Toyota GR Yaris — Built for the Rally Stage, Sold on the Street

The Toyota GR Yaris is not a regular hot hatchback. It is a homologation special — built so Toyota could compete in the World Rally Championship (WRC) under the GRMN motorsport banner. To meet homologation rules, Toyota had to sell a road-going version to the public, and what they created is extraordinary.

Under the hood sits a brand new 1.6-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine — the G16E-GTS — producing 257 hp (272 hp in Circuit Pack spec). That makes it the most powerful three-cylinder production engine in the world. Paired with a six-speed manual gearbox and Toyota's GR-FOUR AWD system, the GR Yaris is a 0-100 km/h sprinter that covers the dash in just 5.5 seconds — faster than many supercars costing three times as much.

Why Is the GR Yaris So Special?

Most manufacturers make performance cars by taking a standard model and adding a bigger engine. Toyota did the opposite. The GR Yaris has a completely unique body — a three-door roofline grafted onto the Yaris platform, with a carbon fibre roof to lower the centre of gravity. The GR-FOUR system can split torque 60:40 front/rear in Normal, 30:70 in Sport, or 50:50 in Track mode, giving drivers genuine on-demand AWD bias.

The suspension uses forged aluminium components normally reserved for race cars. Even the pistons inside the G16E-GTS are forged. Toyota didn't just build a performance car — they built a race car with number plates.

GR Yaris vs GR86 — Which Should You Choose?

They're both from Toyota's GR division but serve different purposes. The GR86 is a rear-wheel drive sports car with a larger engine and a more traditional sports car feel. The GR Yaris is an AWD all-weather performance machine built for the rally stage mentality. Want track days on smooth tarmac? GR86. Want to drive fast in all conditions on any road? GR Yaris, without question.

Best JDM Performance Upgrades for the GR Yaris

• Turbo upgrade: HKS GT3 turbocharger kit — pushes the GR Yaris well past 350 whp
• Intercooler: Mishimoto or HKS front-mount intercooler for lower charge temps
• Intake: HKS Racing Suction or TRD sports air intake
• Exhaust: HKS Legamax or Tomei Expreme titanium — reduce weight, improve flow
• Coilovers: Tein Mono Sport or Ohlins Road & Track — better damping for track use

Authentic JDM Parts for the GR Yaris

The GR Yaris's motorsport heritage means the best parts come from Japan's performance aftermarket — brands that supply the actual WRC teams. At Grovexo JDM, we stock genuine, authentic parts for the GR Yaris from HKS, Tein, Cusco, TRD, and more. With worldwide shipping and 100% genuine part verification, we ensure your GR Yaris gets the same quality upgrades as a factory rally build.

Don't settle for replica parts on a car this special. Shop our GR Yaris JDM collection today.