The Toyota GR Yaris was already one of the most uncompromising performance cars on sale, but the Aero Performance package – available in Australia since December 2025 – pushes the rally-inspired hatch even further toward track-day territory.

Developed through Toyota Gazoo Racing’s motorsport program, the upgraded GR Yaris gains a series of aerodynamic and cooling revisions designed to improve high-speed stability and thermal management, while reinforcing its close ties to Toyota’s World Rally Championship program.

Visually, the changes are immediately noticeable. The most prominent addition is a large manually adjustable rear wing mounted high on the tailgate, joined by a revised front lip spoiler, new rear bumper ducts and an underbody panel aimed at smoothing airflow beneath the car. Functional cooling upgrades include bonnet vents to extract heat from the engine bay, while additional ducts behind the front wheels help manage brake temperatures during sustained hard driving.

3

While many of the aerodynamic enhancements are likely to deliver their biggest benefits on circuit, the core appeal of the GR Yaris remains unchanged. It still feels like a rare throwback to the homologation-era rally specials of the 1990s and early 2000s – compact, aggressive and engineered with driving enjoyment as the clear priority.

Under the bonnet sits Toyota’s turbocharged 1.6-litre three-cylinder petrol engine producing 206kW and 390Nm, paired with a six-speed manual transmission and GR-FOUR all-wheel drive system. The combination delivers explosive acceleration and remarkable grip, particularly on tight, twisting Australian back roads where the car’s compact dimensions and sharp steering responses feel perfectly suited.

Toyota claims a 0-100km/h sprint in around 5.2 seconds, while the short-throw manual gearbox and mechanical feel encourage enthusiastic driving. Drivers can also enable automatic rev-matching on downshifts for smoother shifts, though the traditional three-pedal setup still rewards those wanting to perfect heel-and-toe technique themselves.

4

The GR Yaris continues to offer selectable drive modes that alter torque distribution between the front and rear axles depending on conditions, with settings tailored for normal road driving, gravel surfaces and track use. Michelin Pilot Sport tyres and a firm suspension setup further reinforce the car’s focused nature.

One of the more unusual updates is the repositioned handbrake lever, now mounted vertically beside the gear shifter in a nod to modern rally cars. The layout makes sense in competition environments where rapid handbrake turns are required, but in everyday driving it slightly compromises cabin usability by obstructing access to some controls and narrowing the space around the gear lever.

Practicality also remains secondary to performance. Rear seat space is limited and boot capacity measures just 174 litres due to the all-wheel drive packaging, making the GR Yaris better suited to spirited weekend drives than family duties.

Still, few cars on sale today deliver the same level of engagement and personality. The Aero Performance package may not radically alter the GR Yaris experience on public roads, but it strengthens the car’s already unique identity as one of the closest things to a road-going rally machine currently available.

7