The revamped 2025 Toyota GR Corolla delivers a surprising yet welcome upgrade to Toyota’s relatively new hot hatch, featuring increased torque, refinements to the suspension, and an optionally available eight-speed automatic transmission. The only notable drawback of this update is the divisive grille design, implemented primarily for enhanced cooling. Additionally, the pricing has taken an upward turn, as the GR Corolla is not exempt from the annual MSRP hikes, made even steeper by the cost of the Direct Automatic Transmission option.
The GR Corolla now begins at $39,995, including destination charges for the base manual model. This marks a $3,000 increase from its inaugural price in the 2023 model year. However, there’s good news: every new GR Corolla will be produced with front and rear limited-slip differentials as standard. Opting for the automatic transmission raises the price by another $2,000, bringing it to $41,995.
While this price increase is significant compared to its launch, the GR Corolla has undergone substantial changes since then. In addition to the DAT option for enthusiasts, the automatic version now boasts launch control, an extra 23 lb-ft of torque across the entire range for a total of 295 lb-ft, numerous chassis improvements including added rebound springs and optimized rear coil stabilizers, as well as the potential for enhanced cooling capabilities with the sub-radiator option.
These enhancements come at a cost, particularly with the added luxuries provided in the Premium trim. In this version, the price is $42,575, featuring heated suede-like front seats, an eight-speaker audio system, and newly available dual-zone climate control, among other comforts. The automatic version in this configuration is priced at an additional $2,000. The Premium Plus, which is similar to the former Circuit Edition but seems to omit the more aggressive rear wing, starts at $46,650 or $48,650 depending on the transmission choice.
Just for comparison, I revisited the current pricing of the Honda Civic Type R. The 2025 model is priced at $46,690, including destination fees. I believe that the mid-level GR Corolla Premium is most comparable to the base Civic Type R, and Toyota holds a pricing advantage—even with the automatic transmission. However, the reality is that prices across the board are climbing. On a brighter note, there are indications that unsustainable markups on these vehicles might be diminishing, as suggested by discussions in various Reddit communities.
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