Two years after its initial launch, the Toyota GR Corolla returns for 2025 with a series of enhancements. This mid-cycle refresh introduces the highly anticipated automatic transmission option, a redesigned front bumper for improved cooling, and refined suspension components. While automakers frequently tout year-over-year improvements, especially within performance divisions like Gazoo Racing, the question remains: are these changes in the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla genuinely perceptible behind the wheel compared to the 2023 and 2024 models?
To find out, Toyota provided us with a Supersonic Red 2025 GR Corolla Premium Plus, fresh off the production line. To get a real-world perspective, we connected with Kevin Quijano from the “2023+ GR Corolla Group” Facebook community. Kevin generously offered his personal 2023 GR Corolla Core for a direct comparison. His model is stock, except for Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires and a Circuit Edition hood.
Automotive journalist compares the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla Premium Plus and the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla Core, highlighting the subtle design differences and performance evolution between model years.
Automotive journalist compares the 2023 & 2025 GR Corolla models.
Our testing ground was the highway and ramp network surrounding Los Angeles International Airport. This area, known for its grooved concrete and uneven surfaces, presents a challenging environment that quickly reveals any shortcomings in a vehicle’s suspension. It proved to be the ideal location for a back-to-back ride quality assessment. The results of our comparison were immediately noticeable and quite surprising.
Unpacking the 2025 Upgrades
Before diving into the driving experience, let’s detail the specific changes implemented in the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla compared to its predecessors:
- New 8-speed Automatic Transmission: An optional 8-speed automatic transmission is now available, featuring paddle shifters, launch control, and a dedicated transmission cooler. This caters to a broader audience seeking performance with automatic convenience.
- Increased Torque: The engine now delivers 295 lb-ft of torque, an increase from previous models, promising enhanced responsiveness and acceleration.
- Premium Plus Trim Introduction: The Premium Plus trim replaces the Circuit Edition, offering a head-up display while omitting the larger rear spoiler and forged wheels. This reshapes the trim level offerings, focusing on different feature sets.
- Supplemental Engine Radiator: A secondary engine radiator is now standard on the Premium Plus and optional on the Premium trim, improving cooling capacity, especially under demanding driving conditions.
- Revised Suspension Components: Rebound springs have been added inside all four shocks, and both front and rear coil springs have been revised. The rear axle mount has also been updated, all aimed at refining handling and ride dynamics.
- Updated Front Grille: The front grille is redesigned with larger radiator openings and active heat extraction, contributing to better engine cooling and potentially aerodynamic efficiency.
- Fog Lights Removed: Fog lights have been removed from the 2025 model, a minor aesthetic and potentially functional change.
- Fine-tuned GR FOUR AWD System: The GR Four all-wheel-drive system has been recalibrated, further optimizing torque distribution for various driving scenarios.
- Active Exhaust System Adjustment: The active exhaust system is tweaked to now audibly close in ECO mode, offering quieter operation when desired.
- Toyota Audio Multimedia System Update: The infotainment system receives a subtle update, ensuring menu options remain accessible even when using wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, improving user interface experience.
While the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla incorporates several notable changes, it remains an evolution rather than a revolution. These updates collectively aim to refine the vehicle’s performance and appeal, making it a more mature and capable hot hatch.
Driving the 2025 GR Corolla: Do the Changes Translate to Real Feel?
Side-by-side view of the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla and 2023-2024 Toyota GR Corolla, parked closely to showcase the subtle exterior design evolutions and shared sporty DNA.
In discussions with Toyota engineers earlier in the year, the focus on enhancing the 2025 model for track performance became clear. The suspension revisions and GR FOUR system tuning were specifically targeted to sharpen the car’s handling capabilities. The denser rear coil springs, rebound springs within the shocks, and revised rear axle mount are all designed to achieve this goal.
The most immediate and significant difference between the 2025 and 2023 GR Corolla models lies in their suspension feel.
Front three-quarter view of the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla Core Edition in motion, emphasizing its agile handling and sporty stance as a baseline for comparison against the newer model.
The 2023 GR Corolla, even with 19,000 miles on the odometer, retains its playful and nimble character. It’s reminiscent of a high-powered go-kart, offering a comfortable yet capable ride. The suspension strikes a balance, providing easy turn-in and ample grip. Despite a slightly lower torque output compared to the 2025 model, it delivers more than sufficient power for its weight, creating a sensation of “plushness” relative to the newer model, though still firmly in the sporty category.
However, stepping into the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla reveals immediate distinctions.
Front profile of the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla Premium Plus in Supersonic Red, highlighting its updated front fascia and portraying a more refined and aggressive stance compared to previous years.
While a detailed analysis of the new automatic transmission will follow in a separate review, the suspension tuning in the 2025 model is undeniably firmer. It transmits more road feedback into the cabin, felt through the seats and steering wheel. This increased firmness doesn’t translate to harshness but rather to a heightened sense of connection with the road. Turn-in feels even more precise, potentially enhanced by the optional rear chassis brace introduced in the previous year. While this setup might be less forgiving on poorly maintained roads, it instills a greater feeling of stability and road engagement overall.
In essence, the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla elevates its position as the hotter hatch, delivering an even more focused driving experience, which could be playfully dubbed the “Morizo Jr.”
Regarding the torque increase, the additional 22 lb-ft is less immediately apparent than the suspension changes. Whether the 2025 automatic model feels quicker due to the added power, the automatic transmission’s optimized gear shifts, or a combination of both is difficult to discern without precise testing. A brief drive in a 2025 manual version shortly after this comparison did not provide enough conclusive evidence to definitively claim a substantial increase in perceived acceleration from a subjective “seat-of-the-pants” perspective without direct back-to-back testing.
GR FOUR All-Wheel Drive System Performance
Two Toyota GR Corolla models, a 2025 and a 2023, parked adjacent to each other to emphasize the subtle differences in design and the shared performance heritage under the GR badge.
Having experienced the GR Corolla in Core, Circuit, Morizo, and now Premium Plus trims, my time behind the wheel has primarily been on dry Southern California roads. While driving has been spirited, it has remained within typical public road conditions, well below the vehicle’s traction limits where the nuances of torque vectoring would be most pronounced.
Consequently, discerning a significant difference in traction feel between the 2025 GR FOUR system and its predecessors is challenging under these conditions. However, some observations might be valuable for potential buyers.
Rear view of a 2025 Toyota GR Corolla with the hatch open, showcasing cargo space and the sporty rear design, while hinting at the performance technology underneath.
In the 2023-2024 GR Corolla, Track Mode, with its 50-50 torque distribution (now renamed Gravel in the 2025 model), was my preferred setting. It provided a balanced traction feel, enhancing the car’s plantedness. Conversely, the rear-biased 30-70 setting never quite resonated in dry conditions, potentially due to insufficient power to induce noticeable rear-wheel-drive dynamics on dry pavement. (This mode is reportedly more effective in snowy conditions.)
In the 2025 model, the new Track Mode dynamically adjusts torque distribution, sending up to 60% to the front or 70% to the rear wheels based on sensor inputs and driving conditions. The aim is to optimize torque delivery where it’s most needed at any given moment.
Side profile of the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla, highlighting its sporty silhouette, wheel design, and overall aerodynamic form, emphasizing its performance-oriented engineering.
For everyday spirited driving, the 50-50 split (Gravel mode) remains highly appealing, offering consistent traction and responsiveness. However, the benefits of the new Track Mode in typical street driving are less tangible without track-level demands. Interestingly, preliminary 0-60 mph testing with the automatic 2025 GR Corolla provided some data points.
Without using launch control, the best 0-60 mph time in Gravel Mode was 5.55 seconds, while Track Mode yielded 5.71 seconds. Engaging launch control improved times to 5.25 seconds in Gravel Mode and a slightly quicker 5.20 seconds in Track Mode. These initial figures suggest a marginal advantage for the new Track Mode in launch scenarios, although further, more rigorous testing would be needed for definitive conclusions.
Value Proposition: 2025 vs 2023-2024 Models
A 2023 Toyota GR Corolla Core and a 2025 Toyota GR Corolla Premium Plus parked together, illustrating a potential buying decision point between opting for a used earlier model or a new, updated version.
Current online listings in Southern California indicate used 2023 GR Corollas with under 20,000 miles priced in the mid-$30,000 range, with premium trims or 2024 models reaching the low $40,000s. Pricing for 2025 models is still speculative. GR models typically don’t qualify for manufacturer incentives, and dealer markups are a potential concern. However, the overall new car market has shifted significantly since the GR Corolla’s initial release. Unless you can secure a genuinely rare Morizo Edition, paying over sticker price for any GR Corolla is generally not advisable in the current market.
For those considering a manual GR Corolla, opting for a used 2023 or 2024 model could yield savings of $10,000 to $15,000 while still delivering an exceptional driving experience. If an automatic transmission or new features like the sub-radiator or head-up display are priorities, then the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla becomes a more compelling choice.
2025 vs 2023/2024 GR Corolla Specifications Overview
Close-up of the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla engine bay, showcasing the 1.6L turbocharged 3-cylinder engine and highlighting the performance engineering under the hood.
2023 model on the left; 2025 model on the right
Here’s a concise summary of the key similarities and differences between the model years:
2025 Toyota GR Corolla
- Trims: Core, Premium, Premium Plus
- Estimated Price Range: $40,000 – $50,000
- Engine: G16E-GTS 1.6L Turbocharged 3-Cylinder
- Horsepower: 300 hp
- Torque: 295 lb-ft (all trims)
- Transmissions: 6-Speed Manual or 8-Speed DAT (Direct Automatic Transmission)
- GR FOUR Modes: Normal (60-40 front bias), Gravel (50-50), Track (variable 60-40 front to 30-70 rear bias)
- Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 (Morizo), Michelin Pilot Sport 4 (all other trims)
2023 & 2024 GR Corolla
- 2023 Trims: Core, Circuit, Morizo
- 2023 Price Range: $37,000 – $53,000
- 2024 Trims: Core, Premium, Circuit
- 2024 Price Range: $38,000 – $48,000
- Engine: G16E-GTS 1.6L Turbocharged 3-Cylinder
- Horsepower: 300 hp
- Torque: 295 lb-ft (Morizo), 273 lb-ft (all other trims)
- Transmission: 6-Speed Manual only
- GR FOUR Modes: Front (60-40 front bias), Rear (30-70 rear bias), Track (50-50)
- Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 4
Upgrade Verdict: Consider Your Priorities
A dynamic shot of the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla in motion, showcasing its agility, speed, and sporty design, appealing to performance enthusiasts and potential buyers.
For current owners of a 2023 or 2024 GR Corolla contemplating an upgrade to the 2025 model, or for prospective buyers choosing between model years, the decision hinges on specific priorities.
The 2025 Toyota GR Corolla presents a demonstrably different driving and suspension feel compared to earlier iterations. While the fundamental character remains exhilarating and highly capable, the 2025 version is undeniably sharper and more refined. It’s an evolution towards greater precision.
Therefore, the upgrade recommendation depends on these key factors:
- Budget: If cost is a primary concern, a used 2023 or 2024 model offers significant value.
- Road Quality: For areas with less-than-perfect road surfaces, the slightly softer suspension of the 2023-2024 models might be more comfortable for daily driving.
- Intended Use: If track days are infrequent, and the car is primarily a daily driver, earlier models remain highly enjoyable.
- Ride Comfort Preference: Those sensitive to firmer rides, particularly individuals with lower back issues, might find the pre-2025 models more accommodating.
Conversely, if track performance and ultimate sharpness are paramount, and driving occurs mainly on well-maintained roads or as a weekend performance vehicle, the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla is the definitively superior choice.
Special thanks to Kevin Quijano for his invaluable contribution and to Toyota USA for facilitating this dual GR Corolla comparison.
Images: Michael S. Palmer
Tags: Toyota Corolla 2025, 2025 GR Corolla, GR Corolla, Toyota GR, Hot Hatch, Car Review, Performance Car, 2023 GR Corolla, 2024 GR Corolla, GR Corolla Automatic, GR FOUR, Car Comparison, Automotive Review, Vehicle Specs
