The facelifted Toyota GR Yaris is officially in the ASEAN region, by way of the 2024 Thailand International Motor Expo. The hot hatch is getting a limited release in the Thai market, along with the Toyota GR Corolla.
After its initial announcement in January earlier this year, the new GR Yaris first went Japanese customers before making its way to Europe. Months after that, it finally landed in Thailand. A Philippine release is still up in the air, but it's safe to say that we can expect it here soon.
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New for the 2025 model year are the bumpers, but they aren't just for pure aesthetics. The shape of the bumper is tigher around the air intakes which should improve temperature regulation.
The interior gets a major overhaul in the form of a totally redesigned dashboard. The panel is tilted towards the driver with function taking priority over form. The buttons have been repositioned for more natural usability, and the center console has been moved to a more ‘natural position’.
All of these changes should make sitting, handling, and driving the new Toyota GR Yaris an more more experience. That should be helpful if the GR Yaris is your first performance car. After all, handling a 1.6-liter engine that makes 300hp and 400Nm of torque definitely has a learning curve for novice racers and drivers.
Once you get your bearings around the Toyota GR Yaris, you can then experiment with different driving modes, including a new ‘Circuit Mode.’
For the initiated peformance car drivers, there isn’t a world of difference between this GR Yaris and the 2022 model that is currently being sold in the Philippines. Although, that almost gun-metal paint job looks great, doesn’t it?
