TOYOTA'S POPULAR YARIS GOT AN UPGRADE, LOOKS MORE LIKE A SUPRA'S COUSIN NOW.
The Toyota Yaris has never tried to be loud. Instead, it’s quietly gone about becoming one of Europe’s most successful small cars, and was pretty popular here too before it was retired for reasons unknown. If they were in showrooms, they’d be moving in numbers, that’s just fact. It’s way cooler in all ways than the Vitz that’s taken up the entry level. Anyhoo, for 2026, the Yaris sharpens its elbows just a little, adding a tougher look, more standard tech, and a fresh splash of colour to keep things interesting.
At the heart of the update is the Mid+ grade, the sweet spot in the range and the choice of roughly 40% of Yaris buyers. For 2026, it’s been treated to a visual and technological glow-up that gives the compact hybrid a more assertive stance without losing its everyday charm. Since its debut back in 1999, the Yaris has built a reputation for punching above its weight. It’s been a pioneer more than once, too, becoming the first compact car built on Toyota’s TNGA GA-B platform and one of the earliest small cars to fully embrace hybrid power. That forward-thinking mindset has paid off. In 2024 alone, Yaris and Yaris Cross were Europe’s two best-selling full-hybrid models, with the Yaris landing in the continent’s top 10 overall best-sellers, shifting around 174,000 units. Toyota’s “big-small” philosophy still defines the Yaris experience. Compact on the outside, cleverly packaged inside, it’s a car designed for dense European cities but engineered to feel confident well beyond them. Built in Europe for European drivers, the fourth-generation Yaris continues to balance smart design, proven reliability, and a surprisingly engaging drive.
Under the skin, the dual-hybrid strategy remains. The Hybrid 115 prioritises efficiency and low emissions, while the Hybrid 130 brings a welcome extra hit of urgency, making the Yaris feel genuinely brisk when the road opens up. Fun fact: the Hybrid 130’s stronger acceleration puts it firmly among the quickest cars in its class, despite sipping fuel like it’s on a budget. The biggest news sits with the updated Mid+ grade, which now looks and feels more premium as standard, and you can see the design DNA with the Supra and other models. On the outside, new 17-inch matte black alloy wheels replace the previous 16s, paired with dark chrome wheel nuts for a tougher, more planted appearance. It’s a subtle change, but one that makes the Yaris look lower and meaner.
Inside, the upgrades continue. The seats gain a sportier profile with improved fabric, finished with a classy three-tone grey stitching pattern. It’s a reminder that Toyota knows this car isn’t just transport, it’s somewhere people actually spend a lot of time. Technology also takes a leap forward. Smart entry, push-button start, wireless smartphone charging and ambient lighting are now all standard on Mid+, bringing daily convenience features that were previously reserved for higher grades. Across the entire range, Toyota also introduces Celestite Grey, a clean, modern shade that suits the Yaris’ sharp lines and understated confidence perfectly. Such a cool colour.
Here’s a Yaris fact worth dropping at the pub: the name “Yaris” comes from Charis, the Greek goddess of elegance and grace. Two decades on, that sense of smart simplicity still defines the car, even as it’s grown tougher, more tech-laden and more efficient with every generation.
Take a look at the YouTube Short from someone who's already got their hands on the facelifted Yaris for a few shots before it gets released later this year: Toyota Yaris G LED 2020 - Sporty and Efficient | @ShiftingGears_official
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