Toyota has long been synonymous with the philosophy of Kaizen — the idea of continuous improvement — and that philosophy is clearly reflected in its products. The latest example can be seen in the 2026 Toyota GR Yaris, which once again receives a series of updates in Japan that further strengthen its position as one of the top contenders in the hot hatch segment.
The biggest change for the 2026 model year directly affects the driver, coming in the form of a brand-new GR steering wheel. Developed with “professional racing drivers”, the new wheel features a diamond-shaped airbag cover and separated buttons.
In motorsports, drivers often need to perform manoeuvres while keeping both hands on the wheel, even during 180-degree turns. According to Toyota, the previous steering wheel proved somewhat frustrating in such situations, as drivers would occasionally press buttons accidentally during intense driving sessions.
Toyota didn’t simply design a new steering wheel and call it a day. The company revealed that clay-moulded prototypes were developed and taken to racing circuits for repeated evaluation with “professional racing drivers”. The result is a steering wheel with a reduced diameter for improved steering response, along with specially shaped hand grips designed to better fit a driver’s palms when applying steering input during cornering.
The layout for the steering wheel buttons have also been inspired by experience from motorsports. Each switch is positioned independently to make it easier to operate, while its graphic surrounds are illuminated to make it easier to see in poorly lit situations.
Along with its new steering wheel, Toyota has also improved the electric power steering (EPS) assist function to better support the car’s wide range of applications, from high-grip circuits with slick tyres to low-grip rally courses with rally tyres.
ALSO READ: Akio Toyoda just made the GR Yaris even spicier with the Morizo RR edition
The torsion-bar rigidity has also been optimised, while updates to the torque sensor and control software have expanded the steering torque detection range, allowing the system to provide optimal assistance even when cornering under extremely high loads.
For those who opt for the vertical hand brake, Toyota has also included new heated seats and steering wheel — previously unavailable with the “Navigation Package” or “Comfort Package”.
ALSO WATCH: 2025 Toyota GR Yaris Auto & Manual review, which is better?
Those who want more performance, the RZ “High Performance” with the “Aero Performance Package”, as well as the RZ “High Performance” trim, now come standard with new Bridgestone Potenza Race tyres. Toyota says the tyres were developed through extensive “field testing” to deliver consistent and maximised performance.
And for now, that’s where the upgrades end. The new GR Yaris will continue to feature its fruity 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, churning out 304 hp and 400 Nm of torque to all four wheels (AWD) via a choice of an eight-speed or six-speed manual transmission.
As before, the car continues to feature front and rear limited-slip differentials (LSD) along with an AWD system capable of sending up to 70% of power to the rear axle. Braking duties are handled by aluminium four-piston front brake callipers and two-piston units at the rear.
While these updates have been announced solely for Japan for now, we will probably need to wait a little longer to receive them in our markets. If you’re already eager to get your hands on one, the Toyota GR Yaris in Malaysia is priced from RM315,600 for the manual and RM325,600 for the automatic — both prices on the road and without insurance.
READ MORE: 2025 Facelift Toyota GR Yaris with 8-speed automatic in Malaysia, RM326k
GALLERY
