Toyota Vios HEV GR Sport in Malaysia, hybrid Vios with sharper looks, sharper tune, RM109,900

KUALA LUMPUR: UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) will be adding a sportier edge to its new hybrid Vios range with the Toyota Vios HEV GR Sport (GR-S), a variant that keeps the “easy hybrid” day-to-day promise, but wraps it in proper GR Sport attitude, both visually and in how it drives.

GR Sport has been part of Toyota’s local playbook since 2020, and the Vios HEV GR-S is the latest addition to that family, aimed at buyers who still want the fuel efficiency and smoothness of Toyota’s hybrid system, but do not want their daily sedan to feel, look, and respond like the “sensible” choice.

Also Read: 2026 Toyota Vellfire HEV arrives in Malaysia, here’s all you need to know

Price in Malaysia

The Vios 1.5 HEV GR-S AT is priced from RM109,900. If you are particular about colours, Platinum White Pearl will set you back an extra RM400, and the two-tone options for the GR-S are listed as Spicy Scarlet SE with Black Mica roof at RM1,500, and Platinum White Pearl with Black Mica roof at RM1,800.

Toyota also lists a couple of add-ons buyers often ask about at point-of-sale. For example, a rear digital video recorder is shown under optional accessories at RM380, and Toyota Service Savers packages are listed too.

Same hybrid core, GR Sport skin and chassis work

Mechanically, the Vios HEV GR Sport runs the same Toyota Hybrid System (THS) setup as the standard Vios HEV, a 1.5-litre petrol engine with Dual VVT-i paired to the hybrid system and an e-CVT driving the front wheels.

Key numbers stay the same. The petrol engine makes 91 PS at 5,500 rpm and 121 Nm from 4,000 to 4,800 rpm, the motor generator contributes 80 PS and 141 Nm, and the system output is 111 PS, with a claimed 3.6 L/100 km (NEDC) fuel consumption figure.

You still get the hybrid’s low-speed EV creeping in traffic, seamless switching between engine and electric drive, and regenerative braking that tops up the battery automatically, so there is no charging routine to learn.

The lithium-ion battery pack sits under the rear seats, to keep the cabin and boot packaging familiar, and the car uses a 36-litre fuel tank, which suits the hybrid’s “go further on a tank” character in the real world.

GR-S Aerokit and details 

Where the GR Sport starts separating itself is the styling. The Vios HEV GR-S shares the same base body as the Vios HEV, but adds a GR-S Aerokit that visually lowers the car, with a more sculpted front bumper, side skirts, and a rear bumper with a diffuser. There is also a boot-lid spoiler, and Toyota says the kit is designed not just for looks, but for usable aerodynamic benefits.

Other GR-S identifiers include black door mirror covers, a GR badge, and exclusive 17-inch alloy rims in a machined finish with black paint. The tyres are also GR-S specific (Continental PremiumContact 6), 205/50R17, chosen to deliver more grip and stability.

A cabin that leans into sporty

Inside, the Vios HEV GR Sport follows the same overall layout as the Vios HEV, but adds GR-S specific touches that are meant to feel sportier and more premium, not loud.

You get a black soft pad dashboard section with silver stitching, GR-S leather suede (combination leather) upholstery, GR-S carpet mats, and a black-and-red GR badge on the three-spoke steering wheel. The hybrid-specific 7-inch TFT instrument display remains, using a HEV layout without a tachometer and graphics that show energy flow, battery charging, economical driving status, and EV mode.

On the infotainment side, the Vios HEV GR Sport uses the same 10.1-inch Display Audio setup, which is bigger than the 9-inch unit in the Vios 1.5G. Toyota also positions this screen as the hub for the 3D Panoramic View Monitor, and it supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, so Waze and Spotify can be mirrored straight onto the display.

The ambient lighting story carries over too. You still get 64-colour ambient lighting, with the HEV variants adding more illumination points across the instrument panel and door trims, on top of the centre console lighting.

The important bit, it is not just bodykit, there is actual tuning

A lot of “sport” variants stop at cosmetics. Toyota is making it clear the Vios HEV GR Sport goes further.

The suspension hardware layout remains the same, MacPherson struts front, torsion beam rear, but Toyota says the GR-S gets tuned coil springs and shock absorbers for a sportier feel, sharper handling, and quicker response.

The Aerokit is also said to reduce rear-end lift, improving stability at higher speeds, and the Electric Power Steering (EPS) is tuned for greater responsiveness.

The usual concern with sporty tuning is ride comfort taking a hit, but Toyota’s line here is that the GR-S maintains daily comfort while delivering the sharper dynamic edge expected from a GR Sport model.

Safety and warranty stay in the same strong place

Safety equipment mirrors the Vios HEV’s positioning, with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) and its camera-based active safety suite, plus Blind Spot Monitor, reverse camera, and the 3D Panoramic View Monitor assisting during low-speed manoeuvring. Toyota also points to a five-star ASEAN NCAP rating for this Vios generation.

On ownership coverage, the Vios HEV GR Sport comes with the same headline package as the rest of the locally assembled hybrid line-up, a five-year unlimited mileage vehicle warranty, and an eight-year unlimited mileage hybrid warranty that covers the battery pack, inverter, and power management control ECU.

 

The Toyota Vios HEV GR Sport is basically Toyota’s answer for buyers who want hybrid efficiency and the “no charging, no drama” routine, but still want a Vios that feels like it has a bit more bite, visually and dynamically.

It is not trying to be a full GR performance car, but it is also not just stickers and a bodykit, the suspension and steering changes matter, especially for anyone who actually enjoys how their daily car responds.

Also Read: Toyota GR Corolla AT launched in Malaysia, priced from RM378,950