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Ever wondered what a Toyota Yaris might be like with over 275 braked horses beneath the bonnet? No, we hadn't either. But Toyota has made one anyway, this further improved version of the wild GR Yaris. It's a rather unique confection....
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Detailed ratings
Supermini-Based GTi Hatchbacks
Background
This car has been actually rather significant. Launched back in 2021, it was the first true performance model that had been developed entirely in-house by Toyota in more than 20 years. We'd had quick models from the brand previous to this car, but only with outside assistance; the GT86 (developed with Subaru) and the GR Supra (co-created with BMW). The GR Yaris in contrast, was entirely the work of Toyota's Gazoo Racing performance division, hence the 'GR' moniker.
There had been a wild version of the previous generation Yaris too, the Yaris GRMN, but this replacement Gazoo Racing-engineered GR model turned out to be quite a bit more powerful, gained 4WD and was to be made in much greater numbers. Its purpose was to aid homologation of what back in 2021 was the next generation version of the Yaris World Rally Car, at the same time as boosting the image of then freshly launched fourth-generation Yaris supermini. Chief engineer Naohiko Saito couldn't believe his luck when Toyota asked him and his team to create a Yaris like no other. He did exactly that. Once production was well underway, Saito and his team got a chance to update this GR Yaris model and make it just a bit more focused. The result was launched in early 2024, then lightly updated again in Spring 2026 to create the car we're going to look at here.
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Range data
| Min | Max |
| Price | 46045 | 49000 |
| Insurance group 1-50 | 43 | 44 |
| CO2 (g/km) | 197 | 215 |
| Max Speed (mph) | 143 | 143 |
| 0-62 mph (s) | 5.2 | 5.2 |
| Combined Mpg | 32.5 | 29.4 |
| Min | Max |
| Length (mm) | 3995 | 3995 |
| Width (mm) | 1805 | 1805 |
| Height (mm) | 1455 | 1455 |
| Boot Capacity (l) | 174 | 174 |
| Power (ps) | 276 | 280 |
| Torque (lb ft) | 390 | 390 |
Driving experience
A few detail changes have been made to the engineering of this further improved model. New high-grip Bridgestone Potenza Race tyres have been fitted, which benefit from revisions to the tread pattern, internal construction and rubber compound. Toyota says that drivers will feel more grip and control, with enhanced circuit performance and reduced road noise. To maximise the benefit of this additional grip, the front and rear damper settings have been modified. Plus the electric power steering has been updated. The steering assistance operating range has been expanded, even under heavy braking and high-load cornering, by optimising the torsion bar rigidity inside the torque sensor and updating the system's control software.
These updates build on the more far-reaching engineering changes made to this car back in 2024, which saw an evolution of its turbocharged three-cylinder engine to deliver even more power and torque. And the introduction of an optional brand-new eight-speed Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic Transmission, engineered for competition-fast gear changes. The 6-speed 'IMT' 'Intelligent Manual Transmission' stick shift though, remains the choice of enthusiasts. As part of the 2024 update, maximum power and torque figures rose from the 257bhp output of the original model to 276bhp and 390Nm. And the bespoke GR Yaris chassis was further strengthened.
The GR Yaris has always been a model engineered through participation in rallying. A car very much in the mould performance classics of the past like Subaru's Impreza WRX and the Mitsubishi Evo. The car continues to use Toyota's GR-FOUR electronically controlled, permanent all-wheel drive system. This features a multi-plate clutch delivering power to all four wheels via three pre-set torque distribution levels; 'Normal' has a 60:40-split front-to-rear; 'Sport' pushes nearly all the power to the back 30:70; and 'Track' has an equal 50:50-split. There are big brakes too - 356mm grooved front brake discs featuring 4-pot calipers. And a set of sticky tyres too. The 62mph sprint is about half a second faster than before (think around 5.1s) and the top speed is around 145mph.
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Design and build
Nothing further was changed on the outside of this model as part of the 2026 further update, but it might be worth recapping on the visual updates that were made as part of the 2024 mid-term revision.
These saw a new steel mesh added to the lower grille, larger openings at the side and a new split-construction for the lower bumper that made it easier and less costly to repair or replace. And the fog and reversing lights were relocated from the lower bumper to be integrated in the rear combination lamps, reducing the risk of damage. Otherwise, the essential package remained the same as that of the car we first saw back in 2021: unlike the standard Hybrid Yaris, the GR Yaris is a three-door design and very much a model in its own right. Only the rear light clusters, antenna and door mirrors are carried over from the standard hatchback. Every element has been revised to achieve optimum downforces, aerodynamics and grip.
The 2026 update we look at here is more obvious inside where there's a redesigned steering wheel with a smaller diameter, enabling faster inputs. This tiller has an enlarged grip area, a new GR logo on the driver's airbag cover and an updated switch layout that'll better suit hand positions when turning the wheel at speed.
Otherwise, the cabin updates are those made as part of the 2024 update. With this, controls often needed for competition driving, such as intercooler spray, VSC-OFF and hazard lights, were moved closer to the driver for quicker and easier reach when using a racing harness. On the passenger side, the tray in the instrument panel was made larger to create space for extra meters or a co-driver's monitor to be fitted.
The driver's field of vision from the wheel was improved by changing dropping the top edge of the instrument panel by 50mm, changing the position of the rear-view mirror and angling the control panel 15 degrees further towards the driver. Toyota also improved the instrumentation, adding a new 12.3-inch fully digital combimeter with two layout modes - normal and sport, the latter providing a sports performance-focused data display. On the automatic model, the read-out includes transmission oil temperature and a visual warning in addition to a sound alarm to alert the driver when engine revs are too high for downshifting.
The 2024 update also saw precise changes made to give the driver the best posture. The seat was lowered by 25mm and steering wheel adjusted accordingly. The shift direction was changed to suit competition driving so the driver pushes the lever forward for downshifts and pulls back for upshifts - a detail promoted by Master Driver and Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda (alias 'Morizo').
As before, it's tight for back seat folk. And there's a small 174-litre boot.
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Market and model
The standard version of this improved GR Yaris will require around £46,000 from you - or around £47,500 if you want the 8-speed Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic version. There's also an 'Aero Performance' version costing around £49,000. There's no separate 'Circuit Pack' option these days (as there was on the 2021-2024-era version); torque-sensing differentials and stiffer suspension come as standard. In fact the only thing you can spend extra on is metallic paint. Whatever kind of GR Yaris you want, you'll be well aware that there are lots of super hot hatch rivals that cost substantially less. But none of them will feel as special or as race-ready as this wild Yaris.
Safety features include the 'PCS' Pre-Collision autonomous braking System's ability to detect pedestrians in the car's path during both day and night-time driving, plus bicycle riders during daylight hours. Plus the 'PCS' set-up can also provide 'Intersection Turn Assistance', which helps avoid the risk of colliding with another vehicle or pedestrian when making a turn at a junction. There's also 'Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control', which operates at both high and low speeds, automatically adapting the vehicle's speed in relation to the traffic ahead.
What else? Well there's 'Lane Departure Alert', 'Lane Trace Assist', 'Road Sign Assist' and 'Automatic High Beam', which dips your headlights automatically at night in the face of oncoming traffic.
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Cost of ownership
If you're buying this car, you probably won't give two hoots about fuel economy and CO2 emissions. For reference though, you'll probably be averaging about 25mpg in regular use - provided you don't continually floor the thing. And if you resist the temptation to do that on a regular basis, then you probably shouldn't have bought this car in the first place. It probably doesn't help that despite all those wings and fins, the drag co-efficient isn't anything to write home about - 0.35Cd. The manual model's official WLTP-rated efficiency figure is up to 32.5mpg on the combined cycle - it's up to 29.4mpg for the auto. Which will mean the need for regular replenishment of the 50-litre fuel tank. The official WLTP emissions return is 197g/km of CO2 for the manual and 215g/km for the auto. All these figures have fallen over the original version.
What else might you need to know? Well bear in mind the pricey replacement cost of the bespoke Bridgestone Potenza Race rubber if you're tempted to go track day show-boating. The car is covered by the usual comprehensive five year/100,000 mile Toyota warranty, which can last for up to ten years provided you continue to have the car serviced at a franchised Toyota dealership. And the insurance group will be either 43A or 44A - again, that's significantly higher than before.
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Summary
As before, there's nothing remotely sensible about this car - and that's probably why its small band of loyal buyers will like it. There are lots of super hot hatches that on paper seem a no-brainer choice over a pricey GR Yaris. But on the road, none of them will feel as raw or perhaps as exciting.
This is as close as Toyota Gazoo Racing can get to bringing you a Yaris World Championship Rally car fettled for road use. More power to them.
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