The exterior is now more car-like thanks to a more purposeful stance. The roofline, which was a little on the high side is reduced giving the car a more chunky solid look that is aimed to appeal more to both genders. The overall look is now sophisticated, which is a good thing as the cheaper and more youthful Toyota Aygo has serious appeal.
Unlike the old car, the new Yaris scores highly for safety with an excellent ‘5 star’ Euro NCAP crash test score. The big news though has to be the interior, which is spacious and more flexible.
Yaris now features what Toyota calls ‘Easy Flat’. This system allows the rear seats to fold flat at the touch of a button to reveal a totally flat floor and there’s the added bonus that you don’t have to remove the head restraints. The rear seats can split 60/40, slide up to 150mm and recline up to 10 degrees. The driving position is good and commanding. Even with the driver’s seat in the lowest height setting you sit high and all round visibility is excellent.
The centrally mounted digital speedometer, rev-counter and fuel gauge remain and the integrated stereo continues to use large ‘finger and nail’ friendly buttons. It is hard to find fault with the Toyota but one niggle I have concerns the front seats, the base is quite short and not overly supportive on long drives.
On the go Yaris is quiet and refined. The clutch, steering and new gearbox are light as a feather as you would expect. The level of grip is good too. The front suspension is revised while the rear suspension has been completely re-designed. There are slight increases in power across the three-engined range. The entry three-cylinder 1-litre VVT-i unit I have in my test car is also found in the smaller Aygo. It pushes out 69bhp and 93nm of torque but perhaps more importantly emits less CO2 into the atmosphere (127g/km).
The 1.3 litre four-cylinder VVT-I is a bit quicker too with 0-100km/h taking 11.5 seconds (was 12.1). Diesel lovers will adore the 90bhp/190nm, 1.4 litre D-4D and while the petrol cars are super frugal the diesel returns a brilliant average of 4.5L/100km/h or 62.8mpg in old money.
An excellent innovation from Toyota is ‘WIL’. The front seats are now ‘Whiplash Injury Lessening’. In the case of an impact from the rear the seat ensures the head restraint and seat back are in the optimum position. Yaris is the first car in its sector to offer a driver’s knee airbag while curtain airbags front and rear are standard in Luna and Sol specification. ABS, EBD and BA (in other words good brakes!) are all fitted too.
Prices start at a fiver under fifteen grand for the 3-door ‘Terra’. My test car is the 1.0 litre VVT-i 5-door Sol and it's yours for €17,195 excluding delivery and related charges. Specification levels are comprehensive and your Toyota dealer is best left to explain the differences between Terra, Luna, Strata and Sol.
If you do a fair bit of out of town driving go for the D4-D or the 1.3 litre. The new Yaris is a very good package and will be a big seller.
Michael Sheridan
