This is no ordinary Yaris.
Toyota’s first Gazoo Racing model has been extensively refreshed.
The Toyota GR Yaris is a hotted-up, all-wheel drive version of the regular hybrid light hatchback with a bespoke chassis and a pure non-electrified turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine.
The updated model introduces a subtly new exterior, redesigned interior that addresses driver visibility concerns, a power and torque bump, and the option of an automatic transmission for the first time.
But starting from almost $60K drive-away, there’s a big price premium for this unique little Toyota…
NOTE: The press vehicle was provided by Toyota Australia for a seven-day independent evaluation. Toll costs were covered, but we have no commercial arrangements with the company and it had no editorial control.
Pros.
+ Unique and rare hot hatch
+ Nimble to drive, cool manual
+ Compliant daily ride
+ Large fuel tank
+ My pick over the GR Corolla
Cons.
– Exhaust and rev soft limiter
– Missing a centre armrest
– Narrow driver’s footrest
– Boot lacks lighting
– Frequent servicing intervals
Vehicle tested:
| Model | 2026 Toyota GR Yaris |
| Variant | GT (manual) |
| Starting price | $55,490 before on-road costs |
| Exterior colour | Glacier White (standard) |
| Interior colour | Suede and synthetic leather seats with silver stitching |
| Country made | Japan |
Design and quality.
The refreshed Toyota GR Yaris looks distinctly unique with an improved retro-style interior.
Now featuring new bumpers and a full-width LED tail-light bar – in addition to being uniquely three doors with frameless windows – the GR Yaris looks and feels much more bespoke than the regular hybrid model.
Interestingly, the Japanese brand has applied a weaved carbon fibre look roof wrap instead of the forged style on the GR Corolla.
The interior redesign has been far more extensive with a retro-style silver plastic panel that contains the instrument cluster, central touchscreen and climate controls, and flows down to the gear shifter.
While it appears cheap and awkward in pictures, it looks quite unique in person with two large circular buttons for the engine start/stop and hazard lights, plus circular outer air vents.
Not that it’s too important, but material quality isn’t as cool with rock hard plastics in pretty much every area – including the thin suede-looking door cards and firm door armrests – with only some squidge on the silver trim around the shifter.
Fortunately, the GR Yaris doesn’t adopt a gloss black centre console like the bigger GR Corolla.
Practicality.
2026 Toyota GR Yaris GT dimensions:
| Length x width x height | 3995 x 1805 x 1455mm |
| Wheelbase | 2560mm |
| Ground clearance | 124mm |
| Boot space (min) | 174L |
| Rear seat split fold | 60:40 |
| Child seat anchors | 2x ISOFIX and 3x top tethers |
| Air-conditioning system | Single-zone climate control |
Practicality is unsurprisingly not a priority in the GR Yaris; it’s best used as a two-seater.
The 174 litre boot is small for a light hatchback, yet it’s enough for a couple of bags with a flat loading lip, flimsy and thin cargo cover, and a light tailgate to close with one hand.
Disappointingly, the GR Yaris’ boot doesn’t have any light – so darker-coloured items are essentially invisible at night. There aren’t any bag hooks either as opposed to the GR Corolla.
As per most other Toyota cars, the Japanese brand uniquely offers an additional button beside the tailgate release button to lock all doors from the back.
Getting in the three-door GR Yaris isn’t elegant by pulling the side lever on the front passenger seat and manually pushing it forward.
The entry is narrow, but once in, legroom, headroom and footroom is very tight with a prominent middle floor hump and tiny windows that make the rear row feel claustrophobic.
While it’s officially got four seats, this Yaris is really more of a two-plus-two seater hot hatch.
There are no amenities for rear passengers, except for a yellow halogen light which doesn’t automatically turn on when the doors are open and is inconsistent with the white LED lights up front.
The updated Toyota GR Yaris doesn’t have much space for a phone in the front row with the removal of the middle open shelf. Only a divided small storage slot behind the two cup holders can stand a phone, but you’ll need to stretch the cable across the centre console due to the USB-C port being ahead of the shifter.
However, the non-rubberised shelf ahead of the front passenger remains – although it doesn’t have a lip to confidently hold items in place – along with a non-illuminated glovebox and narrow door bottle pockets.
Disappointingly, the GR Yaris does not offer a centre armrest. I naturally reverted to resting my elbow on the seat bolsters instead, just like the GR Corolla.
The suede and faux leather bucket seats are supportive and manually adjustable, but the suede centre can feel hot in the summer and it doesn’t offer active heating in the winter. It does feature a heated steering wheel, though.
Technology.
2026 Toyota GR Yaris GT tech features:
| 8.0-inch touchscreen running Toyota software | 12.3-inch driver instrument display |
| Wireless/wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 2x USB-C and 1x 12-volt charging ports |
| Built-in maps | Eight speaker JBL |
| Toyota Connected Services with mobile app (one-year Connected Multimedia subscription included) | Proximity key with auto-folding mirrors |
| OTA software update capability |
The GR Yaris provides a functional technology setup that just works.
The 8.0-inch touchscreen is an adequate size with good clarity and a noticeably faster processor than the GR Corolla.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connect quickly, but it lacks a Qi wireless charging pad so you’ll need to stretch a USB-C cable across the centre console to keep the phone charged.
Underneath the screen are a row of physical switches, dials and a dedicated LED display for the single-zone climate control. Just easy.
The 12.3-inch driver instrument display offers two unique GR themes, with notably smoother transitions when interacting with it via the steering wheel buttons than the GR Corolla.
Unlike its bigger sibling, the GR Yaris doesn’t have a head-up display.
All models feature Toyota Connected Services with a good mobile app, with auto transmission models having the advantage of remote engine and climate control pre-conditioning.
Full connected services capabilities are included for free for only one year, though.
The eight-speaker JBL branded sound system is also adequate at helping drown out the road noise, but it’s not outstanding,
Safety.
2026 Toyota GR Yaris GT safety features:
| Front AEB with vehicle/pedestrian/cyclist/junction turning detection | Reversing camera |
| Rear AEB | Front and rear parking sensors |
| Blind-spot assist | Door open warning |
| Rear cross-traffic assist | Toyota Connected Services with emergency services calling (subscription required for stolen vehicle tracking) |
| Lane-keep assist | Full LED headlights |
| Adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist | Full LED tail-lights with rear fog light |
| Speed sign detection |
The Toyota GR Yaris brings a host of non-invasive safety assist systems, including adaptive cruise control with the manual transmission.
All systems are dependable with subtle warnings and a clearer reversing camera than the GR Corolla complete with dynamic guidelines rather than static.
It’s also fantastic that Toyota has designed the manual transmission to still offer adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist, even though it’s not a set-and-forget system.
Of course, drivers need to manually shift and operate the clutch, but the adaptive cruise doesn’t cancel out unless driving below 30km/h.
The instrument cluster also interestingly doesn’t show when the brake lights are illuminated on the manual, unlike the auto transmission.
Full LED headlights provide good visibility at night, though the rear tail-light only has one reversing bulb on the left side.
The 2026 Toyota GR Yaris remains unrated by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).
Range and fuel consumption.
2026 Toyota GR Yaris GT (manual) fuel and efficiency specs:
| Claimed driving range (combined cycle) | 609km |
| Claimed fuel efficiency (combined cycle) | 8.2L/100km |
| Fuel tank size | 50L |
| Minimum fuel quality requirement | 98 RON premium unleaded petrol |
| Claimed CO2 exhaust emissions (combined) | 186g/km |
The GR Yaris manual indicated an average fuel consumption of 10.3L/100km after a week of mixed driving.
As a result, it should provide around 485km of real-world driving range.
It incorporates an impressively large 50-litre fuel tank – the same size as the GR Corolla.
High-quality and expensive 98 RON premium unleaded petrol is required at a minimum, though.
The fuel cap is located at the rear-left quarter side of the vehicle, which is unlocked via pulling a lever at the driver’s side floor.
Driving.
2026 Toyota GR Yaris GT (manual) powertrain specs:
| Engine | 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol |
| Power | 221kW |
| Torque | 400Nm |
| Transmission | Six-speed manual |
| Drive type | AWD |
| Kerb weight | 1280kg |
| Payload | 365kg |
| Towing (unbraked / braked) | N/A |
The Toyota GR Yaris is a super fun hot hatch, especially around corners, but there are some limitations.
The small 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine produces up to 221kW of power and 400Nm of torque, uniquely to all four wheels.
It provides plenty of push, but its handling prowess is where it really shines with a nimble chassis, light sub-1.3-tonne kerb weight and grippy traction that makes chucking it around corners really fun.
Combined with the standard six-speed manual transmission with a notchy and short throw stick, plus smooth auto rev matching (which defaults to off every time you start the car), and the redesigned dash for better visibility – and this base GR Yaris is an almost perfect driver’s car.
Importantly, this base GTs ride and suspension set up is far more compliant than the overly stiff and crashy GR Corolla GTS – making it a much better choice as a daily driver.
However, there are some limitations.
With my large-sized shoes, I found the driver’s footrest was narrower and closer to the clutch pedal than ideal. There’s also no centre armrest.
Unlike the GR Corolla which isn’t sold in Europe, the GR Yaris is subject to the continent’s environmental and noise regulations, which has unfortunately carried across to Australian spec vehicles.
This has likely resulted in a ~4200rpm soft limiter when revving at a standstill and a notably quieter rumbling stock exhaust sound compared to the GR Corolla.
To compensate, the Japanese automaker offers three Active Sound Control volumes which amplifies the engine note into the cabin.
I found setting it on low and moderate was most palletable, instead of high which dialed up an annoyingly intense subwoofer.
This feature helps offset the loud road noise from the base GT’s Dunlop SP Sport Max 050 tyres, with generally sub-par overall noise insulation.
The GR Yaris isn’t just great around corners; it’s easy to park too with its small dimensions, although the rear window is small.
Warranty and servicing.
2026 Toyota GR Yaris GT capped-price servicing costs:
| Six months/10,000km | 1 year/20,000km | 1.5 years/30,000km | 2 years/40,000km | 2.5 years/50,000km |
| $335 | $335 | $335 | $335 | $335 |
The 2026 Toyota GR Yaris is covered by a five-year, unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty.
The Japanese brand is needy with servicing required every six months/10,000km (whichever occurs first) with prices capped for the first eight visits.
After the first two and a half years/50,000km, it’ll cost owners $1675 to maintain the GR Yaris when serviced with a Toyota dealer.
Roadside assistance is not included, but Toyota Australia could cover towing and loan vehicle expenses (if eligible) for seven years, unlimited kilometres on the condition it’s serviced with a Toyota dealer (otherwise it’s five years, unlimited kilometres).
Only one year of Toyota Connected Multimedia services are included, with it costing $12.50 per month afterwards to retain full functionality. A lesser-featured Connect+ subscription is also available for $9.95 per month.
Toyota Essentials, which has basic connected services features, is standard for the lifetime of the car.
The GR Yaris includes a temporary tyre patch-up goo kit only.
Price and rivals.
2026 Toyota GR Yaris model range pricing (accurate as at the time of publication):
| GT (manual) | GT (auto) | GTS (manual) | GT (auto) |
| From $55,490 before on-road costs | From $57,990 before on-road costs | From $60,490 before on-road costs | From $62,990 before on-road costs |
The 2026 Toyota GR Yaris is priced from $55,490 before on-road costs in Australia.
Two variants are available and both can be had with an eight-speed auto for $2500 more.
All exterior colours except Glacier White costs $575 extra.
There aren’t any direct rivals to the Toyota GR Yaris, but alternatives could include:
- Toyota GR Corolla (full review)
- Volkswagen Polo GTI
- Volkswagen Golf R
- Hyundai i20 N
- Hyundai i30 N (full review)
- Hyundai i30 Sedan N (full review)
- MG 4 X-Power
Would I pick the 2026 Toyota GR Yaris GT?
The Toyota GR Yaris is almost a masterclass in a great driver’s car.
This rare light, all-wheel drive hot hatch is super fun to drive, a hoot to throw around corners, comfortable enough for daily drives, and has a large fuel tank for the size.
The GR Yaris also feels far more unique than the GR Corolla with three doors, frameless windows, a rear light bar, and bespoke interior compared to the regular model.
It simply does not have any direct competition either.
But unlike the GR Corolla, there’s a software limiter to the stock exhaust note and ~4200rpm rev cap when stopped, it is missing a centre armrest, the boot needs a light, and servicing every six months is just tedious.
I’d pick the base GR Yaris GT with the manual transmission, but consider the auto if you’re constantly in traffic. The top-spec GTS adds Michelin Pilot Sport tyres, sportier suspension, an intercooler spray, and more that are useful for track use.
The Toyota GR Yaris is no ordinary Yaris. Fortunately, this kind of pure, little manual hot hatch is still here in an age of electrification and big SUVs, even though it’s not cheap to buy.
Photographs by Henry Man
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Pros:
- Unique and rare hot hatch
- Nimble to drive, cool manual
- Compliant daily ride
- Large fuel tank
- My pick over the GR Corolla
Cons:
- Exhaust and rev soft limiter
- Missing a centre armrest
- Narrow driver’s footrest
- Boot lacks lighting
- Frequent servicing intervals
About the Author.
Henry Man is an independent content producer passionate about the intersection of technology and transportation.
The former automotive journalist is focused on producing critically-detailed vehicle reviews, and unique short-form content. Learn more.
The Connected by Henry Man 