Toyota Corolla 2025 Review

The competition in the C-segment sedan market in Malaysia has become increasingly intense in recent years. Most consumers are looking for both practicality for daily commuting and a vehicle with sporty tuning and features—this is precisely what the 2025 Toyota Corolla GR Sport aims to provide. As the sporty version of the Corolla series, it not only retains the core advantages of a family car but also includes targeted upgrades to the chassis and details. The main goal of our test this time is to verify whether it can meet the dual requirements of "family comfort" and "sporty driving" simultaneously.

From the exterior, the car's sporty positioning is quite intuitive. The front end features a blacked-out honeycomb grille, paired with the exclusive GR Sport badge for high recognizability; the sharp-shaped LED headlights are connected to the chrome strip along the grille, enhancing the visual width. The body side lines are smooth, and the 18-inch black multi-spoke wheels with 225/40 R18 tires further strengthen the sporty stance. The side skirts beneath the doors and the small rear spoiler are subtle yet appropriately emphasize the car's sporty attributes. The taillight assembly adopts LED lighting with an internal blacked-out treatment, offering excellent recognizability when illuminated. The overall design is not ostentatious but allows onlookers to recognize at a glance that it is different from a standard Corolla.

Sitting inside, the interior features black as the main color, accented with red stitching. For instance, details like the stitching on the steering wheel, seats, and door panels all enhance the sporty ambience. The dashboard layout is simple, with a 10-inch touchscreen centrally positioned that operates smoothly and supports both CarPlay and Android Auto; below it, some physical buttons are retained for easy operation while driving. In terms of materials, the top of the dashboard uses soft-touch plastic, while the door panels are wrapped in leather, providing a tactile feel that matches expectations for this price range. As for features, the 12.3-inch full digital instrument cluster offers various display modes and can show navigation, power output, and other information. The driver’s seat is 8-way electrically adjustable and provides good support, making long-distance driving less tiring. The rear comes equipped with independent air conditioning vents and USB ports to meet the basic needs of passengers.

Regarding space, the wheelbase measures 2700mm, which is standard for the C-segment. After adjusting the front seats to the appropriate position, the rear provides about two fists of legroom and around one fist of headroom, ensuring even passengers as tall as 180cm will not feel cramped. For storage, the central armrest box and door pockets in the front row offer generous space. The rear armrest includes cup holders, and the trunk can accommodate up to 3 20-inch suitcases in its normal capacity. The 60:40 split-folding rear seats further expand the space, suitable for family trips or carrying larger items.

In terms of performance, it is equipped with a 1.8L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 139PS and a peak torque of 172N·m, paired with a 10-speed CVT gearbox with paddle shifters. During daily driving, the car has a quick start and the low-speed torque is delivered smoothly, making it well-suited for city commutes. When the throttle is pressed hard to accelerate, the transmission responds promptly. Although it lacks the explosive power of a turbocharged engine, the mid-to-high-speed power is sufficient for highway overtaking. In sport mode, the throttle sensitivity increases, and the response speed of the paddle shifters becomes faster, offering a certain degree of driving pleasure.

The handling and chassis are the highlights of this car. The front MacPherson + rear double wishbone independent suspension setup, specially tuned by GR Sport, offers greater rigidity compared to the standard Corolla. The body roll is well-controlled when cornering, and the steering is precise with moderate self-centering force, giving the driver ample confidence. On bumpy roads, the suspension filters out most of the fine vibrations while retaining some road feel, unlike a purely family-oriented car that tends to be overly soft. In terms of braking, the front ventilated disc + rear disc brakes perform stably, the brake pedal feel is linear, and the body remains stable during emergency braking.

As for comfort, the noise control is quite good. Below a speed of 60km/h, the interior is very quiet. On highways, wind and tire noise increase slightly but do not affect normal conversations. The seats strike a good balance between wrapping and support, suitable for lateral support during sporty driving while ensuring comfort for everyday use. The fuel consumption is as expected. In our tests of mixed urban and highway conditions, the fuel consumption was about 6.5 liters per 100 kilometers. With the use of 95-octane gasoline, the daily operating cost remains low.

In terms of safety features, this car ranks above average in its class: 7 airbags, full-speed range ACC adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, lane change assist, 360-degree panoramic camera, etc., are all standard configurations, providing sufficient safety assurance for both the driver and passengers.

Overall, the core advantage of the 2025 Toyota Corolla GR Sport lies in its "balance"—it features a sporty appearance and tuning to satisfy occasional driving pleasure, while retaining the space, comfort, and practicality of a family car, making it suitable for daily commutes and family use. Compared to competitors in the same class, such as the Honda Civic Sport version, its configuration is more comprehensive (e.g., full LCD instrumentation, 360-degree camera) while being more cost-effective. And compared to the standard Corolla, its chassis tuning and sporty details are more attractive to younger consumers.

This car is suitable for two types of people: first, families who need a daily driver but do not want to completely sacrifice driving pleasure; and second, young office workers who value sporty looks and features while appreciating Toyota's reliability. Overall, it has no obvious shortcomings and is a "well-rounded" compact sports sedan that strikes an excellent balance between practicality and sportiness.