through the curves, the car works instinctually well through second to fourth gears. Fifth and sixth are for the straightaways, where the GR Corolla can outrun about any police car in three states. Note: This assertion was not field-tested.

The eight-speed automatic adds about $2,000 but is worth the cost in terms of driving enjoyment in your get-to-work urban and suburban drives. (Plus, with an auto you can drive and text! – ed.)

Optimized for sporty driving, the automatic control software delicately senses how the driver steps on the brakes and operates the accelerator. These inputs anticipate when gear shifting is optimal even before changes in vehicle behavior occur, achieving a gear selection that reflects the driver’s intentions and, thus, leads to shifting like that of professional drivers.

The system allows drivers to focus more on acceleration, braking, and steering maneuvers, opening possibilities for a broader range of drivers to enjoy sports track driving. If that is your intent, you should also opt for an available transmission cooler.

Upscale cabin

Climb the model tree from the base spec and Toyota tosses in a host of premium features, including a full suite of driver-assist technologies, upgraded sound systems, and a head-up display.

The cabin design features sporty accents and quality materials, providing a comfortable and supportive driving environment. The infotainment system is user-friendly.

Is it comfortable enough to be a daily driver? Only for those young at heart. On smooth roads the GR Corolla rides quite comfortably. On uneven surfaces, however, the racing suspension transmits bumps and bounces right up through the seat bottom.

Bottom line

If this car had been available 25 years ago, I would have bought one. I have given up trying to wipe the smile off my face.

In four decades of journalism, Bill Owney has picked up awards for his coverage of everything from murders to the NFL to state and local government. He added the automotive world to his portfolio in the mid '90s.

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