Toyota has thrown a host of new features to the GR Corolla for the 2025 model year – with the most notable being the inclusion of an available automatic transmission.

The six-speed manual remains standard content.

The transmission is Gazoo Racing’s eight-speed direct automatic transmission (DAT), featuring paddle shifters.

Toyota says the transmission offers quick shifting performance and optimal gear selection, with software optimized for sporty driving.

“Different than the GR Supra and GR86 automatic transmissions where gear shifting relies on sensing vehicle behavior, such as deceleration g-force and speed, the DAT’s optimized software delicately senses the way the driver steps on the brakes and operates the accelerator,” Toyota said in a news release. “With these inputs, it anticipates when gear shifting is optimal even before changes in vehicle behavior occur, achieving gear selection that reflects the driver’s intentions and, thus, leads to shifting that is similar to that of professional drivers.”

Toyota hasn’t published acceleration information, but expect the automatic to shave a bit of time off the manual car’s acceleration times. Various media outlets have recorded zero to 60 mph times of 4.9 seconds with the manual.

What else is new?

The automatic transmission is only the start.

Next up is the increased torque.

The GR Corolla is powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 300 hp (unchanged from 2024). For the 2025 model year, the car’s torque goes up to 295 lb.-ft., up from 273 lb.-ft. over the previous year.

An automatic transmission fluid cooler is standard on all automatic cars, to help keep the higher engine output and DAT at an optimal temperature. If you need greater cooling, the Premium grade (which is also new for the model) comes standard with a sub-radiator.

Toyota also enhanced suspension components and updated the tuning for improved performance.

The 2025 GR Corolla also now features launch control, to help enable powerful acceleration.

The front bumper was also redesigned to improve cooling and aerodynamics.

All GR Corollas come with the GR’s all-wheel-drive system, which was developed in collaboration with the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team, intended to deliver exceptional levels of traction and control. In normal more, torque is sent at a ration of 60:40 to the front and rear wheels, gravel model does 50:50, and track mode continuously adjusts torque distribution between 60:40 and 30:70.

For model year 2025, the GR Corolla will be available in three grades in Canada. These include:

• Core Grade (manual transmission), which receives additional torque, a standard heated steering wheel and brake cooling ducts for 2025.
• New for 2025, the Premium grade with manual transmission adds standard feature including a carbon fibre roof, vented bulge hood and matte black wheels, GR Sport suede seats, an eight-speaker JBL audio system, and front and rear parking sensors, as well as a new head-up display, dual A/C and a sub-radiator.
• Also new for 2025, the Premium grade with DAT, built on the Premium grade with manual transmission, adds the eight-speed automatic, a full-speed dynamic radar cruise control and an intelligent clearance sonar.

The 2025 GR Corolla will go on sale in Canada this winter. Pricing will be announced later this year. For complete car details, visit toyota.ca/grcorolla.