The Toyota GR Corolla is one of the few cars that I had high hopes for and it delivered on my first test drive. The hatchback is tiny, grippy and fast. The first ride was in a warmer environment so it was my first ride in the snow and rain.

The 2025 Toyota GR Corolla continues to feature a turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine that produces 300 horsepower (hp) and 295 pound-feet (lb-ft) of torque across the board. Early models had different torque outputs. The GR Corolla comes in Core, Premium and Premium Plus trims, the latter of which was tested for this review.

For the new model year, the company added a sporty eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, so there are options for the layman. Still, there are a few areas where even the GR Corolla could improve.

KEEP: Winter and dirt-loving all-wheel drive

The GR Corolla is a four-season car by any stretch of the imagination. The tester I received here in Michigan has a fresh set of winter tires from Bridgestone and was excellent for the slush/snow mix that covered the roads and was stable at all speeds.

On the sodden dirt roads north of town, the Corolla was even better, biting into the gravel in corners (Gravel mode also has Normal and Track modes for the all-wheel-drive system, which varies torque between the front and rear axles) and pulling the vehicle back into the line when it started to slide.

CHANGE: Small suitcase

The advantages of a hatchback are many, including extra cargo space thanks to the high roof. This is what makes the Volkswagen Golf GTI so special, as well as other hatches. This GR Corolla has a hatch, but only two-thirds of the space is dedicated to cargo.

There’s no spare tire under the floor, but a Styrofoam storage area for a few tools and a can of Fix-a-Flat. It would make much more sense to have a small reserve tucked away and a deeper storage space, but most car manufacturers don’t offer that anymore.

KEEP: Highly sprung three-cylinder

The small 1.6-litre engine is the main draw, as there isn’t much in the way of creature comforts in the GR Corolla. With the pedal to the floor, all four tires spin and bite, launching this vehicle with a confidence usually reserved for a fast roadster or motorcycle. Second gear comes quickly.

It sounds great too, loud in the cabin without much muffling, but that’s part of the charm. It’s even louder in the Sport driving mode (separate from the four-wheel drive mode). The car is also equipped with Normal and Eco driving modes.

CHANGE: New gearbox

The new eight-speed automatic transmission is suitable for everyday driving, even easy, so the vehicle feels mostly normal when driving around town. But when speed is needed, especially when using the paddles, it doesn’t change gears quickly enough to feel like a true sports car. Upshifting is acceptable, downshifting must be more aggressive.

I would always recommend a six-speed manual transmission for this car.

KEEP: He looks like a boy

Some cars are sleepers. They look slow but go fast. This is not one of those vehicles. The central front air intake is large enough to take in a medium-sized animal, and the edges look sharp enough to pull out a shin. The Ultimate Warrior-like headlight kit just adds to it.

At the rear, it continues with an integrated exhaust pipe and a huge rear diffuser that smoothes the air coming under the vehicle. Above that is another pair of taillights that look like they fell off a pro wrestler’s mask. And that’s the fun of something like this.