Check out Toyota GR Yaris’ strengths, weaknesses

For individuals seeking a hot hatch in the current automotive market, one of the few options available is the Toyota Gazoo Racing (GR) Yaris. 

Introduced in its current, refreshed form in March 2025, the model has a price of P3.411 million for the manual variant, and P3.57 million for the new automatic variant. It is pricier compared to the Toyota GR 86, but it has some noteworthy strengths that many driving enthusiasts will find appealing. 

So, what are the key strengths of the Toyota GR Yaris, and does it have any weaknesses? Let’s find out here. 

Pros

Rally DNA

The Toyota GR Yaris isn’t just a mere hot hatch. Instead, it is a full-blown homologation model introduced by the Japanese marque to meet the requirements of the World Rally Championship (WRC). Currently, Gazoo Racing is competing in the said motorsport competition under the Toyota GR WRT name. 

The car, the Toyota GR WRT is using is the GR Yaris Rally 2, a vehicle that is directly based on the current version of the production-spec Toyota GR Yaris. 

All the aforementioned means that the Toyota GR Yaris is positioned on par with other legendary rally homologation models, such as the Toyota Celica GT-Four, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Audi Sport Quattro, Subaru Impreza WRX STI, and Ford Escort RS Cosworth, among others.

With regard to the vehicle itself, Toyota designed it with a focus on performance. For starters, it boasts one of the most powerful inline-3 engines ever made - the 1.6-liter turbocharged G16E-GTS, which is good for 276 horsepower (hp) and 390 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque.

Paired with the said engine is the GR-Four all-wheel-drive system and a limited-slip differential. And depending on the variant, the GR Yaris may either come with a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic transmission. 

For stability and handling, the Toyota-made hot hatch uses a front MacPherson strut suspension and a double wishbone rear end. Stopping power for the model, meanwhile, is handled by disc brakes for all four wheels.

Notably, the model comes with the following amenities geared towards sporty driving: 

• Suede and leather sport seats
• Hand-operated manual parking brake
• Electrochromic rearview mirror
• Paddle shifters (automatic variant)
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Tilt and telescopic steering column
• Drive mode selectors
• Push-to-start button
• Smart entry
• 12.3-inch meter cluster 

Sporty but comfy, safe

While specced for performance driving, the Toyota GR Yaris still has a decent amount of comfort-oriented amenities. 

For starters, all four occupants of the Toyota-made hatch are kept cool by a dual-zone automatic air-conditioning system. It also has a seven-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, several USB ports, a 12-volt accessory outlet, and a six-piece speaker system. 

In addition, the Toyota GR Yaris has a decent safety kit comprised of six airbags, anti-lock braking, stability control, front and rear parking sensors, a reverse camera, traction control, tire pressure monitoring, and a vehicle security system. 

The aforementioned are supported by several advanced driver assist systems, which include: 

• Adaptive cruise control (manual variant)
• Dynamic radar cruise control (automatic variant)
• Pre-collision system
• Automatic high beams
• Lane trace assist
• Lane departure alert
• Blind spot monitoring

Compact, easy to maneuver

Due to its compact size, the Toyota GR Yaris is also quite easy to maneuver in various driving conditions. To put this into perspective, the hatchback is only 3,995 millimeters (mm) long, 1,805 mm wide, and 1,455 mm in height. It also has a wheelbase of 2,560 mm and a ground clearance of 124 mm. 

Moreover, the model’s exterior is far from barebones as well. It has LED exterior lighting fixtures, power-folding side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, and a roof-mounted rear spoiler. Completing the look of the vehicle is a set of 18-inch aluminum forged wheels wrapped in 225/40 tires. 

Cons

Some compromises on space

One clear weakness of the Toyota GR Yaris is its interior space. For one thing, it can only fit up to four occupants. Additionally, its rear seats do not offer the best legroom, especially for larger, taller adults. 

For its trunk, it has a default space (rear seats up) of 174 liters, which is comparatively smaller than other hatchbacks in the market. The rear seats have a 60:40 split, but be aware that the vehicle also features chunky rear pillars, which can make loading larger items difficult. 

Toyota GR Yaris: specifications

Model	Toyota GR Yaris MT
Exterior
Dimensions (L x W x H, in mm)	3,995x1,805x1,455
Wheelbase (mm)	2,560
Ground clearance (mm)	124
Wheel size	18-inches
Lighting system	LED
Interior
Material	Leather and suede
Amenities	Suede and leather sport seats Hand-operated manual parking brake Electrochromic rearview mirror Paddle shifters (automatic variant) Rain-sensing wipers Tilt and telescopic steering column Drive mode selectors Push-to-start button Smart entry 12.3-inch meter cluster  USB ports 12-volt accessory outlet Dual-zone automatic air-conditioning
Infotainment system	Seven-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Seating capacity	Four
Powertrain
Engine	1.6-liter inline-3 turbocharged
Fuel type	Gasoline
Transmission	Six-speed manual
Horsepower	276
Torque	390 Nm
Technology
Safety	Six airbags Anti-lock braking Stability control Front and rear parking sensors Reverse camera Traction control Tire pressure monitoring Vehicle security system
ADAS	Adaptive cruise control  Pre-collision system Automatic high beams Lane trace assist Lane departure alert Blind spot monitoring
Price	P3.411 million

Final thoughts

As mentioned above, the Toyota GR Yaris has smaller usable space compared to other hatchbacks in the market. But while it is less practical, many buyers who are driving enthusiasts will have plenty to like about the said car. 

For starters, it is peppy for its size. It also has all-wheel-drive, a limited-slip differential, and a decent amount of creature comforts and safety gear. No, it doesn’t go heavy on the tech, but what it has covers everything a sports car buyer would want. 

Regardless of everything, we encourage people who are likely to buy the Toyota GR Yaris to give it a thorough test drive first. 

Also read:

Toyota Fortuner vs Honda CR-V vs Isuzu mu-X: SUVs for the rainy season

3 reasons why customers choose Toyotas

Toyota RAV4 vs. other hybrid crossovers

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