New Toyota GR Yaris evolution: full tech details and DRIVEN on track.

The Toyota GR Yaris has been a smash hit for Toyota. It needed to make 25,000 cars with this body style to homologate it for rallying but has already made 32,000 and counting. Hence there is budget, and opportunity, for a facelift.
And here it is, in prototype form. We've got full details of all the technical changes to the car, which includes more power and the option of an automatic gearbox. But there's much more to it than just the numbers.
We've also driven the car on circuit in both manual and automatic form.
(Also: VERY SORRY about the sound quality. We've been chasing an issue with some kit and, ultimately, have decided to replace it. Won't happen again.)
And below are some tech details. We don't know how much the new GR Yaris will cost yet. At the moment it's £35,705 including the Circuit Pack, which will effectively become the only variant. Production starts in April and UK customers will get first cars in June.
Engine 3cyls in line, 1618cc, turbocharged petrol
Power 276bhp at 6500rpm
Torque 288lb ft at 3250rpm
Gearbox 6-spd manual, 4wd
Kerb weight 1280kg
0-62mph 5.1s (est)
Top speed 145mph (est)
Economy 39mpg (est)
CO2 185g/km (est)
0:00 Intro
0:25 Technical overview
4:47 Manual car driven
9:55 Automatic car driven

[@has147_]

The audio whilst he's driving is terrible

[@VolV8]

Yep, I stopped watching halfway.

[@nerakomentaru]

I had no problems. Great vid thou

[@i976scirocco3]

Yes, Audio is Breaking up while driving. I stopped watching too.

[@martinlaver007]

Thank you. If you hadn’t mentioned it we’d never have noticed…

[@omblae]

Absolutely terrible, cant believe they didn't have a backup recording

[@Zerofightervi]

It's funny how Mitsubishi & Subaru were very often mocked for the basic dashboards. Now Toyota makes a feature out of it.

[@eugenux]

I do like this deliberate functional approach. For years, even specialized cars needed to be everything to everyone and cater for everyone's preferences. I really do like this ballsy move from Toyota against this dv.mb trend in the last 15 to 20 years. This is a car for drivers and for driving. If you need fancy colors, shapes and lights/materials, go and look somewhere else. If you want to drive, you're in the right place.

[@howarddavies136]

I've read a few comments on Matts presenting style in the past, and he has clearly taken comments on board, and his presenting style feels better than ever, so much respect to Matt for that. Now, the production team need to up their game and sort the dreadful audio and wobbly in car angles.

[@v4skunk739]

The reality is we do not care about super high quality production. We want videos on new cars / news etc as the news happens, not waiting weeks for a video to be filmed and professionally edited.

[@howarddavies136]

@v4skunk739 I'd suspect this was filmed long ago before an embargo was lifted. And I'm not alone in wanting clear audio. Many smaller, lower budget channels manage a quality better than this; Car Throttle, Autoalex, JayEm, Number 27, just to name a few. So I'm not asking for "super high production values", just simply clear audio.

[@faster6329]

Unfortunately, the many pauses mid sentence are so long and often that one forgets what the first, or second part of the sentence was. Specially with all the car noises. He should have more coherent sentences so we can understand what he is talking about. Not all the viewers have English as first language.

[@kjph7438]

How about you start your own channel. 😁

[@faster6329]

@@kjph7438 That is just immature. We see many different presenters and can compare them to each other. If we watch a pro footballer playing badly, we can criticize him when we have watched football for decades and seen countless players playing football, without you telling us "how about you become a footballer yourself" :)

[@elanjacobs1]

All this technology in the world and you still can't get a decent lapel mic? The audio is absolutely atrocious.

[@Mooza1]

Amateur hour

[@harrisr1018]

Relax Karen this is clearly a 1 off maybe they were having issues this particular day. Their audio isn’t normally that bad

[@orangesonicc]

I am glad the GR version of the Yaris is a sales hit😊

[@sunsetgarage755]

I hope Audi bean counters are watching this and can see how much of an opportunity they missed by not developing the second gen S1.

[@SUMOCAT86]

Problem with Audi is they only make cars for rich people. Same with Mercedes and BMW. The only option still is GR yaris, eventhough the price has increased.

[@sunsetgarage755]

@@SUMOCAT86 Not sure what part of the World you are from, but even the base GR Yaris in Australia was more expensive than the Audi S1 sold here. The bigger problem was that Audi built an amazing car that punches just as hard as the GR Yaris with practically identical specifications & an engine that was deliberately under-tuned by the factory, and then didn’t bother promoting it anywhere. GR Yaris is still a great car & luckily Toyota are willing to promote and continue to develop it.

[@SUMOCAT86]

@@sunsetgarage755 I'm from Finland. To be honest I would like to exchange my GR Yaris for an Audi S3 hatchback. S3 in Finland is about 70K euros(115K AUD) and my GRY was about 52K(85500 AUD) in 2022. Audi RS models are way too expensive for me, I think they start at over 100K. The Audi S1 does not exist here anymore which is sad. The GRY also has many advantages like simple and very good AWD system, manual, no VAG problems ect. ect. The new interior is not to my liking and that's one of the reasons I was thinking I should go to Audi. I don't know why Mercedes, BMW and Audi want to retain this "premium" look and can't make exciting cars for normal folks. It's literally Mercedes, BMW or Audi if you want a RWD or AWD car. Even then, none of them have as good AWD as Toyota has. It's funny I was just configuring a car at Mercedes website, choose the most basic shitty car ever and it starts at 40K(65K AUD) by the time your done it's 65K(107K AUD) and there it is... your 1.6 liter diesel Merc with 115hp. Also Mercedes 4 matic doesn't really work here at all, the tcs system is downright dangerous. Amg models might be different but normal 4Matic -Never again. Actually my C55 AMG was also really bad, open diff and shitty slow automatic. Well that's a older car but still. It's pretty hard to get excited about new cars, maybe thats intentional.

[@EnamKunutsor]

The in-car audio is terrible and ruins an otherwise great video. Smh

[@qwerty69600]

I like Autocar's review style and their reviewers, been reading it for decades, but you do sense they are stuck in the dark ages in terms of technology. You've got KZbinrs knocking out high quality videos, with better sound. Come on guys, get with the times.

[@ginge82]

The sound and camera quality of this Autocar video seems to be so much poorer than the other channels invited to this launch day.

[@ferrarikangaroo9271]

I'm so glad that the legend that is the GR Yaris, lives on! Thanks for the great review. Have a top weekend mate

[@Stephanie-dl3ry]

Liking all the technical enhancements and the industrial design of the interior. Looks ready from some rally business.

[@Bajsi7]

Audio is killing me, no matter if I watch it on TV or on my phone.

[@con1989]

pretty much stopped watching during automatic review, audio was terrible. was actually interested in his thoughts but couldn’t hear what he was saying

[@mattjones8206]

That dash reminds me of the Mark IV Supra's dash. Finally a non i-pad dashboard.

[@mattyoz0]

Nothing said about the Auto. Great journalism.

[@KosmicKitchen]

Thanks for the review. I still have the gen 1 on order and will keep it, after hearing what you said. Glad to see Toyota is still on the roll

[@mauriceconger1926]

The audio on this video is horrendous like someone in post production just completely ignored it

[@BigSteveT]

Shocking audio, couldn’t watch the bit about the Auto transmission I wanted to see.

[@ggaattzz]

Great improvements Toyota! Thank you so much for keeping on developing this GR Yaris! I've had my GR-Y for 2yrs now and love it. I would certainly get this updated version. (I've just emailed my local dealer to express my interest.) I have to say though I wish you used the more modern/luxurious dash of Lexus LBX instead of this '80s looking dash in this updated GR Yaris.

[@Murphy252000]

good luck, I have been on a waitlist for close to 3 years

[@stantheheadhumongous9402]

The cockpit looks incredible. Ballsy move. I wish more "drivers car" take this function over form approach.

[@Alby911]

I agree. It's tiring seeing the same old big digital screen slapped on the middle of the dashboard. This redesign retains that Toyota quirkiness with a touch of coziness.

[@MKu64]

@@Alby911Honestly this feels nothing like 'Toyota' and I think it's great. It does feel like Toyota from the 1990's and prior, but def not in the last 20 years. It looks great!

[@Alby911]

Probably the most confusing comment I've read in a while lol. Either way, the car is great lol @@MKu64

[@Asheen_Singh]

I really like the dash redesign, the much better integrated infotainment screen (ones that protrude from the dash are not a tradeoff I don't care for), the bezel from the center stack - which is wonderfully angled to the driver - that goes around the gear lever, and the digital instrument cluster (analogue is fine if it follows the format of large central speedometer or tachometer, with smaller gauges at the sides). The seat being lower and the rear view mirror are how it should have been from the start. If the GR Corolla gets these changes it would certainly make it closer to the Civic Type R which has certainly had a better interior in terms of design/layout.

[@kratos9223]

Drives an auto gr yaris but ends the review without giving us a verdict on it!!! 😱

[@markgt894]

The manual is the one to go for

[@kratos9223]

​@@markgt894 I do find manual driving more enjoyable, which is why I own a manual GT86. However, my interest in the automatic gearbox stems from its potential inclusion in the GR Corolla. This feature alone makes me consider swapping my current daily car, the MK7 R, for the GR Corolla. This inclination is further strengthened by the fact that the MK8 Golf now boasts an interior comparable to that of a Corolla. 😄

[@kay_c1773]

What’s going on with the repeated terrible in car audio on your videos? It’s getting worse with each video, and it’s preventing me from watching and enjoying your otherwise excellent videos. Please fix your audio issues guys.

[@mrmorizofan7001]

thanks for objective approach! I like the improvements, but maybe sticking with mk1 with my own upgrades. its rather nice.

[@f00lxpl]

Wanted to swap mine for a facelift but that dash is a deal breaker. WTF?!

[@Zerofightervi]

You're going to miss out on a brilliant car because of the dashboard? Buy an Audi S3 then.

[@nazarpredatorak]

Agreed, the dash is a huge turn off

[@nazarpredatorak]

​@@Zerofighterviof course. If you plan on having this car as a daily everything adds up to the experience

[@eugenux]

​@@nazarpredatorakthis isn't a daily driver... it is a rally car for the road. What you actually need is an S3, like the guy above so kindly suggested. Interior materials, haptic studies, design, brand... go for it and forget this car, it isn't for your type. 😉

[@gaycha6589]

Thinking the same. A remap and Lichfield suspension seem best route for my 21 GR with 7000 miles. Nothing broken and I did mirror mod abd am used to the seating. I would expect a price hike as Toyota seek to claw initial costs back.

[@theusefulchannel]

I typed in Unforgivably Bad Audio and it brought me here 😂😂

[@adamek9750]

I like the dash, timeless retro design

[@ghepardogts]

The dashboard is a big improvement over the old car’s rental car feel.

[@nazarpredatorak]

Hell no, the dash looks like the one you get in a Volvo bus. Huge turn off. Original was bad but way better than this

[@yasi4877]

@@nazarpredatorak Understood it's a bit utilitarian. What will they do with the GR Corolla dash when that receives similar upgrades?

[@nazarpredatorak]

@@yasi4877 pray they don't take inspiration from a tractor this time

[@christmasisawesome9348]

It feels like WRC car

[@boringuserhandle]

You'd think an outfit like Autocar would be able to get the audio right. I can watch 100 different independent youtubers and hear absolutely perfect audio quality and the big magazine video is almost unlistenable.

[@eugenux]

it is unfortunate but also, it is a high chance that it was a malfunction of pairing or audio set-up, discovered only after the filming was done, thus, nothing do be done at that point.

[@nebeatsimenu]

Totally agree. I wanted to watch the video but the audio was awful.

[@planbparadise2046]

What sound gear was used? Wanna make sure I never buy it by mistake...

[@JimmyMDD]

Unacceptable audio quality. Did anyone actually try to hear it before uploading?

[@TimBirchett2]

It looks like an AE86 on the inside

[@AndrewMalkin]

If you're going to put this out with such bad audio, you should at least add subtitles

[@aseroxmilez]

Wasn’t really interested in these but for some wierd reason I keep coming back to check them out

[@SebDJ]

I'm not sure about the comments saying the interior looking incredible. It looks like it was designed in a rush. Functional yes, but for 35 grand I'd want something a little more pleasing on the eyes. The shut lines on the interior look a bit cheap on the cabin close ups too... But, do I want one, hell yes!

[@Stephanie-dl3ry]

Don't fall for the premium car con; it's what's under the skin that's worth your 35k.

[@SebDJ]

@@Stephanie-dl3ry yeah, very true

[@Murphy252000]

35 and then some

[@93455Driver]

Great change on the center console. I do not notice the high screen on the GR Corolla so much, but I would like that change. Interesting to see if the new transmission settings make it to the GRC as well.

[@jakemoore1973]

Love the cockpit looks like a fighter jet

[@Bmontepeque11]

HOW did you get to drive this so early? :O, I have just discovered the update due to the GR posts on Instagram, and this video was uploaded 6 HOURS ago 🤯 This is the only video I have found on the new GR Yaris :o

[@ZeeBri]

Toyota is really on fire with this and the GR86. May the perpetual improvements continue in perpetuity

[@rightlanehog3151]

Splendid!!

[@My_Auto_Chronicles]

I hope they come to the UK in decent numbers! 🙏

[@davidhunternyc1]

Brilliant driving review! We need the GR Yaris in the U.S.! C'mon, Toyota! JUST DO IT!

[@White1404]

Two questions: 1) Is it quieter in the cabin with tyre and wind noise? 2) When is Toyota UK taking orders from ?

[@richscrinsonphonegg8842]

April for orders.

[@galahaaad]

I love the dashboard and screens! Can't say that about many cars nowadays

[@Andre-yu3qs]

Is it a fault here (on youtube), or is the sound in the automatic gearbox part of the video very bad?

[@khaki_man]

I hope all the same changes make it into the 2025 GR Corolla.

[@ortontom]

so was the auto any good compared to the manual?

[@MrThrustSSC]

I think when my winter car (old awd-car) will one day break down (allready over 200.000 km) I will try to get one of these as a replacement.

[@pageonejournalist]

Can't help but wonder if they decided to launch the car in mid winter to hide the gearbox overheating issues.

[@oscarlainz]

What a nice track the Jarama is

[@nathandepasquale9571]

Was the mic mounted on top of the roof? 😂

[@racey1979]

Did you mount the microphone on the front bumper ?

[@Squilliam-Fancyson]

I hope they got rid of the AWD diff overheating issue.

[@eugenux]

then stop tracking a rally-road car and enjoy it on its designated terrain.., i. e. canyons, back roads and mountain passes.

[@Squilliam-Fancyson]

@@eugenux nonono it's not about race use. Even if just driven normally "used" GR Yaris turned off AWD drive after some 15 min. of "dynamic driving". This car is pretty much 1/2 the fun as soon as the whole power has to go onto the front wheels.

[@richscrinsonphonegg8842]

The new diff has more cooling to prevent this. Even extra cooling fins in the moulding of the metal casing.

[@jaughnekow]

i am glad there is an automatic version for this amazing car.

[@Br1anuk]

Is this like back in the day with The Clio Williams which was going to be a one off never to be repeated again then a year later they brought out the Williams 2 much improved car and there was a big fuss??? I thought the GR Yaris was a homologation special one off?

[@jamesj97370]

Were you using a potato for a microphone?

[@CarsofGlasgow]

Does it have heated seats?

[@ludda42]

Glad Toyota listened to customers and implemented improvements

[@alpanex21]

No start-stop button in the new version and no mention of the feature at all in the manual. Anyone who can say with certainty whether this means there's no auto stop & start OR there is but can't be disabled?

[@180toync]

any clutch's packs overheating?

[@CryMoar_]

Downvote for shocking audio. Imagine uploading without watching it all back

[@1411k_imnotdead]

All those people who bought one thinking it was never to be done again, ouch 💸

[@hoomee7605]

True. Toyota sold a lie.. only 25k to be built? And so far 32k made and more to come? I assume they were losing money and have to try make some back. Id still keep my earlier GR. Love its looks. Love the dash. Love what it stood for was 3 years ago.. That said i am looking at another nice car to move on to in the future. It wont be the updated GR..pointless in my view if im never going to track my GR

[@fredEVOIX]

when I bought the Ford Focus RS mk1 215hp FWD same weight at this Yaris we all dreamt of having an AWD version..it took 20 years but Toyota gave us that people who are used to nowadays heavy cars can't understand what 200Kgs less do to handling and braking, Subaru Mitsubishi Ford all gave up while Honda stuck to their FWD doing not much except increase the price thank you Toyota for allowing young drivers to buy "their" wrc for the road car

[@MrSchn3ll]

Hopefully they figured out the cooling issues...

[@bigladdan]

Really wanted to know what the auto box was like as I currently have a GR Yaris and was wondering if it’s worth changing. Will have to watch another review for that info. 🤨🤷‍♂️. Oh and sort your audio out.

[@grumpybraincells6612]

Same! I have a 23 brz manual, I really want to know how does the auto gr yaris shifts, Toyota says it's quicker than the supra(BMW 8sp), but I would like to know how well does it execute kick down I like the 6sp transmission on the madza because it just knows when to kick down and make the shift

[@christmasisawesome9348]

It's a torque converter. I would say that it will be quite smooth for day to day driving. If you are coming from PDK or other dual clutch, it will feel slightly slower. Torque converter is still fast but it is no dual clutch. If it had been a DCT, I bet a lot more people would be jumping at it.

[@grahamhaynes7658]

Me too,I've had 2 GR yaris, and the manual gearchange isn't its strong point.

[@paulallen6915]

@@grahamhaynes7658 I think its great with a short shifter kit on though. I had a Golf R with DCT and I did 60k miles in it but I never really liked it. Just never intuitive enough.

[@bitumen83]

Once we have Lancer Evolution. Now we have GR Yaris Evolution🤘 Considering that Tommi Mäkinen was one of the guys who was in Toyota developing team for this car Im not surprised.

[@arda_]

We are still waiting for our 2021 orders btw.

[@nicolas5150]

i want one, that s a new problem of mine i guess.......

[@farhantalukder4613]

I can't believe this was published with this audio quality...

[@RandomVideosFirst]

As someone that bought the original in 2022 and waited 18 months for it, im guessing the Auto version will cost at least £40k

[@davidpeters6536]

What was the Vios (not sold in the UK) was car of the year several times where it was on sale. The latest model has become a Yaris saloon. Toyota make good cars there is no doubt.

[@bobbyuykim]

I think you forgot to mention the automatic gearbox performance. Responsiveness of the puddles

[@tomgilman9567]

Been waiting for a auto for this car, take my money

[@KevBoy3D]

I’d like this interior if it wasn’t all black, have some fun with colour like blue or red

[@mosca3289]

I so want one.

[@jamsbong]

Not a fan of today's grille trends where the grille has such a large opening that it really doesn't protect the radiator or other components from rock smashing onto the radiator and breaking it - something that costs $1000+ to repair. I personally had added a screen on my car. I recommend this

[@jonnycsuperplumb765]

Need front facing camera...nothing wrong with watching yourself....but rather watch the action. Great presenting 👍🏻

[@sutats]

Transmission calbe? Interesting.

[@Bugside]

Tires squealing every turn, nice

[@ggaattzz]

Wow! Updated already! 😃 However that new dash looks like from 80s/90s though🤮.

[@ryanyu102]

Gives me mk4 supra vibes with the interior

[@Adam-M1]

That’s the point. 80s/90s purposeful rally car interior.

[@ALMX5DP]

Yeah I don’t mind the aesthetic at all. Blocky and chunky and easily accessible or viewable.

[@solefreak2]

Auto or manual?

[@KKOKAJ]

GT3/4 but for the middle class. kudos Toyota . Great to see that some companies really listen to the customers 👏

[@seanomar3536]

Funnt that the uk has some of the strictest crash standards where they get the yaris and the US dont

[@ericstockmann2487]

Am I the only one who doesn't like the new dash redesign? It's cheap gray plastic. I'm not a fan of screens that protrude from the dashboard but in this case this looks outdated and cheap. I loved the cabin of the previous generation Yaris, even the analog cluster was good looking!

[@dickybird6916]

It's not a finished production cars dash. It's the layout but not got the final finish on it.

[@ericstockmann2487]

I just hope they make some adjustments @@dickybird6916

[@eNGinEm5]

Please fix the audio wobble.

[@colincharan-kumpula6424]

Good work Toyota.

[@youtoobe169]

Some issues with the sound in this video

[@dickybird6916]

Shame they replaced the analogue dials for screens, the high contrast of screens is migraine inducing for people with astigmatisms when night driving vs softer lit dials. Other than that the dash looks better than gen1.

[@DaveFuucck]

Imagine how many they would have sold if they could actually supply it…

[@Nicky458itl]

I'm displease about variable power split, they often unpredict behaved of the car. let see how that one actualy is.

[@lambrosstamos4494]

It gets better. Rally royalty by now.

[@purm0ndis]

USA gets the GR Corolla, as a 5 door.

[@bobert02493]

The yaris doesnt meet the US impact regulations but the cybertruck does ?!?!?!

[@TTTonyTurbo]

i also didnt understand that. Please somebody explain

[@katonclan5084]

i shall get this even if i live in america i shall get it somehow i hate the corolla but the yaris the yaris is just it

[@fretstain]

fun fact: I saw the same gr yaris 3 times in Mexico today (in San Miguel de Allende if anyone is curious)

[@bluetitan20]

That sound was so bad, made it very hard to watch. Had to mute the sound and turn on the subtitles to make it watchable. Other than that, great to see Toyota keeping the updates coming for this cracking little car, if you can justify the price that this will cost now. It would make a great buy in 3/4 years time when they will hopefully depreciate a bit to make them somewhat affordable for more people.

[@SChapps]

That dash is so JDM 😅 In a good way though

[@whutzzzup]

microphone not well placed or not right setup. great description.

[@luisfcs02]

Come on guys.... You can have better microphones when inside the car. The sound on this video was really bad, but the problem is not just from this video, it has been bad for several ones.

[@Chunkychucky]

Awesome cars, but wow the plastics on top of the dashboard look worse than my first car (a 1996 Peugeot 106), on a £35k+ car too damn.

[@dickybird6916]

In other vids they made it clear Its a Pre production dash. it's got the layout but not got the production dashs finish.

[@neato24]

USA version please!