Toyota Australia has upped the ante in the competitive light-car segment by releasing a special-edition model with added value, the Yaris RUSH.

Available for a limited time, Yaris RUSH is based on the YR 5-door hatch version of Australia's most popular light car.

The special-edition model adds value to the Yaris by providing more than $1000 of added specification for just $500.

Toyota has replaced the YR 14-inch steel wheels with the 15-inch alloys from the more expensive YRX model.

It has upgraded the standard single CD player to a six-stack system with Bluetooth connectivity and added foglamps, "Yaris"-branded mats and a special-edition badge.

Other standard Yaris features include twin front airbags, air-conditioning, anti-skid brakes, power windows and mirrors, seatbelt pretensioners and force limiters for the front seats and power steering.

The Yaris RUSH, fitted with a powerful yet efficient 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine, is $16,890* (five-speed manual) and $18,390* (four-speed automatic).

Both models offer an optional enhanced safety pack at $750 that incorporates side and curtain airbags. Metallic paint is a $300 option.

Toyota Australia's divisional manager national marketing Tony Cramb said Toyota has led the light-car segment in each of the past five years.

"So far this year, Yaris is again the top-selling compact car in Australia, with customers buying an average of more than 2,200 cars a month," Mr Cramb said.

"This puts Yaris more than 3,500 sales ahead of the nearest rival - a margin of almost 65 per cent - which reflects its value, space and performance.

"Yaris competes in a crowded segment with 22 rivals yet accounts for better than one in every five sales of light cars," he said.