A Supercharged Surprise: Toyota Yaris GRMN First Drive

[@CarObsession]

What do you think of the Yaris GRMN? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

[@Elias_g1]

For that amount of money i would buy an MX-5.I think it is too expensive for a 200+ hp FWD car.

[@CarObsession]

You could buy an MX-5, but it won't be as fast, and obviously it won't be as practical.

[@Elias_g1]

You are right,it depends on what you need.Isn't the miata a better handling car though ? And it's RWD so it's more fun :D

[@CarObsession]

Well that's an interesting question as both cars handle superbly, and they had different characteristics due to their drivetrains. Yes, I believe the MX-5 would be more fun, on the count that it sends its power to the rear, but I'm slightly biased as I own one. Having said that, both cars are bound to bring a smile to your face, it's just the fact that one will be harder on your wallet!

[@1Matrus]

I´m a huge fan of the new GRMN and it looks like a whole lot of fun to drive. I´m driving a 2008 XP9 Yaris TS with that same 1.8l engine just without a supercharger and i´m loving it already! I´d love to drive the GRMN in comparison!

[@thetyrerjones]

Great review of the GRMN, could be a rare classic in years to come...

[@CarObsession]

Yup, I definitely think it will be a rare classic, as only 80 came to the UK. (or 100, depending on which you source you go by). Thanks for watching!

[@abdulwahaab9026]

thetyrerjones just like the toyota corolla t sport compressor, supercharged 1.8 rare toyota

[@arifazar786]

@@CarObsession I've got no 213..

[@ctrmint]

Cracking car, great to see Lotus engineering at work. 400 units, is probably because they are testing the market to see if a Toyota hot hatch product can attract the customer base. Also keeping it low volume increases exclusivity and helps justify the price tag. I think it makes sense. If 400 units sell easily then we'll see a 2nd generation in greater numbers, if not they'll recoup their development costs with little risk. There is probably a reasonable profit margin the car.

[@CarObsession]

That's a very interesting and logical point you make there ctrmint, a good way at looking at it. Thanks for watching.

[@oddities-whatnot]

Good point, and maybe gives us hope that Toyota will turn this into more of a mass production car. It proves they can make a bloody good hot hatch, and offers something a bit different than all the rest simply by having a supercharger. Im looking to buy something interesting at the moment, currently just got a cheap runaround but im bored with the usual suspects. I have a limited budget unfortunately, so may go for the Abarth 595. Ive had two of those new already and I think they are great cars for the money. Only mentioning that because they are a bit different than the rest and thats my point really about this Toyota, and if this was unlimited production, they would sell bucket loads if it was priced more in line with other small hot hatches. Its still a niche car, so buyers wouldnt need to worry about seeing 50 of them on the way to work !

[@giannismpthy2311]

Lotus engineering? Loxus took that engine from toyota tuned it a bit and then toyota put it in the grmn yaris. Zero engineering from lotus there.

[@Elias_g1]

This car looks great in my opinion !

[@CarObsession]

Yeah, it certainly is a rather funky looking thing isn't it? Thanks for watching.

[@oddities-whatnot]

Great review mate, I liked your enthusiasm. Id like to know though whats the ride quality like ? Is it a very firm ride ? Would it be uncomfortable as a daily car on UK roads ? Any help appreciated.

[@CarObsession]

Hello Ernie, thank you for the feedback, and of course, thanks for watching. In regards to the ride, it's firm and I think most people should find it fine for a daily, I would need to spend longer with to give a definitive answer as I had this car for about 25 minutes or so.

[@oddities-whatnot]

Car Obsession thank for the reply, much appreciated pal :)

[@CarObsession]

No worries pal

[@KimsonJohn]

Starlet gt/glanza v of the late 90s.

[@Benzknees]

Blimey, Granny’s going to get down the post office quick.

[@CarObsession]

😂Tell me about it, she'll be there in back in no time! Thanks for watching.

[@isengard1500]

Quite over-priced for a new young persons car, if they made many more of them the price would have gone down! Looked fun af to drive. The Koreans and Japanese are killing it atm. That name though haha!

[@CarObsession]

Agreed, this car simply costs too much, but they've sold out anyway, so it seems as if the price didn't matter for those lucky 400. Thanks for watching.

[@jimcanterak7349]

@@CarObsession Of course they were sold out. People are willing to pay mad prices for "exclusivity". If this was just a normal production model, it would have tanked.

[@CarObsession]

I beg to differ, Toyota had a good car on their hands, so if it was marketed in the correct manner, I can see no reason why it wouldn't have sold as a mass production model. I would argue it's a stronger rival to the Fiesta ST than the Clio RS and the 208 GTi.

[@pinnaclewd]

Great car but price will be the restriction for them. Priced at 19.5k and these will be the new hot hatch to have!

[@CarObsession]

Hello Phil, thanks for watching. Yeah, price it in line with the new Fiesta ST and you could have a pretty competitive fight on your hands.

[@lahyessam9725]

Not available in Canada..I have a 2009 Yaris and it is agile but it leans so much in the corners that it feels like it will tip over in corners . Yes Toyota use some of the DNA from this car and make the regular Yaris better handling please.

[@lahyessam9725]

✔✔✔ thanks

[@jimcanterak7349]

Have you like thought of installing a stiffer suspension? Just a wild thought...

[@lahyessam9725]

@@jimcanterak7349 I am kinda broke right now but that would be a good idea as I have just over 100K km on the odometer now.

[@abdulwahaab9026]

The last toyota hot hatch before this was the t sport corolla 1.8 with 190bhp, cheap bargains these days

[@JuicingDailyTV]

Chicken Sandwich I have one and it's not a hot hatch, warm is more appropriate l

[@BenSamara]

Only limited edition! Makes me sad

[@kevinparker461]

Closely related to the Lotus Elise? in an identical twin kind of way!

[@CarObsession]

Huh?

[@superthierry1]

When Toyota put their brains 🧠 into making a car they’re normally brilliant. 😎 but majority of their products are based getting you from A to B and the jungle 🛣🤪 without breaking down. I drive an 2010 Avensis tourer. After they designed the car they decided to go home. 📝🥱 🤣🤣

[@CarObsession]

😂Thanks for watching.

[@prestigeplayer1780]

dont give up the day job

[@CarObsession]

Thanks for the useful and constructive feedback.