Bingo! If you’re lucky enough to have a Toyota GR Yaris Rallye in your garage, you most likely feel you are winning at life and quite rightly so. Even before a wheel was spun in the gravel, the GR Yaris had already achieved cult status and now the Australian GR Yaris Owners Facebook group has more than 6,000 members.
The GR Yaris has the world’s most powerful 3-cylinder production engine, producing a 156kW/tonne power-to-weight ratio. The 1.6 litre, 3-cyclinder turbo charged petrol engine produces a maximum of 200kW of power and maximum torque of 370Nm. The official combined fuel consumption is 7.6L/100km and this time around with the GR Yaris Rallye I used 11.4L/100km.
Under the lightweight body, thanks to a carbon-fibre polymer roof with Aluminium bonnet, doors, and rear hatch is rear double wishbone suspension and GR-Four All-Wheel Drive with adjustable torque distribution. The GR Yaris Rallye takes it to the next level with GR high-performance suspension, 18” forged alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport tyres, GR red brake calipers, and Torsen Limited Slip Differentials.
The front-to-rear drive ratio on the GR-FOUR all-wheel drive system used on the GR Yaris can be adjusted using the rotary dial on the centre console. Your choices are Normal, Sport and Track modes; with a 60:40 split in Normal, 30:70 in Sport, and 50:50 in Track.
Currently the GR Yaris is only available with a short throw 6-speed manual gearbox and you start the GR Yaris by placing one foot on the firm, but not a heavy clutch, and one on the brake at the same time and press the start button. However, a Toyota Spokesperson has confirmed that an eight-speed auto is on the way, saying “Model production commencement for the upgraded GR Yaris with the introduction of an eight-speed DirectShift automatic transmission is expected for late 2024. Further information will be shared later in the year.”
I’ve only had two major quibbles with the GR Yaris and I hope that Toyota also do something about these with the release of the upgraded GR Yaris. Number one issue is the height of the front seats, with the passenger seat getting no height adjustment at all and even though the driver’s seat does have manual seat heigh adjustment, it just doesn’t go low enough even for me and I’m not even that tall.
Other than the height issue though I do like the grippy feeling GR Yaris Rallye sport seats with added features including red stitched to further pay homage to the WRC. They are both heated, as is the leather steering wheel, and both only have manual adjustment controls. This particular GR Yaris, number 011 according to the nameplate, had over 22,500km on the odometer and was still looking fresh in the cabin.
The second issue is the lack of storage, particularly for your phone, as there is only one cubby that is between the 7″ colour touchscreen display and dual zone climate control, and it’s hard plastic so your phone easily slips out. There’s also only one USB-A port and one 12V socket below climate controls and you need to connect to Android Auto/Apple CarPlay using a USB cord. The two cup holders in the centre console are rigid only so offer little grip for your cup, but the drink bottle storage cubbies in the doors are a good size.
I was impressed with the voice control on this occasion as it worked very well for making calls, changing the radio station, and setting a destination on the sat nav, with each command I gave the system being followed on the first attempt I tried.
The GR Yaris does have two ISOFIX/two rear tether child seat restraint points in the rear seats, but there are no rear air vents, drink bottle holders or USB ports, so the rear seat environs really aren’t conducive to small children. The rear seats are also too small for adults, but my tween-sized children did fit in there OK, but they did complain how loud the noise was in the cabin.
There is no rear windscreen wiper on the GR Yaris and the tailgate has a power assisted, manual open and close operation and there is very little space in the boot, no light and only a tyre repair kit is located under the boot floor. If you need extra storage space the rear seats do have a 60:40 split folding mechanism with the release located on the shoulder of the rear seats.
The GR Yaris does not have an ANCAP safety rating, but is fitted with Toyota Safety Sense including Lane Trace Assist, Pre-Collision Safety system with pedestrian and daylight cyclist detection, Intersection Turn Assistance, Road Sign Assist (speed signs only), Blind Spot Monitor, and Active Cruise Control. The GR Yaris also has a standard reversing camera with fixed guidelines and no parking sensors, auto lights, auto high beam, and auto wipers.
All new Toyota vehicles are backed by a five year/unlimited kilometre warranty and if a defect covered by the Toyota Warranty Advantage causes your vehicle to be undriveable, towing to the nearest Toyota Dealer and a loan car is covered. If your vehicle is properly serviced and maintained per its Warranty and Service Book, Toyota will extend your engine and driveline warranty for an additional two years.
On the impact of track use on the warranty of your GR Yaris, a Toyota spokesperson said, “We evaluate warranty claims for GR vehicles on a case-by-case basis, recognising their design for both road and track use. Similar to using a LandCruiser off-road, we take into account driver capability and vehicle treatment as important factors when reviewing warranty claims.”
The service interval for the GR Yaris Rallye is every 6 months or 10,000km, whichever occurs first, and currently the capped price servicing cost is $300 per service for up to 3 years or 60,000kms, whichever comes first.
Toyota GR Yaris Rallye is now priced at $56,390 excluding on-road costs. You can Build & Price your GR Yaris online, but unfortunately there is limited availability for the GR Yaris Rallye, so you will need to contact your preferred Toyota dealer for more information.
| Pros | Cons |
| The characterful engine | The front seats are too high |
| Voice control worked very well | The lack of cabin storage |
| This example has aged well | Limited availability |
Photographs by Drive Women Magazine.