Hot hatch in a short test
Toyota GR Yaris automatic – great old-school driving fun
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Little space, expensive, high consumption and hardly any comfort: the revised GR Yaris also remains an anachronism in the new car world. But at least Toyota has taken criticism to heart and changed a few things. This had to be tried out briefly.
Exactly 4 meters of car for almost 50,000 euros! They're crazy, the ones at Toyota. Yes, they do, but that's exactly what's fun. And now it's gotten a little bigger, because the Japanese have done something really crazy: they took the criticisms of the first version of the GR Yaris, which was introduced four years ago, seriously and then simply turned them off. Incredible! In addition, there is now an automatic transmission available for an additional charge (2500 euros), which gives the Bonsai Racer a little more suitability for everyday use. We definitely had to try it out briefly.
The first impression
The dimensions of the vehicle remain unchanged even after the revision. And the corrections to the lower grille, lower bumper, spoiler and rear bumper are hardly noticeable.
The control panel of the 12.3-inch instrument cluster has been tilted slightly to the left and the top edge of the instrument panel has been lowered slightly.
(Photo: Toyota)
More has happened in the interior. The bucket seat, which was previously mounted too high, was lowered by 2.5 centimeters. Fits, at least for a normal-sized adult. The GR Yaris is a driver's car, so it's a good thing that the control panel of the 12.3-inch instrument cluster has now been tilted slightly to the left and the top edge of the instrument panel has been lowered by 5 centimeters. Now it's really cozy for the driver. And that's how it has to be.
On the street
Toyota has given the 1.6-liter three-cylinder a little more power: instead of 261, there is now 280 hp, and the torque has increased by 30 to 390 Newton meters. The valve train has been strengthened, a new intake pressure sensor and new exhaust valves are intended to improve durability and longevity. The chassis has also been revised; for example, there are now stronger shock absorbers at the front.
The Toyota GR Yaris can be brought from a standstill to 100 km/h in just over 5 seconds.
(Photo: Toyota)
Of course, the GR Yaris is still no miracle of comfort due to its short wheelbase and sporty tuning. But there are other cars for softies. If you opt for the optional eight-speed automatic transmission, you will lose the fun of switching with the crisp six-speed transmission, but you will gain a lot of everyday comfort. After all, it's not every day you drive around the Nürburgring or climb an Alpine pass. In this respect, automaticity is an acceptable deviation from pure teaching. And since it works well, for example downshifting at lightning speed, the driving pleasure is not lost.
With the optionally powerful brakes, the Toyota GR Yaris underlines its sporty claim.
(Photo: Toyota)
Have we forgotten anything else? Oh yes, all-wheel drive is of course still standard and allows the sportiest Yaris to stick to the road. In normal mode, 60 percent of the power goes to the front axle and 40 percent to the rear axle. By the way, this changes automatically in track mode, from 60:40 when entering a curve to 30:70 when exiting it. There are also two locking differentials for the balance between the left and right 18-inch wheels. Great fun on the closed circuit!
The costs
Yes, yes, the cost. As I said, 50,000 euros is one word. And it gets expensive at the gas station too, because such a hot hatch isn't really economical to drive.
Toyota has strengthened the valve train on the three-cylinder, and a new intake pressure sensor and new exhaust valves are intended to improve durability and longevity.
(Photo: Toyota)
But the GR Yaris is not a car for penny-pinchers, but rather aims to convey good old-fashioned driving fun. If you're worried about the price, you should look elsewhere. After all, around 40,000 people chose the little Kraftmeier in the first four years, so there seems to be a need.
The competitors
Which competitors? A Polo GTI may be more suitable for everyday use, but compared to the GR Yaris it looks much less authentic and far too smooth. And the comparable Hyundai i20N no longer exists.
Finally
The bucket seat, which was previously mounted too high, was lowered by 2.5 centimeters.
(Photo: Toyota)
Not everyone will like this car and even fewer will buy it. So what? It's nice that Toyota produces a car like this. And that the (potential) customers and their criticism were taken seriously here.
Toyota GR Yaris – technical data
- Three-door, four-seat small car
- Length: 4.00 meters, width: 1.81 meters, height: 1.46 meters, wheelbase: 2.56 meters, trunk volume: 174 liters
- 1.6 liter three-cylinder turbo petrol engine, 206 kW/280 hp, maximum torque: 390 Nm at 3250-4600 rpm, eight-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
- 0-100 km/h: 5.2 s, Vmax: 230 km/h, WLTP standard consumption: 9.5 liters/100 kilometers, CO2 emissions: 215 g/km (WLTP), emissions standard: Euro 6d, efficiency class: G
- Price: from 49,990 euros (automatic)
