The 2026 Toyota GR Yaris automatic feels like a lot of car packed into a small body. That was my first impression, and after more than an hour driving on back roads, it stayed with me.

Its 1.6-litre engine packs a punch. But the biggest impression came from how confidently this little Toyota handled the corners.

Cornering steals the show

The grip was the standout feature of my drive. Through the corners I experienced, the GR Yaris stayed composed, with no noticeable understeer, sway or loss of traction.

Even under acceleration through a corner, it felt settled and precise. With the Track setting selected, the car gave me a strong sense of confidence.

The brakes impressed me too. They felt powerful and effective, complementing the grip and making the car feel controlled throughout the drive.

“Precise” and “dialled” are two of the words I would use to describe it. The way it handled those back roads earned both.

Comfortable enough for everyday use

Toyota offers Eco, Normal and Sport drive modes alongside the GR-FOUR system’s settings. Switching into Eco gave the car a more relaxed character during my drive.

Comfort was better than I expected, and I noticed minimal road noise. Based on this outing, I could see myself using it daily.

Space was the compromise. For someone who needs more room, I would point them towards the GR Corolla.

The automatic gearbox was another area where I wanted more. It felt slightly laggy at times, although it still did the job.

How it compares with my tuned GTI

My Stage 3 tuned Golf 7 GTI felt stronger in outright power. However, the Toyota felt lighter, and its handling impressed me more.

That difference shaped my verdict. The GR Yaris made its strongest case through its balance, grip and cornering ability.

Precise, dialled and underrated

Would I recommend it? Yes.

After an hour behind the wheel, my three words are precise, dialled and underrated. The compact body and everyday comfort appeal, but the cornering is what I will remember most.