The Yaris, or if you’re a Gran Turismo fan, the Vitz, is a good car. It’s nothing more, and it’s nothing less. It does exactly what a Yaris owner wants it to do, it’s a Toyota so it comes factory fit with near bulletproof reliability and an excellent safety record.

But whilst Toyota’s models are heralded for their reliability, efficiency, and safety, it develops the capability to build such brilliant road cars through its broad motorsport endeavours. Their commitment to motorsport is so great that despite the new XP10 Yaris being supplied only as a 5-door model, they set about, at great cost, developing a 3-door four-wheel-drive variant just to compete in the World Rally Championship.

This GR Yaris was first registered in February 2021 and is finished in Precious Black metallic. It's a 1 owner example, though there are a handful of marks throughout due to being street parked in London. The GR’s rally heritage is instantly recognisable with wide arches and extended grilles and vents. Though, unlike a lot of modern performance cars, it flies relatively under the radar with limited performance badging.

Originally specified with the Circuit Pack, this car benefits from a set of 18” BBS 10-spoke alloy wheels, which are all in great shape and free from any curbing. The wheels are wrapped in a set of Michelin Pilot Sport tyres, specifically chosen for the sportier Circuit Pack cars. Also unique to the Circuit Pack are the red GR-branded brake callipers.

The Circuit Pack, however, is not just some styling tweaks. The most notable upgrade over the lesser optioned vehicles is the advent of Torsen limited-slip differentials fitted both front and rear and GR performance-tuned suspension. The Circuit Pack upgrade, which cost around £3,500 over the base model, drastically improves the GR’s performance while sacrificing very little elsewhere.

Step inside, and you’re greeted with a simple yet comfortable interior. The GR “Ultrasuede” seats are in excellent shape, and the three-spoke multifunction steering wheel is suitably compact. The gauge cluster, which is satisfyingly analog, shows just a small GR logo and further reinforces that this car is about driving with limited distractions.

Despite the car’s nature, it does benefit from a whole host of standard-fit technology. Dual-zone climate control, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, electric windows, and electric door mirrors to name just a few. Whilst small, they make this rally car for the road truly liveable.

Under the bonnet, you’ll find a 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder that produces 257bhp. The power is fed through a 6-speed manual gearbox to all four wheels via the aforementioned Torsen limited-slip differentials. There are three driving modes which move the torque bias around depending on your selection: Normal, Sport, or Track.

All cars require regular maintenance, but it’s especially important for performance cars to receive it regularly and on time, which thankfully this example has, despite covering just 9,311 miles from new. The service records show:

05/2024 - 8,578 miles - Annual Service - Toyota Kingston
06/2023 - 7,053 miles - Annual Service - Toyota Kingston
07/2022 - 4,853 miles - Health Check - Toyota Kingston
07/2021 - 2,769 miles - Health Check - Toyota Kingston

More often than not, when a manufacturer sets out to produce a truly special, limited-run car, they’re wildly expensive. But the GR Yaris is not that. It is a legitimately affordable performance car that just so happens to be built in the same factory as the hallowed Lexus LFA.

They represent not only extraordinary value for money but also a year-round usable, drivers’-car. If you’ve always considered one, now could be the perfect time to add one to your collection. Just in time for the winter months!

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London