Is the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla Better or Worse with the New Auto Transmission?

Rounding up several first-drive reviews of the 2025 GR Corolla gives us more insight into the hot hatch’s new upgrades and refinements.

At first glance, the 2025 GR Corolla might not appear different compared to its first three model years. But looks can be deceiving, a philosophy that dominated performance hot hatches since the 1970s. And in the GR Corolla’s case, the facelift is far more than skin deep. Behind its widened grille lay a number of subtle and substantial differences, including the addition of a brand-new automatic gearbox. Moreover, Toyota greatly refined the suspension and running gear, leading to a more accessible and controllable track experience than ever before.

But have Toyota’s GR engineers succeeded in improving the latest GR, or does the new slushbox take away all the fun? Fortunately for us, Toyota’s first-drive review embargo lifted this week, so we rounded up a handful of insightful and informative reviews to get a sense of what’s changed about this beloved machine.

Engine and Powertrain

Obviously, the GR Corolla sports a rally-inspired heritage, tracing its formula back to the likes of Group B homologation specials. First announced a few months ago, the 2025 model features a number of improvements, such as the already well-known automatic option, standard limited-slip Torsen diffs, and additional coolers.

But let’s first take a quick detour to talk about the engine. It’s still a turbocharged 3-cylinder wunderkind making all sorts of glorious wooshing noises while pumping out 300 peak horsepower. New for 2025, all models now get 295 ft.-lbs of peak torque. (Which used to be exclusive to the ultra-limited Morizo Edition.) It’s not a substantial increase over 273 ft.-lbs., but this model represents more of a refinement of the current formula, not a massive upgrade. As such, expect acceleration and handling to remain largely the same. — 4.9 seconds to 60 with either transmission, according to Toyota.

According to Chief Engineer Naoyuki Sakamoto, in an interview with Jack Holmes of savagegeese, the new 8-speed auto — aka the GR-DAT — is a bespoke transmission tuned specifically for the GR Corolla. Toyota designed the GR-DAT to emulate the manual counterpart’s gear ratios, giving the feel of the manual for those who are not inclined or incapable to operate a manual gearbox. “So first, we change the gear ratio,” explains Sakamoto-san. “We made it a more close gear ratio with a wider range, so you can enjoy the car… And, of course, shifters need to be quick. So we needed to improve the oil pressure response… we implemented a high-response electronic solenoid.”

The GR-DAT also sports many other features, such as a separate transmission cooler (necessitating the wider front grille) and improved friction material for quick shifts. So it’s a well-designed feat of smart engineering. But what matters most is this:

How Does The 8-Speed GR DAT Drive?

According to Brian Robinson of Motorweek, “While it’s not a true dual-clutch or sequential manual, you’d be hard-pressed to know it. Shifts are very quick. It lets you have full control while you’re out on track. , “The [paddle] shifters, they’re not the biggest, but they feel good in your hand. They work well.”

David Patterson of That Dude in Blue, agrees. “[The automatic] feels finely tuned. It feels like it’s here to do what it was meant to do. The computer does a good job when it’s in full-auto mode and no paddles. But [the 2025 GR Corolla DAT] really does shine more with the paddles… With the auto, I’m happy to say, it does not feel like a ruined experience.”

Jeff Glucker over at AutoTrader came to a similar conclusion. “I’m happy to report that the automatic is not a compromise. It’s a really good automatic. The manual is still wonderful. The automatic is excellent. All good stuff.” Brett T. Evans, of MotorTrend, also praised the GR-DAT for its “quick and precise” shifting, saying that the auto actually “feels a bit punchier on launch.” But Evans was less impressed with the automatic’s, “nasty habit of changing gears mid-corner, even if you aren’t applying brake or throttle. To its credit, the GR Corolla downshifts quickly when it’s time to accelerate past the apex, but it would be much nicer if the transmission held gears longer when the car is in Track mode.”

Chassis and Features

Interior-wise, the 2025 GR Corolla largely carries over its predecessor’s features, with a minimalist, performance-oriented feel. As such, expect not much in the way of luxury features. The bucket seats remain manually-adjustable in all trim levels, as does the tilting steering wheel. The leatherette-trimmed dashboard provides few distractions other than the infotainment. And the GR Corolla sports the usual electronic instrument cluster. However, there are a couple of interesting options carrying over to spice things up, such as the electronic HUD. For more info, Car Confections go hands-on with a detailed review in their video.

Similarly, the chassis and running gear remain largely the same, just enhanced. To start, 2025 models wear Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires with 18-inch rims. Toyota also refined the rear suspension with a smaller anti-roll bar and a two-stage nonlinear spring design. This improves its anti-squat and anti-dive features for more consistent cornering performance. Other features like rebound springs on the inside of all four shocks and raised trailing arm mounting points further improve cornering confidence.

Finally, the AWD system underwent substantial changes to its power distribution, now featuring a variable 60:40 to 30:70 distribution in Track Mode. Which, according to Chief Engineer Sakamoto-san, was altered to compensate for understeer, as well as allowing the GR Corolla to better adapt to different driving styles. Two other modes remain — a 60:40 front bias for normal driving and a 50:50 split that Toyota calls Gravel Mode. David Patterson, in his review above, called this system “magical” while driving both the automatic and manual 2025 GR Corolla on track.

However, those expecting the 2025 model year to be a massive change or upgrade over the previous model years, Jack Holmes of savagegeese says, “All of the changes that have been made to the suspension are fairly subtle. If you’re in a 2022 or 2023 and you’re putting around on the street, they feel largely the same. On the track, the changes are fairly subtle. While they do make a difference — this car’s a little less pushy than it used to be — and that’s sort of the takeaway I have on this vehicle.”

GR Corolla for Anyone

The major innovations this year lie in the GR Corolla’s inclusivity without compromising its characteristic feel. Obviously the car still features the manual gearbox, though the automatic provides a very comparable feel in terms of gear ratios, just with paddle shifters. The suspension and AWD system are tuned in such a way that it’s far more accommodating to different drivers. And the relatively bare interior keeps the price point down to a relatively achievable $40,000 to $50,000.

To be fair, even though it’s light weight with nimble steering, the GR Corolla is still relatively underpowered in terms of modern performance. It’s why Jack Holmes cautions that drivers who are used to more powerful and capable vehicles may not fall in love, saying, “If you’re used to a more edgy vehicle, it’s fairly Nerf feeling. But it’s not a bad vehicle.”

But outside of that minor quibble, if you’re looking for a hot hatch that delivers a thrilling driver’s experience, it’s hard to beat the 2025 GR Corolla, which MotorTrend’s Brett T. Evans, calls an “outstanding hot hatch. Whether you want it in manual or automatic, the GR Corolla, by most critics and drivers alike, proves a potent choice for any enthusiast looking to return to the good old days of fast, compact, and most importantly fun motoring.”

Join the Club Lexus forums now!

M.C. Cuccio

I've been an automotive aficionado since I had baby teeth. My path was set when I first leaned on my grandfather's classic Porsche as I learned how to walk. One of my first memories was my mother sitting me behind the wheel of her Pontiac and talking me through the instrumentation and controls. Even though I was a mere three or four years old, I was instantly sold, and filled notebooks with technical drawings, sketches, and collections of manuals of all sorts of cars. I've actively tracked developments in automotive and motorsport technology for well over 20 years, and pride myself on being intimately familiar with the functions and history of a wide range of vehicles.

My primary goal as a writer and enthusiast is to equally learn and share what I've learned in a constructive and interesting way. I maintain connections with people from around the world and can read technical manuals in Italian, Japanese, and Spanish, granting me access to a wide array of resources. My primary focuses are deep-dives into historical topics, motorsport discussion, and learning about the complex mechanical elements of such vehicles. As such, my research is never perfect; as anyone into cars will attest, the more you learn about cars, the more you realize how little you actually know. Therefore, I always welcome fresh knowledge and corrections to help me better my work in the future.