Toyota’s GR range is an attempt by the biggest carmaker in Australia to be cool, but has it worked?

My name is Casper, and you’ve seen me pop up as part of a foursome away, reviewing a bunch of different brands “up at the Cottages”. This is my first solo, so be kind. Gay boys love a badge, and if it is a limited edition, so much the better.

GR badges can be found on Yaris, Corolla, Supra, 86, and somewhat incredulously, Land Cruiser and HiLux. To Toyota’s credit, the last 2 aren’t mentioned on the GR home page. After a week in the GR Yaris Rallye, the more than $5,000 difference in drive away is arguably worth it, if you’re into limited edition models.

Video Review: 2022 Toyota GR Yaris Rallye FULL REVIEW- GayCarBoys review – Alan Zurvas 

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ABOVE: 2023 Toyota GR Yaris Range

Japanese sports cars have been a fan favourite for decades, with notable badges like GTR and MX5. Some are slap-you-upside-the-head go quick, and others are about enjoying a windows-down experience in the open countryside. GR Yaris Rallye is the former.

Ahead of our full review, here are my top 10 love-love-love things about GR Yaris Rallye:

10         boy racer looks

9            nippy 1.6 3-pot turbo

8            comfortable supportive seats

7            excellent suspension

6            thrifty drinking habits

5            fabulous 6-sp manual with rev-matching up and down

4            excellent AWD system

3            everyday driveability

2            reliability

1            ease of servicing

We’ll touch on all this in the review, but the idea of a nippy pocket rocket that can be serviced just about anywhere really appeals.

It is drop-dead gorgeous, and shares only the headlights, tail lights and mirrors with the pov-model hatch. It might seem unimportant, but the boot fitted a full-size clothes dryer (sans box), something very few sports cars can say.

GR Yaris Rallye has a carbon fibre roof, and aluminium used for the bonnet, hatch, and doors, for an overall weight of 1280kg.

The 1.6 3-cylinder has 200kw which Toyota claims is the most powerful 3-cylinder on the market. Not to be outdone, the AWD system shunts power as needed, with a ”theoretical” 100% available to the rear. Finally, unlike the rather dull Yaris hatch, the GR Yaris Rallye has double wishbones rear suspension instead of the rather inadequate torsion beam in other Yaris hatches.

While there are some aspects of the cabin that betray the entry level nature of the beast, GR Yaris Rallye is the biz, and strictly limited, so chances are you missed it.

Toyota GR Yaris Rallye

  • RRP: $56,390
  • Engine: 1.6 3cyl Turbo
  • Power: 200kw/370Nm
  • Econ: 7.6L/100k
  • Trans: 6 sp man (rev matching)
  • Emissions: Euro 6, 172g/k
  • Fuel: 98ron, 50L tank