Considering it feels like we’re watching the sun set on the second golden age of internal combustion, it’s almost a miracle that we enthusiasts have a bevy of brand new sport compact cars to choose from. Matter of fact, here’s one now. Pricing for the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla is out, and while it is more expensive than last year’s model, a reworked model lineup and extra torque still make it a tantalizing proposition. You can even now get it with an eight-speed automatic, although if you want two-pedal convenience, it’s going to cost you.
When the GR Corolla launched in 2022 for the 2023 model year, it carried a base price of $36,995 for the Core trim. For 2025, the Core trim starts at $39,995 including freight. That’s $2,360 more than what the 2024 model starts at, but some of that price increase is easy to justify. To start, every 2025 GR Corolla gets front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials, which used to be in the $1,180 Performance Package on the Core trim. Add in an increase in torque from 273 lb.-ft. to 295 lb.-ft., and while it’s still more expensive than the 2024 model with the Performance Package, it ought to offer a bit more shove, and that’s definitely an upgrade.
Speaking of upgrades, let’s talk about the new eight-speed automatic transmission available on the GR Corolla. Yes, a manual is likely more fun, but for traffic-intensive commutes, a two-pedal option should ease operation while slicing tenths off the zero-to-60 mph time. Fast, performance-oriented automatic transmissions have generally grown cheaper over time, but this one bucks the trend by commanding a flat $2,000 premium. Hey, in this market segment, that’s serious money. This means that the cheapest automatic GR Corolla you can buy stickers for $41,995, and that’s both a lot of coin and still cheaper than a Volkswagen Golf R. Always look on the bright side of life, right?
Anyway, now let’s step it up to the trim most people with more than $40,000 want — the mid-range Premium model. It gets suede-upholstered heated seats, an eight-speaker JBL sound system, a heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, basically the sort of stuff you’d expect in a reasonably nice hot hatch. It stickers for $42,575 in manual form and $44,575 with the automatic, or $1,120 more than last year’s model. Curiously, Toyota doesn’t say how much the optional sub-radiator for track day cooling potential costs on this trim, but we know it’s standard on the next model up.
Ah yes, the next model up. That’d be the Premium Plus trim, and at $46,650 in manual form or two grand more with an automatic, it’s not exactly cheap. However, it does add a bunch of Circuit Edition goodies without being so limited in production numbers. We’re talking stuff like a forged carbon composite roof, functional hood vents, a new head-up display, and a set of matte black wheels that Toyota doesn’t specify cast or forged. Add in that extra sub-radiator, and it’s easy to see this trim being desirable for people who missed out on a Morizo Edition.
While the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla is more expensive than before, it’s still decent value against the Volkswagen Golf R and Honda Civic Type R, and the fact that you can now buy it with an automatic transmission ought to open up a brand new audience. Expect it to roll into showrooms this autumn, just in time for pumpkin spice latte season. Pretty soon, you could be dashing through the snow in a four-wheel-drive hot hatch.
(Photo credits: Toyota)
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Now if only Toyota would offer the pumpkin spice orange on the GR (they currently offer orange on the regular Corolla hatch)
Also, glad it’s a regular automatic and not a shitty DCT
I have now seen a new Toyota GR Corolla in my neighborhood. Still had temp plates. I’m unsure if it actually belongs to someone who lives here or not. I’ve seen a few enthusiast cars in open garages while riding my bike around the neighborhood or walking the dog, so definitely not out of the question.
Boo, now all the used ones on the market in 10+ years will be autos, because as I’ve seen, when manufacturers offer the *wrong* option, that’s what every single dealer and dunderhead orders.
This is so true. Many will list it as a manual because it has flappy paddles, then as you scroll through the pics your dreams will be dashed when you realize that’s definitely not a gearshift lever.
On the plus side, the boosted sales numbers might help the GR Corolla stay around a bit longer as it should make the model more financially viable for toyota.
The other plus is that people who can’t drive stick for whatever reason, will finally have a decent option for an automatic awd turbo 4 door, not just Subaru’s garbage “SPT.”
I feel like $2,000 is the average cost in terms of parts and labor to replace a clutch and resurface the flywheel at a dealership between highest vs lowest.
So it seems fair, but when you take into consideration that the cost difference between a manual transmission and automatic transmission and the AT is about ~$2,800 bucks it makes me wonder a bit.
Toyota is definitely pushing the slushbox. It’ll reduce the possibility of money shifts, bring in far more customers, but man, what a change in terms of experience.
You wouldn’t see the Civic Type R in an automatic because the car is done so well.
I wonder how different the ST205 was over the GR Corolla.
Tbh, the main issue is that the GR Corolla isn’t performance oriented enough to attract all the CTR customers, but instead you get all the people who sit in traffic all day long complaining about Manual Transmissions. These folks should really be looking at a VW Golf GTI Auto.
If someone had a slow, hellish commute, why would they buy this car even in an automatic?
….it makes driving more fun?
Usually people use their car for more than just the slow, hellish commute. Especially if it’s their only car, which this would have to be for me at $40k+.
My commute isn’t even slow or hellish, and I still have no interest in dailying a manual.
because it won’t bore them to sleep.
Because it’s not another fucking SUV.
I think it’s a good move to offer the auto. Even in the performance Golfs the DSG take rate tended to hover around half…and last I checked the auto take rate on the Toyobarus was disturbingly high. People want autos (my city dwelling self included, sorry not sorry) and this will serve as a really enticing gateway car for newer/younger enthusiasts who might not know how to drive stick.
And you know what? It may inspire them to learn. That’s what happened to me after I got my DSG GTI in 2020. Anyway, I think the refresh looks sharp as well. The new front end is a little less busy, although this car is still wonderfully immature. It’s also a good call to make the performance package standard. If you aren’t getting the dual differentials then why the hell are you even buying this car?
Hopefully the extra equipment on the Circuit can be optioned in the lower trims and does enough. The fact that these weren’t track capable out of the box was an absolutely massive whiff. I get that they’ll always be more at home rallying…but if you’re going to advertise them as track day cars like Toyota does then they need to work in that application. The fact that the Hyundai Ns can handle an HPDE day out of the box and the GR Corolla couldn’t was uh…not a great look for a company with as much history as Toyota. Hopefully the extra cooling solves that issue.
I’ll get around to test driving one of these sooner or later now that they’re not being kept behind barbed wire and will report back. Even though I backed out of getting one in 2022 it’s still a car that’s near and dear to me.
I thought the Toyabarus were still one of the few that had higher manual than auto take rates. If that changed it’s sad but honestly any car that has at or near 50% for manual preference is enormous in today’s reality.
We keep hearing the death of the manual is here. I think it has more to do with the choice of vehicles most everyone makes (SUV/CUV) doesn’t make sense to have a manual. The cars where it does make sense, it seems like the manual preference is still pretty strong. It’s just that those vehicle types are dying due to low volume. That’s even more sad!
Also, I know the regulatory landscape is changing, especially globally. That more than anything else is probably contributing to the demise, while those of us that love them will have to keep the fires burning in the used market I suppose.
Last I saw, the Toyobarus were hovering right around 50%. BRZ being slightly below, GR86 slightly above. That was back in March
On another note, the notification bell is back.
Long live the bell.
Now just move the DT video that sits on top of the comments list, which always fucks up trying to view the comments. And triggers my OCD.
All hail the bell. Only 249 notifications to get through!
Back and making up for lost time.
It’s changed a little, though. Not only did I have “reply” notifications, but “like” notifications and even one presumably accidentally clicked “follow” as well. I guess there’s a setting I can change, because I’m not sure if I want to know who’s liking and following – I wouldn’t want anyone to know what I’ve liked and who I’ve followed. I’ll leave it as is until January, though, because this will come in handy when I do my holiday shopping.
Only problem is I can’t get rid of any notifications.
$50k for a Corolla. Holy crap. I thought the $35k was insane when these first came out. I love these things, and would love to try one out, but dang that’s a lot of money for a Corolla.
Even more insane is that these things are still selling for over MSRP in my area. I like them, but not for over $40k.
Same. I hate it. For the $35k I probably would have bought a base model, but not for the $10k markup they had, and now that they basically start at $40k it’s just not worth it to me, but I am a cheap bastard and cannot deny that it’s a good value compared to the competition, but still.
I’ve seem them starting to be discounted. Look up “No Markup Toyota” on Facebook if you are serious. There have been a few GR Corollas on there dealers are trying to get rid of.
I’ve seen discounted ones near me. A leftover new 2023 sold for $1,000 under MSRP at the start of this year. I toyed with the idea of going and looking at it but it sold before I could. These really aren’t that hard to get a reasonable deal on anymore, you just need to be patient and willing to travel if need be.
How’s that any different than $50k for a Civic or a Golf? Hint: it’s not.
Agreed, I acknowledged it’s fairly priced compared to the competition, cars are just too damn expensive all around.
Most importantly, unlike the GolfR and GolfGTI, it remains available as a manual.
It’s something to cheer for.
Why does every Toyota look like they came up with a nice design and then stuck it in an oven for a few minutes. Everything looks like Louise’s melted Kuchi Kopi.
Simple answer, aerodynamics more than likely.