Toyota GR Yaris: The One Car That Does Everything

Toyota built a rally car, then had to sell road versions to go racing. That is the whole origin story, and it is why the GR Yaris feels like a special-edition secret you get to drive to the shops.

What it is

A pocket-sized, all-wheel-drive performance hatch with a bespoke turbo engine, a wider body than the standard car, and motorsport in its bones. There is nothing else quite like it at the money.

Why you'll love it

• Ferocious, all-weather pace. All-wheel drive means it puts its power down in the wet, on gravel, anywhere - confidence you can feel.
• Toyota underneath the madness. It starts every morning and asks for nothing unusual. Thrilling and dependable is a rare pairing.
• It does the ordinary jobs too. Five doors, a real boot, and easy manners in traffic. School run on Friday, track day on Saturday.
• A modern future-classic. Special enough that clean examples will always be wanted.

A few honest notes

It is firm-riding in the way a focused car should be - part of the character, not a flaw - and it is most alive when you give it room to breathe on a good road or a track day. Treat it to both and it rewards you endlessly.

What to pay in Australia

New, it sits in the high $50s into the $60s driveaway depending on spec and edition, and demand keeps used prices proud. This is a car that holds its value because owners rarely let go.

Queen's verdict

Five crowns. If you only have room for one interesting car, this is a very tempting one - a genuine giant-killer that also does the groceries. The enthusiast's do-everything answer.

Prices reflect the Australian market as of mid-2026 and move around - treat them as a compass, not a valuation. General guidance, not financial advice.