The 2025 Toyota GR Corolla Automatic isn’t just another trim—it’s a shot across the bow in the performance hatchback market. For years, Toyota’s rally-inspired hot hatch was a stick-shift-only thrill ride. Now, with the new eight-speed automatic option, the GR Corolla is aiming to satisfy a wider crowd, but at what cost?
Why This Matters
- The GR Corolla’s new automatic transmission makes it accessible to a much broader audience—including city dwellers, commuters, and those who simply never learned to row their own gears.
- This move is a big deal for car culture. Manual hatchbacks are a shrinking breed, and Toyota’s willingness to offer both transmissions in a performance model is almost unheard of in 2025.
- It signals a shift in how automakers must balance enthusiast heritage with mainstream appeal to stay viable in a world of electrification and SUV sales dominance.
What Most People Miss
- The automatic isn’t faster than the manual. While the GR Corolla Automatic hits 60 mph in a launch-control-aided 5.0 seconds, real-world tests show it’s slightly slower and less consistent than the stick shift.
- Fuel economy is actually worse with the automatic: 27 mpg combined, compared to the manual’s 28 mpg.
- The automatic version is heavier—by 72 pounds—and that extra mass subtly impacts cornering agility and the car’s tossable feel.
- Driver engagement takes a hit with the auto box. The manual’s direct connection is part of what made the GR Corolla legendary; with two pedals, you lose some of that magic.
Key Takeaways
- 300-hp turbocharged 3-cylinder remains a wild, characterful engine, now with an extra 22 lb-ft of torque (295 lb-ft total).
- Suspension tweaks make the 2025 model even sharper, but the automatic transmission slightly mutes the fun for purists.
- Pricing starts at $42,355 for the Core, with loaded models easily cresting $50,000—a reminder that the hot hatch is no longer the cheap performance secret it once was.
- In a time when Volkswagen’s Golf R and Honda’s Civic Type R are both available with automatics, Toyota had to play catch-up, but the execution is more nuanced than most rivals.
Pros & Cons: The Automatic Dilemma
- Pros:
- Wider appeal—more buyers, including those who can’t or don’t want to drive stick.
- Convenience in traffic and urban settings.
- Retains most of the GR’s playful character and aggressive looks.
- Cons:
- Not as involving or quick as the manual.
- Slightly worse fuel economy and higher curb weight.
- Pricier—expect a $2,000 premium for the auto.
Industry Context & Trends
- Only 13% of new cars sold in the US in 2023 had a manual option (Cars.com), and the number keeps shrinking. Toyota’s move bucks this trend by keeping the manual alive while adding choice.
- Performance automatics have improved dramatically—double-clutch and torque converter units are now common in everything from the Subaru WRX to the BMW M2. But true enthusiasts still crave the tactile joy of a manual.
- The GR Corolla’s blend of AWD, turbo punch, and now transmission choice solidifies its place as one of the last true hot hatches in a world turning electric and SUV-centric.
The Bottom Line
The 2025 Toyota GR Corolla Automatic is a smart, if slightly controversial, evolution for a beloved performance car. It doesn’t eclipse the manual, but it democratizes the hot hatch experience for a wider audience. For some, it’ll be an entry ticket to the GR club. For others, it’s a reminder to cherish the stick shift while you still can. Either way, the GR Corolla remains a unicorn in today’s automotive landscape—a small, wild, turbocharged hatch that refuses to conform entirely.
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