Lowering The Seat Position In Your Toyota Yaris GR
The Toyota Yaris GR is widely praised as one of the most exciting hot hatches of its generation. With its rally-inspired engineering, punchy performance, and aggressive styling, it has quickly become a favourite among enthusiasts. But as good as the GR Yaris is out of the box, there’s one criticism that comes up time and time again – the factory seat height. Many owners feel the stock seats sit too high, which can make the driving position feel more upright and less connected compared to other performance cars.
This issue is especially noticeable for taller drivers who struggle with limited headroom, particularly if they’re wearing a helmet on track days. It’s also something that can take away from the raw, motorsport-inspired experience that the car promises. Thankfully, this isn’t a problem without a solution. By swapping the stock seats for Cobra Nogaro Circuit bucket seats, drivers can lower their seating position, improve comfort, and unlock a more engaging connection to the GR Yaris – making a great car feel even better.
Solving the Seat Height Problem
One of the best resources we’ve seen on this issue is a recent YouTube video dedicated to lowering the driving position in the Toyota GR Yaris. The video begins with a behind-the-scenes look at the Cobra factory, showing how the seats are designed and built. From the precision cutting of materials to sewing, embroidery, and final assembly, it highlights how Cobra blends modern technology with traditional craftsmanship to create high-quality, performance-focused seats.
The video then shifts its focus directly to the Yaris GR and its factory seat height problem. The host explains how the stock seats feel too high, especially for taller drivers, and why this can be a frustration both on the road and on the track. To fix this, the video documents the process of installing a pair of Cobra Nogaro Circuit bucket seats, demonstrating how they instantly create a lower, more supportive seating position. It also walks through the fitting equipment needed, which we supply at GSM Performance, showing viewers exactly what’s required for a clean and professional installation.
Finally, the video wraps up with a test drive, where the difference is immediately noticeable. The lower position not only improves headroom but also enhances the driving posture, giving the driver a better sense of control and connection with the car. The improved lateral support keeps you secure through corners, and the slight weight savings from the bucket seats even add a small performance benefit. The video makes it clear that this upgrade transforms the GR Yaris into an even sharper, more enjoyable driver’s car.
Why Lower the Driving Position?
A lower seat position doesn’t just look sportier – it makes a big difference behind the wheel. For taller drivers, the extra headroom means you’ll finally have the space to get comfortable, even when wearing a helmet. For track day enthusiasts, it’s about functionality: more helmet clearance and a more direct driving posture.
Lowering your seat also changes how you connect to the car. Sitting closer to the floor gives you better feedback from the chassis and reduces body roll, making the car feel more like a purpose-built track machine without compromising daily usability.
Seat Recommendation: Cobra Nogaro Circuit Bucket Seat
The Nogaro was designed with slimline dimensions and a low-profile base that sits lower than OEM seats, making it a perfect match for the Yaris GR’s tight cabin. The seat fits without hitting door panels or the centre console, so no additional modifications are needed.
Key Features:
Slimline design with a low base for a lower driving position
Deep side and shoulder bolsters for excellent lateral support
Low leg support for easier daily access
Comfortable enough for daily driving while still track-day ready
Compatible with up to 4-point harnesses
Not FIA-approved for motorsport, but ideal for fast road and track day use
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Our Fitment Benchmark: The Cobra Nogaro
The Cobra Nogaro range has become our go-to benchmark for fitting seats into the Toyota GR Yaris due to its compact yet supportive design. This seat strikes a perfect balance between sporty performance and road-going comfort, making it one of the most versatile fixed-back options available. The Nogaro is offered in several trim variants to suit different aesthetic and driving needs. Options include soft-touch velour fabric for daily driving comfort, and split vinyl and suede trims for a sportier look with easier maintenance. Depending on the version you choose, the seat is available with or without harness slots, allowing customers to tailor the seat’s appearance and functionality to match either a track-focused setup or a more refined road/grand touring interior.
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We’ve seen about 20mm of clearance on either side of the Nogaro at shoulder height in customer builds—meaning we can stretch just a little further… but not too far.Â
Seat Dimensions and Compatibility
To help you decide if the Cobra Nogaro is right for you and your cockpit space, here are the key dimensions:
Overall height: 910mm
Shoulder width: 560mm
Base width (external): 490mm
Base width (internal): 390mm
Depth (front to back): 710mm
Weight: 7.1kgÂ
These compact measurements make it easy to fit into smaller cockpits like the GR Yaris while still being versatile enough for other cars with tighter interior space. We recommend this seat to drivers with a 30-36 inch waist.Â
Installation and Fitting Equipment
Fitting aftermarket seats into the Toyota GR Yaris might sound like a complicated job, but with the right equipment, it’s actually very straightforward. The Cobra Nogaro Circuit bucket seat is designed to be side-mounted, so the first step is choosing the correct Cobra Nogaro side mounts. These are specifically shaped to fit the fibreglass shell of the Nogaro perfectly, sitting flush against the tub for both a secure installation and a cleaner look inside the car. Unlike universal mounts, these side mounts keep the seat sitting low and aligned properly, which is essential when the goal is to lower the driving position.
The second key piece is the Cobra GR Yaris direct-fit subframe. This is a vehicle-specific frame designed to bolt directly to the factory floor plan of the Yaris GR. It uses the same bolt pattern as the OEM seats, so you don’t need to cut, drill, or fabricate anything. Once the subframe is in place, the side mounts bolt straight onto it, and the Nogaro seat can be mounted securely. This makes the installation process quick, easy, and fully reversible if you ever want to switch back to the original seats.
For drivers who share their Yaris with others, or simply want more flexibility, we also recommend adding Cobra’s optional sliding runners. These sit between the side mounts and the subframe, allowing the seat to slide forward and backward just like the stock seats. This is particularly useful for cars used on track days with multiple drivers of different heights, as it means you can quickly adjust the driving position without tools. All of these components are designed to work together seamlessly, giving you a professional-level installation that looks and feels OEM-quality while solving the stock seat height issue.
The Complete GR Yaris Package
To make life easier for GR Yaris owners, we’ve put together a Cobra Nogaro Circuit GR Yaris Package. This package includes everything you need in one bundle: the Nogaro Circuit bucket seat, the Cobra Nogaro-specific side mounts, the direct-fit GR Yaris subframe, and optional sliding runners. Rather than piecing together different parts individually, this package gives you the full solution straight away, ensuring you don’t miss a single component needed for a proper installation.
We also give you the freedom to customise your Nogaro seats as part of this package. Customers can choose from a wide variety of trim options, including vinyl, fabric, or Alcantara-style finishes. For added comfort, there are optional extras such as integrated heating and lumbar support, which make the Nogaro even more practical for daily use. This makes the GR Yaris Package a flexible option whether you’re building a pure weekend track toy or a car that doubles as your everyday driver. It’s the easiest way to upgrade your GR Yaris seating position while tailoring the seat to your own needs and style.
Looking Ahead – Better Driving with a Lower Position
The Toyota GR Yaris is already one of the best driver’s cars on the market, but upgrading to Cobra Nogaro Circuit bucket seats makes it even better. The lower seating position solves the factory seat height problem, improves headroom, and transforms your driving connection to the car.
With the right fitting equipment, the install is straightforward and requires no permanent modifications. Whether you’re a taller driver needing more space or a track enthusiast preparing for helmet clearance, this is one of the most rewarding upgrades you can make to your GR Yaris.