Toyota GR Yaris 2020-2024 reliability

Nothing will top this hot hatchback before the ICE age is over, so buy one while you can

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Is the Toyota GR Yaris reliable?

Toyota and its team of former and current rally drivers drove the GR Yaris to destruction during its development in a bid to ensure it could withstand just about anything. That means that overall, it is a pretty reliable hot hatchback that shouldn't be a cause for concern. 

We'd exercise caution when it comes to power boosts. The three-cylinder engine is robust, but huge upticks in power can cause more issues and worst case, engine failure. 

Engine: A drop in turbo pressure is a common issue, typically solved by replacing the boost sensor/solenoid. Take a long test drive to let the engine warm up and make sure power is delivered in a smooth and linear way.

Check the history of any tuned engine and ensure that any new parts are from reputable brands and come with a warranty.

Gearbox: Early cars can suffer crunching gears, particularly from first to second and second to third - a result of hurried changes from cold, which can damage the gearbox. Replacing or rebuilding are the only cures, and you can get them done only via Toyota.

Interior: Standard speakers on Circuit pack models are poor, so many owners swap them out for Focal systems. Fitting Dynamat in the doors is said to help with sound retention. Listen out for any loose bits of trim: the A-pillars, dashboard, glovebox and door cards are all known to rattle.

Body: The rear arches, front bumper and bonnet can get hammered by stone chips, so check these areas for any excessive damage and consider paint protection film.

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The windscreen can chip easily too, and it’s specific to the GR Yaris, so you can’t cut corners with a standard Yaris item. The plastic lower grille is prone to breaking and can cost around £400-£500 to fix, because it forms the main part of the bumper.

Also, any debris that gets through the grille can damage the intercooler, which is an ever costlier repair job.

An owner’s view

Nathan Beecroft: “One thing that took me by surprise straight away after driving my GR Yaris was how easy it was to drive. The seats are very comfortable and the car is very compliant overall.

"The adaptive cruise control is also one of the best I’ve used. In terms of running costs, I average around 30mpg on my 10-mile commute, which includes a mix of A- and B-roads, although it will do 40mpg on a long motorway run. I’d be wary of any particularly modified car – a lot of them have been - and it’s always worth doing research on the brands or companies used.”

Also worth knowing

The GR Yaris should be serviced every 6000 miles. If this is done by a Toyota dealer, the car gets an extra 12 months’ warranty every year up to 10 years or 100,000 miles. Using a GR Yaris for track days doesn’t void the warranty.

Oil changes should be done with 0W-20 GF-6A-grade oil, not the usual 0W-16 or 0W-20.

Litchfield offers one of the most popular tuning packages, boosting power from 257bhp to 300bhp, and fits new springs and dampers, the latter offering 25 bump and rebound settings.

Sam Phillips

Sam Phillips
Title: Staff Writer

Sam joined the Autocar team in summer 2024 and has been a contributor since 2021. He is tasked with writing used reviews and first drives as well as updating top 10s and evergreen content on the Autocar website. 

He previously led sister-title Move Electric, which covers the entire spectrum of electric vehicles, from cars to boats – and even trucks. He is an expert in new car news, used cars, electric cars, microbility, classic cars and motorsport. 

Sam graduated from Nottingham Trent University in 2021 with a BA in Journalism. In his final year he produced an in-depth feature on the automotive industry’s transition to electric cars and interviewed a number of leading experts to assess our readiness for the impending ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars.