Lightning test | Toyota Gr Corolla: corrupted by the automatic transmission?

It has been almost three years since the Toyota Gr Corolla shared the pinnacle of sports compacts with the Honda Civic Type R and the Volkswagen Golf R. During this short period, its chassis was the subject of various adjustments to make its behavior. However, it is the addition of the automatic transmission for 2025 which causes the most questions.

At the start, the three-cylinder turbocharged, whose displacement reaches only 1.6 L, still shudder, letting out of its three exhaust pots a serious idle accompanied by important vibrations making us a dorsal massage. We are therefore at the antipodes of a standard corolla.

Controlled by a well -conventional gear lever in its configuration, this eight -speed automatic transmission and a torque converter seems to be too conformist. Toyota tries to reassure us, however, specifying having completely revised it, as much in relation to its operating algorithms – which, among other things, rely on the use of braking and acceleration pedals – as well as its cooling tested on board a rally racing car.

The result is fortunately very convincing. The changes in reports are frank and fast, even in deceleration. At full load, we are even entitled to a marked load of torque towards the rear differential, which suits the spirit of the work. Thanks to its stalling increased by two reports, this GR Corolla seems more prompt in acceleration than with the manual gearbox while keeping the 300 hp engine in its power range longer. We would have liked palettes with more pleasant feelings, however, and the refinement of the double clutch box of the Golf R is without superior.

Despite some adjustments, the overall behavior retains its franchise which can please as much as put off. The damping is firm and nervous and soundproofing, summary. The management remains magnificent and the all -wheel drive is very efficient. A little less understeer would be welcome, this cog preferring more retained adjustments.

So, is this automatic transmission worth it? This is the question at $ 61,883. It is expensive, especially since the manual gearbox entry livery is just over $ 10,000 less. That said, if the manual transmission does not interest you, Toyota has done the excellent job to develop the automatic GR Corolla. Nothing is compared, and it is a compliment.