Toyota Just Proved Once Again Why Hot Hatchbacks Rule

But you need to enter a lottery to get one.

Front side view of a gray Toyota GR Yaris with carbon fiber hood, bronze alloy wheels, and yellow brake calipers.

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Published May 29, 2026

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Not too long ago, Toyota revealed some really awesome and commemorative versions of its hot GR Yaris, the Morizo RR and Sébastien Ogier 9x World Champion Editions. They were created to celebrate the model’s wins in motorsports and honor Toyota’s Chairman and Master Drive, Akio Toyoda a.k.a. “Morizo.”

But while they made Toyota’s amazing hot hatch even hotter and more unique, they’re apparently so cool, you need to enter a lottery to own one. That’s already on top of the fact that you need to live in Europe or Japan to be able to get one.

These cool GR Yaris variants can only be had by special selection, or luck

Two black Toyota GR Yaris cars with sporty designs and distinctive wheels, shown with "MORIZO RR" and "Sébastien Ogier 9x World Champion Edition" text. — Don’t you wish we got more cool, affordable hot hatchbacks (these special editions notwithstanding) in America?

In the latest development, Toyota just opened up the ordering books for these GR Yaris Morizo RR and Sébastien Ogier 9x World Champion Editions. Except, not quite.

They’re so unique and limited, Toyota’s running a lottery system, where only 200 winners will be able to score one of these special GR Yaris models. Toyota capped production at 100 units per special edition.

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Those interested will have to go through an application process, which commenced in May 27 and runs through June 9. The winners will be announced on July 1 with deliveries commencing in August.

If you do qualify, Toyota also announced pricing. You’ll need to set aside around ¥8,450,000 for Ogier’s special. The Morizo RR Edition commands slightly more, at ¥9,000,000.

Matte black Toyota GR Yaris hatchback with rear spoiler and dual exhausts in a studio setting. — The GR Yaris is the very definition of cheap, yet awesome thrills.

With today’s conversions rates, that amounts to around $53,000 and $57,000 respectively. While that is pricey for what’s supposed to be an affordable hot hatch, these are very extraordinary and exclusive versions.

On any other occasion, a GR Yaris starts at around ¥3,617,200 to ¥5,887,200, or roughly $22,700 to $36,700 USD, in Japan.

The GR Yaris proves why America’s missing out on hot hatches

Gray Toyota GR Yaris with carbon fiber hood, bronze wheels, and large rear spoiler in a dark studio. — The GR Yaris Morizo RR Edition honors the great, Akio Toyoda (a.k.a. Morizo) himself.

America might be lucky enough to be able to get a hot Toyota hatch in the form of the GR Corolla. But the GR Yaris is another example as to how we’re still missing out on some really cool cars.

Sure, the GR Corolla is a perfectly awesome hot hatchback that we’re fortunate enough to get, just in case the Volkswagen GTI or Golf R aren’t tickling your fancy. But it’s still only one option.

Whereas other regions have both the GR Corolla and GR Yaris to choose from. More is, well, better, especially when it comes to options.

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Additionally, both the GR Yaris Morizo RR and Sébastien Ogier 9x World Champion Editions also show that the rest of the world knows how to throw and celebrate an automotive party.

Meanwhile, us Yanks get to just sit from the sidelines and drool until our mouths run dry. And it’s also just another case that proves how underappreciated hatchbacks are in this country.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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