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The Toyota GR Yaris has been given an overhaul four years after launch – with more power, new styling, updated tech and an automatic transmission option for the first time – but prices are up.
The 2025 Toyota GR Yaris has received a $4100 price rise – and tops nears $70,000 drive-away for the most expensive version – with the updated model arriving in showrooms now.
The facelifted GR Yaris hot hatch introduces the option of an eight-speed automatic transmission, alongside updated styling, an overhauled interior, and more power from its 1.6-litre turbo engine.
Prices have risen by $4100 on equivalent six-speed manual variants available to order now, while the new eight-speed auto – which Toyota says is due mid-2025 – commands a $5000 premium.
The top-of-the-range GTS automatic – the new name for the Rallye variant, with limited-slip differentials and sticky tyres – is priced from $62,990 plus on-road costs, or an estimated drive-away price of $65,000 to $70,000.
Outputs from the updated hot hatch's 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine rise to 221kW and 400Nm (up from 200kW/370Nm), matched with a GR-Four variable all-wheel drive system.
The eight-speed auto is a torque-converter design, developed and durability-tested on rally stages and circuits with input from Toyota racing drivers.
The all-wheel-drive system's Sport (30:70) and Track (50:50) modes have been swapped for Gravel (53:47) and an updated Track mode with a variable front-to-rear split, from 60:40 to 30:70.
Styling changes include a new front end with a three-piece bumper – designed to be replaced easily in the event of damage on a rally stage – and increased cooling, while there are also new LED tail-light and lower bumper designs.
Inside, the dashboard has been redesigned with a new 8.0-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch instrument display mounted in a bluff, upright binnacle angled 15 degrees towards the driver.
The driving position has been lowered by 25mm, the rear-view mirror raised and mounted to the top of the windscreen, and the upper edge of the central control stack lowered by 50mm.
These revisions are intended to address complaints of a high seating position – and a narrow 'letterbox' view out of the windscreen created by a tall touchscreen and a large rear-view mirror – of the original GR Yaris, while also creating extra headroom for drivers when wearing helmets.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now available, as well as front and rear parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control on automatic models.
The 2025 Toyota GR Yaris is on sale now with a manual transmission, ahead of the eight-speed auto's arrival due in mid-2025.
2025 Toyota GR Yaris price in Australia
Note: All prices above exclude on-road costs.
2025 Toyota GR Yaris GT standard features:
2025 Toyota GR Yaris GTS adds (over GT):
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family.
