The high-performance Toyota GR Yaris has been named 2021 UK Car of the Year – beating the regular hybrid Yaris in the process.
Both cars qualified as finalists for the 2021 award: GR Yaris was named best performance car and Yaris Hybrid was best supermini.
In the final tally of the 12 different categories, the hot Yaris edged ahead of the everyday alternative, and all other contenders.
UK COTY director John Challen said driving the GR Yaris was “the most fun I’ve had behind the wheel of a car for many, many years”.
Motoring Research’s own Tim Pitt agreed, likening it to the legendary Subaru Impreza 22B.
Toyota GB president and MD Augustin Martin said it was an honour to receive “this prestigious award.
“The unprecedented reaction for GR Yaris, and for the all-new Yaris range more widely, is transforming the perfection of our brand as a maker of desirable cars that are genuinely fun to drive.”
The Toyota GR Yaris is also a finalist in the 2021 World Performance Car awards, while the regular model is in the running for 2021 World Car of the Year.
Last week, the Toyota Yaris scoped the 2021 European Car of the Year award.
Motoring Research has this year named the GR Yaris one of the best hot hatchbacks to buy in 2021… and the regular model one of the best superminis to buy.
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