What is a hot hatch to you? Is it a simple concoction consisting of a small-capacity engine, turbocharged, high-revving, manual-transmission hatchback, or is it something inspired by a kind of motorsport? To each their own, I guess. Toyota gave us a set of keys to one of their performance vehicles that promises to blow your socks completely off, for a week. So, with a freshly washed pair and a store-bought extra pair of socks, I set off to put this to the test.
The Toyota GR Yaris is a road version of the rally-specific Yaris variant that competes in various championships and has won its fair share of competitions. This little pocket rocket employs a carefully engineered 1.6-litre turbo engine, pushing out up to 210 kW and 400 Nm via a new 8-speed automatic gearbox, which isn't just an regular automatic but one that has been calibrated by the GR Racing team and engineers to provide an intuitive and responsive selection and shift of gears, ensuring that feel and momentum aren't lost in translation when driving fiercely, leaving one feeling connected to the whole driving experience.
It is claimed to achieve 0-100 km/h in approximately 5.2–5.5 seconds, with a top speed of 230km/h. Toyota claims a fuel return figure of 9.1L/100km and I got just below this figure with some "grandma" driving at 7.9L/100km.
For styling over a regular Yaris (which we do not receive in our market any more) the GR gains more aggressive lower bumper starting at the front where there are three exposed radiators for fast engine cooling and air flow regulation, the front positioned radiator consists of GR Four branding to let you know that this car uses all four wheels to propel itself towards the speed of light!
Some more styling elements on the exterior include large air intakes, a exposed Carbon Fibre roof for weight saving, intergraded canard-styled front bumper with some clever air channels on either side of the front wheel arches to act in increasing downforce, and revised LED headlamps to sharpen its presence. Exterior colors to choose from : Platinum White Pearl, Lunar Black, Glacier White, Fierce Red and Midnight Grey.
At the rear, you will find a light-bar connected taillight, an exposed lower bumper mesh opening that shows off the exhaust system, and enlarged exhaust tailpipes that produce this raspy tone that leaves much to be desired because it doesn't necessarily pop nor bang but no softlimter means that one can clock it up to the red line.
The interior divides my opinions because on the one hand, the typical GR client will care not one bit about heated seats, dual zone climate or whether they can mirror their phone onto the screen as they are hear purely for the drive and nothing else. However, since they did make the effort to homologate the A80 Toyota Supra which is seen from the "fighter jet" driver centric layout of the cabin, they could have made some more effort in improving or even covering the scratchy plastics that literally covers the entire cabin.
The interior includes a these race-tex and leather combo race seats, a small infotainment screen that allows for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity and a reverse camera whilst the driver gains a 4.2" full-colour TFT multi-information display that has changeable layout depending on what you choose to be on display along with the mode you are in. Speaking of mode select, the driver can adjust the four-wheel drive performance to suit their preference or the driving situation by simply using a 4WD mode dial switch.
I like everything about the car, really, but for the first time ever, I think I found a grime with the lack of practicality this car has-or lack thereof. One example? There is literally no space or compartment to stow your cellular phone away in-not even a dodgy charging pad that barely even works and that is a basic thing which I feel every car should have in the modern day. The boot space is just a shallow shelf, both lengthwise and widthwise, and although it has seats in the back, I doubt anyone should even be in there for more than 20 km.
So there was an uproar with this car being available in an Auto box...you remember? Purists reckon this car can do without a gearbox, but let's define it properly : the 8 AMT is rapid and direct, with a bit of lag on the upshift, but it provides the car another layer of insanity in terms of reaching speed quicker in exchange for feel, as the flappy paddles strip you of that connection the manual would provide.
When you put it into sport mode (a mode that I feel is useless in this car because it's always raring to bite your face off), put your foot down and listen to all the whooshing, swooshing, and turbo spool goodness that the GR team has properly sound-engineered as the soundtrack of the vehicle. Not a vrrrphaaa kind of performance, but rather satire in the buildup. Fun fact: what I figured out quickly is that the car turns into something completely visceral when it reaches the third gear, a level that almost leaves little room for error but demands excellent motor senses from the pilot.
The turbo flutter at a moment's notice blinds you to any problems the world tries to throw at you on a typical Monday filled with traffic. The advanced and precise steering lets one channel their inner Lewis Hamilton, and the liveliness of the rear, activated by the GR-FOUR, dries the lips and causes awe in what the car can do.
Nonetheless, I feel this here AMT gives the driver more time to focus on unlocking and unleashing the full potential of the vehicle- in other performance areas whether sideways, straight, or even in a circle-without having to worry about being in the correct gear at, say, 135 km approaching a bend. It gives you more allowance to focus on other aspects of the car and attaining speed. So there you have it : here is a more precise version, but for feel, you can have yourself the manual-still fun either way.
The car is an absolute unit, a true rendition of what a hot hatch should really be. I mean, even the Toyota boss, Kio Toyoda took the sport-specific department so seriously and had such a knack for performance cars that he once said if it were up to him, he'd only make performance vehicles. On a more tame safety side, the Yaris also comes with Adaptive High Speed Cruise Control, adjusting the throttle position as and when needed in traffic scenarios or highway driving.
With all things considered, you just can't help but think, yeah, it's cool and stuff, like really really cool but you still have to explain that it's actually a monster-unlike, say, a GTI, which you would pull up in and have nothing else to say because, well, it's a GTI. In an era where things are taking the NEV route, and I personally believe that the ICE vehicle is being perfected, cars like these are some what evidence and live on to be legendary-not only for what they are but for what they stand for: pure fun and an amazing experience. What a car!
Pricing and Service Plan
GR Yaris Rally MT: R942 200
GR Yaris Rally AT: R971 300
All Toyota GR Yaris models come standard with a 9-services/90 000km service plan and a 3-year/100 000km warranty. In addition, customers can purchase service, maintenance or warranty extensions via the comprehensive Toyota dealer network.