2025 Toyota GR Yaris Review

What do you get when Toyota, with the help of its elite Gazoo Racing division, decides to shrink-wrap its rally car into a city-inspired package? You get the GR Yaris – a miniature powerhouse that looks like it’s driven straight from a WRC stage.

The latest facelift version features performance upgrades to the engine, a new eight-speed auto with paddle shifters, and a reworked chassis to cope with the higher engine output. This isn’t your average hot hatch; it’s a three-door, AWD, turbocharged menace that screams performance.

Manual or auto?

The GR Yaris looks more at home on a rallycross circuit than crawling through traffic, and although the manual version remains the pick for enthusiasts, the auto is no slouch and is arguably better suited for Auckland’s stop start traffic.

Apart from the price difference – $61,990 for the manual compared to $64,990 for the auto – there really isn’t much difference between the two.

The eight-speed direct shift gearbox changes instantly and the Tiptronic function downshifts when you ask it via the paddle shifters on the steering wheel. And yes, you get a proper manual handbrake for that simple, robust feel. 

The heart of the beast

Under the bonnet lives a 1.6-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder engine that produces a whopping 221kW and 400Nm. It punches well above its weight and feels like a jet engine strapped to a go cart. Although it’s quick, it comes at a price – the thirsty little motor laps fuel at a rate of 10.1L/100km.

To satisfy the beast, you can feed it corners and open roads. The Yaris has excellent handling thanks to the GR-Four permanent AWD system and a double wishbone rear suspension setup that resembles a rally car more than the compact Yaris it’s based on.

For a car with this much power and grunt, you need immense stopping power. This is supplied courtesy of front and rear ventilated brake rotors. The red callipers shout business as they peak through the 18-inch alloys fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport tyres – although a bit noisy on the road, the tyres stick like glue to the tarmac.

The GR Yaris is a pure driving machine, to use a cliché, it wants to be driven. It’s a car that reminds you why you fell in love with driving in the first place. In a world where everyone drives either an SUV and Ute, the GR Yaris injects a shot of adrenaline to counteract the the soulless passing of time taken up by the daily commute.

Exterior

The bodywork has been made more rigid, and suspension tuned for better handling. The flared rear wheel arches have an iconic rally shape and are purposefully designed to house the suspension. The roof is made of carbon fibre, and aluminium panels are used around the car, giving the GR Yaris a kerb weight of just over 1300kg. 

An interior that just works

Inside is a mixed bag. While the synthetic leather sports seats are heated and inject a touch of refinement, the two rear seats leave a lot to be desired in terms of space and practicality in this three-door hot hatch.

The reworked dashboard is designed to be more driver centric, with a minimalist design that helps keep you focused on the road ahead but does utilise a bit of hard plastic that cheapens the interior for a car in this price bracket.

However, the basic interior is smarter than it looks. The 12.3" digital drivers display is vibrant and changes depending on the drive mode – the rev counter transitions into a horizontal style counter in Sport mode, and flashes when it’s time to shift gears. 

Technology

The GR Yaris even comes with a generous safety kit, including a handy Pre-Collision System with AEB, pedestrian/cyclist/motorcycle detection, radar cruise control with curve speed reduction, and lane tracing to name a few. The car will also prevent you from revving over 4,000 rpm until the engine warms up – it includes a warning on the dash that goes away after it’s warmed up.

Although the wireless phone charging is absent from the Yaris, you still get two USB-C ports, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Miracast screen sharing, allowing you to share your phone screen with the 8” infotainment screen. 

Verdict

The Auto GR Yaris is a rare breed; performance hatchbacks aren’t all too common these days and it’s even rarer to find a three-door AWD one. It successfully blends rally-bred madness with everyday usability. It’s not perfect, but it’s perfectly fun. If you want a hatchback that makes every drive feel like you’re on a WRC stage, this is it.