Toyota GR Yaris Morizo RR Takes Center Stage: Tokyo thrills, Aussie pivots, and EV price chess

I’ve had weeks powered by coffee, and weeks powered by cars. Tokyo Auto Salon gave me the second kind. The Toyota GR Yaris Morizo RR stole the spotlight and, honestly, my attention span. Australia quietly rewrote some family hauler rules, and the EV market continued its odd little waltz—prices trimming here, badges squaring up there. It’s been lively, in the best way.

Tokyo Auto Salon: Hype, hardware, and the hot hatch that means it

Toyota GR Yaris Morizo RR: the hardcore hot hatch you actually want to drive

There are show cars that exist for photos, and then there’s the Toyota GR Yaris Morizo RR—built for people who bring their own helmet to breakfast. The regular GR Yaris already feels like a rally stage escaped into a hatchback: nimble, chatty, and obnoxiously fun. This Morizo RR sharpens all the edges without sanding off the soul.

• Stickier rubber and aero that looks like it’s done wind-tunnel time, not just Instagram laps.
• Weight shaved in the right places—quicker direction changes, calmer mid-corner attitude.
• Manual gearbox joy intact. The GR Yaris clutch already loves a trail-brake; this feels even cleaner on entry.
• Built in limited numbers with track intent. You’ll hear it before you see it at your next lapping day.

When I last hustled a GR Yaris down a frost-tipped B-road, it begged for more tire and a bit more bite on turn-in. The Toyota GR Yaris Morizo RR answers both, without going silly or sterile. It’s the world’s best hot hatch—made spikier, and better for it.

Why the Toyota GR Yaris Morizo RR matters to enthusiasts

• It keeps the manual era alive in a sea of efficient but distant performance.
• It’s engineered to be used—brakes, tires, cooling, and chassis feel like they’ve been tested on real circuits (because they have).
• It nudges rivals: “Don’t just add power. Add purpose.”

Toyota GR Yaris Morizo RR vs rivals (the quick take)

• Honda Civic Type R: More power on paper (US cars are 315 hp), sensational steering, front-drive purity. The Yaris fights back with AWD traction and rally-grade playfulness.
• VW Golf R: Everyday refinement, dual-clutch convenience, stealthy speed. The Morizo RR counters with a fizzier, more analog feel.
• Hyundai i20 N/i30 N: Value and fun dialed high. The Toyota delivers a more bespoke, motorsport-rooted experience.

Subaru WRX STI Sport#: the comeback teaser that isn’t the comeback

Subaru rolled out a WRX with a long name and a tall wing, and—yep—it’s a concept. STI diehards (me included; I cooked a set of pads at Wakefield in the old one) will want more than mood-board energy. The Sport# gives us aero hints and chassis posturing, not a signed-off halo. Expect parts-bin influences down the line rather than an STI resurrection tomorrow.

Nissan Aura NISMO RS Concept and Honda’s HRC duo: show-floor sizzle

Nissan’s Aura NISMO RS Concept looks like a proper little urban sprinter: bucket seats, spicy aero, and that punchy low-speed electric shove that makes short hops addictive. Honda dressed both the Civic Type R and Prelude concepts in HRC war paint—think dealer-accessory catalogs preparing for a busy quarter and more real track-day bits to come.

Mid-engine Toyota tease and Subaru’s flat-six renaissance

Toyota also rolled a mid-engined concept onto the stand—MR2 energy, short overhangs, and the kind of proportions that make you stop mid-scroll. Will it happen? My hopeful side says yes. Subaru, meanwhile, is taking a boxer-six to Super GT in 2026. That soundtrack returning to top-flight racing? Goosebumps. And a not-so-subtle flex that the brand’s engineering game is bigger than gravel stages.

Australia Watch: leadership changes, cleaner spec sheets, and new faces

MG’s local shake-up and a market full of new badges

MG Australia is changing captains after nearly a decade, which matters when your cars are suddenly everywhere—from suburban cul-de-sacs to airport rental rows. The market’s splintering: the big legacy names are sharing driveway space with newcomers who aren’t shy on spec. I’ve noticed it in rental queues too—more compact Chinese SUVs where a Corolla or i30 used to be the default. Supply still wins as often as demand.

Kia Carnival and Sorento ditch the V6 (and why that’s fine)

New emissions rules have killed the V6 option in two Australian staples. If you tow, you’ll miss the creamy torque curve on the Hume. But the hybrids make a strong counterpoint: quieter cruising, fewer servo stops, less grumble from the fuel card. The Sorento hybrid I ran last summer was calmer at 110 km/h than I expected—and barely sipped on a Sydney–Canberra round trip.

Incoming: Zeekr 8X and Jaecoo J8 aim upmarket

China’s premium push keeps rolling. The Zeekr 8X reads like a plush, three-row PHEV with lounge vibes and silent EV glide around town, while the Jaecoo J8 feels more pragmatic: seven seats, family-first storage, optional plug-in power. School runs on weekdays; muddy bike trails on Saturday; grandparents on Sunday.

• Expect more PHEV badges at sensible prices—great if you charge at home but do long country miles on holidays.
• Spec sheets are loaded: big screens, driver aids, heated-everything. Check software slickness and where they hide the charging cable.
• Resale remains the wildcard. Fleet uptake and brand momentum will decide it.

EV Squeeze: BMW eyes Tesla, Hyundai cuts deeper

BMW’s coupe-roof EV has the Model Y in its sights

BMW’s new electric coupe-SUV is a direct Model Y antagonist. Expect the brand’s usual “firm but fair” ride, a driver-first cabin, and dual-motor shove tuned for real-world pace. Two notes from my time in coupe-roof crossovers: taller teens will brush the headliner in the back, and the cargo floor can sit high. Fine for a pram, less so for a Labrador crate. The payoff is style and aero slip, which helps range on blustery days.

Hyundai slashes $7k on its smallest EV—still undercut by China

Hyundai just took a real bite out of its price tag, dropping about seven grand. Even so, a few Chinese rivals remain cheaper and heavy on features. If your life is urban hops, test-drive both. Hyundai usually rides city scars better and the infotainment is friendlier; the challenger counters with kit lists as long as the receipt for a kids’ birthday party. Ask about heat pumps and charging speed—those two decide winter sanity more than any brochure range.

Oddballs and eyebrow-raisers

’54 looks, Z06 lungs

A Corvette that dresses like 1954 but runs like a modern Z06 is the kind of tasteful heresy I’ll always applaud. Picture valet parking at a vintage hotel, then leaving on a wave of small-block thunder. Chrome and cackle. Yes please.

Only in Florida

A police chase ended with an officer hopping into an Uber. I’ve been in enough ride-shares to know a good driver when I see one, but let’s hope surge pricing doesn’t apply to pursuits.

Conclusion

Tokyo delivered proper enthusiast energy, and the Toyota GR Yaris Morizo RR reminded everyone that the best performance cars don’t just look fast—they feel alive. Australia’s market is pivoting to efficiency without sucking out the joy, and the EV space is now a chess match of price, charging, and packaging. The winner this week? Drivers who like having options. Clear your weekend and book those test drives.

FAQ

Is the Toyota GR Yaris Morizo RR a real production car?

Yes. It’s a limited-run, track-focused evolution of the GR Yaris with more grip, less fluff, and a sharper edge.

How is the Toyota GR Yaris Morizo RR different from the standard GR Yaris?

Expect stickier tires, meaningful weight savings, and a more aggressive chassis tune—while keeping the manual gearbox and that rally-bred character.

Is Subaru actually bringing back the STI?

Not yet. The WRX STI Sport# shown is a concept—think parts preview and posture rather than a production green light.

Why did Kia drop the V6 in the Carnival and Sorento in Australia?

New emissions rules nudged Kia toward cleaner powertrains. Hybrids and efficient fours deliver better economy and quieter cruising in the real world.

Which EV should I consider if I’m cross-shopping BMW’s new coupe-SUV with a Tesla Model Y?

Drive both. The BMW will likely win on dynamics and cabin feel; the Model Y fights back with charging network convenience and space. Your route and lifestyle decide the tie-breaker.