1st Drive GR Yaris - Honest opinion 2021 Toyota @Evolve Automotive

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#Toyota #GRYaris #joeachilles
Thanks to my buddy Imran and Evolve Automotive, I get my hands on Toyota's GR Yaris. It's not perfect, but it's one of the best and most involving cars I've ever driven 👌
Thanks for watching as always, see you at at the next video!
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DISCLAIMER:
*Some footage from this video may be edited and or sped up for cinematic affects.
*Some footage was also filmed on private land.

[@JoeAchilles1]

Massive thanks to Evolve Automotive! Check out the video I shot with them comparing this GR Yaris to their Mini GP3 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXizopVtft6nd7s

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Our pleasure Joe 😊 Enjoyed making the GP3 vs Yaris video. Was a cool format.

[@pjmoody]

Looks amazing. Thank you Joe

[@JoeAchilles1]

@@pjmoody Thanks for watching buddy , have a lovely Christmas!

[@pjmoody]

@@JoeAchilles1 Same to you Joe & your family. Thank you.

[@harvenat0r2]

Joe do you think this GR is a better all round performance car for the UK than a BMW M2 or AMG A45? I struggle with the look of the GR and the whole “hot hatch” thing, I’m naturally more into BMW M4’s and M2’s but having owned an M140i I found the BMW package ‘too much’ for UK roads, basically for someone like me who doesn’t do track days but likes cars, the BMW’s are always trying to kill me lol, would you say for the price the GR is a better package? Cheers

[@willyw197]

got my GR 2 days ago . It's a very impressive car. I'm completely in love with it.

[@stoosee]

How is it today?

[@relight6931]

Lucky basterd. Me jelly..

[@quokkapirquish6825]

Me too, 2 days into ownership. What can you say, it’s just immense

[@xankenlock2889]

Do you still have it ?

[@willyw197]

@@xankenlock2889 yes, 34k kilometers driven and still happy with it.

[@michaelherron4306]

People always talking about “drivers cars” especially in relation to porsches, only to then talk endlessly about to the bloody colour, bits of carbon here there and every where, the stitching etc etc. Neuroticism at its finest. This car proves you don’t need all that faff, if it’s a drivers car you’re really after.

[@JoeAchilles1]

So true!

[@TwatterFreeZone]

But is there a choice of stitching colour😀

[@JoeAchilles1]

@@techspec1803 "This isn't a drivers car" "the interior is terrible and cheaply made" "Buy a WRX" Amazing, hope 2021 brings you some happiness! Wait a second, you have the Tuatara 331mph video on your channel, you're a confirmed idiot.

[@Pepegium]

@@techspec1803 "not a drivers car" and the first thing u mention is the interior. what an idiot

[@TFritz82]

I think further proof lies in the fact people from the states (knowing what our Yaris is), lust after a WRC-inspired global chassis Yaris not available in the U.S. True enthusiasts know!

[@DeltaDubai03]

The one-take video works for me when done by an experienced and talented KZbinr like Joe who knows his stuff and knows what we, the audience, expect. Well done.

[@JoeAchilles1]

Thank you buddy, always a pleasure reading your comments! Hope all is well!

[@PetrolheadTours]

Oh man, now I want a Yaris. Never thought I’d say that!!

[@JoeAchilles1]

Haha me neither mate! This would be the ultimate Scotland Tour car!!!

[@jdmguy44]

With each review I watch on this car on YT the more convinced I am that I need a GR Yaris in my life.

[@MT-eb2dx]

Testdrive it, and you are sold... all is true about it.

[@brianiswrong]

I think being 6ft 4" AND being able to fit in a Yaris is a good start.

[@popsbubbles1242]

just what i was thinking seeing him fit

[@bibby65]

I'm 5'9" so should be perfect for me then,and a lot of other people of average height,lol

[@dejan.]

Agree, being subjectively tall doesn't mean the car features are a negative. I see the tiny rear window as a huge positive, I feel more comfortable in a cosy cabin with less natural light interfering with the interior ambience. An average person will fit perfectly so it's definitely a positive.

[@kokekan75]

You look very uncomfortable in it

[@heliharris69]

@@kokekan75 I would think doing most things in life.. if your that much above average height or indeed average girth...would be difficult...Certainly all sports cars would be a problem at 6ft4"...so hardly a negative for most of us.

[@smc2069]

"Rims, thickness, girth, inches" I watch as much for the humour as I do for the cars these days 😂😂

[@JoeAchilles1]

Haha cheers man, I can't take filming too seriously ;-)

[@PureLeeful]

It's all about the girth!

[@Wolfox360]

The nice thing of that center mirror is that you can push it up because it has two ball joints. Just have to hold it on the sides, because if you put your fingers on top you can't push it all the way up. You will get some more front visibility.

[@SM-od2jh]

Love it guys great to see you with evolve

[@cpandsooz]

Oh yeah. What a cracking little car. Been looking forward to this. Thought you were going to say ‘taller than the average Joe’ 🤣

[@JoeAchilles1]

That's a T shirt waiting to happen haha

[@phivosgeorge7877]

Excellent review, what I have come to expect from this channel and Joe Achilles...

[@simonmiller5118]

Thanks for the like Joe. One thing I haven't heard much about the GR Yaris is that the mirror is double jointed which means you can lift it up by around an inch. It was the first thing I did when I picked mine up...well apart from turning off all of the annoying warnings. Very few mirrors have this ability. Cheers from Oz.

[@alexdb77]

You are one of the best car reviewers Joe. Genuine, objective! Thumbs up!

[@longbowdt]

Joe, I really appreciate your enthusiasm for a proper back-road burner where the car can be driven at 8/10ths + (with it's limited power). Something to be said for driving a slow car fast. nice video too.

[@CJSVlogs]

Thanks for addressing the negatives on this - I have clients who have ordered this in South Africa and we have only been hearing the hype, your honest review is greatly appreciated, but awesome as always!

[@Luis33B0xx3r]

Drove one recently and was blown away by the suspension and the traction of it. It really is a small beast. Just too bad about the lack of "exhaust drama", but inside the cabin it's a pretty decent sound experience. Nice review!

[@skodasuperb7100]

Exhaust issue easy to fix :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYbWmJWaqdOinNU

[@polattanoglu756]

Messy ? This was a perfect review Joe. Well done !

[@jamescarson6681]

Well crafted one-take video Joe! When BMW introduced the carbon roof for the E46 M3 CSL over 15 years ago, never would I have ever thought that it would also make an appearance on a Yaris! This car comes with an incredible development story behind it. Its built in the same Motomachi factory as the Lexus LFA and it so happens to feature bigger front brakes than the GR Supra despite it weighing at least 200kg less than the £54k sportscar!

[@ryuichitanaka3562]

When a legendary Tommi Makkinen collaborates with the technologically advanced Japanese, good things bound to happen :)

[@JoeAchilles1]

Thank you buddy! Yeah it's definitely a proper bit of kit that more than justifies it's £30-35k price tag. Cheers

[@endlesswindingroad]

Well, your take on a-pillars setting blind spots is absolutely spot on! Many cars with a „coupe roof-line“ in the front section have this blind spot, unfortunately

[@joetaka7620]

In Japan, we have a 'no-frills' trim level for the GR Yaris called the 'RC' (search on google images) - it doesn't come with that obtrusive infotainment screen that Joe mentioned, and it doesn't come with those attractive 18" wheels wrapped with the PS4S - it so happens to be the cheapest model of the range because it is intended for competition use (eg rally stages, trackday events etc). The Toyota dealers in Japan can fit a roll cage and afterwards, its up to you to change for more aftermarket suspension, seats etc. Really enjoyed the detailed info you gave into this short drive you had, and thanks to Imran for lending you his GR Yaris.

[@smilepermile8165]

Yeah, it would be good if they would sell that competition-intended 'RC' trim to europe as well!

[@danielboarer9819]

Like the mitsubishi evo rs back in the good old days!!

[@joetaka7620]

@@danielboarer9819 Exactly, just like the Mitsubishi EVO RS! The Japanese market also had the same thing for the 86 too - with literally unpainted front + rear bumpers

[@jdmguy44]

Yes, I remember a version of the EK Civic Type R was sold in Japan which if I remember correctly had no air con, radio or electric windows, to keep weight as low as possible. It was like a track version for the consumer.

[@seshelbow336]

@@jdmguy44 usually referred to as the N1. Most JDM fast cars did this....often you could even have a choice of gear ratios....and a lot of them come with steel wheels and base model seats. Wish we got the stripped versions here.

[@keithl681]

Fantastic review! Looks and sounds like a great piece of kit 👌🏼 Looking forward to the review against the GP3

[@dgmicallef64]

You've sold me...thanks for a fabulous review 😁

[@patrickmclaren7623]

Well you didn't have to worry about the quick take video. Great content. Looks like you had a great time with a great pocket 🚀

[@craigblakesley4397]

Great review Joe 👍

[@johngoodall7097]

You did it again Joe a first class review honest, straight forward and easy to get the points you were making, also from your tone of voice as you emphasise the good and not so good bits of the car these points come over well. So anyone can make an informed decision as to whether they would like to buy or at least try for themselves the car. It looks as though Toyota missed a few tricks re the visibility and placement of the touch screen both of W high could be altered for the better, but all in all a pretty rounded little car, so on to the next one Tiers permitting👍👍👍

[@joshuaramm3098]

Great work mate as always

[@step0601]

Saw my 1st one of these today in red, looked pretty special.

[@Srbandara]

Even the one takes are brilliant Joe 👏

[@JoeAchilles1]

Thank you buddy!

[@BataLeonOnline]

One take video turned out excellent! 👍🏼

[@firewaffle1]

I bought one in GT sport... it's amazing

[@olliemorgan974]

Awesome video Joe! Hearing many many great things about this car, fantastic to see Toyota making something a little bit special. Hopefully get my hands on one at some point.

[@MatthewKanniah]

Mega video Joe, car is just as I thought it would be. If Toyota keep it up, we are in for a treat in fututre. Seasons greetings and big blessings to you and family 🙏🏽

[@PinQuP]

Lovely video Joe! Always like to hear your thoughts.

[@stevecade857]

I love it when manufacturers have the balls to produce halo cars to show what they can really do when they have a mind to. Turning the humble Yaris into a rally rocket and making it civilised for genuine road use is no small feat. I'd love to drive one so I can compare it to my S1 which I'm really enjoying.

[@hectorxie6400]

This is a proof of “NO MORE BORING CARS”.

[@saxovtr1234]

Awsome car shame there not going into mass production. Brilliant video as always joe

[@oliveradamson2957]

Joe what a piece of kit achilles 😅 class review as always mate

[@stuartchristie654]

Amazing video, I work for Inchcape Toyota and have been conducting customer test drives in the Yaris. I got to collect the demo vehicle and had it for an hour, makes me want to trade my M140. Highlight for me was the grip and the brakes. Reminded me of my old prodrive imprezza but with no understeer. The car absolutely demolished the back roads around Basingstoke. Lead time today would mean a June delivery time. Nearly every car ordered has been the circuit pack, oh and it looks amazing in red

[@AnupC]

‘14 inches’ and the rim jokes 😂🤣 This car looks like a laugh to drive! Love it!

[@jamiep61]

I enjoyed watching the Video Review. My favourite Small Hot Hatch. Comes with the optional circuit pack

[@dylanh1978]

Looks better with some rally esque dirt! Excellent video.

[@claudearchary8600]

By the way, all the best with your new channel Joe, Subscribed! 👍🏼

[@PeakPerformanceReviews]

Nice vid fella! I’m desperate to drive one of these too!

[@pristineclean977]

That car is a beast !!!

[@glesgamail]

Great video. Proper reporting.

[@rayoflight39]

Thank you Joe

[@victorkuria8068]

Great review Joe...cars like these and the Alpine kinda remind you that cars don’t have to have massive power, loads of suspension and engine gimmickry to be fun and sometimes good old back to basics formula is good enough!!!

[@invisiblekid99]

Lots of people have reviewed this car. Lots of those can drive well and have driven a lot of high performance sports cars and super cars. NONE of them have said this isn't a fantastic car to drive. They have all said it's a joy to drive and in the right conditions (such as this), very little can beat it, certainly for a norm to drive. What a car.

[@fale892]

Making Toyota great again

[@thomaswills2301]

"You asked for it. You got it, Toyota!"

[@PetrolPed]

Top vid Bud 👍

[@deanwilliams5805]

The next T Shirt... WHAT A CAR!

[@JoeAchilles1]

hahaha not a bad idea!

[@deanwilliams5805]

@@JoeAchilles1 Keep making the great videos. Any chance that I can get a SIXFOOTFIVE shirt? Merry Christmas Joe!

[@monoRDforum]

Best review of GR for now

[@tinhinnh]

Mega review!

[@derekgibson3470]

Hey Joe, Wendons Ambo to Great Chrishall road, great road.

[@Mark__A]

This is Tier 1 content!

[@JoeAchilles1]

Haha yes I've made it! 🙌🙌🙌😂👌

[@jnrgrdn]

This reminded me of the Toyota Starlet, I wonder if Imran increased the power to mirror that of the Toyota Glanza how will it drive👀. Great review love the car I'll buy one in 20 yrs time.

[@matthewdear8837]

I’ve really got to go and drive this now hearing your thoughts on it!

[@onehorsepower]

Be ready to buy one...

[@JoeAchilles1]

💯 buddy 👌

[@davidsands351]

What a fabulous car. God I want one. Reading tuning company litchfield have bought 2 to experiment on and add some after market bits n bobs.

[@peterwood2633]

Joe I coded out auto down shift with MHD for sport and sport + on my OG M2. Have to say it's not quite as fun as I remember, maybe I'm too used to the auto blipping at this point. It also helps you out when changing up a gear. Tbh I'm not as bothered anymore as I thought I would be and am going to put it back onto auto in all modes, helps me out on spirited drives going into corners mostly ofc

[@cjt150]

Great video Joe 👍 Type R next?

[@ansab1]

Been watching since ur LCI m135 days Joe! And i’m glad your still making these videos still one of the best out there. I do wish you still owned your 140 tho being a fellow 140 owner. Cheers

[@jonathansherlock5226]

Impressive video from such a small amount of time with the car. Shame that Toyota haven’t just given you one for a longer review. Also, that mirror reminds me of the sun visor in the VW Up. It was about the size of the whole windscreen and made absolutely no sense in such a small car.

[@transient442]

"the interior isnt as nice as other cars you can buy for 30k" to be honest im over fancy interior garbage in performance cars. Make it as raw as possible, put the money into the engine rather than tacky electronic gadgets that will enviably fail in a decade. Thats the issue with modern performance cars, they try so hard to combine luxary and its like thats not why we are buying it

[@johnlightfoot1677]

That car you are referring to is the Yaris GRMN

[@fb30xhk]

You’re spot on. I had a GT86 some years ago and most journalists were on about the lousy interior but I had absolutely no issue with it and even if I had, it would have missed the whole point of the car

[@thomaswills2301]

Exactly, take us back to when they built cars like the early 90's Nissan Sentra SE-R. Bare bones car with a great 2.0 engine. Didn't even have power windows. Nothing fancy. Those cars were a joy to drive back then.

[@transient442]

@@thomaswills2301 i own a 97 WRX impreza and the interior is as basic as it gets aside from the factory "bucket" seats (which are quite comfy).

[@dodo19923]

Basic things are fine. Power windows... cool. Half decent stereo and a way to plug my phone in... great. 1000 buttons that do nothing of substance and carbon fiber everywhere... meh. Cars like this are to be driven, not drive you.

[@mowilliams1511]

I’ve been waiting for this video to see if I’ll fit in it 😅. I too am 6ft 4” 😉

[@earni01]

Great Video

[@Stedexbro]

They remind me of the 90s best decade ever

[@gr1ff1ngton]

Great video Joe, have you ordered one?

[@darrenwarrick8865]

Awesome video again, even as a one take...

[@seanfancourt4344]

Please please please Toyota give us a Corolla GR! I need a bit more space than the Yaris.. Great vid Joe. Can tell your on the fence 😃

[@ManneSaint]

You should take off the protective film from gas pedal, as seen in The 3 minuters mark 😃

[@DoubleDeckerAnton]

It's the best car, of the moment. Fun, fun, fun. 😁

[@jamescooper3306]

I currently drive a competizione abarth 595 and I feel like this must be so much fun to drive being 4wheel drive 👌🏻

[@ikra]

Search gr yaris pov drive and watch that crazy Eastern European guy handbrake drift this car all day long. It's fucking amazing.

[@bogdanobogeanu5758]

Nice car and video ❤😊

[@stanislas4990]

Great review. The GR Yaris is an exciting car.

[@shauntaylor7100]

I know this will sound odd, but after driving 3 cylinder snowmobiles for quite some time a conclusion was reached. Triples sound great whether it be cars, snowmobiles or cars!!!

[@simond3751]

Another stonker Joe. I’ve ordered a pearlescent circuit pack GR but have to wait till June. Seems like it’s going to be worth the wait. Simon

[@buzzedo1]

I'm 6 foot 7. Really hoping I fit!

[@raymonkee]

I find pedal positioning for heal and toe is compromised somewhat in most RHD cars as a result of the wheel well encroaching in to the foot well area. Pedal positioning is offset and rarely ever feels good. It's a real shame we chose to switch to RHD in this country.

[@JoeAchilles1]

Ahh very very good point! I was very confused how Misha found it fairly easy, I'm decent at Heel and Toe, but found it too hard and dangerous in this car.

[@simongibbs7224]

Probably worst in a 911 due to the fuel tank. Shouldn’t be the issue in a Japanese car though so a little disappointing in what everyone seems to think is a superb car.

[@chaoschen9661]

Hey Joe! I know this video is a year old but I had a very quick question… how does the yaris AWD stack up with the G8X AWD system?? Also my other question is if you had limited funds either only enough to buy a G8X and keep it stock or buy a GR Yaris and add all the bolt on’s and mods you can(for daily driving and mountain/track days), what would you rather? Coming from a 22 year old who’s owned nothing but 2 F30’s and an F80. Got to drive a GR Yaris for 2 weeks and I loved the platform, but I couldn’t decide what I wanted as I could daily and weekend both. Need your opinion!!!! Loved this video, the negatives were spot on

[@finnthiemann4796]

Finally the ps4s is coming in 18 inch!!

[@DougisFresh999]

I am not sure what magical force field kept that van from touching the yaris door but it worked

[@49tkscott]

That front windscreen visibility is a major issue. I share the A pillar issue with my Mazda 3, bit off putting at first, you just have too look earlier and adapt.

[@jamesgo10]

I drive a budget 53 plate Yaris. I wish they offered a deal for loyal owners lol. Serious car.

[@jamiefisher1430]

Genuinely confused about how a Japanese car manufacturer would orientate the infotainment screen towards the passenger side rather than the driver side - I say this because people in Japan drive on the same side as people in the UK do.

[@DjNikGnashers]

THIS

[@hello7533]

For the co driver, since its rally oriented. The co-driver does pace notes and selects bangin' choons on the infotainment while the driver just concentrates on driving.

[@DjNikGnashers]

@@hello7533 LOL obviously reads the pace notes directly from the sat nav !

[@COTTERO]

Cool video . 👍

[@Shmarc150]

That moment you work at MINI as an engineer and you see Toyota release the car you should have build as the new GP. Instead you get told to add a bunch of horrible looking arches to the body work, because that is what GP stands for... It shows once again that the Germans in Munich have lost the plot #facepalm The Yaris is breath of fresh hot hatch air in an automotive world where bean counters and mentally lost design teams look down on engineers and colleagues who feel they are enthusiasts wanting to build proper driver's cars. There won't be many of those in the future, people. Cherish the GR Yaris, but more importantly for all your engineers reading this. It is time to let yourself be heard. If the Japanese can do it, than anyone can build a car like this which got more amazing praise then any new hyper- or supercar in the year 2020.

[@bokiNYC]

Agree 100%...I wish the new GP3 had the drive train/transmission of this Yaris, no wheel arches but real fender flares like M3's have and smaller wing - I'd be first in line to buy one...o well, a guy can dream...still looove my '19 stick shift f56 JCW to bits (stage 1 tune really woke it up, Wavetrac lsd and Felix smf clutch kit waiting to be installed)!

[@cjt150]

The Japanese know how to make drivers cars. They are usually a bit quirky, but they’re reliable and are driver orientated.

[@JoeAchilles1]

Haha very true mate 😉

[@DarthVader-on4pe]

Very good point. Something is very wrong with the world when BMW's latest ti model is front wheel drive with an auto box?! 100% agree with the point about all that infotainment crap too. We want back to basics drivers cars...when do we want them? Now! 🤣

[@Toyota4Life]

I agree 100 percent. Toyota showed up everyone and it doesn’t need to cost 200k to be great

[@Patient_Lion_BS]

Its a lotta money, but as they always say, it's a lot of car. This can honestly be such a buzzing daily driver, if I'm not wrong it even has adaptive cruise control as standard!

[@Andylindley1000]

Letterbox = le mans prototype ?? Awesome review 👏

[@jasonharryphotog]

It’s a mini escort cosworth or Evo type car, compact

[@andrejdestradi7414]

ciao fratello Joe great car this litlle toyota nice video bravo RESPECT end big ciaooo for you bye bye 🙋‍♂️☮✌

[@gr0mania]

I had Michelin pilot sport 4s on 18 in bbs for Audi s4. They have been around for quite some time in the 18 inch.

[@JoeAchilles1]

The 4 or the 4 S?

[@gr0mania]

@@JoeAchilles1 4s. The previous owner of the bbs wheels also had them in the 4s. But we are in North America.

[@nicholashollingsworth2670]

Is it good enough for you to buy though?

[@fmspike]

We need this in the States

[@stevecotterill7981]

Already sold out in the Uk... until Sept 2021

[@grahamhaynes7658]

I wonder if there will be a 2022 allocation?,GR Corolla is due 2023 so maybe the 2021 allocation Yaris's are all we get.

[@DonsShed]

Hi Joe :) What do you think of these compared to a Mk7.5 Golf R with DSG? worth changing over for? Cheers, Don (Perth WA)

[@bobbyorr4100]

Looks like the pedal placement is different(better) in left hand drive cars. I compared with the Yaris in Mishas video and it looks like the brake pedal and gas pedal is closer to each other. Good to know if misha says he is better on heel and toe ;)

[@matharris100]

My 2002bug eye jdm Scooby would wipe the floor with it all ready done ✅

[@simonmiller5118]

Power isn't everything...well said.

[@Zain_Ali_.]

What roads are these that you're driving on ? I've gotta bring my car here