The 2025 Toyota GR Yaris manual is a rare breed in today’s performance car landscape—a rally-bred hot hatch that refuses to compromise on driver engagement.
With its updated 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder pushing power up to 221kW, a sharpened six-speed manual gearbox, and Toyota’s GR-Four all-wheel-drive system, this pint-sized powerhouse delivers an experience that feels raw, mechanical, and utterly addictive. It’s lighter, more focused, and brimming with motorsport DNA, making it a true enthusiast’s car in an era dominated by automatics and digital driving aids.
But – what it’s like to spend a week with? Is is a good Daily Driver and a weekend back-road hot hatch?
More information: www.toyota.co.nz
