The GR Corolla is nothing like your mom’s corolla, it’s not even built in the same plant, and it made a huge splash in the sport compact scene when it debuted just 3 years ago. Well, it gets some updates for 2025, the biggest being addition by subtraction.

Those wanting to eliminate the clutch pedal can now do so with an all-new 8-speed Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic Transmission, designed with track performance in mind.

Fortunately, the manual isn’t going away and it even gets a clutch update for more feel.

Even better news coming from the power producing end of the transmission, GR’s tiny terror turbo-boosted 300-horsepower 1.6-liter I3 gets more torque, going from 273 to 295 lb-ft.

There are suspension updates too, upgraded dampers, new rear coil springs and revised stabilizers, with front and rear limited slip diffs now standard.

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We got a chance to put that DAT to the test with some track time on Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Roval, just after NASCAR weekend.

“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 when you’re out on the track; the shifters, they’re not the biggest, but they feel good in your hands and work well. It all reminds me of the Lexus IS-F 8-speed they had a while back, it’s a really great transmission and it sure beats having a CVT.”

’25 models also get a new front fascia with larger openings for more airflow to cool brakes and the engine, as well as a new transmission cooler for the DAT.

2025 GR Corolla’s are available now, with the DAT adding 2-grand onto the GR Corolla’s starting price, putting them right around $40,000.

That’s if for now, but we’ll have plenty more on the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla soon… right here on MotorWeek.