Reviews vs reality: GR Yaris 2021
Discussion
320d is all you need said:
waremark said:
Trevor555 said:
I think it's the way it is nowadays.
Social media hype, Manufacturers giving cars to these online reviewers because it sells the product, and it does...
Any evidence of the 'giving cars' bit?Social media hype, Manufacturers giving cars to these online reviewers because it sells the product, and it does...
Edited by Trevor555 on Saturday 17th April 17:24
I'm fairly sure at least some of them have said they have bought them.
Prior to that he had a G63 AMG.
waremark said:
I don't think the cases are the same. An RS6 would be massively expensive in depreciation to own for a few months or a year, whereas the GR Yaris would be far less so - much easier to justify owning for the social media interest. Without having any inside knowledge, I find it easy to believe that the commentators saying they are buying them for themselves really are doing so.
I think the cases are absolutely the same here because the argument is that reviewers are giving cars favourable reviews to get free cars. Matt Watson if anything is always very fair in his reviews I feel. He gave the jimny a review but then bought one with his own money when he could have easily asked Suzuki for a free one in exchange for vids.waremark said:
Trevor555 said:
I think it's the way it is nowadays.
Social media hype, Manufacturers giving cars to these online reviewers because it sells the product, and it does...
Any evidence of the 'giving cars' bit?Social media hype, Manufacturers giving cars to these online reviewers because it sells the product, and it does...
Edited by Trevor555 on Saturday 17th April 17:24
I'm fairly sure at least some of them have said they have bought them.
I didn't mean giving as in gifting.
I meant it as giving on loan.
Varelco said:
I have been on the fence since it was released, should I sell my GT86 for one? I love the concept and execution, It has glowing reviews but that's when journos are hammering the thing on a track or perfect driving roads, giving it '10/10ths'. What about everyday? Whats it like? Because lets face it, in reality 90% of your driving is done in a mundane manner, does it feel special then, when you are driving at '2/10ths'? Or do you feel like you are in a regular 3 cylinder Yaris.
Can you be reliant on the driving dynamics under normal circumstances to have a sense of occasion. Or does 30k worth of Yaris only become apparent when you give it some welly. At least in my current car I can pop to the shops with it still feeling special and different.
Isn't a GT86 almost opposite in concept from the GR Yaris? Do you like the oversteery balance of the GT86?Can you be reliant on the driving dynamics under normal circumstances to have a sense of occasion. Or does 30k worth of Yaris only become apparent when you give it some welly. At least in my current car I can pop to the shops with it still feeling special and different.
Edited by Varelco on Sunday 18th April 13:07
1600 miles
It’s a good as they say. I had a fiesta ST prior and all I wanted was similar amount of fun but better ride comfort.
The car is fun but at higher speeds, once you understand it you can throw it into corners and with correct weight transfer you and settings you can get the back end moving.
I think of it as a refined evo rather than a more raw golf R.
It’s not too tiring to drive slow, actually I would say it’s comfortable. The 3 cylinder engine is smooth and never feels strained. As part of a sense of occasion each time you get in you know your in something unique, the wide arches in the mirror, the low roof line, the interior trimmings, the doors, it all builds a picture of something special, plus the attention (I’m not a massive fan of)
1,600 miles since March and I have no daily work commute. I just love driving it. I can go down some rough roads and not be jiggled to death. Really is a car you just want to get out and drive, but drive at different paces not just flat out in a straight line. It will do striaght line speed very well, not had anything trouble the car at the traffic light GP, in fact 0-30 mph it really shifts. 120mph it would start to suffer from low power and aero drag, but up to it, it rockets
Cornering the weight transfer really helped in the understanding of the car, it’s not really that much, it’s just not as stiff as 2012+ hot hatches more like 2000+ hot hatches
The refinement and 3 cylinder and the suspension can mask the speed you are carrying, which makes B roads destruction easy but still fun. Steering isn’t hydraulic but it’s direct and the movement of the car brings enough communication so you know what’s happening
Best bit is the economy getting true 32-34 mpg from such a fun, powerful, 4wd is fantastic.
Pic showing it being used
It’s a good as they say. I had a fiesta ST prior and all I wanted was similar amount of fun but better ride comfort.
The car is fun but at higher speeds, once you understand it you can throw it into corners and with correct weight transfer you and settings you can get the back end moving.
I think of it as a refined evo rather than a more raw golf R.
It’s not too tiring to drive slow, actually I would say it’s comfortable. The 3 cylinder engine is smooth and never feels strained. As part of a sense of occasion each time you get in you know your in something unique, the wide arches in the mirror, the low roof line, the interior trimmings, the doors, it all builds a picture of something special, plus the attention (I’m not a massive fan of)
1,600 miles since March and I have no daily work commute. I just love driving it. I can go down some rough roads and not be jiggled to death. Really is a car you just want to get out and drive, but drive at different paces not just flat out in a straight line. It will do striaght line speed very well, not had anything trouble the car at the traffic light GP, in fact 0-30 mph it really shifts. 120mph it would start to suffer from low power and aero drag, but up to it, it rockets
Cornering the weight transfer really helped in the understanding of the car, it’s not really that much, it’s just not as stiff as 2012+ hot hatches more like 2000+ hot hatches
The refinement and 3 cylinder and the suspension can mask the speed you are carrying, which makes B roads destruction easy but still fun. Steering isn’t hydraulic but it’s direct and the movement of the car brings enough communication so you know what’s happening
Best bit is the economy getting true 32-34 mpg from such a fun, powerful, 4wd is fantastic.
Pic showing it being used
Edited by mintmansam on Monday 19th April 10:27
Edited by mintmansam on Monday 19th April 11:11
cerb4.5lee said:
This car has fell into a similar trap as the Alpine A110 did I think. The owners of those starting crying if you say anything negative about them as well.
Trotting this one out again? It's unbecoming of a grown-up.I think it's great that we have such a choice of cars that are built to be fun. The GR Yaris, the A110, the 86 (current and new), the Fiesta ST, and all the ones I've left off. I just don't see the need to be snarky about them or their owners.
Sporky said:
cerb4.5lee said:
This car has fell into a similar trap as the Alpine A110 did I think. The owners of those starting crying if you say anything negative about them as well.
Trotting this one out again? It's unbecoming of a grown-up.I think it's great that we have such a choice of cars that are built to be fun. The GR Yaris, the A110, the 86 (current and new), the Fiesta ST, and all the ones I've left off. I just don't see the need to be snarky about them or their owners.
Agree and it is definitely good that we have a wide choice of these fun to drive cars for sure. Especially with all the electric cars that we have on the horizon.
Kawasicki said:
Isn't a GT86 almost opposite in concept from the GR Yaris? Do you like the oversteery balance of the GT86?
It is yes, they are chalk and cheese, in a degree of irony from my original post, the GT86 was always being thrashed or driven sideways in its reviews, which simply doesn't happen on the road but the nice thing about the 86 is its a sports car all the time, no matter what you are doing with it.I may have to book a test drive.
Varelco said:
Kawasicki said:
Isn't a GT86 almost opposite in concept from the GR Yaris? Do you like the oversteery balance of the GT86?
It is yes, they are chalk and cheese, in a degree of irony from my original post, the GT86 was always being thrashed or driven sideways in its reviews, which simply doesn't happen on the road but the nice thing about the 86 is its a sports car all the time, no matter what you are doing with it.I may have to book a test drive.
CraigV6 said:
Terminator X said:
Yes.
TX.
Were you not previously all about the noise (I remember the RS3 chat on original v face lift)?TX.
How do you feel about the noise of a 3 cylinder?
TX.
I’m picking mine up in 2 months, hopefully less. If it’s an overhyped piece of s
t I’m going to say so, and then sell it immediately for a profit.
My biggest worry is the weight, at 1,280 kg this will be the heaviest car I have bought. It felt light enough on my test drive, and like a compact car to chuck around, which is what I want.
C segment 4WD hatches like the Golf R and Focus RS don’t interest me. They weigh as much as big V8 performance saloons of a few years ago, and I’d rather have one of those. I hate the feeling of heavy cars lumbering through corners, it feels so wrong. You can’t make up for it with extra power, massive brakes and wide tyres, there’s no hiding it. The reviews of these cars back this up. They’re family hatchbacks ultimately, so are compromised by their everyday practicality and usability.
The cylinder count doesn’t bother me, quite the opposite in fact. I love how they cut the cylinders down to save weight, why have four cylinders displacing 1,600 cc when you do it with three? I can’t believe people with 4-pot Golfs are being snobby/elitist about a bespoke 3 cylinder engine! I am grateful it only has two tailpipes though, as more tailpipes than cylinders is an automotive crime.
t I’m going to say so, and then sell it immediately for a profit.My biggest worry is the weight, at 1,280 kg this will be the heaviest car I have bought. It felt light enough on my test drive, and like a compact car to chuck around, which is what I want.
C segment 4WD hatches like the Golf R and Focus RS don’t interest me. They weigh as much as big V8 performance saloons of a few years ago, and I’d rather have one of those. I hate the feeling of heavy cars lumbering through corners, it feels so wrong. You can’t make up for it with extra power, massive brakes and wide tyres, there’s no hiding it. The reviews of these cars back this up. They’re family hatchbacks ultimately, so are compromised by their everyday practicality and usability.
The cylinder count doesn’t bother me, quite the opposite in fact. I love how they cut the cylinders down to save weight, why have four cylinders displacing 1,600 cc when you do it with three? I can’t believe people with 4-pot Golfs are being snobby/elitist about a bespoke 3 cylinder engine! I am grateful it only has two tailpipes though, as more tailpipes than cylinders is an automotive crime.
My Pure White CP GR Yaris should be landing in the UK tomorrow or Wednesday and I'm probably as excited by it as any car I've owned over the last 40 years.
I've had a convertible Sunday car for the last 20 years, but since I sold my Honda S2000 in 2012 I haven't been able to find a drop top roadster that fits my list of wants. I love my current R172 Mercedes SLK55AMG, which in my opinion is a better all rounder than a Porsche Boxster (after owning a 981, I don't really understand all the Porsche hype) but the SLK's compromises are its gearbox and GT handling.
So now my Sunday car is two cars......the GR Yaris for days when I want a blast in the North Pennines with a manual gearbox and the SLK for sunny days when I want a leisurely drive, roof down, to the coast or a run in the North York Moors with a 420hp V8 doing the work and making a lovely noise.
I don't care about the hype around the GR, if I did I'd still have my Boxster and probably a 911, but I find it difficult to understand why people just slag off a car because they don't understand it or have never driven one. Choice is something we should all embrace, niche affordable cars are about to disappear with the emergence of the EV and cars like the GR, the GT86 and the Alpine A110 should be applauded for what they are while they're still here.
I've had a convertible Sunday car for the last 20 years, but since I sold my Honda S2000 in 2012 I haven't been able to find a drop top roadster that fits my list of wants. I love my current R172 Mercedes SLK55AMG, which in my opinion is a better all rounder than a Porsche Boxster (after owning a 981, I don't really understand all the Porsche hype) but the SLK's compromises are its gearbox and GT handling.
So now my Sunday car is two cars......the GR Yaris for days when I want a blast in the North Pennines with a manual gearbox and the SLK for sunny days when I want a leisurely drive, roof down, to the coast or a run in the North York Moors with a 420hp V8 doing the work and making a lovely noise.
I don't care about the hype around the GR, if I did I'd still have my Boxster and probably a 911, but I find it difficult to understand why people just slag off a car because they don't understand it or have never driven one. Choice is something we should all embrace, niche affordable cars are about to disappear with the emergence of the EV and cars like the GR, the GT86 and the Alpine A110 should be applauded for what they are while they're still here.
MiseryStreak said:
I’m picking mine up in 2 months, hopefully less. If it’s an overhyped piece of st I’m going to say so, and then sell it immediately for a profit.
My biggest worry is the weight, at 1,280 kg this will be the heaviest car I have bought. It felt light enough on my test drive, and like a compact car to chuck around, which is what I want.
C segment 4WD hatches like the Golf R and Focus RS don’t interest me. They weigh as much as big V8 performance saloons of a few years ago, and I’d rather have one of those. I hate the feeling of heavy cars lumbering through corners, it feels so wrong. You can’t make up for it with extra power, massive brakes and wide tyres, there’s no hiding it. The reviews of these cars back this up. They’re family hatchbacks ultimately, so are compromised by their everyday practicality and usability.
The cylinder count doesn’t bother me, quite the opposite in fact. I love how they cut the cylinders down to save weight, why have four cylinders displacing 1,600 cc when you do it with three? I can’t believe people with 4-pot Golfs are being snobby/elitist about a bespoke 3 cylinder engine! I am grateful it only has two tailpipes though, as more tailpipes than cylinders is an automotive crime.
I think in this day and age your going to struggle to find anything lighter. 1280 is actually pretty light, I seemed to recall my 1983 RS1600i Escort only just got under a metric tonne, was probably smaller and a fraction of the safety performance now demanded. (I also have a Mk3 Focus RS, superb car) t I’m going to say so, and then sell it immediately for a profit.My biggest worry is the weight, at 1,280 kg this will be the heaviest car I have bought. It felt light enough on my test drive, and like a compact car to chuck around, which is what I want.
C segment 4WD hatches like the Golf R and Focus RS don’t interest me. They weigh as much as big V8 performance saloons of a few years ago, and I’d rather have one of those. I hate the feeling of heavy cars lumbering through corners, it feels so wrong. You can’t make up for it with extra power, massive brakes and wide tyres, there’s no hiding it. The reviews of these cars back this up. They’re family hatchbacks ultimately, so are compromised by their everyday practicality and usability.
The cylinder count doesn’t bother me, quite the opposite in fact. I love how they cut the cylinders down to save weight, why have four cylinders displacing 1,600 cc when you do it with three? I can’t believe people with 4-pot Golfs are being snobby/elitist about a bespoke 3 cylinder engine! I am grateful it only has two tailpipes though, as more tailpipes than cylinders is an automotive crime.
MiseryStreak said:
I’m picking mine up in 2 months, hopefully less. If it’s an overhyped piece of st I’m going to say so, and then sell it immediately for a profit.
My biggest worry is the weight, at 1,280 kg this will be the heaviest car I have bought. It felt light enough on my test drive, and like a compact car to chuck around, which is what I want.
C segment 4WD hatches like the Golf R and Focus RS don’t interest me. They weigh as much as big V8 performance saloons of a few years ago, and I’d rather have one of those. I hate the feeling of heavy cars lumbering through corners, it feels so wrong. You can’t make up for it with extra power, massive brakes and wide tyres, there’s no hiding it. The reviews of these cars back this up. They’re family hatchbacks ultimately, so are compromised by their everyday practicality and usability.
The cylinder count doesn’t bother me, quite the opposite in fact. I love how they cut the cylinders down to save weight, why have four cylinders displacing 1,600 cc when you do it with three? I can’t believe people with 4-pot Golfs are being snobby/elitist about a bespoke 3 cylinder engine! I am grateful it only has two tailpipes though, as more tailpipes than cylinders is an automotive crime.
Have you not had a test drive in one?t I’m going to say so, and then sell it immediately for a profit.My biggest worry is the weight, at 1,280 kg this will be the heaviest car I have bought. It felt light enough on my test drive, and like a compact car to chuck around, which is what I want.
C segment 4WD hatches like the Golf R and Focus RS don’t interest me. They weigh as much as big V8 performance saloons of a few years ago, and I’d rather have one of those. I hate the feeling of heavy cars lumbering through corners, it feels so wrong. You can’t make up for it with extra power, massive brakes and wide tyres, there’s no hiding it. The reviews of these cars back this up. They’re family hatchbacks ultimately, so are compromised by their everyday practicality and usability.
The cylinder count doesn’t bother me, quite the opposite in fact. I love how they cut the cylinders down to save weight, why have four cylinders displacing 1,600 cc when you do it with three? I can’t believe people with 4-pot Golfs are being snobby/elitist about a bespoke 3 cylinder engine! I am grateful it only has two tailpipes though, as more tailpipes than cylinders is an automotive crime.
Holgate86 said:
My Pure White CP GR Yaris should be landing in the UK tomorrow or Wednesday and I'm probably as excited by it as any car I've owned over the last 40 years.
I've had a convertible Sunday car for the last 20 years, but since I sold my Honda S2000 in 2012 I haven't been able to find a drop top roadster that fits my list of wants. I love my current R172 Mercedes SLK55AMG, which in my opinion is a better all rounder than a Porsche Boxster (after owning a 981, I don't really understand all the Porsche hype) but the SLK's compromises are its gearbox and GT handling.
So now my Sunday car is two cars......the GR Yaris for days when I want a blast in the North Pennines with a manual gearbox and the SLK for sunny days when I want a leisurely drive, roof down, to the coast or a run in the North York Moors with a 420hp V8 doing the work and making a lovely noise.
I don't care about the hype around the GR, if I did I'd still have my Boxster and probably a 911, but I find it difficult to understand why people just slag off a car because they don't understand it or have never driven one. Choice is something we should all embrace, niche affordable cars are about to disappear with the emergence of the EV and cars like the GR, the GT86 and the Alpine A110 should be applauded for what they are while they're still here.
981 Spyders are fantastic IMOI've had a convertible Sunday car for the last 20 years, but since I sold my Honda S2000 in 2012 I haven't been able to find a drop top roadster that fits my list of wants. I love my current R172 Mercedes SLK55AMG, which in my opinion is a better all rounder than a Porsche Boxster (after owning a 981, I don't really understand all the Porsche hype) but the SLK's compromises are its gearbox and GT handling.
So now my Sunday car is two cars......the GR Yaris for days when I want a blast in the North Pennines with a manual gearbox and the SLK for sunny days when I want a leisurely drive, roof down, to the coast or a run in the North York Moors with a 420hp V8 doing the work and making a lovely noise.
I don't care about the hype around the GR, if I did I'd still have my Boxster and probably a 911, but I find it difficult to understand why people just slag off a car because they don't understand it or have never driven one. Choice is something we should all embrace, niche affordable cars are about to disappear with the emergence of the EV and cars like the GR, the GT86 and the Alpine A110 should be applauded for what they are while they're still here.
I've got both - GR Yaris and a 2018 Golf R (estate) - there really is no meaningful comparison, they aren't rivals. the GRY is a much more serious performance car than the Golf. the Golf is a very fast Golf, end. the GRY is a bespoke from the ground up performance car developed to provide a base for a WRC car. it's a showcase for what Toyota can do, and that is partly why it's taken the media by storm.
Our Golf falls apart when being driven at 7/8 tenths on a B road, it's woefully under damped and soft. Yes it's probably quicker than the GRY in a drag race, but who cares ? We'll continue to use our Golf to ferry the children to school, take the dog to the woods for walkies, do long distances, all in decent comfort, quiet, safety, speed and economy. it's brilliant at all those things.
But the GRY is in a different league when it comes to fun. I'm doing my first track day in the Yaris at Goodwood on Friday. It wouldn't even occur to me to attempt a track day in the Golf, it would be utterly out of it's comfort zone.
Our Golf falls apart when being driven at 7/8 tenths on a B road, it's woefully under damped and soft. Yes it's probably quicker than the GRY in a drag race, but who cares ? We'll continue to use our Golf to ferry the children to school, take the dog to the woods for walkies, do long distances, all in decent comfort, quiet, safety, speed and economy. it's brilliant at all those things.
But the GRY is in a different league when it comes to fun. I'm doing my first track day in the Yaris at Goodwood on Friday. It wouldn't even occur to me to attempt a track day in the Golf, it would be utterly out of it's comfort zone.
I was lucky enough to have picked up mine 2 weeks ago after 5 months of wait. Prior to this I was becoming skeptical and wanted to sell it as soon as I get the car.
Reality:
Pace and Grip - the car is so willing to do anything and it will just go as fast as you dare on any country roads, dry or wet;
Powerplant - a highlight imho, it goes through the RPMs happily and actually deliver;
Lightness - you feel more in control because you know there is less inertia;
Suspension - you feel a lot going on below the car but in no ways it's crashy, more importantly it doesn't skip or lose grip because of road imperfections.
I had an Evo X before (I know it's not the proper gen) and I would say the GRY is quite similar in the way it sticks to the road and turns but even more nimble probably due to shorter wheelbase and more morden tyres.
And then you get 5 years warranty from the world's largest car manufacturer, what more do you want?
Reality:
Pace and Grip - the car is so willing to do anything and it will just go as fast as you dare on any country roads, dry or wet;
Powerplant - a highlight imho, it goes through the RPMs happily and actually deliver;
Lightness - you feel more in control because you know there is less inertia;
Suspension - you feel a lot going on below the car but in no ways it's crashy, more importantly it doesn't skip or lose grip because of road imperfections.
I had an Evo X before (I know it's not the proper gen) and I would say the GRY is quite similar in the way it sticks to the road and turns but even more nimble probably due to shorter wheelbase and more morden tyres.
And then you get 5 years warranty from the world's largest car manufacturer, what more do you want?
fido said:
No one wants to say it - the problem is the 3-cylinder engine. Yes it's (probably) the best 3-cylinder ever made for a road car but it's still short on oomph .. and it's not exactly cheap per cylinder! Why does it matter you say? It's still a cracking car in a world of mediocre hatches with front-biased AWD systems. Yes, but on the road a Golf R or its mini-brother Audi S1 will feel better to drive most of the time and you'll feel less short-changed. It's no Subaru WRX STi.
Not sure what Koenigsegg would think about that.You can get a lot of used cars with V12s for little money. Cylinder was a status thing before, not anymore in most cases.
I'd be happy with 1 cylinder if it's as punchy as this. 3-cylinder engines are honest
MiseryStreak said:
My biggest worry is the weight, at 1,280 kg this will be the heaviest car I have bought. It felt light enough on my test drive, and like a compact car to chuck around, which is what I want.
Don't forget that until recently, most manufacturers simply lied about weight or claimed the weight of the lightest one with zero fluids and options. That's why almost overnight everything suddenly put 200kg on recently... MannyLon said:
Holgate86 said:
My Pure White CP GR Yaris should be landing in the UK tomorrow or Wednesday and I'm probably as excited by it as any car I've owned over the last 40 years.
I've had a convertible Sunday car for the last 20 years, but since I sold my Honda S2000 in 2012 I haven't been able to find a drop top roadster that fits my list of wants. I love my current R172 Mercedes SLK55AMG, which in my opinion is a better all rounder than a Porsche Boxster (after owning a 981, I don't really understand all the Porsche hype) but the SLK's compromises are its gearbox and GT handling.
So now my Sunday car is two cars......the GR Yaris for days when I want a blast in the North Pennines with a manual gearbox and the SLK for sunny days when I want a leisurely drive, roof down, to the coast or a run in the North York Moors with a 420hp V8 doing the work and making a lovely noise.
I don't care about the hype around the GR, if I did I'd still have my Boxster and probably a 911, but I find it difficult to understand why people just slag off a car because they don't understand it or have never driven one. Choice is something we should all embrace, niche affordable cars are about to disappear with the emergence of the EV and cars like the GR, the GT86 and the Alpine A110 should be applauded for what they are while they're still here.
981 Spyders are fantastic IMOI've had a convertible Sunday car for the last 20 years, but since I sold my Honda S2000 in 2012 I haven't been able to find a drop top roadster that fits my list of wants. I love my current R172 Mercedes SLK55AMG, which in my opinion is a better all rounder than a Porsche Boxster (after owning a 981, I don't really understand all the Porsche hype) but the SLK's compromises are its gearbox and GT handling.
So now my Sunday car is two cars......the GR Yaris for days when I want a blast in the North Pennines with a manual gearbox and the SLK for sunny days when I want a leisurely drive, roof down, to the coast or a run in the North York Moors with a 420hp V8 doing the work and making a lovely noise.
I don't care about the hype around the GR, if I did I'd still have my Boxster and probably a 911, but I find it difficult to understand why people just slag off a car because they don't understand it or have never driven one. Choice is something we should all embrace, niche affordable cars are about to disappear with the emergence of the EV and cars like the GR, the GT86 and the Alpine A110 should be applauded for what they are while they're still here.
Gassing Station | Toyota | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff