- The GR Yaris gets a completely redesigned and smaller steering wheel.
- Toyota’s hot hatch now comes with stickier tires.
- Suspension and power steering changes are also included.
It’s hard to believe the GR Yaris was launched almost six years ago. Even though a lot of time has passed since Toyota launched the three-cylinder hot hatch, the development team is still looking for ways to improve the pocket rocket’s capabilities. For 2026, the smallest member of the Gazoo Racing lineup gets a new steering wheel designed to overcome the old annoyance.
Toyota openly admits that GR Yaris owners complain about not being able to grip the steering wheel perfectly. The problem stems from the button being placed too close to the rim so the driver must be careful not to press it accidentally. Engineers have now fixed the problem with a completely new steering wheel, developed based on input from professional race car drivers.
Toyota took the GR Yaris to the track and tested the new steering wheel with a clay molded prototype before finalizing the design. The controls have been pushed to the center around the airbag cover, so they are positioned away from the driver’s hands. There’s also a larger grip area, while the steering wheel diameter has been slightly reduced for quicker inputs.
Keen-eyed readers will also notice that the Toyota badge has been replaced by the GR logo. This isn’t surprising, considering Gazoo Racing was recently spun off into a standalone performance sub-brand. New switches on both sides feature illuminated rings, while a heated steering wheel can now be ordered along with a vertical handbrake.
The 2026-spec GR Yaris also brings changes in other areas. Toyota fitted the stickier Bridgestone Potenza Race tires with a new rubber compound, tread pattern and even different internal construction. The tires are said to reduce road noise under normal driving conditions while providing better grip when the car is pushed hard through corners. This advantage is further enhanced by new damper arrangements at all four corners. Additionally, the electric power steering has been revised for 2026.
Motorcycle Pickup1: Toyota’s latest update to the GR Yaris suggests that this generation will stick around for at least a few more years. It’s refreshing to see such a commitment to an enthusiast car, which is essentially a niche product. If only the company brought the spirited door to the United States…
However, America is also getting the larger GR Corolla, and Toyota has dropped hints about reviving the Celica. The company is also working on a completely new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that could eventually replace the three-cylinder engine currently used in its hot hatch, so the future looks bright for the GR road car.
