The Toyota GR Yaris has received a comprehensive round of updates for 2025, as the Japanese carmaker continues to refine its rally-bred hot hatch five years after its original debut. Following the early 2024 facelift, this latest evolution introduces a host of aerodynamic enhancements, mechanical refinements, and expanded safety features aimed at reinforcing the model’s status as a standout in the performance hatchback segment.
The most striking addition is a newly developed rear wing, which has been designed to improve high-speed stability and enhance braking performance. Adjustable by the driver, the wing forms part of a six-piece body kit that has been specifically engineered for track-day usage. Toyota has placed significant emphasis on improving aerodynamics across the car, drawing inspiration from the limited-run GRMN edition. A new bonnet, made from aluminium rather than the carbon fibre of the GRMN version, now features a centrally mounted air duct to assist with cooling the engine more effectively.
Further aerodynamic developments include new air ducts located behind the front wheels, which are intended to improve stability during high-speed cornering, while additional ducts have been integrated into the corners of the rear bumper to help reduce aerodynamic drag. A redesigned front spoiler lip and an adapted fuel tank undercover, derived from the GR Yaris racing car used in Japan’s Super Taikyu Series, also form part of the performance-oriented upgrade.
Under the bonnet, the 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine now benefits from improved cooling. Meanwhile, the eight-speed automatic transmission—introduced with the facelifted model a year prior—has been recalibrated to offer quicker gear changes and more immediate responsiveness, particularly when operating in manual Sport mode.
Toyota has also introduced several mechanical refinements aimed at sharpening the car’s dynamics and increasing overall driving engagement. Structural rigidity has been enhanced through the use of widened bolts, and the electric power steering has been retuned to provide a more direct and responsive feel. Suspension settings have been updated, and models fitted with the automatic gearbox now feature a larger footrest for improved driver comfort. The vertical parking brake, previously reserved for certain variants, has now been made standard across the range.
In terms of safety, the entire Japanese GR Yaris lineup now comes equipped with Toyota Safety Sense as standard, extending advanced driver assistance technologies even to the base model.
The updated GR Yaris is priced from ¥3,560,000 (RM113,900) in Japan for the entry-level manual version. The range-topping automatic variant carries a price tag of ¥5,330,000 (RM170,500). Toyota has not yet confirmed whether these updates will be made available to international markets, including Malaysia.
Despite its age, the GR Yaris continues to receive meaningful enhancements, underlining Toyota’s commitment to refining its most exciting performance car. For now, however, these latest improvements remain exclusive to the Japanese domestic market.
