Upgraded 2025 Toyota GR Yaris Debuts in Japan with Special Aero Package

Toyota has given the recently facelifted GR Yaris yet another update, featuring a special aero kit and improved 8AT gearbox.

It has not been a full year since Toyota revealed the facelifted version of its performance hot hatch, the Toyota GR Yaris, and the Japanese automaker has decided to give it a model year update. For the 2025 model in Japan, the GR Yaris gets several key upgrades, including a new Aero Performance Package, an upgraded 8AT gearbox, and many more.

We’ll start with the tranny, as the upgraded 8-speed automatic gearbox primed on the GR Yaris gets some key improvements across the board. Chief among which is the gear selection control that promises to increase responsiveness during aggressive driving.

The changes include expanding the rev range during downshifting from second to first gear, while upshifting during spirited uphill driving has been slightly delayed to maintain a higher power output during hill climbs. As for the paddle shifters, their latency has been reduced, while the “sense of directness” when upshifting in Sport driving mode has also been improved.

While the 8AT gets an extensive upgrade, the same can’t be said for either the three-pot G16E-GTS engine or the six-speed manual gearbox, with the former still delivering 300 HP and 400 NM of twist to all wheels via Toyota’s proprietary GR-FOUR AWD system.

Rounding off the mechanical changes are new special bolts that help to fasten the chassis components more rigidly and improve steering responses, as well as increase the straight-line stability of this hot hatch. Not to forget, the GR’s electric power steering has also been revised to deliver a more linear feel, thanks to inputs from Toyota Gazoo Racing’s racing driver Kazuya Oshima.

As for the visual upgrades, Toyota has introduced a special bodykit package for the upgraded GR Yaris, known as the Aero Performance Package. This bodykit package is based on the GR Yaris Aero Package prototype that was shown at the Tokyo Auto Salon earlier this year, featuring extreme aero parts like a ducted aluminium front hood, GT3-style front fender vents, a larger adjustable rear wing, prominent rear bumper vents, and a new front lip spoiler.

Now only available in native Japan, the 2025 Toyota GR Yaris will be priced at JPY 4.48 million (RM138,800) for the RZ and JPY 4.98 million (RM154,300) for the RZ High Performance. As of now, no pricing details of the Aero Performance Package are available, as they will arrive later in Fall 2025.