Toyota brought a stack of updates to the GR Corolla for 2025 that range from the introduction of an automatic transmission option to improving the suspension and steering. These changes to the suspension and steering are designed to give drivers a better feel when driven in a spirited manner, along with better corner entry and exit, with less rear sag upon acceleration. Counterintuitively, these changes were partly accomplished by borrowing parts from the Toyota Prius and Lexus RX, vehicles that are decidedly not performance vehicles.
Car manufacturers make use of economies of scale by creating common vehicle platforms that can be customized for a variety of applications, and the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) is one of the best examples of a modern platform, as it underpins everything from a GR Corolla to a Lexus LM minivan. Platform sharing means that we’ll often see similar parts across the line of models and for suspensions that might mean a different geometry for a sporty hatchback compared to a family sedan.
Toyota engineers saw these geometry differences as an opportunity when they decided to make changes to the GR Corolla rear suspension. They wanted to reduce squat in the rear and improve cornering stability so they decided to raise the mounting point of the trailing arm in the rear, as that is the center of rotation for the rear axle of the GR Corolla. According to the parts list for the 2025 GR Corolla, they were able to accomplish this by grabbing the trailing arm mounting bracket from the Toyota Prius, which are listed under part numbers 48717-06030 and 48727-06060 and first made an appearance on the 2016 Toyota Prius.
This was likely an easy choice for the engineers as they have data on the brackets and likely figured out a target range for how much they wanted to change the ratio based on data they’ve received back motorsports efforts with the GR Corolla. Once they had a range, they could look in the parts catalog to find if something else using the TNGA platform was a fit and it turns out that the Prius mounting brackets gave them the 30 millimeter change that they were looking for in order to get the perfect ratio for the rear suspension.
I’ve been working on doing exactly the opposite with my Prius as I attempt to convert it from what most would consider an appliance to a spirited daily driver by chasing parts from cars like the GR Corolla. In addition to the trailing arm changes, the engineers also introduced new rear shocks with internal rebound springs in order to reduce inner wheel lift and improve traction during hard cornering. This was accompanied by newly designed dual-rate rear springs and a new anti-roll bar in order to improve rear grip.
The larger suspension components were accompanied by some hardware changes as Toyota also introduced stiffer bolts for the front and rear suspension and the steering column. The front suspension gets new stronger ball joint bolts under part number 90105-12429 while the rear suspension gets new stronger rear shock mounting bolts under part number 90109-10194. The steering column bolt upgrade is notable because it uses part number 90119-10A34 which is borrowed directly from the Lexus NX and RX crossover SUVs. T
his makes sense as these vehicles are heavier than the GR Corolla, so they require a stiffer bolt. According to Toyota documents, these bolt changes will improve joint rigidity and allow drivers to feel more connected to the car.
There are a number of other changes to the 2025 GR Corolla and members of the GR Corolla forums have compiled a handy list of part numbers for anyone who wants to modify their older car and bring it up to the latest spec.
Top graphic images: Toyota
Reminds me of when I was able to swap in some lightweight aluminum front control arms from a Honda Insight into my GE8 Honda Fit. Did it make it go faster or handle better? No. Did it make it feel faster or handle better? Yes.
I always find it interesting to see how automakers utilize their existing parts bin for upgrades or production modifications. If the next generation of Corolla moves to hybrid only like the Camry, it makes me wonder how they will differentiate it from the Prius other than looks. Maybe the Prius will go electric with a range extender to cling onto its hybrid heritage. Fingers crossed we get the return of the Prius V or a Corolla estate – then your next project can be a hot wagon.
I would welcome a return of a Matrix (Corolla’s wagon) in hot hatch form. GR is a bit short in the tail, making it less useful.
I have fit a number of things in my Corolla sedan that would not have fit in a Corolla hatch, yet I have lamented just as many times the sedan trunk not being tall enough. Had I known better I would have gotten a Matrix or at least a Pontiac Vibe.
I’ve mentioned it before, but I can get a box of 8-foot-long fluorescent tubes in my Matrix, hatch shut (they do reach the dashboard top). And I recently hauled a 6-foot wine refrigerator home from a discount place (bulldog? bullfrog?). That required the window hatch to be open and the front seats to be pushed forward as much as possible (that is NOT my usual driving position).
The next gen Corolla will likely just be a 1.5 liter 3 cylinder. They can dress it up but the Prius is the premium option.
Probably just have a smaller ICE than the Prius, as it does now.
I read somewhere that Toyota anticipated a drop in Prius sales due to Corolla Hybrid and all-hybrid Camrys making it somewhat redundant. I figured it’s the reason why they made the styling a lot wilder, because the Prius name has enough of a following to keep around
I find it interesting that you’re describing it as “wilder”. I totally agree if you’re talking about the previous generation. I think, though, that the current-gen Prius is the first time Toyota toned it down and made a good looking car.
Yeah it seems like they’ve turned it into a Falcon vs Mustang situation in terms of body style. The new Corolla is pretty good looking, but the Prius is flashier (in a good way) and has a better drivetrain.