What are these new cars all about then?
Toyota’s GR Yaris and GR Corolla are hero models for the company’s Gazoo Racing (that’s the “GR” bit) motorsport/performance division.

The GR Yaris especially; launched in 2020, it was originally an homologation special for a World Rally Championship (WRC) racer and shares almost nothing with the standard Yaris. GR Corolla came along in 2022 and while it was more a through reworking of the regular road car, it was still pretty special, with a pumped-up version of the Yaris 1.6-litre three-cylinder that increased power from 200kW to 221kW and the same clever AWD system.
Both models have been upgraded for 2025 and in fact they are a lot closer together now. The Yaris now has the same 221kW engine-specification as Corolla, which includes stronger internal components. And new software has liberated 30Nm torque to make 400Nm for both cars. That also means 98-octane fuel is now a must, not a recommendation.
Most significantly, an 8-speed “Direct Shift” automatic is now also an option for both. It’s a conventional auto with torque converter, but each ratio has its own little clutches/brakes and Toyota claims it shifts super-fast - which is another way of saying it matches a dual-clutch transmission, but with greater durability.

The new gearbox is also quite clever. Lots of adaptive software of course, but it also uses AI to view the road ahead through the forward-facing camera, to predict what might be coming next... and be ready.
The Yaris now has the same 221kW engine-specification as Corolla, which includes stronger internal components. But it does demand 98-octane fuel.
Other changes for Yaris in particular are based on feedback from buyers who use their cars for motorsport, be that casual or more seriously competitive.

Both Yaris and Corolla have new front bumpers that incorporate better aero and extra cooling for the automatic gearbox, but the Yaris’s front section has also been “modularised”: it’s basically a big Lego set now, so that bits damaged in the pursuit of speed and more speed can now be repaired/replaced individually, rather than having to bin the whole bumper.
The slabby, minimalist dashboard screams 'motorsport' and everything has been lowered: the dash is down 50mm and the seating position has dropped by 25mm.
There’s now a steel mesh grille lower down, because the previous plastic one could be smashed by rocks and debris. There’s more steel mesh at the back and the rear foglight has been moved from the centre of the bumper, because it was also prone to damage. People sure do crash their GR Yarises a lot.

The high-stop light has been moved from the roof to the tailgate, to allow owners more freedom in fitting aftermarket spoilers. The dual exhaust pipes have increased from 86mm to 105mm, which is not wholly functional, but looks cool.
Inside, the GR Yaris now has a slabby, minimalist dashboard that screams “motorsport” and everything has been lowered: the dash is down 50mm and the seating position has dropped by 25mm, addressing the perched driving setup that was one of the big criticisms of the original car.
How much are they?
The GR Yaris automatic is $64,990 and the GR Corolla $69,990, representing a $3k premium over the manual for the Yaris and $4k for Corolla.

Supply of both has been severely restricted in years past, but the good news is they are now fairly free to order. However, there is still a bit of a process to buy these specialised machines: Toyota NZ is accepting expressions of interest until February 10, after which the company will allocate cars.
You can take delivery of a GR Corolla around April, but GR Yaris might be later, depending on the colour and transmission combination requested.
What are they like to drive?
Brilliant, as always (GR Yaris was our Car of the Year in 2021, after all). But arguably more brilliant with the automatic.

Despite the highly focused performance character of these machines, Toyota says the whole idea of the new powertrain package is to make track or rally-style driving much more accessible for ordinary people; the clever 8-speed takes care of business, while the driver can focus on steering and braking.
The auto still offers full manual control with paddles or a sequential shift gate (pull back to go up, push forward to go down, just like a racing car), but really Direct Shift is at its best for mere mortals when left to its own devices: “D delivers,”, says Toyota NZ product planning boss James Jewell. We totally agree.

Full disclosure: we only drove these cars on track, at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, with a full on-road review to come. But that’s the idea, right? GR cars at a circuit with a definite non-expert (that where I come in) at the wheel.
Both were sensational in this environment, thrilling and yet hugely confidence-inspiring. That’s not to say they lack a lively chassis; the short-wheelbase Yaris can feel especially edgy, although you have every driver-assist on hand to step in when required.

The AWD system is carried over from the old car and can be configured in Normal (60/40 split front-to-rear), Gravel (formerly called Sport, 53/47) or Track (30/70).
Toyota has made suspension changes to both cars, including stronger mounting for the front struts on Yaris to prevent flexing in hard use.
A measure of just how serious GR is about these cars and what they can do: the braking system can now recognise when a wheel is off the ground and adjust the operation of the anti-lock and traction control to compensate. Yes, GR is designed to fly.
What’s the pick of the range?
The GR Yaris sits on a pedestal thanks to its bespoke nature; it really is a WRC car for the road. But there is also something perversely appealing about a properly hot Corolla.
Automatic or manual? There will (hopefully) always be a purist place for three pedals in cars like these, but you cannot argue with the capability and control of the automatic.
What other cars should I consider?
The GR Corolla’s arch-rival is of course the Honda Civic Type R ($72,000), although that’s manual-only. Hyundai’s N-division has a milder/cheaper GR Yaris rival with its tiny i20 N (again, manual only).
Otherwise, you have to look to small cars from premium European-brand performance-divisions, many of which are twice the price… or more.