As I've written many times before, I've had to drive most things on four wheels. Among the really cool cars that are missing and that I have not tested, Bugatti is probably one of them if you have to name someone. However Koenigsegg, the majority Ferrari-, Lamborghini, McLaren cars. And a variety of Porsche models I have been able to test drive. In addition, I have test-driven F1 cars twice. So I consider myself to know what a fun car is and how it should feel to drive, and the Toyota GR Yaris is actually among the most fun I've driven!

Another thing I have been quite diligent in writing about here is that I have more than once been the first Swedish motor journalist to test drive certain car models and do articles on it. Now latest Rivian R1S. Before that, I was and still am (18 September 2024) the only Swedish journalist to test drive Tesla Cybertruck. If I may continue to shine a little, I was even the first journalist in the world to test drive two W Motors models, Lykan Hypersport and their SUV GHIATH which I got to test drive when I was last in Dubai. But now this article should be about Toyota GR Yaris and not about me. But I happen to be the first journalist in Sweden who got to take out the press car they brought home and which I got to have for a week. It had only travelled 67 miles when I picked it up. 

This is the updated version of the GR Yaris. I had the first one out for testing in February 2021. The article on it can be read here. What I quickly noticed with the updated version, to mention four things that have changed, is first and foremost the price. A slight increase of over 200 000 SEK from the first version. That's a big increase! Whether it is worth it or not, I will now try to find out. Another thing that has been lowered is the front seats. On the old and first version, many people including myself complained about the sitting position and that you sat too high up. Now you sit as you should in really good chairs that provide good support. Then the third thing and perhaps the biggest mechanical change is that you can now buy GR Yaris with automatic transmission. An automatic gearbox developed by Toyota's Gazoo Racing WRC driver. The box has been named Gazoo Racing Direct. The press car was equipped with the new automatic gearbox which is 8-speed. Then the power has increased slightly since the first version. Instead of 261 horses, 280 horses are now squeezed out of the small, three-cylinder, turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine. That's more than enough to go the distance, if you ask me.

I picked up the car at Toyota Sweden in Sundbyberg. Immediately when I get in the car, I notice how well you sit in the car now, the right height and with good support. Not having to change gear when driving in town is actually quite comfortable. I have absolutely nothing against manual transmissions on sporty cars but then I want the driving to be active and not ordinary city driving. The first few days the car it relatively quiet driving. Then came the weekend when I will drive a bit south for a photo shoot for an article I will publish here in a while. I can mention that it is about two car models that both turn fifty this year. On the way there, I am directed by the navigator to take off the E4 for about half an hour's drive on small roads through the forest. It's tort and sunny outside, which is absolutely optimal conditions in my opinion. Here the GR Yaris really gets to show its colours and not a single colour faded I can tell you. Rather the opposite. Few cars I have driven literally ask to be driven as hard as the GR Yaris asks. Not a hint of wavering or losing power. This is what a car like this should really feel like! The GR Yaris is a small car, but size is one of the things I find incredibly positive about it. Of course, I readily admit that the GR Yaris is probably not a car you should get if you have a family to look after. But if it's just you and your ego and maybe a partner you're going to treat to driving out of the ordinary. Well then, the Toyota GR Yaris is certainly the car to look at!

Toyota GR Yaris

Price: From 613 900 SEK

Engine: 1.6 L turbo 3 cylinders

Power: 280 hp, 390 Nm

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, four-wheel drive. Manual gearbox also available

Acceleration: 0-100 km/h in 5.5 seconds

Top speed: 230 km/h

Consumption and emissions (WLTP): 8.2 litres/100 km

Weight: 1280 kg

Dimensions (length/width/height): 3995 x 1806 x 1461 mm