RE: 2021 Toyota GR Yaris | UK Review
Discussion
After 20 years & 15 Mitsubishi Evo's I really wanted one of these and the spec is superb, however massively disappointed when I went to see one a few months ago to find they'd made the schoolboy error of having the seats perched up on stilts. My head was touching the roof so it was a big no from me.
Quite sad as even though im 6'4" ive had loads of small cars in my time (Audi S1 / Early evo's / DC2 ITR / FRS Mk1 / Leon Cupras / Wife's Fabia / A2 / Colt / Metro etc etc) with no issues including being able to get a helmet on for trackdays.
If you're over 6' then be very careful about ordering one without getting in one first - especially if you intend to do anything which requires a crash helmet.
The other negative was that they really are a tiny car (even compared to the S1 I had) and as said the plastics are typical Jap standard if you're now used to VAG/BM etc.
Great car if you're a loaded midget rally fan.
Quite sad as even though im 6'4" ive had loads of small cars in my time (Audi S1 / Early evo's / DC2 ITR / FRS Mk1 / Leon Cupras / Wife's Fabia / A2 / Colt / Metro etc etc) with no issues including being able to get a helmet on for trackdays.
If you're over 6' then be very careful about ordering one without getting in one first - especially if you intend to do anything which requires a crash helmet.
The other negative was that they really are a tiny car (even compared to the S1 I had) and as said the plastics are typical Jap standard if you're now used to VAG/BM etc.
Great car if you're a loaded midget rally fan.
Edited by RSgeoff on Tuesday 10th November 12:29
Davislove said:
CABC said:
correctly tuned passive dampers
good gear ratios
engine that needs to rev
bespoke parts and design everywhere.
awesome
the industry can still do it properly for us enthusiasts......sometimes
kalexan273 said:
I've noticed some Toyota dealers are doing 0% PCP deals over 24 months.
'*0% APR Representative only available on new retail orders of GR Yaris between 1st October 2020 and 15th December 2020 and registered and financed through Toyota Financial Services by 31st March 2021 on a 24 month Toyota AccessFlex (PCP) plan with 0%-35% deposit.'
https://www.toyota.co.uk/new-cars/gr-yaris/gr-yaris-retail-offer'*0% APR Representative only available on new retail orders of GR Yaris between 1st October 2020 and 15th December 2020 and registered and financed through Toyota Financial Services by 31st March 2021 on a 24 month Toyota AccessFlex (PCP) plan with 0%-35% deposit.'
RSgeoff said:
After 20 years & 15 Mitsubishi Evo's I really wanted one of these and the spec is superb, however massively disappointed when I went to see one a few months ago to find they'd made the schoolboy error of having the seats perched up on stilts. My head was touching the roof so it was a big no from me.
Quite sad as even though im 6'4" ive had loads of small cars in my time (Audi S1 / Early evo's / DC2 ITR / FRS Mk1 / Leon Cupras / Wife's Fabia / A2 / Colt / Metro etc etc) with no issues including being able to get a helmet on for trackdays.
If you're over 6' then be very careful about ordering one without getting in one first - especially if you intend to do anything which requires a crash helmet.
The other negative was that they really are a tiny car (even compared to the S1 I had) and as said the plastics are typical Jap standard if you're now used to VAG/BM etc.
Great car if you're a loaded midget rally fan.
Must admit quite a few of the videos I've seen of YouTube influencers driving them is they do seem to be sitting on it rather than in it!Quite sad as even though im 6'4" ive had loads of small cars in my time (Audi S1 / Early evo's / DC2 ITR / FRS Mk1 / Leon Cupras / Wife's Fabia / A2 / Colt / Metro etc etc) with no issues including being able to get a helmet on for trackdays.
If you're over 6' then be very careful about ordering one without getting in one first - especially if you intend to do anything which requires a crash helmet.
The other negative was that they really are a tiny car (even compared to the S1 I had) and as said the plastics are typical Jap standard if you're now used to VAG/BM etc.
Great car if you're a loaded midget rally fan.
Edited by RSgeoff on Tuesday 10th November 12:29
HazzaT said:
On paper I agree, but you can get a new Fiesta ST PP for near enough 20k with more standard kit and with a map from a reputable tuner like Revo or Mountune you'll get similar power figures and rolling performance with a great-handling chassis.
Obviously the GR is an entirely different and much more interesting beast but considering you're likely not getting any discounts it's between 10-15k more depending on options. If someone gave me the option or money to chop my Fiesta in for this I would but it's not quite that simple.
the fiesta will loose more money, it'll just be a hopped up fiesta. A remap just isn't the samething at all.Obviously the GR is an entirely different and much more interesting beast but considering you're likely not getting any discounts it's between 10-15k more depending on options. If someone gave me the option or money to chop my Fiesta in for this I would but it's not quite that simple.
I used to have and love hot hatches but haven’t looked at owning one for years. Life changes and as you get older you seem to have more options and you don’t need to have one do it all car. However this looks great and could well be my next car as a daily driver. It looks small and hilarious to drive.
Well done Toyota and thoroughly enjoyed the write up.
Well done Toyota and thoroughly enjoyed the write up.
jason61c said:
Its not a short coming, the seat/gear position ratio is bespoke, dash position is bespoke. Its made to be lightweight.
Try chasing this down a UK A-B road in a focus rs etc.
Any larger hot hatch (such as the Focus RS mk3 which I own) would struggle on a very tight country road as you have to slow down for other traffic to fit past as it's a much bigger car. The Yaris is a much better size for tight UK country roads, and will fit past other cars and cyclists better.Try chasing this down a UK A-B road in a focus rs etc.
However - once the roads open up, most hyper-hatches would blast past the Yaris due to having much more power (as standard).
I need the larger car for the family etc. but I'd love one of these as well - but the wife wouldn't like the (lack of) practicality.
Edited by ChrisCh86 on Tuesday 10th November 13:55
HazzaT said:
IMI A said:
I love that and would have one in a flash - I see I am not only one a bit surprised at the asking price? I was surprised at how expensive a fully loaded with every option ticked VW GTI PP back in 2016 at £36k+ you could get a 6-7k discount from memory 5k discount from list and 2k discount for taking VW finance. This would be such a nice run around for the kids (ie me 
) but fair amount of money for admittedly a mean and very cool looking mini beasty.
Compare this to a GTI though, come on. This is a serious rally rep, if someone picks a Golf GTI over this at a similar price point then I think Mumsnet is more up their alley. I'd honestly pick this over any of the German 4wd hyper hatches as well, even if someone offered to give me the money to buy whichever I chose.) but fair amount of money for admittedly a mean and very cool looking mini beasty. Just a shame Ford won't make a Fiesta RS with the power bumped up to Stage 1 levels (250-260bhp) and the GKN AWD system to compete with this. Would be like a modern Evo vs Scooby
Saw a black one out and about last week - wheel arches are really wide, so even all in black there isn't any hiding what it is.
Really tempting if only because proper homologation cars that only share the nameplate with the base model are something that really don't exist anymore. Hearing that it's actually an OK car would be a bonus.
Really tempting if only because proper homologation cars that only share the nameplate with the base model are something that really don't exist anymore. Hearing that it's actually an OK car would be a bonus.
re33 said:
I don't get the weird obsession with interiors on a forum for car driving enthusiasts but each to their own.
!
I guess it boils down to the fact, if it is a daily driven car you will spend most of the time not going fast and waiting for those über rare moments when you can cane it. I don't believe many will be bought JUST for track use etc.!
FWIW I wouldn't buy a car solely on an interior but if it was close decision with something else I wanted, it MIGHT be enough to sway it. I will say having had three imprezas, I am accustomed to Japanese interiors.
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