The Toyota GR Yaris has quickly become one of the most exciting modern Japanese performance cars available in the UK. Compact, turbocharged and equipped with Toyota’s GR-FOUR all-wheel-drive system, it provides an excellent platform for enthusiasts who want a car that can be enjoyed on the road while also responding well to carefully selected performance upgrades.
But if you have recently bought a GR Yaris, where should you start?
Do you fit an exhaust first? Upgrade the intake? Change the suspension? Improve the brakes? Or concentrate on cooling before chasing additional power?
In this beginner’s guide, Performance Cars Parts UK explains the main types of Toyota GR Yaris performance parts, what each upgrade does and how to start modifying your GR Yaris without simply buying parts for the sake of modifying the car.
Whether you use your GR Yaris as a daily driver, weekend performance car or occasional track car, there are plenty of ways to make an already capable hot hatch even better.
Why Is the Toyota GR Yaris So Popular With Performance Car Enthusiasts?
Unlike the regular Toyota Yaris, the GR Yaris was developed with significant input from Toyota Gazoo Racing.
The original GR Yaris uses Toyota’s turbocharged 1.6-litre three-cylinder G16E-GTS engine combined with the GR-FOUR all-wheel-drive system.
That combination gives the GR Yaris impressive performance straight from the factory, but it also makes it an excellent foundation for further upgrades.
For enthusiasts, one of the biggest attractions is the growing aftermarket.
GR Yaris owners can now choose from upgrades covering:
- Air intake and induction
- Exhaust systems
- Intercoolers and cooling
- Suspension
- Coilovers and lowering springs
- Brakes
- Engine components
- Styling and engine-bay upgrades
- Chassis upgrades
- Wheels
- Transmission components
At Performance Cars Parts UK, we stock and source performance components from established aftermarket manufacturers, giving UK GR Yaris owners plenty of options when planning their build.
Where Should a Beginner Start Modifying a GR Yaris?
There isn’t one correct answer.
The best first modification depends on what you want from your car.
A driver looking for more exhaust sound will have very different priorities from somebody preparing a GR Yaris for regular track days.
For most road cars, however, we recommend thinking about upgrades in the following areas.
1. GR Yaris Exhaust Upgrades
An aftermarket exhaust is one of the most popular first modifications for the Toyota GR Yaris.
The factory system has to satisfy regulations concerning noise, emissions, manufacturing cost and refinement. A quality performance exhaust can give the GR Yaris a sportier character while retaining usability for everyday driving.
Depending on the system selected, potential advantages can include:
- Sportier exhaust note
- Reduced exhaust restriction
- Improved gas flow
- Improved appearance
- Different tailpipe designs
- Reduced weight on certain systems
Scorpion Exhausts for Toyota GR Yaris
Performance Cars Parts UK carries Scorpion exhaust options for the Toyota GR Yaris, including GPF-back systems.
A GPF-back exhaust replaces the exhaust system after the factory petrol particulate filter, making this style of system particularly attractive to owners who want an exhaust upgrade without immediately making major changes to the emissions equipment.
For many beginners, this makes an aftermarket exhaust one of the easiest places to start.
Beginner recommendation:
If your GR Yaris is primarily a road car and you want it to sound and look more purposeful, consider a quality GPF-back exhaust before moving on to more extensive engine modifications.
2. GR Yaris Air Intake & Induction Upgrades
The next area many owners consider is the intake system.
A performance intake is designed to help the engine breathe efficiently while often producing a more noticeable induction and turbo sound.
Depending on the design, an upgraded GR Yaris intake can provide:
- Improved airflow
- More noticeable induction sound
- Increased turbocharger sound
- Reduced intake restriction
- Improved engine-bay appearance
- Support for future performance modifications
One important point for beginners is that an intake should be selected as part of the overall build rather than simply choosing the biggest filter available.
Heat management and the route taken by the incoming air are important considerations on a turbocharged performance engine.
3. Intercooler & Cooling Upgrades
Cooling becomes increasingly important as a turbocharged car is driven harder or its power output is increased.
Your GR Yaris turbocharger compresses the incoming air. Compressing air increases its temperature, and an intercooler is used to reduce the temperature of that compressed air before it reaches the engine.
For a standard road car, the factory system may be perfectly adequate.
However, owners planning:
- ECU tuning
- Increased boost
- Repeated hard driving
- Track days
- Other supporting engine modifications
may want to consider upgraded cooling components.
A performance intercooler can help manage intake temperatures under demanding conditions, while other cooling modifications can help maintain consistent performance.
For a beginner, cooling might not be the most exciting modification visually, but it can become one of the more important supporting upgrades as the car’s performance increases.
4. GR Yaris Suspension Upgrades
Power isn’t everything.
One of the reasons the GR Yaris is so highly regarded is its handling, and suspension upgrades can further change the way the car feels.
There are several approaches available.
Lowering Springs
Performance lowering springs are generally one of the simpler options.
They can:
- Reduce ride height
- Reduce the visual wheel gap
- Give the GR Yaris a more aggressive stance
- Alter handling characteristics
- Retain much of the factory suspension system
They can make sense for somebody who wants a sportier road car without moving immediately to fully adjustable suspension.
Coilovers
Coilovers take things considerably further.
Depending on the kit, coilovers can provide adjustment for:
- Ride height
- Damping
- Preload
- Other suspension settings
This makes them particularly attractive for owners who want more control over their suspension setup.
However, more adjustment isn’t automatically better.
Correct geometry and setup are extremely important. A poorly set-up expensive coilover can make a car worse to drive than a properly maintained standard suspension system.
Beginner recommendation:
Choose your suspension according to how you actually use the car. Don’t build a very stiff track-oriented setup if 99% of your driving is on UK roads.
5. Upgrade Your GR Yaris Brakes
The ability to accelerate quickly is useful.
The ability to repeatedly slow the car down is equally important.
For this reason, brakes should not be overlooked when planning a performance build.
GR Yaris brake upgrades can include:
Performance Brake Pads
Performance pads can provide different temperature characteristics and braking behaviour compared with standard road pads.
Choosing the correct compound is important because a pad designed primarily for circuit use may not necessarily be the best choice for everyday road driving.
Performance Brake Discs
Upgraded brake discs are available in different designs and specifications depending on the intended application.
Braided Brake Lines
Quality braided brake hoses can form part of a brake upgrade package and can improve pedal feel by reducing hose expansion compared with conventional rubber hoses.
High-Performance Brake Fluid
Brake fluid is relatively inexpensive compared with many other performance parts but becomes particularly important when the brakes experience repeated high temperatures.
For cars driven hard or taken onto a circuit, brake pads and suitable brake fluid can therefore be sensible upgrades before chasing substantially more engine power.
6. Wheels & Tyres
One of the most overlooked performance upgrades isn’t under the bonnet at all.
It’s where the car meets the road.
Tyres affect:
- Acceleration
- Braking
- Steering response
- Wet-weather performance
- Cornering grip
A carefully selected wheel and tyre combination can also change unsprung and rotational mass.
Don’t choose wheels purely because they are large.
Correct:
- Diameter
- Width
- Offset
- Tyre size
- Brake clearance
all need to be considered.
For a performance-focused GR Yaris, a high-quality tyre on a properly specified wheel is usually a better investment than choosing wheels purely for appearance.
7. GR Yaris Engine Bay & Carbon Fibre Parts
Not every modification needs to increase horsepower.
Some owners simply want their GR Yaris to look more special.
For example, Performance Cars Parts UK carries the HKS 70026-AT006 Carbon Engine Cover for the Toyota GR Yaris.
HKS is one of the best-known names in Japanese performance tuning, and carbon-fibre engine-bay components can give the GR Yaris a more distinctive appearance without fundamentally changing the vehicle.
This type of modification is particularly suitable for owners who attend:
- Car shows
- Japanese car meets
- GR Yaris owners’ events
- Performance car shows
or simply want a cleaner and more distinctive engine bay.
8. Engine & Turbo Upgrades: When Should You Add More Power?
This is usually the category that gets the most attention.
But beginners shouldn’t necessarily start here.
Before significantly increasing power, think about the complete vehicle.
A sensible build may need supporting upgrades involving:
- Intake
- Intercooler
- Cooling
- Exhaust
- ECU calibration
- Fuel system
- Spark plugs
- Clutch/transmission
- Brakes
- Tyres
The exact requirements depend on the intended power level and how the car will be used.
Rather than chasing the largest possible dyno number, a well-balanced GR Yaris can often be much more enjoyable.
A Sensible GR Yaris Upgrade Path for Beginners
If you’ve just bought a GR Yaris and don’t know where to begin, consider building the car in stages.
Stage 1 – Sound & Appearance
Start with upgrades such as:
Performance exhaust → intake → engine-bay styling → wheels
This can make the car feel more personal without immediately making extensive mechanical changes.
Stage 2 – Handling & Braking
Move on to:
Quality tyres → brake pads → brake fluid → lowering springs or coilovers → chassis upgrades
At this stage you’re concentrating on making better use of the performance the car already has.
Stage 3 – Cooling & Performance
Next consider:
Intercooler → cooling upgrades → supporting engine modifications → ECU calibration
This is where professional advice becomes increasingly important.
Stage 4 – Serious Performance Build
For owners chasing significantly more performance or building a track-focused GR Yaris, modifications can become considerably more extensive.
At this point the car needs to be treated as a complete system rather than modifying individual components independently.
GR Yaris Road Build vs Track Build
Another important question is:
What are you actually building the car for?
Road GR Yaris
For a fast road car, we’d concentrate on:
- Quality tyres
- Performance exhaust
- Intake
- Brake pads
- Suspension suitable for UK roads
- Subtle styling upgrades
- Sensible engine modifications
Comfort and drivability still matter.
Fast Road / Weekend GR Yaris
An enthusiast weekend build could add:
- Performance intercooler
- Coilovers
- Upgraded discs and pads
- Chassis components
- ECU calibration
- Additional cooling
Track GR Yaris
A track-focused build places much greater emphasis on:
- Brake temperature management
- Cooling
- Suspension setup
- Wheel alignment
- Tyres
- Weight
- Reliability
- Consistency
The fastest road setup isn’t necessarily the fastest or most reliable circuit setup.
GR Yaris Mk1 vs Newer GR Yaris: Check Fitment Before Ordering
This is becoming increasingly important.
Toyota introduced substantial changes to the later GR Yaris, including increased engine output and the availability of an eight-speed automatic transmission alongside the six-speed manual.
That means you should never assume that a part designed for one GR Yaris version will fit every GR Yaris.
When buying performance parts, check:
- Vehicle year
- Model/version
- Manual or automatic transmission
- Product manufacturer fitment information
- Any chassis or production-date restrictions
If you’re uncertain whether a component fits your particular GR Yaris, contact us before ordering.
Which GR Yaris Modification Should I Buy First?
For a beginner, there is no requirement to modify everything immediately.
Start by deciding what you dislike or want to improve.
Want more sound?
Start with the exhaust or intake.
Want better appearance?
Consider lowering springs, wheels or styling components.
Want better handling?
Look at tyres and suspension.
Want better braking performance?
Consider pads, discs, fluid and brake hoses.
Planning more engine power?
Research intake, exhaust and cooling upgrades before deciding on your complete tuning package.
This approach avoids spending money on components that may later need replacing because they don’t suit the direction of the finished build.
Shop Toyota GR Yaris Performance Parts in the UK
At Performance Cars Parts UK, we’re building an extensive catalogue of performance parts for Japanese and European performance cars, including the Toyota GR Yaris.
Our range covers categories including:
- GR Yaris exhaust systems
- GR Yaris air intake parts
- GR Yaris brakes
- GR Yaris suspension
- GR Yaris coilovers
- GR Yaris lowering springs
- GR Yaris engine parts
- GR Yaris cooling upgrades
- GR Yaris wheels
- GR Yaris styling and carbon-fibre components
We work with established performance brands to give UK enthusiasts access to components for road, fast-road and track-focused builds.
Browse our Toyota GR Yaris performance parts at Performance Cars Parts UK.
Not sure whether a particular part fits your GR Yaris? Contact us with your vehicle details and the product you’re considering before ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions About Toyota GR Yaris Performance Parts
What is the best first modification for a Toyota GR Yaris?
It depends on your objective. An exhaust or intake is popular for owners wanting more sound, while tyres, brake pads and suspension can be better choices for drivers concentrating on handling.
Is the Toyota GR Yaris good for tuning?
Yes. The GR Yaris has developed a large performance aftermarket with options covering intake, exhaust, cooling, suspension, brakes, engine components and styling.
Do I need an upgraded intercooler on a standard GR Yaris?
Not necessarily. Cooling upgrades become more relevant when increasing power or subjecting the car to repeated demanding use. Your requirements should be based on the complete vehicle specification.
Should I upgrade the brakes before adding more power?
For a performance-oriented build, braking performance should be considered alongside additional power. Appropriate pads, fluid and tyres can be particularly valuable for cars driven hard.
Can I fit coilovers to a daily-driven GR Yaris?
Yes, but choose a system appropriate for road use and have the suspension correctly set up. Extremely stiff settings may reduce comfort and can perform poorly on uneven UK roads.
Do GR Yaris performance parts fit every model year?
Not necessarily. Always check the manufacturer’s fitment information, particularly because later GR Yaris models received substantial mechanical changes.
Where can I buy Toyota GR Yaris performance parts in the UK?
Performance Cars Parts UK supplies aftermarket performance components for the Toyota GR Yaris and other Japanese and European performance vehicles throughout the UK.
