Given how new the GR Yaris is, it’s fair to assume most people voting for it have never driven one and were going on road tests and spec sheets. Several journos have pointed out that to drive, the fun factor isn’t that accessible and if that’s the primary factor that makes a hot hatch special, the 182 Trophy should have won hands down. I would own another one in a heartbeat.

GR owner here. It really is that good. Used to own a Fiesta ST then a Focus RS which I swapped for the Yaris. It really is the best of both worlds. As light, agile and compact as a Fiesta yet staggering AWD traction and as quick as an RS upto legal speeds, and genuinely quicker than a lot more expensive and exotic machinery on your typical greasy British B road. It really is a very special machine. Oh and has a 10 year warranty that includes track use.

I think the GR Yaris, whilst brilliant, was lucky because its a current car. Harder for the great French cars of 10-20 years ago to win because they're in that middle space of not being on sale but not classic yet. It probably deserves its win but personally I prefer the older more analogue cars. Do this poll again in 2030 and I bet the Yaris won't win.

I’ll stick to my guns here and say that in the UK a hot hatch - any hot hatch - is the perfect car for 99% of things. Super cars are great but pretty useless in our weather on our small roads.

The GR Yaris drives like a well sorted Delta Integrale Evo 2 that has been properly put together unlike the Lancia. It’s a truly fantastic little machine that sits proudly in my garage next to my Delta Integrale Evo 2

I live in San Diego, California and drive a 1983 Renault 5 Turbo 2. Yes, you read correctly. My daily driver is a R5 Turbo2. And it has been my dream car since I was 12 years old. So you can imagine, I am a huge fan of Renault's hot hatch back catalog which, as most of you will know, are all cars we here in the U.S. did not get. I have had to watch from afar, from across a rather large body of water, all of you have all of the fun. But with the introduction of the GR Yaris that all has changed. I am so intrigued by the GR that I have taken steps to change continents... to MOVE to Europe... just so I can own and drive a GR Yaris on the regular. And before anybody suggests I just buy a GR Corolla stateside... I have. It is on order. And I am sure, when it arrives, it will be great. But the shorter wheelbase and bespoke build of the GR Yaris is much more appealing then the more mainstream variation we are getting here. The Corolla is not tied to homologating a car for a racing series nor is it as compromised as the Yaris. And being compromised IS what makes the GR Yaris so intriguing! The great cars of history often have one thing in common. Imperfection. These imperfect cars are in many ways like people. They have personality. Some are sweet and kind while others are full of verve and spice. The GR Yaris is much like the R5 Turbo. They are sharp and uncompromising in their mission. A tool if you will. The only thing that would make the GR Yaris better is if it lost it's climate control, Apple Car Play, Nav and other unnecessary fluff and just focused on being the best hot hatch it can be. That is my only rather weak gripe I have about them and it is still not enough to stop me from getting on a plane and finding a realtor.

The Yaris is so much more than its performance, really in a league of its own in terms of individuality. The fact that its appeared in an age where ICE are becoming a thing of the past makes it even more unbelievable. The people voted, and they voted for the GR Yaris. Not only the best of the past 25 years, the height of hot hatch heaven but undoubtedly one of the all time greats of ANY period.

I got mine a few weeks ago…I still can’t believe how good it is. Every drive feels special. Although I worked for Porsche for 10 Years, where I had constant access to all of their products, the GR still amazes me. What a Gem- THANK YOU TOYOTA!

maybe.... Hyundai I20N & Renaultsport Clio 182 Trophy: the best hot hatch of the last 25 years 🤣 GR is not comparable.

BTW, intergra type R is the best ever imho

You can feel the GR is a bespoke platform when you drive it. It feels special in every aspect!

I love love love small hot hatchback cars, ever since I drove a boss's 205 GTI 1.9 in 1995. I worked at a Renault dealer in the late 90s and one of the owners always got himself stuff like Clio 182s and a lovely Mégane 16v. He had an Alpine A610 that was flipping amazing and we got a French Safrane V6 BiTurbo in once for a bit of work and it's was GORRRRRRRGEOUS 😍. I love Renault's.

Lucky enough to have daily use of a Clio 182 Trophy and GR Yaris. Very different cars, both excellent for different reasons. The 182 feels so raw and genuinely rapid. The GR feels effortlessly fast and so well sorted.

As an American who's owned two MK3 Focus ST's and currently owns a new Civic Si (not technically a Hatch, but definitely the same DNA) I absolutely love this type of car. We've always been somewhat limited in the states with our hot hatch options, but there are still those of us here who appreciate them.

Brilliant video, precise and clear but also captured the essence of these brilliant machines. Bravo!

I have driven a gr yaris and owned the FK8 TYPE R the yaris is a great little car but would still take the honda as although the yaris is great fun as an only car it's not practical back seats boot space and long distance comfort honda is the better car but as a second car the yaris would make perfect sense

Been lucky enough to test one. Awesome engineering, massively capable in the twisties, and would definitely shame much more expensive machinery on a British B road.

My first 'hot hatch' was a 1973 BMW 2000 touring with Schrick cams, twin 40's and an LSD. It even had split folding rear seats but, more importantly, it was rear wheel drive. Some folk say the Golf was the first 'hot hatch' but I know different. I have a couple of Renault 5 Gordini turbo in the 90's and they were good fun, although torque steer wasn't so I tried the VW GTi 1.6 and a Pug 205 GTi instead. In the end I went back to rear drive and had Escort RS2000 and BMW 3 series for the next 20+ years. The best of those being the E30 M3 which I still miss today. Crazy values have killed those cars for average enthusiasts nowadays though. Now I have a white goods BMW diesel daily and a Clio 182 which cost less than a set of decent GR Yaris tyres! 😆

Having missed the

I've always wanted a Clio 182 Trophy, even if it's not a Trophy I'd like a fast Clio of some type one day. Great things.