The 2025 Toyota GR Corolla Premium is a 300-hp turbo-three AWD hot hatch with manual or auto, three-pipe exhaust, and rally-derived AWD — the most fun Corolla ever made.
Current GR Corolla pricing and the trim reset
Kelley Blue Book, read on 29 September 2026, lists the 2026 GR Corolla from $41,115 and the 2026 Premium Plus from $47,160, and the page states that current pricing is updated regularly. Cars.com, read on 29 September 2026, lists the 2025 Core manual at $39,160, the 2025 Premium manual at $41,740, and the 2025 Premium Plus manual at $45,815, with the eight-speed automatic adding $2,000 on the corresponding 2025 trims. Toyota coverage summarized by Cars.com and Kelley Blue Book, read on 29 September 2026, shows that the 2026 lineup no longer uses the Premium trim name, so the 2025 Premium reviewed on this page sits between the simpler 2025 Core and the richer Premium Plus rather than matching a current 2026 trim one-for-one.
| Version | Listed US price | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Core manual | $39,160 MSRP | Cars.com, read 29 September 2026 |
| 2025 Premium manual | $41,740 MSRP | Cars.com, read 29 September 2026 |
| 2025 Premium Plus manual | $45,815 MSRP | Cars.com, read 29 September 2026 |
| 2026 GR Corolla base | $41,115 MSRP | Kelley Blue Book, read 29 September 2026 |
Vehicle Overview
| Vehicle Segment | Hatchback |
| Body Style | 5-door hot hatchback |
| Release Year | 2025 |
| Trim/Variant Reviewed | Premium |
| Available Trims | Core, Premium, Premium Plus, Morizo Edition |
Key Specifications (Toyota GR Corolla Premium)
| Engine | 1.6L Turbo Inline-3 |
| Power | 300 hp, 400 Nm |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic |
| EPA MPG | 21 city / 28 hwy / 24 combined |
| Drivetrain | AWD (GR-FOUR) |
0–60 mph: 4.9s
| Top speed | 143 mph |
| Dimensions | 173.6" L × 70.5" W × 57.7" H |
| Curb weight | 3,286 lb |
| Cargo | 17.8 cu ft |
| Seats | 5 |
Exterior Design
Wide-fender flared bodywork
Triple-exhaust tip layout
18" forged alloys
Aggressive front bumper and roof scoop
Interior, Comfort & Materials
Sports seats with red contrast stitching
Available 8" touchscreen
Heated front seats standard on Premium+
Manual or automatic shifter
Features & Infotainment
Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto
GR-Four AWD with adjustable torque distribution
Available 8-speaker JBL audio
What IIHS does and does not rate
Our guide to IIHS safety ratings explains what the tiers mean. IIHS, read on 29 September 2026, has a 2025 Toyota Corolla four-door hatchback page but does not publish a separate 2025 GR Corolla crash-test page. IIHS, read on 29 September 2026, rates the ordinary 2025 Corolla hatchback Good in small overlap and Acceptable in the updated side test, but those results should not be relabeled as GR Corolla-specific because the performance model has different body, chassis and running gear. IIHS, read on 29 September 2026, therefore provides no page-model-year GR Corolla moderate-overlap result to compare with 2026, and a GR Corolla safety section should say that directly instead of borrowing the sedan or standard-hatch rating. The ordinary sedan is covered in our Toyota Corolla review.
| Item | Status | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 GR Corolla dedicated IIHS page | Not published | IIHS, read 29 September 2026 |
| 2025 standard Corolla hatchback small overlap | Good, not GR-specific | IIHS, read 29 September 2026 |
| 2025 standard Corolla hatchback updated side | Acceptable, not GR-specific | IIHS, read 29 September 2026 |
Safety & Ratings
Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 standard
Standard pre-collision and lane departure
Driving Performance & Handling
300 hp from a 1.6L turbo-three with the highest specific output of any production three-cylinder.
| GR-Four AWD with three modes | 60:40, 50:50, 30:70 front:rear torque distribution. |
Available 6-speed manual or new 8-speed automatic for 2025.
Fuel cost for manual and automatic
Cars.com, read on 29 September 2026, lists the 2025 manual GR Corolla at 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, while its automatic listings show 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. Kelley Blue Book, read on 29 September 2026, lists the 2026 GR Corolla at 22 mpg combined. AAA Fuel Prices, read on 29 September 2026, lists regular gasoline at $4.4558 per gallon, but Toyota specifies premium fuel for the GR Corolla, so the AAA regular-gas calculation is only a national benchmark rather than the actual premium-fuel bill. Using 12,000 miles and the page's 24-mpg combined manual figure, 12,000 divided by 24 equals 500 gallons and 500 multiplied by $4.4558 equals about $2,228 a year before the premium-fuel price difference. The pump price itself is covered in why gas prices are so high in 2026.
Fuel Efficiency
| EPA Combined MPG | 24 |
| City MPG | 21 |
| Highway MPG | 28 |
| Fuel tank | 13.2 gallons |
| Estimated total range | 317 miles |
Practicality & Everyday Usability
17.8 cu ft cargo behind rear seats
Practical 5-door layout
Manual transmission available
Warranty & Maintenance
| Basic warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
On-Road Price & Value for Money
| Starting MSRP | $39,520 |
| Top trim | $47,165 |
From $39,520 — $47,165 fully loaded — the GR Corolla packages 300 hp, rally-bred AWD and an available manual gearbox at hot-hatch money. Its two closest rivals each concede something it has: the Civic Type R is front-drive only, and the Golf R swaps this car's rawness for luxury.
Recall check and hot-hatch rivals
NHTSA campaign 25V595, dated 17 September 2025 and read on 29 September 2026, includes certain 2023-2025 GR Corolla vehicles because the digital instrument panel can fail. NHTSA, read on 29 September 2026, says recall applicability must be checked by VIN. Kelley Blue Book, read on 29 September 2026, lists the 2026 Honda Civic Type R at $48,090 MSRP and the 2026 Volkswagen Golf R at $50,730 MSRP, which puts both direct performance-hatch references above the 2026 GR Corolla base but close to or above Premium Plus money.
| Model | Current listed price | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Toyota GR Corolla | $41,115 MSRP | Kelley Blue Book, read 29 September 2026 |
| 2026 Honda Civic Type R | $48,090 MSRP | Kelley Blue Book, read 29 September 2026 |
| 2026 Volkswagen Golf R | $50,730 MSRP | Kelley Blue Book, read 29 September 2026 |
Comparison with Rivals
Key competitors include the Honda Civic Type R, Volkswagen Golf R and Hyundai Elantra N.
The Civic Type R is the better track tool but FWD-only. The Golf R is more luxurious. The GR Corolla wins on rally character, three-cylinder uniqueness, and AWD playfulness.
Pros & Cons
Pros
300 hp turbo-three is a tiny powerplant prodigy
GR-Four AWD adds adjustability and traction
Manual transmission available
Genuinely characterful exhaust note
Cons
Fuel economy compromised
Hard ride on broken pavement
Limited dealer availability
Overall Rating
4.6 / 5 — a 300 hp turbo-three with adjustable AWD and a manual option earns near-halo status at this price; the punishing ride, thirst and thin dealer availability are the honest deductions.
True Motion Auto has not independently road-tested this vehicle. Specifications, pricing and performance figures are compiled from manufacturer technical data and published independent tests, and are attributed where quoted. Our score reflects a structured research assessment of specifications, pricing, safety data and owner feedback for the segment — not an independent road test. Read how we review cars.
Final Verdict
The 2025 GR Corolla Premium is the most exciting Toyota since the LFA — and at this price, it's a genuine performance bargain. The manual is the soul, but the new auto opens it to more buyers.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the current GR Corolla?
Does IIHS rate the 2025 GR Corolla separately?
What is the annual fuel-cost benchmark?
Is the 2025 GR Corolla under a recall campaign?
Specifications, prices and equipment were current at publication and vary by model year, trim and market. Verify final details with a franchised dealer before ordering. Read how we review cars and our editorial policy.