The Toyota GR Corolla is one of the few cars that I have had high hopes for, and they were exceeding during my first test drive. The hatchback is tiny, grippy and fast. The first drive was in a warmer locale, making this the first time I drove it in the snow and rain.
The 2025 Toyota GR Corolla continues to feature a turbocharged 1.6-liter, three-cylinder engine making 300 horsepower (hp) and 295 pound-feet (lb-ft) of torque across the board. Early models had different torque outputs. The GR Corolla has Core, Premium, and Premium Plus trims, the latter of which was tested for this review.
For the new model year the company added a sporty eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters so there are options for non-enthusiasts as well. Still, there are a few areas where even the GR Corolla could improve.
What we tested: Newsweek test drove a 2025 Toyota GR Corolla in Ice Cap White for this review. The sporty hatchback has a starting price of $39,995 including the $1,135 destination charge added on. The Premium Plus trim gave this 2025 GR Corolla an as-tested price of $45,515.
KEEP: Winter and dirt-loving all-wheel drive
The GR Corolla is a four-season car by any stretch of the imagination. The tester I received here in Michigan has a fresh set of winter tires from Bridgestone and it was excellent for the slushy/snowy mix that covered the roads and stable at all speeds.
On the soaked dirt roads north of the city the Corolla was even better, biting into the gravel around corners (in Gravel mode, there are also Normal and Track modes for the all-wheel drive system that varies the torque between the front and rear axle) and pulling the vehicle back in line when it started to slide.
CHANGE: Small trunk
The benefits of a hatchback are many, including the extra cargo space due to the tall roof. That's what makes the Volkswagen Golf GTI so special, as well as other hatches. This GR Corolla has a hatch, but only two-thirds of the space is reserved for cargo.
There's no spare tire under the floor, but a Styrofoam storage area for several tools and a can of Fix-a-Flat. It would make much more sense to have a small spare tucked away and a deeper storage area, but most automakers don't offer that these days.
KEEP: High-strung three-cylinder
The tiny 1.6-liter engine is the main attraction here as there isn't much in the way of creature comforts in the GR Corolla. With the pedal to the floor, all four tires spin and bite, launching this vehicle into a traffic with aplomb usually reserved for a fast roadster or motorcycle. Second gear comes quickly.
It sounds great too, loud in the cabin without much sound deadening but that's part of the charm. In Sport driving mode (separate from the all-wheel drive mode), it gets even louder. The car also comes with Normal and Eco drive modes.
CHANGE: New transmission
The new eight-speed automatic transmission is fine for daily driving, even easy, making the vehicle feel mostly normal while driving around town. However, when speed is needed, especially when using the paddle shifters, it just doesn't change gear fast enough to feel like a true sports car. Upshifts are acceptable, downshifts need to be more aggressive.
I would always recommend the six-speed manual transmission for this vehicle.
KEEP: Boy racer looks
Some cars are sleepers. They look slow but go fast. This is not one of those vehicles. The central front air intake is large enough to scoop up a medium-sized animal and the edges look sharp enough to take out a shin. The Ultimate Warrior-like headlight array just adds to it.
It continues in back with integrated exhaust pipes and a huge rear diffuser that smooths the air coming under the vehicle. Above that is another pair of taillights that looks like they came off a pro wrestler's mask. And that's the fun of something like this.
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