Launched: 2025 Toyota GR Yaris & GR Corolla – RM315,800 & RM367,000 Respectively

UMWT execs led by president Datuk Ravindran K (second from left) presenting the 2025 Toyota GR Yaris 6MT at Petronas SIC earlier today.

In conjunction with the season finale of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia (TGR Malaysia) Season 7 racing weekend held at the Petronas Sepang International Circuit (SIC) this weekend, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has revised its GR and GR Sport models range with several new metal.

We start with arguably the most exciting duo, that being the face-lifted and upgraded 2025MY Toyota GR Yaris and GR Corolla. Both hot hatches arrive locally featuring all the changes seen from their initial global debuts barring one – the new 8-speed automatic transmission option.

Launched alongside too was the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla 6MT. For the moment, UMWT is offering both face-lifted and upgraded hot hatches primed with 6-speed manual transmissions only.

For the moment, it seems UMWT will offer both hot hatches through selected authorised dealers – ones with an on-premise GR Garage section – primed with their renowned 6-speed manual transmissions only first. The 8AT option mentioned is likely expected to enter our market at a later stage.

Despite so, prospecting buyers still have plenty to look forward to in both models, especially in the uprated GR Yaris that the firm previewed during KLIMS 2024. Though it sits as the smallest of the duo, the 2025MY GR Yaris arguably packs the most changes, both inside and out.

The 2025MY GR Yaris previewed during KLIMS 2024. Note the revised front and rear bumpers, the former boasting enhanced cooling ducts.

On board, the cabin's layout design has been revised with a renewed "driver-first" approach for improved accessibility and vision.

Besides a revised exterior styling thanks to new front and rear bumper designs with a newly added Precious Metal paintjob option, the 2025MY GR Yaris also gains a significantly revised “driver-first” cabin layout design that promises greater accessibility and vision.

Matching the aesthetic changes noted are a slew of major mechanical upgrades underneath too. Firstly, the Malaysia-spec 2025MY GR Yaris gets an improved cooling package primed as standard – said bit is offered as an optional equipment in other markets.

For Malaysia, the 2025MY GR Yaris benefits with the improved cooling package option primed as standard. That plus enhanced engine internal have risen outputs to 300 PS and 400 NM.

That plus enhanced engine internals sees the signature 1.6-litre 3-cyl turbo petrol heart output 39 PS and 40 NM more than before at 300 PS and 400 NM. Both are managed by the 6-speed manual transmission mentioned, as well as an enhanced GR Four all-wheel-drive (AWD) suite.

Part of the latter's enhancement includes newly added ‘Track’ and ‘Gravel’ modes. Aptly, Track mode is engineered to continuously vary front-to-rear torque split between 60:40 to 30:70, whereas Gravel mode delivers a 53:47 front-to-rear torque-split instead.

New too are the Track and Gravel modes from the GR-Four AWD suite. The former continuously varies front-to-rear torque-split between between 60:40 to 30:70, whilst the latter delivers a 53:47 split instead.

As for its chassis, the 2025MY GR Yaris benefits with revised suspension featuring triple point fastening for its shock absorbers, as well as stiffer front and rear springs. Body rigidity has been stiffened too thanks to 13% more spot welds and 24% more structural adhesive applied.

Lastly, the 2025MY GR Yaris continues to feature the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) ADAS package that includes a Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) suite plus both Pre-Collision System (PCS) and Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) as standard.

Visually, the most noticeable change in the 2025MY GR Corolla is its front bumper, which has been redesigned with improved cooling channels and ducts.

Moving on to the larger-sized 2025MY GR Corolla and, whilst it doesn’t appear so, it also received an exterior nip-tuck, albeit not as significant as the 2025 MY GR Yaris launched alongside. What’s new here is the revised front grille with enhanced cooling channels, and a gloss black rear diffuser.

Under the hood, the 2025MY GR Corolla shares the same upgraded 1.6-litre 3-cyl turbo petrol mill as the GR Yaris, boasting 300 PS and 400 NM outputs now. Said mill is paired with both a 6-speed manual and the GR-Four AWD suite, the latter boasting a Torsen LSD included too.

Under the hood, the 2025 GR Corolla shares the same upgraded 1.6-litre 3-cyl turbo petrol heart as the GR Yaris, boasting 300 PS and 400 NM now.

Besides which, the 2025MY GR Corolla sees its chassis gaining additional bolts to increase body rigidity. Revised too is the trailing arm mounting point, which has been raised to mitigate acceleration squats and enhance cornering stability.

As for safety, the 2025MY GR Corolla also packs the TSS 3.0 ADAS package that features additional Lane Departure Alert (LDA) and Road Sign Assist (speed recognition only) functions on top of DRCC, PCS and LTA.

On board, changes are also few and minimal. Additionally, the GR Corolla also gets the TSS 3.0 ADAS package primed as standard kit.

Like before, should you be keen on either of these enhanced 2025MY rally-bred hot hatches, you’ll need to pony up plenty of Ringgits. Excluding insurance, the 2025 Toyota GR Yaris 6MT is priced at RM315,800 whilst the larger 2025 Toyota GR Corolla 6MT commands RM367,000 instead.

Both prices sees UMWT’s standard 5-year, unlimited mileage warranty coverage included too. So, which of the two awill be your pick then? Share your thoughts in the comments below, as well as via our social media pages…