BMW 2 Series VS Toyota GR Yaris
BMW 2 Series
Likes
- Sleek sedan design
- Excellent three-pot turbo engine
- Sharp steering and handling
Dislikes
- Why $7000 more than the hatch?
- Lacklustre warranty term
- Cheap feeling leather trim
Toyota GR Yaris
Likes
- Capable and dynamic on road and track
- Looks fantastic
- Bespoke new interior and ergonomics
Dislikes
- Better as a second car
- Pricey for its size
- Potential to lose licence
Summary
BMW 2 Series
You’d be forgiven for thinking there aren’t many sedans left on sale in Australia, thanks to the massive shift in buyer preference to SUVs.
But while mainstream carmakers like Ford, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Volkswagen and a lot more have scaled back their booted offerings, premium brands are yet to give up on sedans.
BMW alone has seven sedan models in its line-up ranging from small offerings like the 2 Series Gran Coupe all the way up to the 7 Series and 8 Series.
We are focusing on the former for this review, in entry level 218i guise. It’s a sleek sedan that certainly catches the eye, but can it compete with similarly priced SUVs in our crossover-loving country?
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 1.5L turbo |
| Fuel Type | — |
| Fuel Efficiency | 5.9L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Toyota GR Yaris
This is arguably the car that really made Toyota's GR performance division really take off. And it just got a bit better.
The GR Yaris was already an awesome thing, but more power, an interior refresh and a bunch of mechanical changes aim to lift the bar again. And even better, you can now get one without the third pedal.
So how much better is the 2025 Toyota GR Yaris now? And is the auto any good? We've driven this rally-bred hero on track and in Victoria's high country to find out.
Read more about
- Toyota's new engine could herald a new generation of GR sports cars and power the likes of Toyota MR2, Celica, Supra, GR Yaris and more!
- Hardcore rally hero takes shape: 2025 Toyota GR Yaris GRMN revealed in new renders ahead of Hyundai i30 N, Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf R alternative's launch: Report
- Are we looking at the new Toyota MR2? Toyota trots out bonkers mid-engine 2.0-litre turbo GR Yaris monster at Auto Salon potentially hinting at iconic sports car's imminent revival
| Safety rating | — |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 1.6L turbo |
| Fuel Type | Premium Unleaded Petrol |
| Fuel Efficiency | 8.2L/100km |
| Seating | 4 seats |
Verdict
BMW 2 Series7/10
The sleek 2 Series Gran Coupe has injected some life into the sedan segment and adds another dimension to BMW’s line-up.
After spending a week with the 118i hatch and another week with the 218i Gran Coupe, I would pick the hatch because it suits my needs better and has a more understated design, at least from the A-pillar back.
But there is little to fault in the 218i, aside from the obviously higher price compared with a mainstream sedan like a Mazda3. But, as with the hatch, if you want something a little more premium and a little more special, then this funky sedan is well worth considering.
Toyota GR Yaris8.6/10
You already could have argued the GR Yaris was the best car Toyota made even before its update.
The GR Yaris’ refreshed interior and its slight bump in performance are the result of plenty of feedback from owners and even racing drivers that Toyota took on board, and the result is an even better sports car.
It helps that it’s not prohibitively expensive in the grand scheme of the new-car market these days.
Now, I reckon even fans of the rear-drive Toyota GR86 might start to doubt their preferences after a stint behind the wheel.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with accommodation and meals provided.
Design
BMW 2 Series
From the front, the 2 Series Gran Coupe carries the same face as the handsome 1 Series hatchback. But from the A-pillar back, it’s a completely different look.Â
BMW’s ‘Gran Coupe’ series of models - 2, 4 and 8 Series - are not just regular sedans. They are sleeker, with a coupe-like sloping roofline and a more squat stance. It’s BMW’s way of making sedans sexy. And it has worked on each of those models.
The 218i’s boot sits up high and the rear treatment with the wide slimline tail-lights and integrated boot lip spoiler make the car visually appealing. I prefer the look of the 1 Series hatch, but appreciate the sleek sedan.
As with the hatch, the 218i’s interior is a modern take on the unmistakable BMW cabin, and for the most part it’s a successful design.
Toyota GR Yaris
The GR Yaris isn’t just a regular Yaris with sports bits stuck on, and because of that it looks fantastic.Â
It’s properly aggressive, sculpted to look more like a rally car than other Yarises (I’m not calling them ‘Yarii’), even down to the fact it’s a two-door design.
A carbon-fibre roof, aluminium bonnet, doors and tailgate, plus a series of functional aerodynamic and cooling features prove the Yaris doesn’t just look like this for show, though.
The redesigned front bumper directs air to more radiators for extra cooling but also through to the front wheel arches to cool the brakes.
Another change is the tail-light bar, which spans the rear and does away with the light integrated into the rear spoiler, which is now also body coloured. Down below that, larger exhaust tips reflect a more powerful engine.
There’s also significant change inside. The repositioning of some elements for better ergonomics make the GR Yaris a much more driver-oriented space inside, and despite some soft-touch materials it has a race car vibe to it.
The interior centre stack no longer looks like a standard Toyota interior, and the fact Toyota went to the effort and cost to do this purely because of driver feedback shows how serious it is about its GR division’s future.
Practicality
BMW 2 Series
The main key difference between the 1 and 2 Series is the boot capacity. But in terms of interior appointments, not much separates the two.
Our 218i test car was optioned with black ‘Dakota’ leather trim, which does not look or feel particularly premium. The blue pattern trim in the 118i hatch was much more visually appealing, helping to break up the dark greys of the cabin. But in the 218i, it just makes everything look rather dark and gloomy.
As with the 118i, the BMW 'iDrive' controller and multimedia touchscreen are top notch, all controls come to hand easily, and the dash is angled to the driver. For more details on the interior, check out my 118i review.
The bigger differences are in the second row. The Gran Coupe has less headroom compared with the hatch, due to the sloping roofline and the optional sunroof.
Both body styles share the same 2670mm wheelbase, which should mean legroom is the same. For some reason the 218i feels ever so slightly tighter in the rear, but we are splitting hairs here.
Rear-seat occupants have access to two USB-C ports, map pockets and, unlike the hatchback, the Gran Coupe has a central fold-down armrest with two cupholders. Tall bottles will fit in the door storage compartment. Sadly the 218i lacks any rear air vents.
The doors also have a smaller aperture, so it’s not as easy to get in and out of compared to the hatch.
The rear seats fold 60/40 via levers in boot. Speaking of which, the boot can swallow 430 litres of cargo, which easily exceeds the 380L capacity of the 118i hatch. It also matches the boot space in the Mercedes-Benz A180 sedan and is just five litres bigger than the Audi A3 35 TFSI sedan.
Toyota GR Yaris
The changes to the GR Yaris interior come down to useability as a sports car.
Thanks to the update, some pre-update complaints about ergonomics like the driver’s seat being too high or impeded visibility have been addressed.
The seat is now 25mm lower and feels much more natural in terms of eye-level and body positioning, but also allows more space above to fit a helmet on your bonce.
The pedals have also moved for easier heel-toeing, while the steering column angle has been adjusted to feel more natural.Â
Additionally, the dash panel is now tilted towards the driver by 15 degrees more and there’s better visibility between the dash and rear-view mirror with the multimedia screen now integrated into the centre stack.
Essentially, the Yaris has undergone a generation-level update in the interior and is much better for it.
Everything falls to hand without the driver needing to move their shoulders, but at the same time it doesn’t feel cramped.
While the second row is near unusable for adults - plus only seating two - the 174-litre boot is only 39L less than the GR Corolla. It’s not much space at all, really, but fold the seats down and there’s space for track day gear, maybe even a spare tyre or two. Not that there’s a standard space-saver spare with the car. Just a repair kit.
Price and features
BMW 2 Series
Determining whether the BMW 218i Gran Coupe represents good value is tricky. Because you can get any number of small sedans from mainstream brands - like the Mazda3, Toyota Corolla, Subaru Impreza and more - for much less money, but with similar, or in some cases, more kit.
But if you’ve been 'glamoured' by the BMW badge and couldn’t possibly buy something non-European, the good news is the Bavarian brand is much better at including standard features than it used to be.
Could there be more standard gear for the price in this car? Absolutely. But, it’s not a slim features list either.
The 218i kicks off the 2 Series Gran Coupe line-up from $56,900, before on-road costs. From there you can step up into the 220i ($59,900) which gets a little more power and torque, and then there’s the sporty M235i xDrive Gran Coupe in Pure ($74,900) and regular guise ($79,900).
The price difference between the 218i sedan and the 118i hatchback I reviewed recently, is $7000. That is a massive uptick in price for a vehicle that, underneath, is identical. Essentially you’re paying for the boot.
It’s especially surprising when you consider the price gap between the hatch and sedan versions of its chief rival - the Mercedes-Benz A-Class A180 - is just $1700. While the Audi A3 35 TFSI sedan is only $2500 more than the Sportback hatch.
A lot of mainstream brands don’t charge any extra for a sedan body style over the hatch model in the small segment. Take a bow Mazda3, Kia Cerato and Toyota Corolla.
Toyota GR Yaris
The GR Yaris comes in two grades, now called GT and GTS, and they're both available with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission.
The ‘entry’ GT comes in at $55,490 plus on-road costs for the manual or $57,990 for the automatic, and has plenty of kit for a performance-focused light hatchback including heated suede and leather-accented sports bucket seats, a leather heated steering wheel and leather-wrapped gearshift, aluminium pedals and park brake lever.
On the tech front you get an 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, USB-C and 12V power sockets, an eight-speaker JBL audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and digital radio.
The GTS comes in at $60,490 or $62,990 for the manual and auto respectively, and add some performance extras like a set of 18-inch BBS forged alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sports 4S tyres, red GR brake calipers and upgraded GR sports seats.
The GTS also gains a Torsen limited-slip differential, upgraded GR suspension, a sub-radiator for better cooling as well as intercooler spray.
At this price point, the GR Yaris is wanting for proper rivals. Similarly-priced cars like the Hyundai i30 N and VW Golf GTI are bigger, front-drive and less focused, while similarly-sized cars are either less powerful or less capable, like the Abarth 695 or Hyundai i20 N.
Under the bonnet
BMW 2 Series
Mirroring the 118i, the 218i uses BMW’s three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, with power and torque outputs of 103kW and 220Nm, respectively. This compares to 110kW/250Nm for the base Audi A3 and 100kW/200Nm for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
The 218i uses a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission driving the front wheels only.
According to BMW, the 218i can complete the 0-100km/h dash in 8.7 seconds - 0.2sec slower than the hatch.
Toyota GR Yaris
The GR Yaris now makes 221kW (at 6500rpm) and 400Nm (between 3250 and 4600rpm) from its 1.6-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, dubbed G16E-GTS in Toyota code.
Outputs are up 21kW and 30Nm from before, and both the six-speed manual and eight-speed torque converter automatic have matching figures.
Normal, Track and Gravel modes for the AWD system can distribute torque either 60:40 (front/rear) in Normal, 53:47 in Gravel or variably as needed in Track.
Toyota says, weirdly, both versions can hit 100km/h in 5.1 seconds and max out at 230km/h. We expect you’d need to be fairly handy to match the auto’s acceleration in a manual.
Efficiency
BMW 2 Series
On the official combined fuel cycle, the 218i uses 5.9 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres - the same as the 118i hatch. After a week of mixed driving, I recorded a figure of 9.1L/100km, which is quite a bit more than that official figure.
In terms of CO2 the official emissions figure is 135g/km and the 218i requires 95 RON premium fuel for its 50-litre fuel tank.
Toyota GR Yaris
Toyota claims the GR Yaris sips 8.2L/100km of fuel (which needs to be 98 RON by the way) in manual, or 9.1L/100km as an auto.
Its 50-litre tank means you should be able to get more than 500km out of a tank of fuel if driving frugally, but let’s be honest, are you going to do that in a tiny all-wheel-drive hot hatch with a 0-100kmh time that would embarrass a great number of Aussie V8s?
Driving
BMW 2 Series
If you love the look of the 2 Series Gran Coupe but are after an extra dollop of performance, the all-wheel drive 225kW/450Nm M235i xDrive is the pick of the range.
But don’t think the 218i is a lazy performer - it’s far from it.
The 218i’s acceleration is responsive, even quick, and it offers more than enough straight-line performance to satisfy most drivers.Â
On take-off there is some turbo lag, which isn’t helped by the fuel-saving idle-stop system, however that can be switched off, which we did every time we got behind the wheel.
Momentum was a little blunted by a steep hill, but other than that, no complaints about the sweet engine.
Steering is weighted on the heavier side but it is sharp.
As is expected of a BMW sedan, the 218i is engineered for engaging handling, and the balanced chassis and well-tuned suspension set-up encourage enthusiastic driving. Â
Excellent road-holding and grip ensured it did not come unstuck on uneven roads and overall the 218i feels really solid. Those front-wheel drive naysayers have officially been put in their place!
'Sport' mode livens things up with a noticeable improvement to throttle response.
The ride seems more supple at speed, but can feel on the firmer side in urban driving. But nothing that would strike it from your shopping list.
Toyota GR Yaris
To get straight to the point, the GR Yaris might be the best car Toyota builds if you’re a keen driver.
Most who’ve driven it in the past will know it’s extremely fun with a manual gearbox, but after the update it’s impressive how capable the new auto makes it, too.
For a start, while its GR Corolla sibling feels as it is - a hot hatch based on the Corolla - the GR Yaris feels bespoke.
From behind the wheel, as a performance car, there isn’t really anything that jumps out as a red flag.
Now that it’s got more power and torque, it’s also an even more convincing choice in Toyota’s hot hatch duo in terms of power-to-weight ratio.
Of course, it still holds up well as a car for day-to-day duties, if looking a little brash while doing so. In Normal drive mode with the diff set to front-bias, the GR Yaris feels ready to take on the suburbs.
But knock it into Sport and set the diff to Track, and you’ll find the rear wheels working harder out of corners as the Yaris sends torque backwards to avoid the front wheels spinning.
The Yaris’ suspension is definitely on the stiffer side of things, but it’s compliant considering the focused nature of the GR, and even sharp bumps you might expect to rattle the car don’t feel harsh.
At the same time, the GR doesn’t feel like it’s dulling any useful feedback from the suspension or steering, the latter being very direct but not too heavy.
It’s altogether very confidence-inspiring, and combined with the fact the GR Yaris is actually very capable, it makes for a rather quick car point-to-point. It means even if you make a small mistake, say coming into a corner on track, you don’t feel as punished on the way out because there’s a mix of power and composure to get you out of it.
Some of the best things about the Yaris though, are the things that speak to your heart a little more than your head. The sound of the exhaust itself but also the turbo flutter when you lift off after boost - even just the way it looks inside and out.
Safety
BMW 2 Series
The 2 Series Gran Coupe carries over the maximum five-star ANCAP crash safety rating awarded to the mechanically related 1 Series hatch. The test was conducted in 2019.
Standard safety equipment includes low-speed auto emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention alert, front and rear parking sensors, reversing camera, cruise control, and six airbags - although it doesn’t include a front centre airbag.
Toyota GR Yaris
The GR Yaris isn’t the same as its non-GR cousins, and therefore the five-star rating ANCAP gave the Yaris a few years back doesn’t apply here.
Still, Toyota takes safety pretty seriously and the GR comes with the kit to back that up. Six airbags for a start, plus a decent reversing camera, auto emergency braking (AEB), a blind spot monitor, safe-exit assist, anti-skid brakes with brake assist and plenty of traction help.
There’s also a slew of features that fall under the ‘Toyota Safety Sense’ suite including a pre-collision system, intersection collision avoidance in daylight, emergency steering assist, adaptive cruise control, lane trace and steering assist with lane centring, lane departure alert, road sign assist for speed signs and auto high beam.
Ownership
BMW 2 Series
The 218i comes with BMW’s three-year/unlimited kilometre warranty - a term that is well behind the majority of its competitors that offer five-year/unlimited kilometre cover.Â
Rather than an annual service schedule, BMW uses ‘condition-based servicing’, which essentially means that the vehicle’s computer will inform you when the car needs a service.
BMW’s 'Service Inclusive' pre-paid plan covers owners for five years or 80,000km for the 2 Series, and involves a $1700 up-front payment. It averages out to $340 per service, which is actually pretty reasonable for a high-end brand.
Toyota GR Yaris
Toyota’s five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty covers the GR Yaris, with an extra two-year warranty on the engine and driveline.
Toyota also offers a capped price of $310 on the first six services, though intervals of six months or 10,000km (whichever comes first) mean that capped price will only get you through three years of ownership.