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Toyota Yaris road test report

Toyota Yaris

The first-generation Yaris of a decade ago was a cute little car with slightly oddball styling and novel, digital instrumentation deeply recessed into the centre of the dash. The second-gen model was a little bigger and more suave, and now comes the third; slightly larger again and even better equipped to go head-to-head with the Clio, Corsa, Fiesta, Polo et al.

Road Test Reports Says 4 star rating
A front-facing image of the Toyota Yaris

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TOM STEWART SAYS

Performance Performance - 3 stars

At launch the new Yaris offers a choice of three engines: a 68bhp, 3cyl 1-litre petrol with a 5-sp manual, a 98bhp 4cyl 1.33-litre petrol with either a 6-sp manual or a stepped 7-sp CVT auto transmission, and an 89bhp (but much torquier) 1.4-litre 4cyl diesel. Or, in other words: slow, medium and fast(ish). The 1.0 would be fine for those who potter about locally and rarely venture far, while given plenty of revs the 1.33 is noticeably more willing and feels much more at home on the motorway. The punchy 1.4 D-4D would best suit high-mileage drivers who need to arrive on time. Quoted performance figs are: 0-62mph in 15.3secs, 96mph max (1.0), 12.3secs/109mph (1.33 CVT), 11.7secs/109mph (1.33 manual) and 10.8secs/109mph (1.4 D-4D).

Ride & Handling Ride & Handling - 5 stars

Though being a little larger than previous models, the new Yaris is some 20kgs lighter than the previous model. It also has a stiffer body, a wider front track, revised electric power steering and modified suspension front and rear. Riding on 15” wheels the net result is big-car ride comfort coupled with small car agility. That said, the press launch test driving was conducted Danish roads which, you’ll not be surprised to hear, are in significantly better shape than British roads, but the new Yaris rode and drove well with well-weighted and responsive steering (with a nifty 4.7m turning circle), good grip, minimal body roll and reassuring stability and surefootedness.

Build Quality & Reliability Build Quality & Reliability - 5 stars

As with previous models, the new Yaris is built at Toyota’s manufacturing facility in France where, among other quality control improvements, engineers were involved in the development of the new car for three years before production started. This is twice as long as for the second-generation Yaris, which scored 80.6% in the 2011 JD Power survey, placing it 42nd out of the 108 models surveyed. As a brand, Toyota came 10th equal out of 28 with 80.5%, beating the industry average of 79.4%. Suffice to say it was hard to find fault with the fit and finish of the press launch test cars, either inside or out.

Safety & Security Safety & Security - 5 stars

At the time of writing the new Yaris hasn’t been subjected to Euro NCAP crash testing, but Toyota has the top, 5-star safety rating in its sights. Almost needless to say it features all the latest in high tensile steel and impact absorbing technologies, while all four spec levels (T2, TR, SR and T-Spirit) have the same standard safety equipment which includes seven airbags, ISOFIX child seat mountings, front seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiters, whiplash lessening front seats, ABS, EBD and brake assist, vehicle stability and traction control systems and more. Security measures include a transponder engine immobiliser, remote central double locking and, should it be stolen, major parts are marked and traceable to the vehicle ID number.

Space & Practicality Space & Practicality - 4 stars

Available either 3-dr or 5-dr form (T-Spirit 5-dr only), in the front there’s more than ample space all round, while in the rear there’s impressively generous leg and headroom for two, although three adults in the rear would be a bit of a squeeze. Seat comfort is good too, both front and rear. The rear seats split/fold 60:40 (but don’t tumble), and with seats upright there’s a not overly-generous 286 litres of bootspace. Standard equipment on all but the lowest-spec T2 version includes a trip computer, touchscreen control with rear view camera, radio/CD player, USB socket plus Bluetooth phone and music player connectivity, air conditioning and bags of handy storage.

Ownership & Value Ownership & Value - 4 stars

Optional equipment available on all but the T2 version includes Toyota’s Touch and Go multimedia system with excellent satnav (£500 and ‘retro-fittable’), while the top-spec T-Spirit boasts items like rain-sensing wipers, dusk-sensing headlights, dual zone climate control and a full-length panoramic glass roof as standard. New Yaris prices range from £11,170 to £14,385, with combined mpg ranging from 51.4 (1.33 SR) to 72.4 (1.4 D-4D, although we recorded a still impressive 58mpg on the trip computer). CO2 starts at 104g/km for the 1.4 D-4D – the ‘sub 85g/km’ Yaris Hybrid is due Spring 2012 – rising to 127g/km for the 1.33 in sporty SR spec. To summarise, the third-gen model should attract both younger buyers and cash-conscious ‘downsizers’, but it somehow lacks the innovative charm of the first-gen Yaris.

Submitted: 12/09/2011 15:04:02

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