The Toyota GR Yaris hot hatch has been upgraded in South Africa with a new “Aero Performance Package”. Here’s what it now costs in Mzansi…
- GR Yaris gains six-part aero package
- Now standard on both 6MT and 8AT
- Starting price climbs some R18 000
A year after the updated Toyota GR Yaris launched in South Africa, the Japanese brand’s local division has introduced the “Aero Performance Package” as standard equipment, lending the 3-door hot hatch improved aerodynamics and an even feistier look.
Unveiled in Japan in September 2025, the package “incorporates insights gained from motorsports”, according to Toyota. The kit is said to maximise aerodynamic performance through the “combined installation of a total of six items, all of which have been uncompromisingly fine-tuned”.
The standard-fit (in Mzansi, anyway) package kicks off with a ducted aluminium bonnet, which Toyota claims “improves cooling by discharging engine-compartment heat”. There’s also a new front lip spoiler designed to suppress the generation of front lift, along with fender ducts that ostensibly improve “steering feel during nose dives” and handling stability when entering corners.
In addition, Toyota has fitted a fuel-tank undercover to optimise airflow under the vehicle body, plus a large (variable) rear wing that the company claims “contributes to handling stability at high speeds and suppresses snake-like movement during braking”.
Finally, the Aero Performance Package includes rear bumper ducts said to “suppress the rear bumper’s parachute effect and decrease the drag coefficient”. Toyota claims each of the enhancements detailed above come as a result of its participation in the Super Taikyu Series and Japanese Rally Championship. From what we can tell, no changes have been made to the cabin.
These updates come with a price hike. Yes, the GR Yaris 1.6T GR-Four Rally 6MT is now listed at R969 600 (up R18 000 from the outgoing version’s R951 600), while the GR Yaris 1.6T GR-Four Rally 8AT now comes in at R999 000 (likewise R18 000 more than the previous price of R981 000).
As a reminder, the original GR Yaris launched in SA in mid-2021, before the range was halved to just a single high-spec “Rally” derivative around a year later. In 2025, an updated version was rolled out, featuring not only higher outputs than the original but also – for the very first time – the option of an automatic transmission.
The turbocharged 1.6-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine generates peak outputs of 210 kW and 400 Nm, with buyers offered the choice of a six-speed manual gearbox and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The claimed 0-100 kph time for the SA-spec derivatives comes in at 5.2 seconds, regardless of transmission. Top speed, meanwhile, is listed as 230 kph.
What does the Toyota GR Yaris cost in SA?
| DERIVATIVE | PRICE |
| GR Yaris 1.6T GR-Four Rally 6MT | R969 600 |
| GR Yaris 1.6T GR-Four Rally 8AT | R999 000 |
The prices above include Toyota’s 3-year/100 000 km warranty and a 9-service/90 000 km service plan (with 10 000 km intervals).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is included in the new Toyota GR Yaris Aero Performance Package?
A: The motorsport-derived Aero Performance Package consists of six standard exterior items: a ducted aluminium bonnet, front lip spoiler, front fender ducts, a fuel-tank undercover, rear bumper ducts and a large variable rear wing.
Q: How much does the updated Toyota GR Yaris cost in South Africa?
A: The Toyota GR Yaris 1.6T GR-Four Rally 6MT is priced at R942 200 (down by R9 400), while the 1.6T GR-Four Rally 8AT starts at R971 300 (down by R9 700).
Q: What are the performance and engine specs of the Toyota GR Yaris?
A: Powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder petrol engine generating 210 kW and 400 Nm, the GR Yaris completes the 0–100 km/h sprint in 5.2 seconds for both the 6-speed manual and 8-speed automatic variants, reaching a top speed of 230 km/h.
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Ryan Bubear
Having written about everything from sport and politics to crime, Ryan eventually settled on motoring. For well over 15 years, he's been penning articles – both online and in print – about the broader automotive industry, though he's particularly fascinated by vehicle-sales statistics. A freelance writer and editor, Ryan has owned a 1971 Austin Mini Mk3 for 20-plus years.
