Toyota GR Yaris

Model Overview

The Toyota GR Yaris is a high-performance all-wheel-drive hot hatch under the Toyota GR (GAZOO Racing) line-up, representing the ultimate transfer of WRC (World Rally Championship) motorsport technology into a road-going production car. The first-generation GR Yaris made its official debut in September 2020, featuring a bespoke three-door wide-body shell, a 1.6-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged engine, and the GR-FOUR AWD system to deliver benchmark levels of handling and performance. As of June 2026, the core model on sale is the 2026 GR Yaris, carrying an official domestic retail price of RM402,800. In Japan, the car starts from approximately RM156,300, reflecting a substantial price disparity against the domestic market. Serving as the halo model of the GR family alongside the GR Supra, GR 86, and GR Corolla, the GR Yaris was born directly out of Akio Toyoda's enduring mission to "make young people fall in love with driving again."

Design Language

The exterior styling of the GR Yaris is driven by aerodynamics and cooling efficiency, translating WRC rally car functional aesthetics onto a compact silhouette. The car features a bespoke three-door wide-body architecture measuring 3,995 mm in length, 1,805 mm in width, and 1,455 mm in height, with a 2,560 mm wheelbase. Compared to the standard Yaris, the roofline is lowered by 96 mm, which, alongside the flared wide-body kit and full carbon-fibre roof, delivers an aggressively low-slung stance. Up front, it sports a smoked honeycomb intake grille, while the lower front bumper lip features a modular three-piece split design for easy, cost-effective replacement when damaged on track. At the rear, it is fitted with a dual-element rear spoiler and centre-mounted twin exhaust outlets, with the high-mount stop lamp and rear fog lamp relocated to the rear centre to enhance visibility during spirited driving and prevent stone-chip damage. The carbon-fibre roof significantly lowers the car’s centre of gravity.

Inside, the GR Yaris cockpit has undergone a thorough driver-centric redesign. The centre console is angled 15 degrees towards the driver, the dashboard is dropped by 50 mm, and the driver's seating hip point is lowered by 25 mm to provide superior forward track visibility. The redesigned GR steering wheel shrinks to a 360 mm diameter, with palm-contoured ergonomic grips; its switchgear layout takes inspiration from motorsport cockpits, featuring separated individual switches with backlighting to prevent accidental inputs during high-speed driving. Both front sports seats feature BRIN NAUB suede-like upholstery across the backrest and bolsters to minimise body sliding during hard cornering. The passenger-side dashboard storage tray has also been enlarged to accommodate essential track gear.

Powertrain and Performance

Under the bonnet, the GR Yaris is powered by the G16E-GTS 1.6-litre turbocharged inline-three engine. This unit boasts one of the highest specific outputs among production 3-cylinder engines, generating a maximum output of 206 kW (280 PS, tuned to 300–304 PS in selected markets) and peak torque of 390–400 Nm. Power is channelled through a 6-speed intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT), with an 8-speed GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT) also available in selected overseas markets. The official 0–100 km/h sprint is completed in 5.1–5.2 seconds, with a top speed of 230 km/h. Its WLTC combined fuel consumption stands at 7.77 L/100 km. The engine is further upgraded with NACA cooling ducts and an auxiliary cooling package to improve thermal management under aggressive track driving.

Chassis and Handling

The chassis represents the core of the GR Yaris' driving dynamics. Built on a bespoke dedicated sports platform, the suspension setup comprises front MacPherson struts and a rear double-wishbone independent layout. The 2026 model features revised front and rear damper tuning for enhanced body control. Stopping power is courtesy of 4-piston opposed front callipers and 2-piston opposed rear callipers clamping onto ventilated grooved discs. It rides on 18-inch BBS lightweight forged alloy wheels wrapped in 225/40 R18 Bridgestone POTENZA RACE high-performance tyres.

In terms of drivetrain, the GR Yaris comes standard with the GR-FOUR electronically controlled multi-plate clutch permanent all-wheel-drive system. The system offers three selectable torque distribution modes: Normal mode (60:40 front/rear) for daily commutes, Gravel mode (50:50) for slippery or unsealed terrain, and Track mode, which dynamically varies drive distribution between 60:40 and 30:70. Front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials (LSD) come standard on both axles. An intercooler water spray kit and cold-air intake ducting are also fitted as standard equipment.

Cabin and Features

Inside the cabin, the 2026 GR Yaris strikes an even sharper balance between hardcore driving dynamics and everyday comfort. The new GR steering wheel now comes standard with a heating function; the previous constraint where opting for the vertical handbrake disabled the steering wheel and seat heating has been resolved for 2026—both steering wheel heating and front seat heating are now standard even with the vertical handbrake specified. The front bucket seats gain standard heating, while the suede upholstery balances track-ready lateral support with everyday comfort. The infotainment system supports full smartphone connectivity. Additionally, the 2026 update introduces a special edition finished with thermal self-healing paint protection film (PPF), safeguarding the exterior against hot brake dust on track, oil stains, and corrosive road debris.

Safety and Intelligent Driving

On the safety front, the GR Yaris is equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) active safety suite. Core features include the Pre-Collision System (with Autonomous Emergency Braking), Lane Departure Alert, Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist (RSA), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Automatic High Beam, and full-speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC). Parking convenience is handled by a reverse camera alongside front and rear parking sensors.

Market Performance and Reception

Since its debut in 2020, the GR Yaris has earned universal acclaim among global performance car enthusiasts for its track-honed pedigree. The 2026 GR Yaris Rally1 machine dominated Rally Japan in the WRC championship, securing a commanding record of 6 victories out of 7 rounds in the 2026 season. In 2025, the GR Yaris emerged as Toyota's best-selling GR model in South Africa, capturing 38% of the brand's total GR sales in the country. In the Taiwan market, the imported second-generation GR Yaris was priced at RM2,050,000 in 2025. In April 2026, Toyota China officially launched the 2026 GR Yaris domestically with an official retail price of RM402,800, representing a modest RM3,000 increase over the 2025 model. Industry observers note that the 2026 facelift delivers surgical refinements—while retaining its proven powertrain, the updated steering wheel, revised EPS tuning, suspension tweaks, and added comfort appointments have further cemented its benchmark status in the hot hatch segment. In this competitive space, the GR Yaris goes head-to-head with hot hatch rivals such as the Volkswagen Golf R and Honda Civic Type R. As the halo car of Toyota's GR division, the GR Yaris leverages its WRC championship heritage, GR-FOUR AWD tech, and pure manual driving engagement to defend the final frontier of ICE performance hot hatches amidst the global shift towards electrification.