Toyota GR Yaris vs Volkswagen Polo
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Hatchs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Toyota GR Yaris
From $55,490
Hatch
Petrol
Petrol
221kW
8.2 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
174L
Volkswagen Polo
From $30,790
Hatch
Petrol
Petrol
85kW
5.4 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
351L
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Price Breakdown
The Toyota GR Yaris starts from $55,490 before on-road costs, while the Volkswagen Polo opens at $30,790. That makes the Volkswagen Polo the more affordable entry point by $24,700.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $61,039 and $33,869 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Volkswagen Polo by roughly $3,990 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Toyota GR Yaris features a 8-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Volkswagen Polo gets a 8-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Toyota GR Yaris stands out with heated front seats and JBL audio that you will not find on the Volkswagen Polo. The Volkswagen Polo counters with wireless charging. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Toyota GR Yaris gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Volkswagen Polo offers cloth.
Drivetrain
The Toyota GR Yaris uses a Petrol producing 221kW and 400Nm of torque, sent through a manual to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.5 seconds.
The Volkswagen Polo responds with a Petrol making 85kW and 200Nm, paired to a auto driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 10.4 seconds.
The Toyota GR Yaris has the clear power advantage at 221kW vs 85kW. In the real-world sprint, the Toyota GR Yaris is 4.9s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Toyota GR Yaris measures 3,995mm long on a 2,560mm wheelbase, 85mm shorter than the Volkswagen Polo at 4,080mm (2,564mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Polo generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 174L in the Toyota GR Yaris and 351L in the Volkswagen Polo, giving the Volkswagen Polo a 177L advantage. The Volkswagen Polo seats 5 vs 4.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.4m to 10.6m
Based on 10.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,337/year for the Toyota GR Yaris and $1,539/year for the Volkswagen Polo. That is a $798 annual difference in favour of the Volkswagen Polo.
Estimated annual total: $2,337 (Toyota GR Yaris) vs $1,539 (Volkswagen Polo). The Volkswagen Polo saves you roughly $798 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Toyota GR Yaris) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Volkswagen Polo). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Toyota GR Yaris if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volkswagen Polo if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Volkswagen Polo takes 4 of 6 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Volkswagen Polo will save you roughly $798 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Volkswagen Polo has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Toyota GR Yaris and Volkswagen Polo?
The Volkswagen Polo is the cheapest at $30,790 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Toyota GR Yaris by $24,700.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Volkswagen Polo uses the least fuel at 5.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Volkswagen Polo all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Volkswagen Polo has the largest boot at 351L.
Which is the most powerful?
The Toyota GR Yaris makes the most power at 221kW. The Toyota GR Yaris is quickest to 100km/h in 5.5s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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