Updated Toyota Aqua hatchback gets sporty GR Sport version back

The price of the "warmed-up" five-door model, presented on the Japanese market, is already known: this variant costs no less than 3.2 million yen.

Toyota has been producing its hybrid hatchback Aqua in Japan since 2011, with the second-generation model debuting in 2021. As a reminder, the "first" five-door was designed for the global market, and for export it was sold under the name Toyota Prius c, while the second-generation hatch is aimed at Japan. The current Aqua underwent its scheduled facelift in early autumn 2025.

Initially, the refreshed Toyota Aqua debuted in its standard version, and was also offered with a sporty package from Modellista. However, at that time the model did not receive a fresh "warmed-up" variant with the GR Sport suffix added to its name (that version was given to the Aqua in late autumn 2022).

As it turns out, the sporty modification was not retired, it just had to be waited for: now the updated Toyota Aqua GR Sport hatchback has also made its debut. Its exterior has changed, just like the standard version's: the five-door has been given new headlights in the style of previously presented models from the brand, such as the RAV4, Prius and the Crown family. The "C-shaped" daytime running lights are connected to each other by a thin illuminated strip.

The Toyota Aqua GR Sport has been fitted with a substantial body kit on the lower section of the front bumper: featuring an air intake with a pattern of horizontally elongated honeycomb mesh and a small GR (Gazoo Racing) emblem, with fog lights positioned on either side. The profile is adorned with black side skirts and 17-inch alloy wheels, behind which red brake calipers with the GR logo can be seen.

The rear differs only thanks to the badge bearing the modification's name and the different styling of the lower part of the rear bumper. The colour palette for the body of the version with the GR Sport suffix includes four options – white, grey, black and red. The model has had its body rigidity increased and its suspension recalibrated.

The new "warmed-up" Toyota Aqua variant comes with different seats featuring more substantial cushions, upholstered in a combined material. There are also metal inserts in the cabin, GR emblems on the steering wheel and smart key, aluminium pedal covers, plus floor and boot mats with the Toyota motorsport division's logos are available as an optional extra.

The mechanicals of the Toyota Aqua GR Sport are standard: this refers to a hybrid system based around a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine running on the economical Atkinson cycle, producing 91 bhp. It works in tandem with an 80 bhp electric motor and a nickel-metal hydride battery with a capacity of 5.0 Ah. The "sportified" Aqua is only available with front-wheel drive.

The price of the Toyota Aqua GR Sport on the domestic market is known – 3,238,400 yen (equivalent to approximately 1.53 million roubles at the current exchange rate). The cost of the standard version of the current hatchback ranges from 2,857,800 to 3,072,300 yen (around 1.35 – 1.45 million roubles).