Toyota GR Yaris Rallye 2021 arrives in Australia with sharper handling, promotional driveaway pricing

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As Toyota did with the first 1,000 GR Yaris examples, the marque is offering the first 200 examples of the Rallye at a special driveaway price of $56,200.

After those 200 are accounted for, the GR Yaris Rallye will go up in price to $54,500 ($59,173 driveaway) making it $5,000 dearer than the regular Toyota GR Yaris, which starts from $49,500 in Australia.

While still expensive, it’s clearly not too much money for the market to bear. Toyota Australia confirmed they have over 2,200 orders for the GR Yaris, with most of those to be fulfilled before the end of 2021.

Despite an asking price head-and-shoulders above size competitors like the Ford Fiesta ST, the GR Yaris Rallye still undercuts the Honda Civic Type R.

For an extra $5,000 over the standard car, buyers get some unique equipment including the exclusive Crystal Pearl paintwork that differs from the regular car’s flat white. 

It’s the performance changes that are most intriguing, though, with Toyota equipping Torsen mechanical limited-slip differentials to both front and rear axles of the GR Yaris Rallye to improve power delivery in slippery conditions.

There is also a set of lightweight BBS forged alloy wheels shod in sticky 225mm wide Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres. Behind the wheels, the vast four-piston front brake calipers have been painted red and feature extra ducting to keep them cool.

Suspension changes are limited to the front axle, where the springs have been stiffened slightly, and the anti-roll bars beefed up.

Sean Hanley, vice president of Toyota Australia sales and marketing, said: “the GR Yaris Rallye is the closest you can get to the Yaris World Rally Car without joining our World Rally team.”

Aside from those changes, the Rallye is identical. Under the bonnet is the same 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine with 200kW of power and 370Nm of torque sent to all four wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. 

Kerb weight remains unchanged at 1,280kg, an impressive feat for a modern car. Inside there are some slightly different seats and plaque to confirm that you did indeed buy the more expensive Rallye version.

Unlike in other markets like the United Kingdom, the Australian GR Yaris Rallye gets a combination of more focused driving equipment and a full complement of comfort and convenience.

That means a seven-inch touchscreen with navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry, dual-zone climate control and an eight-speaker JBL soundsystem.

Safety aids, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition, and AEB with reverse and junction functionality are standard.

The GR Yaris Rallye pack is available to order now alongside the regular car from $54,500 ($59,173 driveaway).

Toyota GR Yaris: pricing in Australia

• Toyota GR Yaris manual – $49,500 ($53,923 driveaway)
• Toyota GR Yaris Rallye manual – $54,500 (limited driveaway price $56,200)