Not only did it score top marks in our road test, it also won our Britain’s Best Affordable Driver’s Car contest ahead of the VW Golf GTI and Honda Civic Type R.
The GR Yaris represented a high-water mark for fast road cars, offering exceptional levels of grip in both wet and dry conditions, thanks in part to that 4WD system.
As standard, the front-to-rear torque distribution was 60:40, but if you wanted more traction, you could flick it to Track mode for a 50:50 split. Sport mode, meanwhile, tapped into the car’s playful side with a 30:70 configuration.
And while the original GR Yaris felt like a new-age Subaru Impreza WRX or Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Toyota ensured that it came with all the trimmings – although that was determined by which specification the buyer chose.
The Convenience Pack included 18in wheels, softer suspension and mod cons like a JBL sound system, while the Circuit Pack gave the car an extra layer of B-road swagger through stiffer front springs, stiffer anti-roll bars, uber-cool lightweight 18in BBS alloys and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S performance tyres.
That would be our preference, of course. Past that point, it’s just a case of choosing between black, white or red paint.
Superb to drive it may be, but the GR Yaris isn’t faultless. Visibility all round is pretty poor, especially out the back, and while it does have two rear seats, they are rather cramped, irrespective of your passengers’ height. Cabin isolation isn’t the best, either, and you will do well to get any more than 27mpg in mixed driving conditions.
But do these niggles mean you should consider an alternative? Certainly not. The GR Yaris was a triumph and destined for greatness from the moment it first turned a wheel.
And now that the updated GR Yaris has gone on sale at a whopping price of £44,250, the original is effectively a bargain.
So if you want a fun, balanced, sweet-handling hot hatch for £25,000, you know where to look – and can thank us later.