The Toyota GR Yaris hot hatch has been crowned as the UK Car of the Year 2021, as well as being named this year’s best performance car.
The GR Yaris arrived at the end of last year as the second model to come from Toyota’s Gazoo Racing performance division, and is significantly different to the firm’s regular hybrid Yaris supermini. It’s in fact closer to the firm’s rally car, and uses a 261bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine that delivers power to all four wheels, and has been highly praised since its launch.
However, it’s now been officially recognised as the 2021 UK Car of the Year, which is voted for by 29 UK journalists.
Agustin Martin, president and managing director of Toyota GB, said: “Our sincere thanks go to the UK Car of the Year judges for giving this prestigious award to GR Yaris. This unique car perfectly expresses Toyota’s focus on the pure joys of driving and how we are drawing directly on our motorsport activities to create ever-better cars for the road.
“The unprecedented reception for GR Yaris – and for the all-new Yaris range more widely – is transforming the perception of our brand as a maker of desirable cars that are genuinely fun to drive.”
Elsewhere in the awards category winners, the regular Toyota Yaris was named as the Best Supermini – just a week after it was announced as European Car of the Year – while the Ford Puma and Kuga were named as the best crossovers in their respective categories. The Skoda Octavia was named as both the Best Family Car and Best Estate, too.
Enquire on a new Toyota GR Yaris
