The Toyota GR Yaris has been given another update, this time for the 2026 model year, featuring a selection of updates aimed at improving the experience in high-performance driving, as well as revisions to equipment specifications depending on variant. Revisions to the 2026 GR Yaris are applied to its interior and chassis hardware, with the exterior carried over from the 2024 facelift. The main update to its interior is the steering wheel, which has actually emerged earlier on the limited-run GR Yaris Sébastien Ogier 9x World Champion Edition and the Morizo RR. This is now applied to the GR Yaris on a full, series-production basis, bringing a steering wheel design that sports a smaller diameter, and its buttons and toggles have been relocated away from the wheel spokes, inward towards the airbag housing. 2026 GR Yaris (left); 2024 GR Yaris in Malaysia (right) The old design was found to have required particular care to avoid accidental pressing of said buttons, and the new steering wheel now has grip shapes that fit comfortably in both palms, says Toyota. Each switch is “positioned independently for enhanced operability”, and are illuminated for better visibility at night. In addition to the new steering wheel design are revised settings for the electric power steering, which now ensures reliable operation when especially high-grip tyres are used, or during high-load cornering with a high level of braking force, according to Toyota. Optimised torsion bar rigidity within the torque sensor and modified control software have expanded the steering torque detection range, in order for the system to provide optimal steering assistance under “extremely high loads”. 2025 Toyota GR Yaris with Aero performance package pictured (row below) Suspension continues to be by MacPherson struts in front and double wishbones at the rear, though with revised damper settings, while rolling stock continues to be 18-inch forged aluminium wheels by BBS, shod in tyres measuring 225/40R18. These tyres are the Bridgestone Potenza Race on the RZ High Performance and RZ High Performance with Aero performance package variants, tyres which Toyota says have been developed to deliver high-grip performance over extended periods. Meanwhile the G16E-GTS 1.6 litre turbocharged inline-three cylinder engine is also unchanged, producing 304 PS at 6,500 rpm and 400 Nm from 3,250 rpm to 4,600 rpm. Torque split to the front and rear axles is by the GR-Four electronically controlled multi-plate clutch system, with the front and rear differentials being Torsen LSD units. The 2026 model year update brings a total of five variants to the GR Yaris line-up in Japan; these are the RC, RC with Aero performance package, RZ, RZ High Performance, and the RZ High Performance with the Aero performance package. This update has also revised the interior equipment specifications, where the seat heaters and a steering wheel heater can now be specified when choosing the vertical handbrake with the Navigation Package or Comfort Package. In Japan, the 2026 Toyota GR Yaris starts from 3,617,200 yen (RM89,268) for the base RC variant, ranging up to 5,532,200 yen (RM136,528) for the RZ High Performance with the Aero performance package (prices are for the six-speed manual). Both six-speed manual and eight-speed Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic Transmission are offered, and variants with the latter command a 350,000 yen (RM8,637) premium over the equivalent six-speed manual. In Malaysia, the 2025 GR Yaris 8AT is priced RM10k higher than its 6MT twin. Compare prices between different insurer providers to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services. Many payment method supported and you can pay with instalment using Atome, Grab PayLater or Shopee SPayLater.