2025 Toyota GR Yaris Auto review

Few cars have ignited a brand’s performance division quite like the GR Yaris. When it first launched, it wasn’t just another hot hatch, it was a statement. Built with rally DNA and real engineering commitment, it offered a raw, engaging drive that stood out from a sea of front-drive pretenders. Toyota has sharpened the 2025 Toyota GR Yaris: more power underfoot, a redesigned interior tailored to keen drivers, and, for the first time, the option to ditch the clutch pedal in favour of a torque-converter automatic.

We hit the twisting tarmac of Victoria’s Yarra Valley to find out whether these updates push the GR Yaris from cult classic to bona fide performance benchmark, and whether the new auto option keeps the spirit alive for drivers who want to enjoy the car without rowing their own gears. The short answer? This isn’t just a tweak. It’s an evolution.

Trims and Pricing

The 2025 Toyota GR Yaris range is now split into two levels: GT and GTS. Both offered with either a manual or automatic transmission. Pricing is as follows:

• GR Yaris GT (Manual): $55,490 + on-roads
• GR Yaris GT (Auto): $57,990 + on-roads
• GR Yaris GTS (Manual): $60,490 + on-roads
• GR Yaris GTS (Auto): $62,990 + on-roads

Each model comes with a healthy dose of standard kit:

• GT highlights: suede/leather sports seats, heated steering wheel, leather gear lever and park brake, all-wheel drive
• GTS extras: forged 18-inch BBS alloys, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres, red GR calipers, front and rear Torsen LSDs, upgraded suspension, intercooler spray, and sub-radiator

This is a lineup that caters to both daily-driving enthusiasts and the hardcore backroad bruisers.

Engine and Performance

Toyota’s little monster under the bonnet hasn’t been left alone, it’s been dialled up. The familiar 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine now pushes out a serious 221kW and 400Nm, up 21kW and 30Nm over the previous version. That’s some serious punch from such a compact powerplant.

The numbers speak volumes, but it’s how the 2025 Toyota GR Yaris delivers that really impresses:

• 221kW @ 6,500rpm
• 400Nm from 3,250–4,600rpm
• 0–100km/h in 5.1 seconds (manual and auto)
• Top speed: 230km/h

Whether you opt for the six-speed manual or the all-new eight-speed torque converter automatic, the output figures are the same, and so is the ferocity. Power delivery is instant and urgent, with a fat torque band that makes the Yaris feel punchy out of corners and explosive on straights.

But this isn’t just about brute force. The drivetrain benefits from genuine motorsport input, with the GR-Four all-wheel-drive system distributing torque smartly:

• Normal mode: 60% front / 40% rear
• Gravel mode: 53% front / 47% rear
• Track mode: fully variable based on demand

The result is a car that feels alive no matter the conditions, with grip, response, and a real sense of connection. And yes, the turbo whistle is still gloriously addictive.

Transmission Options

One of the biggest headlines for the 2025 Toyota GR Yaris is the introduction of an eight-speed automatic, a move that might ruffle purist feathers but ultimately broadens the car’s appeal. Crucially, it’s not a dual-clutch or CVT, but a conventional torque-converter automatic that’s been engineered to handle track work and spirited driving.

Here’s how the two choices stack up:

• Six-speed manual:
  • Retains the classic GR Yaris experience
  • Engaging shift action with improved pedal placement
  • Lowered driver seat and adjusted steering column angle make heel-toe downshifts more natural
  • IMT (Intelligent Manual Transmission) enables rev-matched downshifts for smoother transitions
• Eight-speed automatic:
  • Developed in-house specifically for the GR Yaris
  • Tuned for fast, aggressive shifts, especially in Sport or Track modes
  • Adds everyday ease for city driving and stop-start traffic
  • Manual control via paddle shifters when desired

While the manual remains the choice for maximum engagement, the new auto is no afterthought. It’s responsive, holds gears smartly when pushed, and still feels connected to the road. In both versions, 0–100km/h takes just 5.1 seconds, so performance isn’t compromised either way.

Chassis and Drive Modes

Underneath its compact, rally-bred shell, the 2025 Toyota GR Yaris boasts a chassis that’s been refined to handle more power, more grip, and more commitment from its driver. For 2025, Toyota has reworked the setup to elevate its cornering capability and responsiveness even further.

Key mechanical upgrades (especially in GTS trim) include:

• Torsen limited-slip differentials front and rear for sharper turn-in and better traction on corner exit
• GR-tuned suspension with revised damping for more control under load
• Sub-radiator and intercooler spray (GTS only) to manage heat during repeated high-load driving
• BBS forged alloys wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres for enhanced grip and reduced unsprung weight

The GR-Four all-wheel-drive system remains a standout feature, with active torque distribution tailored by drive mode:

• Normal mode: 60% front / 40% rear – balanced for daily driving
• Gravel mode: 53% front / 47% rear – for loose surfaces and light off-road use
• Track mode: fully variable – shifts torque intelligently between axles to maximise cornering speed and exit traction

The result is a chassis that can switch personalities. On a tight, twisty backroad, it feels playful yet planted, offering the sort of composure usually reserved for far more expensive machinery. This is a car that thrives on driver input and rewards confidence with real capability.

Handling and Road Feel

What made the original GR Yaris such a hit was the way it made you feel behind the wheel. For 2025, that connection is even sharper.

The chassis updates and ergonomic improvements come together to create a more immersive driving experience. The revised seating position, now 25mm lower, puts you right in the action, and with the steering column adjusted for a more natural angle, the entire driving position feels locked in and purposeful.

On the road, the 2025 Toyota GR Yaris feels:

• Taut and agile, with little body roll even under heavy load
• Composed over mid-corner bumps, thanks to improved suspension tuning
• Direct and intuitive, especially through the steering, which remains light enough for daily use but accurate enough for point-to-point precision
• Grippy but playful, with the all-wheel-drive system constantly shifting power to keep things balanced

Even with the extra torque, there’s no feeling of the car being overwhelmed. It dives into corners eagerly, rotates with a sense of control, and fires out with turbo-fed urgency. Importantly, it doesn’t lose its sense of fun. You’re constantly aware of what’s happening beneath you, without ever feeling like the car is working against you.

The drive modes help fine-tune the character, but even in Normal mode, the 2025 Toyota GR Yaris feels alert and ready. Whether you’re threading through traffic or climbing a winding mountain pass, this car communicates in a way few modern performance cars still do.

Design and Exterior Updates

From a distance, it’s still unmistakably GR Yaris, but get a little closer and the 2025 model reveals its sharpened edge. Toyota hasn’t overhauled the design, but the tweaks are purposeful, performance-driven, and give the car an even more aggressive, rally-ready stance.

Up front, the biggest change is the reworked grille and expanded lower intake, primarily added to support cooling for the new automatic transmission, though the manual benefits too. This functional redesign also gives the face a more serious, motorsport-inspired presence. The grille insert is no longer just plastic either, it now includes actual metal mesh, ready to take the hits from gravel, bugs, or debris.

Other exterior updates include:

• Full-width LED light bar at the rear, replacing the previous subtle spoiler-mounted light
• Body-coloured rear spoiler, integrating more cleanly into the tailgate design
• Slightly wider stance thanks to wheel and tyre changes, especially in GTS trim
• BBS forged 18-inch wheels (GTS), which not only look the part but reduce unsprung weight

The GR Yaris already looked like it came straight off a rally stage, now, it leans even further into that vibe. The stance is squat, the proportions tight, and everything about its silhouette says purpose. Even in base GT trim, it looks like it means business. In GTS spec, it’s nothing short of a pocket-sized WRC homage.

Interior and Ergonomics

Step inside the 2025 Toyota GR Yaris and you’ll notice straight away, it no longer feels like a hot hatch built from economy car bones. Toyota has completely rethought the cabin layout based on direct feedback from GR owners and pro drivers, and the result is an interior that finally matches the car’s driving intent.

The lower seating position, dropped by 25mm compared to before, transforms the driving experience, giving you more headroom (yes, even with a helmet on) and placing you deeper into the chassis. Add in the redesigned steering column angle, and the entire setup feels more like a proper sports car than a city hatch.

Key interior changes and highlights:

• New centre stack that’s tilted 15° toward the driver for better visibility and access
• Integrated infotainment screen now flows with the dash design, opening up forward visibility
• Repositioned pedals, making heel-toe shifting more natural
• Thick, grippy steering wheel with a tactile, motorsport-style shape
• Supportive bucket seats, trimmed in suede and leather, that keep you locked in through corners
• Large, physical buttons and toggles, ensuring ease of use even with gloves

Despite its small footprint, everything inside feels built with the driver in mind. There’s no excess, no fluff. Just what you need, where you need it. And crucially, it all comes together without feeling cramped or compromised.

This is a statement that Toyota’s GR division is listening to its drivers, and delivering on every small detail that counts.

Practicality

Let’s be honest, the GR Yaris was never built with practicality front of mind. And while the 2025 update hasn’t changed that core DNA, it does make a few minor concessions to daily usability.

Here’s what you’re working with:

• Boot space sits at 174 litres, which is only 39L shy of the larger GR Corolla. It’ll handle a couple of overnight bags or a week’s grocery run, but don’t expect road-trip flexibility.
• The second row remains cramped, with tight legroom and low roof clearance. It’s realistically a space for bags, pets, or kids, not adults. It’s also strictly a two-seater in the back.
• Cabin storage is minimal but purposeful: door bins, cup holders, and a small centre console compartment all exist, but pack light.

Where it redeems itself is in ergonomics. Once you’re in the driver’s seat, the cabin makes complete sense. There’s just enough room to get comfortable, visibility is surprisingly decent for a hot hatch, and all major controls fall easily to hand.

It’s usable, but only if you’re okay with the GR Yaris being a focused tool, not a family hauler. It’s a driver’s car first, everything else second.

Technology and Features

The 2025 Toyota GR Yaris doesn’t pretend to be a tech showcase, but it gives you exactly what you need, and nothing that gets in the way of driving.

Toyota has refined the layout to keep everything within reach and easy to operate, with a strong focus on physical controls over screen-heavy complexity. It’s a welcome throwback in an era of touch-everything interiors.

Core features include:

• Integrated multimedia screen now cleanly housed in the dash for better forward visibility
• Digital instrument cluster with performance-focused layouts
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Heated seats and steering wheel (standard on all trims)
• Keyless entry and push-button start
• Dual-zone climate control in GTS trim

While it doesn’t offer the latest driver-assist trickery or an expansive screen setup, what’s here works well, and more importantly, doesn’t distract from the road. It’s tech with a purpose, not a gimmick.

Fuel Economy

Unsurprisingly, the 2025 Toyota GR Yaris isn’t built for sipping fuel, but it’s not outrageous either, especially considering the performance on tap.

Official combined cycle figures are:

• 8.2L/100km for the manual
• 9.1L/100km for the automatic

In real-world spirited driving, though, expect to see numbers well into double digits, especially if you’re frequently dipping into the turbo’s sweet spot (and you will). The car encourages playful driving, and it’s easy to find yourself accelerating just to hear that turbo whistle do its thing.

Still, on longer highway stretches in sixth gear, it settles into a more reasonable rhythm. It’s no hybrid, but for a rally-bred, all-wheel-drive hot hatch with 221kW, the fuel use is within reason. Just don’t expect Prius numbers and you won’t be disappointed.

Safety and Warranty

Although the 2025 Toyota GR Yaris doesn’t carry over the five-star ANCAP rating from its non-GR siblings due to its bespoke platform and drivetrain, Toyota hasn’t skimped on safety, especially considering the performance focus.

Standard safety features include:

• Six airbags
• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Lane Departure Alert with steering assist
• Lane Trace Assist
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Automatic High Beam
• Road Sign Assist
• Reversing camera
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Blind Spot Monitor (GTS only)

It’s a solid safety suite, especially in GTS trim, offering key active systems without overloading the experience with intrusive tech.

On the ownership side, Toyota backs the GR Yaris with a 5-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, with an extra 2 years of coverage for the engine and driveline if serviced according to the schedule.

Capped-price servicing is also offered:

• $310 per service
• Intervals: every 6 months or 10,000km
• Capped pricing applies to the first 6 services, covering the first 3 years of ownership

For a performance car, this is a relatively affordable ownership experience, especially compared to European rivals.

Verdict

The GR Yaris was already a standout in the world of performance hatchbacks. Raw, thrilling, and engineered with the kind of focus usually reserved for much pricier machines. For 2025, Toyota hasn’t reinvented it; instead, it’s refined it. And the result? One of the most complete driver’s cars you can buy, full stop.

With more power, smarter ergonomics, and the welcome addition of an automatic option, the updated GR Yaris strikes a new balance between hardcore performance and real-world usability. The chassis feels more capable, the cabin more cohesive, and the experience behind the wheel just as intoxicating as ever.

Sure, it’s still compromised in terms of space and everyday practicality, but that’s the point. This isn’t a warmed-up city hatch with some badges and stiff suspension. It’s a rally car, detuned just enough for the road, but still sharp enough to leave a grin plastered on your face for hours.

If you’re a purist, the manual will still be your pick. If you want to drive it hard without juggling a clutch, the new auto delivers without diluting the experience. Either way, what you’re getting is arguably the most exciting car Toyota builds today. And that’s saying something.

Want more? Click here for 2023 Toyota GR Yaris Rallye – TDP Review – Tech Drive Play