Reviews vs reality: GR Yaris 2021
Discussion
MiseryStreak said:
Really?! I’ve not driven the Trophy but always presumed from the many articles I’ve read that it’s the hardest riding RS Megane, and even the standard (Cup chassis) ones are often criticised for their compromised and slightly harsh ride. As with the 275 Cup-S vs. FK8 Type-R article I’ve just read.
What attracted me to the GRY was the compliant ride on my test drive (a CP car). On the route out from the dealership I went through a speed bumped village and was really surprised and impressed with the way it soaked them up. I figured this was due to the ‘Rally car’ ethos and it not being set up for track times. And the standard GRY has 10% lower spring rates and thinner ARB I thought, so should be less harsh.
So in my subjective opinion the GRY is slightly harsher at 20-35mph, at slower speeds it was more similar to the Trophy. I don't know if hydraulic bump stops help but I remember this being one of the Megane's positive press. Most journo's stated the cup chassis as being too firm for the road.What attracted me to the GRY was the compliant ride on my test drive (a CP car). On the route out from the dealership I went through a speed bumped village and was really surprised and impressed with the way it soaked them up. I figured this was due to the ‘Rally car’ ethos and it not being set up for track times. And the standard GRY has 10% lower spring rates and thinner ARB I thought, so should be less harsh.
That being said, I never had a problem with the ride in the Trophy, it was a compromise I was happy to make and so far I'm happy with the way the GRY copes with normal city life driving.
i was preparing myself to be annoyed at low speed ride, and range for my GR.
On the former - very pleasantly surprised. It's stiff, but damping feels pretty sophisticated to me - is stiff, but still compliant I think. test drive was 3 up, and two of them were 100kg+, so wondering if that made the difference between how it felt then, and how it feels now.
Range though is a pain in the arse. It wants to be driven back the long way, and it doesnt do much over 20mpg when you do. Fuel tank at 50L struggles to make over 200 miles. Pain in the arse!
On the former - very pleasantly surprised. It's stiff, but damping feels pretty sophisticated to me - is stiff, but still compliant I think. test drive was 3 up, and two of them were 100kg+, so wondering if that made the difference between how it felt then, and how it feels now.
Range though is a pain in the arse. It wants to be driven back the long way, and it doesnt do much over 20mpg when you do. Fuel tank at 50L struggles to make over 200 miles. Pain in the arse!
cidered77 said:
Range though is a pain in the arse. It wants to be driven back the long way, and it doesnt do much over 20mpg when you do. Fuel tank at 50L struggles to make over 200 miles. Pain in the arse!
That reminds me of the E92 M3 that I had and the range was crap in that too. A small fuel tank mated to a thirsty engine has never made much sense to me. My X5 4.8iS had the right idea and that was very thirsty...but it had a massive fuel tank to deal with it. On the mpg thread on gr-yaris the average seems to be around 27mpg with mixed driving. 40+ achievable on motorway runs. Single figures on track (as expected):
https://gr-yaris.co.uk/forum/threads/whats-the-yar...
https://gr-yaris.co.uk/forum/threads/whats-the-yar...
loudlashadjuster said:
Fully expect the GR to deliver Evo-like range. 250 miles was always a bit of a stretch in mine.
It’s a pain if you’re commuting and/or doing a lot of miles as you never seem to be away from the forecourt, but mine is very much a second car so I think I’ll be able to live with it.
What sort of Evo did you have? My memory of my Evo 6, wonderful in many ways, is that it was more like 150, high consumption and a 45 litre tank.It’s a pain if you’re commuting and/or doing a lot of miles as you never seem to be away from the forecourt, but mine is very much a second car so I think I’ll be able to live with it.
Picked mine up today after a 5 1/2 month eternal wait. I’d forgotten how agricultural the cold engine sounds from the outside, it’s certainly not as pleasant as the Mustang GT I sold to fund the GR, but all was forgiven as soon as I left the dealers and headed into to countryside on my way home.
At 6’4” I don’t have bags of room but even with the elevated seating position it’s not ridiculous. At least I fit in, unlike the MX5 and other “drivers” cars.
Looking forward to getting some miles on it now.
At 6’4” I don’t have bags of room but even with the elevated seating position it’s not ridiculous. At least I fit in, unlike the MX5 and other “drivers” cars.
Looking forward to getting some miles on it now.
Richyboy said:
Seems to be. He posted a series of slightly improving lap times over the course of a couple of weeks. loudlashadjuster said:
Richyboy said:
Seems to be. He posted a series of slightly improving lap times over the course of a couple of weeks. GR Yaris Mods:
- Milltek Exhaust EU Version
- Endless Brakepads ma45b
- 1 x Recaro Seat
- Fischerflex Brakeline
- 255/35/18 Yokohama Tyres
- 9,5x18 ET45 Wheels
- CAE Shifter
- Lithium Batterie
Holgate86 said:
Enjoy, picked mine up last week, got 300 miles on it and absolutely love it
Picked mine up last week and have the same 300 miles on it.It's much more supple than the GRMN and more torquey ... it feels a bigger car and much more grown-up ... I'm just finding the front of the seat cushion feels a little sharp on my left thigh when fully depressing the clutch pedal.
The first few miles were 30mpg ... the second tank-full was 33mpg, using gentle throttle openings and up to 4k revs completely warm ... and it's very easy to make good progress ... feeling very fluid and nicely balanced.
The gear change is a peach.
320d is all you need said:
I would have loved a GR Yaris if I was able to afford it (and if I had somewhere to keep it!) - What puts me off though is that I don't believe it's a car for a late 30s slightly achy man , it's either a second / weekend / track car , or an only car for a younger person, I don't see many older people buying it as their only car. It may be the "husbands" (or car enthusiast woman 
) car in a two car household but I don't see it being used often especially with kids etc - and of course many people will have one eye on investment / resale value and will keep their miles down, of course to add to that I can't see many peoples partners being happy with someone spending "35 grand on a YARIS?!?! with a silly bodykit" (according to my Wife)
I haven't driven one but I would imagine it's rather similar to a Golf R (which I have driven) - perhaps the Yaris is a little bit more playful (but only slightly) - and no doubt it has many good gadgets (the adaptive cruise control etc) but in a more cramped and less comfortable package than a Golf R, for (sort of) similar money, with a bit less performance.
The new Mk8 Golf R comes with LSD front and rear also, more power, granted it's a bit heavier, but it's a lot nicer inside and a nicer "day to day" car (at least this is based on the video reviews I've watched)
That being said I am really glad the GR exists because I would dare say it's going to be the last "proper" hot hatchback we have before the Environmentalists get involved, and it really does look like a little rally car.
Regarding sound I've not heard one in the flesh but I've seen some videos from Youtube reviews and I think it sounds pretty good!
Honestly you’re comparing apples with bananas. The Golf R and the Yaris are totally different propositions. I have both. The Golf is definitely the logical winner in terms of good performance with practicality etc but it drives totally differently to the Yaris. The Yaris is far more fun and involving, it begs to take the long way home and is much more playful. I really love the Golf, it’s one of the best cars I’ve ever had but in terms of driving the Yaris is on another level of engagement. ) car in a two car household but I don't see it being used often especially with kids etc - and of course many people will have one eye on investment / resale value and will keep their miles down, of course to add to that I can't see many peoples partners being happy with someone spending "35 grand on a YARIS?!?! with a silly bodykit" (according to my Wife)I haven't driven one but I would imagine it's rather similar to a Golf R (which I have driven) - perhaps the Yaris is a little bit more playful (but only slightly) - and no doubt it has many good gadgets (the adaptive cruise control etc) but in a more cramped and less comfortable package than a Golf R, for (sort of) similar money, with a bit less performance.
The new Mk8 Golf R comes with LSD front and rear also, more power, granted it's a bit heavier, but it's a lot nicer inside and a nicer "day to day" car (at least this is based on the video reviews I've watched)
That being said I am really glad the GR exists because I would dare say it's going to be the last "proper" hot hatchback we have before the Environmentalists get involved, and it really does look like a little rally car.
Regarding sound I've not heard one in the flesh but I've seen some videos from Youtube reviews and I think it sounds pretty good!
Edited by 320d is all you need on Saturday 17th April 01:34
Mr_Creosote said:
Honestly you’re comparing apples with bananas. The Golf R and the Yaris are totally different propositions. I have both. The Golf is definitely the logical winner in terms of good performance with practicality etc but it drives totally differently to the Yaris. The Yaris is far more fun and involving, it begs to take the long way home and is much more playful. I really love the Golf, it’s one of the best cars I’ve ever had but in terms of driving the Yaris is on another level of engagement.
I forgot to say, I’m over 40. The GR is a comfortable cruiser, no issues with comfort (if you’re in the front!)Mr_Creosote said:
Mr_Creosote said:
Honestly you’re comparing apples with bananas. The Golf R and the Yaris are totally different propositions. I have both. The Golf is definitely the logical winner in terms of good performance with practicality etc but it drives totally differently to the Yaris. The Yaris is far more fun and involving, it begs to take the long way home and is much more playful. I really love the Golf, it’s one of the best cars I’ve ever had but in terms of driving the Yaris is on another level of engagement.
I forgot to say, I’m over 40. The GR is a comfortable cruiser, no issues with comfort (if you’re in the front!)
ChrisW. said:
Holgate86 said:
Enjoy, picked mine up last week, got 300 miles on it and absolutely love it
Picked mine up last week and have the same 300 miles on it.It's much more supple than the GRMN and more torquey ... it feels a bigger car and much more grown-up ... I'm just finding the front of the seat cushion feels a little sharp on my left thigh when fully depressing the clutch pedal.
The first few miles were 30mpg ... the second tank-full was 33mpg, using gentle throttle openings and up to 4k revs completely warm ... and it's very easy to make good progress ... feeling very fluid and nicely balanced.
The gear change is a peach.
I've got a mirror riser to fit today, so we'll see if that improves visibility, I didn't think it was an issue until a couple of days ago when I was about to turn right at a junction on a bend, when a Golf GTi appeared out of the blindspot....
I'd agree with you on the gear change too it's right up there with my Honda S2000.
loudlashadjuster said:
Mr_Creosote said:
Mr_Creosote said:
Honestly you’re comparing apples with bananas. The Golf R and the Yaris are totally different propositions. I have both. The Golf is definitely the logical winner in terms of good performance with practicality etc but it drives totally differently to the Yaris. The Yaris is far more fun and involving, it begs to take the long way home and is much more playful. I really love the Golf, it’s one of the best cars I’ve ever had but in terms of driving the Yaris is on another level of engagement.
I forgot to say, I’m over 40. The GR is a comfortable cruiser, no issues with comfort (if you’re in the front!)
Hopefully it will mean a few survive. After 300 or so miles I feel it’s a car that’s going to claim a few trees in naïve hands. It certainly encourages a hooligan driving style.
I also worry that the stats over the first couple of years will push up the insurance from the sub £200 of this year.
Nexus Icon said:
Hopefully it will mean a few survive. After 300 or so miles I feel it’s a car that’s going to claim a few trees in naïve hands. It certainly encourages a hooligan driving style.
I also worry that the stats over the first couple of years will push up the insurance from the sub £200 of this year.
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