2026 Toyota GR Yaris Review: Price, Specs and Is It Worth It?

Few new cars feel as special as the Toyota GR Yaris. It’s a rally car for the road: a tiny three-door hatch with a 221kW turbo engine, full-time all-wheel drive and lightweight panels. It sounds like a homologation special, and it is.

For 2026, Toyota has sharpened it again with a smaller steering wheel, retuned steering and stickier tyres on the GTS. So is the GR Yaris still worth $55,000-plus? Here’s our full Toyota GR Yaris review.

Our verdict: if you want the most engaging small car on sale in Australia, the GR Yaris is it. The GTS is the sweet spot. Just don’t buy one expecting a practical family hatch.

What we like

• 221kW and 400Nm from a 1.6-litre three-cylinder
• GR-FOUR all-wheel drive with Normal, Gravel and Track modes
• Choice of six-speed manual or eight-speed auto
• Motorsport-led updates every year
• 5-year unlimited-kilometre warranty

What we don’t

• Pricey for a small car: $55,490 to $67,490 plus on-road costs
• Three doors only
• Built for driving, not for carrying the family

How much does the 2026 GR Yaris cost in Australia?

There are three grades: GT, GTS and the flagship GTS Aero Performance Package. Every grade comes as a manual or an auto, and the auto costs $2,500 more.

Grade	Manual	Automatic
GR Yaris GT	$55,490	$57,990
GR Yaris GTS	$60,490	$62,990
GR Yaris GTS Aero Performance Package	$64,990	$67,490

Manufacturer’s list price, plus on-road costs. Source: Toyota Australia, December 2025. Premium paint adds $575.

Every GR Yaris has Toyota’s 5-year unlimited-kilometre warranty. To compare it with the rest of the range, browse new Toyotas for sale on Auto Buyers Guide.

Engine and gearbox

Under the bonnet is Toyota’s G16E-GTS, a 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder. It makes 221kW and 400Nm, which is a big number for a car this small.

You get a choice of transmission. Purists will want the six-speed manual. The eight-speed torque converter auto makes the GR Yaris easier to live with in traffic, and it’s the same price jump on every grade.

GR-FOUR all-wheel drive

This is what makes the GR Yaris different from most hot hatches, which drive the front wheels only. GR-FOUR is a full-time all-wheel-drive system, and you choose how it behaves with three modes: Normal, Gravel and Track.

Underneath there’s double wishbone rear suspension, 18-inch wheels and big 356mm grooved front discs with four-piston calipers.

Built light

Toyota went to a lot of effort to save weight. The roof is carbon-fibre polymer, and the bonnet, doors and rear hatch are aluminium. It’s the kind of detail you normally only see on much more expensive performance cars.

GT vs GTS: which one should you buy?

The GT already has the full engine, the GR-FOUR system and the big brakes. The GTS adds the parts that matter most if you love driving:

• Torsen limited-slip differentials front and rear
• 18-inch forged alloy wheels
• Bridgestone Potenza Race tyres (from the June 2026 update)
• Red brake calipers and red-stitched sports seats

For $5,000 more, the GTS is the pick. The two diffs and the stickier tyres make the most of that all-wheel-drive system.

What’s new for 2026?

Toyota upgraded the GR Yaris from June 2026 with changes taken straight from its rally program:

• A smaller steering wheel, down from 365mm to 360mm, with a redesigned grip
• Steering wheel switches that now sit on their own and light up
• Retuned electric power steering
• Bridgestone Potenza Race tyres on GTS grades

The changes are small, but they’re the kind that make a difference when you’re driving hard.

The GTS Aero Performance Package

The range-topper went on sale in December 2025, and it’s the one you’ll spot in a car park. It adds:

• A cooling duct on the bonnet
• A front lip spoiler to reduce lift
• Ducts in the front guards and the rear bumper
• A floor undercover
• A large rear wing you can adjust by hand

It costs $4,500 more than the GTS. It’s for buyers who plan to do track days, or who simply want the most aggressive GR Yaris.

Inside the cabin

The GR Yaris has an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, JBL speakers and a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display. Toyota Safety Sense is standard, with a pre-collision safety system, active cruise control and Lane Trace Assist.

GR Yaris vs rivals

The GR Yaris is up against the Hyundai i30 N, the Volkswagen Golf GTI and the Honda Civic Type R. Those cars are bigger and more practical. The GR Yaris is the smallest of the group and the only one with full-time all-wheel drive.

Want something easier to live with? See our guide to the best hatchback cars in Australia.

Who is the GR Yaris for?

It suits drivers who want a car that feels special every time they drive it, whether that’s a twisty back road on a Sunday or a track day. It’s also a good choice for anyone who wants an all-wheel-drive hot hatch with a manual gearbox.

It isn’t the right car if you need four doors, or if you’ll mostly drive in the city and rarely use what it can do.

FAQs

How much is the 2026 Toyota GR Yaris in Australia?
Prices start at $55,490 plus on-road costs for the GT manual. The range tops out at $67,490 for the GTS Aero Performance Package auto (Toyota list, December 2025).

How powerful is the GR Yaris?
Its 1.6-litre turbo three-cylinder makes 221kW and 400Nm.

Is the GR Yaris available as an automatic?
Yes. Every grade comes with a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic.

Is the GR Yaris all-wheel drive?
Yes. Every grade has GR-FOUR full-time all-wheel drive with Normal, Gravel and Track modes.

What changed with the June 2026 update?
A smaller 360mm steering wheel, new switches, retuned power steering, and Bridgestone Potenza Race tyres on the GTS.

The bottom line

The 2026 Toyota GR Yaris is expensive for a small car, and it isn’t very practical. It’s also one of the most exciting new cars you can buy in Australia. Our advice is to take the GTS, choose your gearbox, and book a test drive.

Ready to drive one? Find a trusted Toyota dealer near you on Auto Buyers Guide.

Sources: Toyota Australia PressRoom (GR Yaris press releases, 11 Dec 2025 and 19 May 2026) and toyota.com.au/gr-yaris. Images: Toyota Australia. Some images show overseas models.