Whats the fastest Toyota Yaris?
The fastest Toyota Yaris is the GR Yaris—the high-performance, rally-inspired hatch developed by Gazoo Racing and launched in 2020.
Built to deliver race-bred performance in a compact package, the GR Yaris pairs a turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine with a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system and a lightweight chassis. It’s important to note that this model is not offered in all markets, and in some regions Toyota positions the GR Corolla as the closest performance alternative to the Yaris lineage.
Performance and engineering
Here are the core figures that explain why it's considered the fastest Yaris.
- Engine: 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-3 (G16E-GTS)
- Power: typically 261 PS (193 kW) in Europe; some markets quote up to around 272 PS (200 kW)
- Torque: 360 Nm
- Transmission: 6-speed manual
- Drivetrain: GR-Four all-wheel drive with torque-vectoring capabilities
- 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph): about 5.5 seconds
- Top speed: roughly 230 km/h (143 mph)
- Body style: 3-door hatch, optimized for light weight and stiffness
These specifications collectively explain why the GR Yaris holds the title of the fastest Yaris model in Toyota’s lineup, delivering performance that far surpasses standard Yaris variants while retaining a compact, road-going form factor.
Availability and market notes
The GR Yaris was released in selected markets worldwide, with emphasis on Europe, Asia, and Australasia. It was produced in limited quantities, underscoring its status as a niche, enthusiast-focused model. In some regions, Toyota has also offered special or rally-inspired editions to commemorate its heritage.
United States and other markets
In the United States, Toyota chose not to offer the GR Yaris; instead, the GR Corolla serves as the closest high-performance variant within the Yaris family’s broader performance lineup. Outside the U.S., however, the GR Yaris remains the flagship fast Yaris, frequently cited by enthusiasts for its combination of lightweight construction, rally-tuned AWD, and a high-revving turbo engine.
Summary
The Toyota GR Yaris stands as the fastest Yaris in Toyota’s current lineup, thanks to its 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, 261–272 PS depending on market, 360 Nm of torque, and GR-Four all-wheel drive paired with a manual transmission. Its compact, lightweight design, plus a rally-oriented engineering approach, set it apart from other Yaris models and helped it achieve a performance edge that remains unmatched within the Yaris family. For markets not offered the GR Yaris, the GR Corolla represents the next closest performance benchmark in the Toyota performance lineup.
