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Pros: Design, space, safety, equipment
Cons: Best at lower speeds
The Toyota Yaris has a huge and loyal following in Ireland. Over the past three generations of the supermini, buyers have appreciated the reliability and space of the hatchback and it is consistently one of the best-selling cars in the country. Now there’s a new one, and Toyota is aiming to build on the nameplate’s success by expanding its appeal.
Toyota Yaris Design
Toyota has dramatically changed the appearance of the Yaris for the fourth generation, and the change in proportions indicate how. While the new car is a fraction shorter overall than its predecessor, it has a much longer wheelbase, which means shorter, perter overhangs front and rear. Along with that, the new Yaris is considerably wider than before, which you can really appreciate when you look at the back of the car. Even in its lowliest format it looks wide, squat and, well, sporty. The top-of-the range versions look better again with larger wheels and even the option to add two-tone paintwork.
Toyota Yaris Interior
Inside, Toyota focused heavily on the driving position. It’s now lower and further back in the car, while the tactile new steering wheel has more adjustment than before, too. Meanwhile, the longer wheelbase and greater width means more space. In terms of design, it’s quite simple and fuss-free, if a little grey looking. Nonetheless, the quality is good and the touchscreen infotainment is mounted up high, so you don’t have to take your eyes off the road for long to use it.
Toyota Yaris Performance & Drive
Our first experience of the new Yaris was at the wheel of the entry-level 1.0-litre model. Its engine produces a lowly 72hp, but the car is light, so that’s more than adequate for urban driving, as it’s nippy enough at low speeds. That engine is relatively quiet, as well. If you carry passengers often, or you plan on using your Yaris for longer drives, it might be worth considering upgrading to the 1.5-litre petrol engine, or even the hybrid model.
Otherwise, the driving controls are well-weighted, balancing feedback and ease of use to good effect. The suspension does a great job regardless of the road conditions or how fast the car is driven, but the Yaris’s refinement impresses less when the speeds rise, so it’s not the ideal motorway car, certainly not on a daily basis.
Toyota Yaris Pricing
The Yaris starts at €18,840 for the Aura 1.0-litre version. The Luna starts at €19,325 and the cool-looking Luna Sport is priced from €20,890. Toyota has been generous with the standard equipment, notably so on the safety side of things, but even so we’d recommend buyers go for the Luna level at a minimum. Above the 1.0-litre petrol engine is a 125hp 1.5-litre petrol option, which can be paired with an automatic gearbox, while a seriously efficient new Yaris Hybrid arrives later this year.
Carzone Verdict 4/5
So long as the expressive design language of the new Toyota Yaris doesn’t put off its loyal customer base, it’s set to hold onto its place at the top of the supermini sales charts. We think it looks great, the interior is more spacious and better made than ever, it’s good value-for-money, packed with safety equipment and it drives well, too.
Test Car Details:
Model driven: Toyota Yaris Luna 1.0
Price: €19,325 before options
Engine: 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol
Transmission: manual
Annual motor tax: €190
0-100km/h: 14.6 seconds
Power: 72hp
Boot space: 286 litres