Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Toyota GR Yaris – interior and tech

Flawed packaging is derived from its homologation nature, but key touchpoints have been extremely well thought out. Seating position now better.

Evo rating
  • Huge cross-country pace belies figures on paper; sense of purpose; gutsy engine
  • Expensive; difficult to get hold of; not especially playful

Inside the updated GR Yaris, it’s all change. Most importantly, there’s a a better driving position to put you more in touch with it all. You sit 25mm lower than previously and look out across a 50mm lower dashboard. 

The main mirror, which previously sat slap-bang in your line of sight, has been moved too. Instant improvement all round. There’s a little more reach adjustment in the steering column as well. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

It would be a stretch to describe the new dash as attractive, with a blocky facia that’s functional to the point of utilitarianism. When I first saw photos of the prototype’s interior, I thought the facia was cladding, disguising the final dashboard design. As it turns out, it is the final dashboard design. It works well, though. Everything is angled toward the driver just-so, and in easy reach.

In fact, in an evo office straw poll, most of the team loved the facia’s no-nonsense, motorsport-style function-over-form approach. And it’s not like the old Yaris dash was a thing of beauty.

There still aren’t many places to put things in the interior, bar a couple of cupholders, tight door pockets and an awkwardly shaped oddment bin behind the handbrake (still a proper, manual lever, which still decouples the transmission’s connection to the rear driveshafts when pulled hard, to facilitate handbrake turns).

Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

Overall, the new digital dash display looks great: it’s clear, easy to read and, in Sport mode, changes the traditional rev-counter to a rally-style bar across the top of the screen, all the more rally-esque if you snag the rev limiter, which is a mildly thrilling rat-tat-tat hard stop rather than a soft limit.

There is now satnav as standard as part of a more modern touchscreen in the dash; it’s not the slickest system but it does the job. And this isn’t the sort of car you buy for its ergonomics and infotainment, after all. 

The old car took a much more as-necessary approach to interior design but in spite of the problems addressed in the new car, there were high points. Elements that felt absolutely right and are preserved in the new car include the high-mounted gearlever, that falls to hand almost perfectly. The pedals also are well placed for heel-and-toeing, plus the steering wheel itself is thin-rimmed and feels just right in the hands.

Before going all digital, the dial set was GR Yaris bespoke, with a clean and clear analogue set-up with white-on-black graphics and red needles. It’s this detail-level of thought found throughout the GR Yaris that made it feel like a real passion project, rather than something thrown together.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 2025 review – 'N0' tyre makes Porsche GT3 RS a wet weather weapon
Michelin GT3 RS tyre
Reviews

Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 2025 review – 'N0' tyre makes Porsche GT3 RS a wet weather weapon

Michelin has developed a wet and cold weather tyre for the Porsche 911 GT3 RS and it’s brilliant
23 Apr 2025
Why the Vauxhall Astra should have been given a different name
Vauxhall Astra GSE
Opinion

Why the Vauxhall Astra should have been given a different name

It’s time to reassess a perennially underrated hatchback, says Porter
17 Apr 2025
Aston Martin Vantage (1993 - 2000) review – Britain's 550bhp hand-built muscle car
Aston Martin Vantage V550 – front
Reviews

Aston Martin Vantage (1993 - 2000) review – Britain's 550bhp hand-built muscle car

One of Aston Martin's last true hand-built models, the ludicrous twin-supercharged Vantage was a muscle car crossed with a stately home
24 Apr 2025