2024 Toyota GR Yaris: Everything That’s Changed Since 2023

Summary

• The 2024 Toyota GR Yaris is more powerful than its previous model, with 280 HP and 288 LB-FT of torque from its 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine.
• The interior of the GR Yaris has been completely redesigned to create a driver-focused cockpit, inspired by rally cars.
• The exterior of the GR Yaris features updates to increase airflow and improve practicality, with changes to the front fascia and rear design.

Toyota is one of the most well-known manufacturers in the automotive industry today, with the Japanese brand producing cars, SUVs, and trucks that appeal to every corner of the market, globally. More recently, however, Toyota’s performance-focused cars produced by the GR division have taken the brand to new territory. GR stands for Gazoo Racing, Toyota’s motorsport division since 2007. Seeing massive success in categories such as WEC and WRC, Toyota introduced the GR badge to their road cars, starting with the Supra in 2019.

Another car that gained the GR package only a year later was another flagship model, the Toyota Yaris. By 2023, the GR Yaris had gained a massive fan base through its excellent performance and striking visuals. Moving into 2024, the GR Yaris has been amped up even further, receiving even more power along with some design updates, both inside and out. Here’s every standout feature of the ‘24 Toyota GR Yaris that separates it from the ‘23 model.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Toyota’s manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including Car and Driver.

The 2024 GR Yaris Is More Powerful Than Before

Being heavily inspired by the brand’s motorsport division, the GR Yaris has always had performance at the forefront of the hatchback’s purpose and design. Ever since the first GR Yaris was released in 2020, it was powered by a small yet incredibly punchy 1.6-liter three-cylinder, which is still the case for 2024. The GR Yaris is a pretty small hot hatchback, meaning the low displacement is plenty big enough to keep you on your toes. Of course, the car was tested on rally stages and racetracks to guarantee its capabilities.

A Revised 1.6-Liter Three-Cylinder

In 2023, the 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine produced 268 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. While these numbers made for a tremendous hot hatch, Toyota recently revealed that the ‘24 GR Yaris will produce a maximum of 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. This is on par with the bigger 2024 GR Corolla’s output of 300 horsepower, showing just how punchy this updated engine is.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Toyota)

Tweaking the 1.6-liter engine once again, the new power unit comes with a revised valve train, a stronger exhaust valve material, new lightweight pistons, and increased fuel injection pressure. Once again, the engine will be turbocharged, to make it one of the most powerful 1.6-liter engines out there.

A Brand-New Available Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission

One major selling point for the GR Yaris in recent years has been that it’s one of the few performance-focused hatchbacks to offer a manual transmission. For many drivers, the satisfaction of a manual gearbox can’t be replicated. While the seasoned six-speed manual that has featured in all GR Yaris models thus far is still available for 2024, an eight-speed automatic will be offered on the hatchback for the first time.

Toyota has said that this is the most significant addition for the ‘24 GR Yaris, and good reason. The manual transmission was and still is capable of extracting the car’s potential, but with faster, more accurate, and responsive gear changes, the performance on the road, track, and rally stage is sure to reach a new extreme.

A Complete Interior Overhaul

The ’24 Toyota GR Yaris not only receives updates under the hood, but it also undergoes a complete interior overhaul. From the driver-focused cockpit to the enhanced comfort features, the interior of the GR Yaris has been redesigned to match the raw, rugged motorsport-inspired driving experience. With input from professional drivers, the cabin of the ‘24 GR Yaris is as driver-centric as possible.

A Big Change for the Center Console

In the 2023 model, the interior was just as minimal as it is for 2024 but followed a more traditional route in terms of its design. The center console and display were centered, with the screen attached to the middle of the dash popping up. The two features were separated in the ‘23 model, but are now connected by a silver surrounding which is leaned 15 degrees towards you as the driver for better access to the controls.

Regarding the input for racing and rally drivers, Toyota has specifically located the on-track controls such as hazard lights, VSC OFF, and intercooler spray so you can access them with little effort. The media controls and shifter maintain a similar layout to the ‘23 model but also benefit from having them closer together and leaning toward the driver. The center display is also available in 10.5 inches, making it no hassle to read and control what’s on the screen.

The Introduction of Digital Instruments

Another key addition to the cabin of the ‘24 GR Yaris is the all-new 12.3-inch digital combimeter. Following suit with the rest of the racecar-style interior, the new display features only the vital information, laid out simply so you can easily read the info on the screen. For the automatic model, the combimeter will provide additional information such as the transmission oil temperature. Previously, the gauge cluster was analog rather than digital, with the latter allowing for a faster relay of information.

Elements such as the steering wheel stay the same for the ‘24 model, which isn’t something that necessarily needs a change. The air vents stay in the same place but are now circular rather than the rectangular design that featured in prior models. Although a small detail, little additions like this are what bring together the rally car-style cockpit.

Driver visibility is another area that has been improved for the ‘24 GR Yaris, with the top edge of the instrument panel lowered by 50 millimeters and the driver’s seat lowered by 25 millimeters.

Key Takeaways:

• The ’24 Toyota GR Yaris is more powerful than the 2023 model, producing 300 HP and 295 LB-FT. The 1.6-liter three-cylinder displacement stays the same.
• The interior of the GR Yaris has been overhauled, taking inspiration from rally cars to create a fully integrated, driver-focused cockpit.
• On the outside, the hatchback has received more minor updates to improve airflow and practicality.
• For the first time ever, an eight-speed automatic will be available for the ’24 GR Yaris.

The Exterior Of The ’24 GR Yaris Is Meaner Than Ever Before

As well as the interior, the exterior of the ‘24 Toyota GR Yaris has been updated, but not to the same extent. Something that the exterior changes do have in common with the interior, however, is that they were also implemented based on professional drivers’ feedback who’ve been behind the wheel when pushing the car to its max. The changes don’t strike you instantly, but the differences can be picked apart when side-by-side with the prior models.

A Redesigned Front Fascia

The area which receives the most changes for 2024 is the front end. With a primary focus on increased airflow and weight reduction, the already aggressive appearance is dialed up to eleven. The first change is for the steel mesh in front of the lower grille, which looks similar to before but has been optimized for strength and weight saving. The radiator behind the mesh now reads ‘GR-FOUR’, representing the all-wheel-drive system that features on the ‘24 GR Yaris.

In an extra bid to increase airflow, the two side grilles are made larger than before, with two more radiators now being placed behind them. Not only will this help keep the 1.6-liter engine cooler, it adds another aggressive touch to the front end of the hatchback. The front bumper also has a new split design to make it easier to repair and/or replace.

Increased Practicality For The Rear Of The Hatchback

The rear of the ‘24 GR Yaris is the area that doesn’t appear to have many changes at first glance but becomes more apparent when comparing the design to last year’s model. Airflow is also a focal point in the rear end’s design, with the bottom of the garnish now having a gap covered by steel mesh, to allow air to escape and to assist with exhaust cooling.

The rear fog, roof brake, and reversing lights have also been integrated with the taillights of the car in hopes of reducing potential damage while creating a much more streamlined appearance overall. Another reason Toyota moved the fog and reversing lights is to allow for more customization for the spoiler, which the roof brake light sometimes hindered on the earlier models.

How Does It Compete Against It’s Rivals?

Although the GR Yaris won’t be making it Stateside, the hot hatchback has grown into one of the most competitive models in the entire industry. The ‘24 Honda Civic Type R is one of the GR Yaris’ closest competitors, which on paper has better performance numbers. The Civic Type R’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder manages to produce 315 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, which is 30 more HP than the GR Yaris. Due to the weight of the Civic Type R, the Yaris starts faster but struggles to match the larger engine’s power output in the Honda at higher speeds.

Another hatchback the GR Corrola goes toe-to-toe with is the Ford Fiesta ST, which has been a top competitor in the segment for many years. Despite being discontinued in 2023, the last Fiesta ST doesn’t have as much power as the GR Yaris. Making 200 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, the GR Yaris will beat the Fiesta ST around the track.

The 2023 Toyota GR Yaris’ upgrades and improvements over the 2023 model allow the hot hatchback to keep competing with the very best in the segment. Providing a motorsport-inspired experience, the GR Yaris is one of the most-loved performance cars in recent years, even if it costs more than faster hatchbacks on the market in 2024.