GR Yaris 👎 Negatives - what annoys, disappoints, puzzles and generally irks you about the GR Yaris?

The screen is dead straight (it’s been measured with lasers by someone). But screens in most cars are angled at the driver, so it does appear to be angled away.

Yes, I got the laser out for a play and it is indeed dead straight, as are the missus' pictures in the living room even though she says otherwise.

My biggest moan about the "infotainment" is that the buttons and knobs are on different sides depending on whether you are in a left or right hand drive car. Yes, I'm sure in a meeting somewhere someone though it would be a good idea to swap the buttons over so the volume knob was next to the driver, but in every car I've had ever, the volume knob has been the one on the left.

Every time I try and change the volume it's a distraction
 
Okay, I’m only a day into ownership, but in addition to many of the things already said here are my petty or not-so-petty additions :)

The quality of the infotainment screen (and dash display far that matter) is terrible. Seriously, it’s 2022 and high resolution screen are pennies, yet Toyota are still fitting this blurry shyte to new cars?

I knew it was going to be a modest screen but I actually laughed out loud the first time got CarPlay up because it was so low resolution compared to any car I’ve ever had it on save a 2016 Polo GTI, which at least had a pin-sharp display on which to show the comically small number of icons.

The software and UI is also, well, Japanese and a long way from best in class. Again, no real excuse.

The heated seat buttons are clunky rocker switches which, while visibly matching the others, offer a completely different tactile feedback to the other switches and buttons.

Unlike almost every other automotive volume control I’ve ever had, the volume control knob doesn’t have any detents as it is turned and nor does it have a knurled/textured surround so it kinda feels like it’s not turning (told you it would get petty!)

Oh, and the fake noise is already pissing me off. Far too loud.

Maybe more once I’ve driven it more than 311 km 😁
 
I'm stuck trying to work out how to turn up the voice info on Android Auto as it's reading out my messages very quietly
 
Why would you want a speed limiter?
I would want it for the time I am driving in built up areas. I had it on the CHR and it worked well and I set it at 32. It is OH so easy to be talking and all of a sudden you are well over the limit and didn't know it. I have only had one ticket in 40 years and was for 35 in a 30 zone as a van pushed me and I didn't realise I was on the 10% + 2.
No, you wouldn't use it all of the time but sometimes you are just doing those daily jobs and are happy to stay within the limit and it only takes 3 seconds to set and a push of a button to turn off. Not sure how the new ones will work but would have the CHR version on the GRY in a flash as I do think it is the 20-30 zones that will catch us as 4-5 mph over is a ticket and 5mph for this car is a blink of the eye.
 
Then buy an aygo, it will allow you to go round corners full throttle without breaking the speed limit whilst delivering the same experience as the Yaris with a limiter for a fraction of the cost….
I really fancy the new AygoX and may trade my Mii in one day for one. Interesting that Toyota valued my Mii at exactly what I paid for it last Aug from a Suzuki dealer. Just shows how used prices are holding up right now. A city car is the ideal stable mate to a GRY.
 
Last edited:
Aren’t most cars running a drum handbrake?
Most probably. I’ve just never owned a car with drum brakes, even as a parking brake, before. Even a 1970 Lotus Elan, had discs all round (very unusual back then) and a separate cable operated disc parking brake. Which was almost impossible to set up properly and maintain function.
 
I would want it for the time I am driving in built up areas. I had it on the CHR and it worked well and I set it at 32. It is OH so easy to be talking and all of a sudden you are well over the limit and didn't know it. I have only had one ticket in 40 years and was for 35 in a 30 zone as a van pushed me and I didn't realise I was on the 10% + 2.
No, you wouldn't use it all of the time but sometimes you are just doing those daily jobs and are happy to stay within the limit and it only takes 3 seconds to set and a push of a button to turn off. Not sure how the new ones will work but would have the CHR version on the GRY in a flash as I do think it is the 20-30 zones that will catch us as 4-5 mph over is a ticket and 5mph for this car is a blink of the eye.
I just use cruise control it does the same?
 
Handbrake can hold the car if you give it a good tug, but it’s the brake drum variety so never going to be that good.
I have a different experience. It's the strongest handbrake of any factory car I've tried and much stronger then the cable operated disk handbrakes I've sampled. However, it needs to be bedded in a bit while driving from new, otherwise it never gets a chance to fit the shoe to the drum if only pulled stationary.
 
Last edited:
I have to say I do love the GRY, however I wouldn’t’t want to use it as a daily, it’s just a little too focussed. I like having a lazy quiet daily driver and then switching to the uncompromising focus and slightly rough edged Yaris for weekends. You realise how good it is compared to utilitarian transport when you switch between the two.
 
Last edited:
I have to say I do love the GRY, however I wouldn’t’t want to use it as a daily, it’s just a little too focussed. I like having a lazy quiet daily driver and then switching to the uncompromising focus and slightly rough edged Yaris for weekends. You realise get to see how good it is compared to utilitarian transport when you switch between the two.
Very true, I've found its better then going through the modifying rabbit hole to keep the thrills up, ending up with something even less daily friendly... Instead, reset reference, enjoy, repeat.
 
Last edited:
I have to say I do love the GRY, however I wouldn’t’t want to use it as a daily, it’s just a little too focussed. I like having a lazy quiet daily driver and then switching to the uncompromising focus and slightly rough edged Yaris for weekends. You realise how good it is compared to utilitarian transport when you switch between the two.
Yes, as a middle-aged old fart with the luxury of a large German estate to use for other duties I’m happy to admit the same.

But if I was still in my 20s I’d be happy to daily it and ignore/be unaware of the downsides.
 
I have to say I do love the GRY, however I wouldn’t’t want to use it as a daily, it’s just a little too focussed. I like having a lazy quiet daily driver and then switching to the uncompromising focus and slightly rough edged Yaris for weekends. You realise how good it is compared to utilitarian transport when you switch between the two.
Conversely I find that it happily deals with the daily grind. Maybe not as soft as the Boxster I used to daily, but I've driven a lot worse over the last 40 years.
The more you use it, the more familiar you get with its characteristics.
 
Back
Top