Toyota Yaris Reviews

Toyota Yaris and Skoda Fabia go head-to-head in this comparative review.

Small is the new big in "Tiddler Town" if the new Toyota Yaris is anything to go by. It's roughly the same dimensions as the previous Gen II car but offers more room inside thanks to smart design and new technology. Toyota has used techniques from the space optimised Toyota iQ in new Yaris. Understandable give that

The Yaris is one of the favoured children in the Toyota family. The baby Toyota's looks, price and practicality gave it the light-car class lead from 2003 to 2008. Then the cut-price Hyundai Getz topped the charts for the next two years, by 196 and 95 vehicles respectively. This year has literally been a disaster for the Japanese company - but the third-gen Yaris is giving it hope for a more productive start to 2012.VALUEThe Getz reminded Toyota how price-sensitive the light-car class is. That's why the entry level three-door base model holds the same $14,990 price it had in 2005. The five-door YR is tipped to be the top seller and it starts at $15,690. Switching from the five-speed manual to the four-speed auto costs $1600 and cruise control is the only option at $650. The YR has a 1.3-litre engine, cruise control, a trip meter/fuel calculator display and voice control audio system with Bluetooth and USB/iPod connectivity.The YRS adds a 1.5-litre engine, 15-inch wheels and a touch-screen audio and will sell as a three or five-door model for $16,890 and $17,390 respectively. A sportier looking ZR is $18,990 in three door manual form and the range-topping YRX will be sold as a five-door auto from $21,390.That stacks up competitively against the Volkswagen Polo ($16,690-$22,350), five-door Mazda2 ($15,790-$20,495) and Ford Fiesta ($16,990-$20,990). The downside is the engines and transmissions carry over from the previous model.DESIGNIt won't admit the last model was seen as a "chick's car" but Toyota concedes the majority of Yaris customers are women.  That was costing it half the market and the new car in general - and bodykitted ZR in particular - have been muscled up to be more attractive to both sexes.Toyota executive director Matthew Callachor says "it is designed to have greater appeal to men without alienating women" and product planner Greg Gardner confirms women "are prepared to buy what is perceived as a man's car where men are not necessarily prepared to buy what is seen as a woman's car."The new audio units have simplified the cabin layout especially on the touch-screen models, though we're not sure about the Frisbee-sized hazard lights button. The instruments are clear and now back in front of the driver where they belong and the 100mm growth in size brings a bigger boot and 35mm of extra knee room for back seat passengers.TECHNOLOGYNoise suppression is worth talking about in the Yaris. The engineers have added insulation in the centre console, bonnet and floor it's a more comfortable cabin for it, even under hard acceleration. The top-spec YRX and ZR models pick up a touchscreen audio and satnav system with Suna traffic alerts. The drivetrains have been tickled to improve fuel efficiency by up to .4 litres/100km and they still run on regular unleaded. The 1.3-litre engine is good for 67kW/121Nm and the manual gearbox uses an official 5.7 lit res/100km, while the 1.5-litre engine produces 80kW/141Nm and 5.8 litre/100kms. Toyota defends keeping the four-speed auto on the basis that fuel use in both engines is just 6.3 litres/100km.SAFETYToyota has lifted the light-car game with seven airbags and stability control standard fit. The Yaris hasn't been crash-tested yet but the outgoing model was a five-star car and the new one is bigger and stronger.Deceleration comes from 255mm front discs and 200mm drums on the back, all kept in line by ABS brakes with brake assist and emergency brake force distribution. The bonnet has also been redesigned to be less damaging to stray pedestrians.DRIVINGBeing handed the keys to a pink car doesn't do much to improve the macho perception of the Yaris. You don't notice the colour from behind the wheel (and there's nine others to choose from) but you do notice the electric steering is light but more direct and the Yaris refuses to bottom out on hits that should have the torsion beam rear end bouncing.Both have been tuned with local input and front spring rates are up by 18 per cent and the rears stiffened by 26 per cent compared to the Japanese-spec defaults.It looks good on the road and is a fun car to scoot through the city in. It can't be hustled like a Polo and doesn't handle like a Mazda2 ... but it's not a hot hatch and, dressed-up ZR aside, doesn't pretend to be.This vehicle is aimed at mainstream buyers looking for a safe, solid car with style and space. It will spend most of its time commuting to and from work with the occasional weekend away — and it fulfils that design brief as well as any car on the market.VERDICTThe light-car leader is back in the game, but the game's getting tougher. The Yaris is taking on 31 other models in a segment worth about 140,000 cars next year. With the Getz gone, its chances are good, given the sharp prices, smart features list and the Toyota reputation for reliability.

An all-new, bigger and better Toyota Yaris has just been unwrapped in Japan. It promises a much tougher rival in Australia to cars such as the Ford Fiesta and Mazda2, but there are still plenty of questions through the countdown to its planning arrival in September.They include doubts over production at Toyota's Miyagi assembly plant, which is still offline following the Japanese earthquake. Various sources point to a production shutdown until sometime in May because of the difficulty in re-connecting essential services - including natural gas - to the factory.Toyota Australia also says there will be tweaking to the Yaris before it comes here, most notably the replacement of the CVT transmission popular in Japan with a regular four-speed automatic gearbox. The company is also promising a full five-star NCAP ranking for the basic Yaris three-door hatch.VALUEToyota has targeted top-line European rivals including the Volkswagen Polo - the reigning Carsguide Car of the Year - but it is still built to a price and some people will find marginalised features.The price of the Yaris currently starts at $14,990, or $16,590 as an automatic, and Toyota will be aiming to hold the line with the new model. It plans also to continue with its current strategy of using three and five-door hatchback bodies with either 1.3 or 1.5-litre engines. There will be three equipment grades.TECHNOLOGYThe most impressive thing about the new Yaris is the 1.3-litre engine's Smart-Stop Package. Taking just 0.35 seconds to restart after seamlessly cutting the engine at idle, the smart-stop works to improve fuel economy to an excellent 4.59 litres/100km.But, surprisingly, the start-stop is only offered on the 1.3 litre due to its hefty $750 pricetag. And, more strikingly, VSC and TRC traction controls, which are standard on the 1.3 litre, are not even offered as options on other models, although this will not be the situation in Australia with stability control now compulsory on all cars sold here.DESIGN"We need to stand out more. That is one reason why the new Yaris has grown in size and taken on an edgier look compared to it's predecessor," says deputy chief engineer Yoshinari Toyomura.Checking out the new Yaris on Tokyo streets, we immediately see what he means. The new B-segment bigwig is 85mm longer with a wheelbase that gains 50mm. The car does feel bigger, but the company's efforts to minimize costs while improving packaging have met with mixed resultsSAFETYToyota already gets a five-star NCAP rating with the five-door Yaris including the safety pack - with front-side-head airbags - and four stars for the three-door with frontal airbags.It promises better for the new model and Australian buyers can also expect the usual ABS brakes and ESP stability control to satisfy local regulations and consumers.DRIVINGTuned for optimum fuel economy and CO2 emissions, the 1.3-litre Yaris is adequate but not quick. Mated to a revised CVT transmission, it pulls sufficiently from around 2000 revs and stays strong enough through the mid-ranges, we think, because this car did not have a tachometer.Aussie cars will get a five-speed manual, and a tacho. To keep up with rivals, the Yaris has stiffened body rigidity, a more compliant ride and better weighted, more responsive steering. Local specifications will be crucial, really, to the potential success of the car in an incredibly tough sector of the market.The new Yaris is more spacious, does handle better than the old model and looks considerably smarter, but it feels like it's been short-changed on a few interior elements and performance is middling rather than genuinely impressive. It'll need those missing toys if it's to stand out from the crowd when it arrives here later this year.VERDICTBuilt to satisfy the bottom dollar, the new Yaris generates good first impressions, but leaves question marks with its packaging and potential impact in Australia.

Spiralling petrol prices mostly fuelled the demand for affordable, well-built small cars that were economical and practical, and Toyota responded with the Yaris.The Yaris took over from the Echo as the starter model in the Toyota range, but it represented a huge step forward in the small car class.MODEL WATCH While the Echo was popular and offered the usual Toyota qualities of build quality and reliability it was still a bare bones small car built for people who couldn't afford anything bigger.The Yaris was bigger than the Echo and brought with it a new level of refinement for those who chose to drive small.There was also plenty of choice in the Yaris range, with a selection of three-door and five-door hatch body styles, and a four-door sedan, and three levels of equipment.With a curvy, sculptured shape the Yaris presented a fresh, vibrant face to the small car world when it was launched in 2005, and it has remained so six years later.Despite its small size the Yaris offered a surprising amount of room and comfort thanks to some clever packaging and efficient use of space.A high, upright seating position created a roomy cabin with generous headroom and ample knee room, even in the rear.Not only was the cabin roomy for four - it was a squeeze for five - but it was also quite practical with the rear seat able to slide and fold to liberate a decent amount of space to carry bulkier items in the rear.Storage throughout the cabin was also generous with 25 storage compartments to swallow all manner of smaller items.The range starter YR was powered by a 1.3-litre double overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine that gave 63 kW at 6000 revs and 121 Nm at 4400 revs, the other models had a 1.5-litre double overhead cam engine that delivered 80 kW at 6000 revs and 141 Nm at 4200 revs.There was also a choice of a five-speed manual gearbox and a four- speed auto, and drive was through the front wheels.On the road the 1.3-litre engine, while adequate for the task, lost some of its edge when connected to the auto.With more punch the 1.5-litre got the job done more comfortably with either gearbox and was more pleasant to drive as a result.Equipment levels were quite good with even the base model having air, remote central locking, CD sound, and power windows, mirrors and steering.IN THE SHOP There has been little complaint from Yaris owners suggesting they are content with their lot.With little to be concerned about potential buyers should focus on the service side and check to make sure their potential buy has seen the inside of a service shop every 10,000 km or six months as Toyota recommends.Once that's established start looking closely at the body for signs of crash damage that hasn't been repaired well. Mismatching colours, overspray, oddly coloured window tinting that doesn't match the other windows, doors, bonnets and hatches that don't open and close smoothly are some of the giveaways to look for.Listen for clunks and rattles inside and out when driving, and make sure the transmissions shift readily without hesitation.IN A CRASH All models had the safety basics of dual front airbags and antilock brakes, but there was also an optional Enhanced Safety Pack that added front side and curtain airbags along with a knee airbag for the driver for comprehensive crash coverage.ANCAP gave the small Toyota a creditable four stars in its base form, but five stars when equipped with the safety pack.AT THE PUMP It's came as no surprise that the Yaris was an economical little car, after all that was one of Toyota's design objectives.Toyota claimed the 1.5-litre models would do an average of 6.1 L/100 km with the manual gearbox and 6.7 L/100 km with the auto.Having to haul the same body as the larger engine the 1.3-litre models were only marginally more economical at 6.0 L/100 km in manual form and 6.5 L/100 km in auto guise.Road testers recorded figures slightly higher than that, the 1.5- litre models typically giving around 7.0-7.2 L/100 km.LOOK FOR . Fresh looksRoomy cabinQuiet and comfortableZippy 1.5-litre performanceOptional safety packToyota build qualityTHE BOTTOM LINE A step up in class, drives smoothly, is quiet, roomy and comfortable. 80/100

It’s compact, affordable and most importantly, it’s frugal. And looking at the market, it seems its time has come.EngineWe tested the three door YRX, with a 1.3 litre 4 cylinder engine that outputs 80kW at 6000rpm and 141Nm of torque at 4200rpm.A four-speed automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter gets power to the wheels and there is also a five-speed manual option.The Yaris burns fuel at 6.0litres/100kms and expels 141gms CO2 per 100kms.ExteriorThe Yaris has a simple, aerodynamic shape with long shoulder lines and an integrated low bumper. Its wide stance and Sports body kit – YRX only – give it and agile appearance.InteriorThanks to its long wheelbase and specifically designed seating arrangement, the Yaris is quite roomy inside.The centre mounted instrument panel and digital speedometer are unique features that create a neat, clean look inside the cabin.The 60:40 split fold rear seats are slide adjustable and there are 25 storage compartments including a drivers seat glovebox.A six stacker, MP3 compatible sound system, Bluetooth compatibility and power windows, door locks and mirrors make long or short trips easy.SafetyA seven airbag package is part of the Enhanced Safety Pack option on top of anti-skid brakes with barkeforce distribution and brake assist.The Yaris comes standard with Toyota Safe-T-Cell which helps absorb the force of a collision to protect the driver and passengers. Specially designed front and rear crumple zones provide survival space for occupants in the cabin.PricingToyota’s Yaris starts at $15,690 for the YR three door and tops out at $21,590 for the YRX sedan. The YRX three door hatch – starts at $19,890 (manual) and $21,490 (automatic).DrivingThe Yaris is an excellent entry-level car for young drivers or those just starting in the workforce. It is also a good fit for daily commuters and retirees . However, if those young drivers want to take a couple of friends away for the weekend or the retirees want to take their grandchildren out for the day and need to take a stroller - forget it, there is just nowhere near the storage space required.The expansion of Toyota’s sedan range from three to four over the years has resulted in contracting the target market for the two smaller cars in the range. Whereas the original huge selling E20 Corolla worked as a family car at an entry level price, the current Corolla has moved upmarket and the Yaris does not offer the flexibility the Corolla used to have.The Yaris is stylish, solid and competent. Performance is adequate, our test car was an automatic, but we recommend the manual as the change pattern in those times you need control over acceleration is not there with the auto. Handling is good although there is a bit of skipping over rough roads.The centrally-positioned digital dash is annoying and the fuel gauge unacceptable. On one run, the test vehicle showed what appeared to be around a third of a tank driving past the last service station on one of Australia’s major freeways. The city boundary (and the next service station) was 70km away, but 2km past the service station the petrol bowser symbol started flashing and all feedback between 1/3 full and empty was lost. The car stopped without any further warning indicator.But overall the three-door Yaris is a good choice for people requiring basic economical transport.Verdict: 6.8/10

Yaris is a much better car than Echo ever was but the hatches styling is confronting to some.Enter the Yaris sedan, a much better looker and even though more "mainstream" than the hatch, with potential broader appeal. Larger than a light car, Yaris sedan is cleverly designed to offer a surprising amount of room and comfort in a car this size.  Has high levels of active and passive safety including ABS making Yaris sedan one of the safest small cars on the market. But the safety package is $750 extra. Has high levels of standard equipment including electric power steering, factory aircon and dual air bags. Designed to minimise pedestrian injury and is easy to repair. Low noise levels in cabin for a car in this class. Most materials used in its construction are readily recyclable. Full size spare. Ride, handling and comfort make it feel like a larger car on the road. Boot is a decent size and impressive rear seat legroom thanks to flat floor. Turning circle is commendably small. Engine is 1.5-litre, twin cam with variable valve timing, delivers strong performance 80kW/141Nm and excellent fuel economy, as low as 6.5 litres/100km. Five speed manual is handy, four speed auto is old school. At $17,690, the YRS manual sedan is more than $2000 less than entry level Corolla, not much less car. Misses out on knee airbag available on hatch. Has rake and reach steering wheel adjustment. Rear seat has 60/40 split fold function. Built in Japan and has comprehensive anti corrosion treatment to body/chassis. Passes stringent Euro 4 emissions regu- lations. Funky interior, fun to drive. VERDICTWorthy competitor in the light/small car category. Better looking than hatch variant, economical, nippy to drive, safe affordable. What more could you want? 

Over the years she went from being a yelping microbe of an animal with boundless energy to a listless fur rug with uncontrollable bowel movements.But it was a prized pet and when the little mutt went to the big doggy house in the sky, Aunty Meg replaced it with another dog.It was just as cute in a muttsy kind of way but was bigger than Thabar — actually Sabre, but my aunt had a lisp and the engraver was a bit deaf — and with a more benign temperament.But it was still loved as much as Thabar, just as Toyota hopes you love its equally oddly named Yaris as much as the previous Echo.Bigger, easier to drive and yet equally as economical to own and run as the Echo, the Yaris uses height in its war to gain lots of cabin space.Its cavernous interior seats four 1.8m adults, with those in the rear having the versatility to slide the seat forward or rake it back to improve comfort.Sliding the rear seat forward also greatly improves the modest boot space. Without this function, carting a week of family groceries would be impossible.But this is not necessarily a family car, though mum and a couple of kiddies would be quite happy for a few years. They would also appreciate that the Yaris is Toyota's safest passenger car.It comes standard with two airbags — though I implore you to consider spending an extra $750 for the addition of side and curtain airbags, plus one for the driver's knees. Seven airbags in total.That goes with standard ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist.You also get airconditioning, electric windows and mirrors and an MP3-compatible CD sound system.Prices start at $14,990, with the top-range YRX automatic costing $20,990, plus on-road costs.The body style is similar to the Echo, but honed to improve aerodynamics. The result is a small car with mid-size car roadholding.While the electric-assist power steering has fuel economy benefits and is nice and light for parking, it initially feels as vague as a politician's promises.But there's no complaint about the 1.5-litre engine, which has plenty of low-end poke and a surprising willingness to rev hard to the 6000rpm red line.It even feels more engaging and more spirited than the 1.8-litre unit in the Corolla. Even the auto box won't detract from the Yaris' performance.Fang the Yaris and fuel economy barely seems to suffer. Officially, it gets 6.1 litres/100km, but I was enjoying the engine's zip too much and went deep into 7 litres/100km territory.Ride comfort is as good as some bigger sedans and, despite some body roll through fast corners, the suspension and front-wheel-drive make it a predictable handler.The centrally positioned digital speedo appears bigger than the Echo unit, so it's clear and comes with a sliding graph for the tacho.I reckon the personal storage space in this car is the best on the market, with three gloveboxes, numerous nooks for things like mobile phones, three cupholders in the front, a coin box and so on.The hard plastic dash was a bit dour at first, but the cloth-covered door trim is classy.And it all looks so doggone cute.

This week the company released the Echo replacement, the Yaris, with the option of seven airbags, including for the first time in the small-car segment, a driver's knee airbag. Toyota Australia executive director for sales and marketing Dave Buttner says market demand forced the about-face."Safety is what the market place is looking for now," he says.Buttner expects almost half of Yaris buyers will choose the $750 enhanced safety pack (ESP) option, which incorporates five airbags (side, curtain and a driver's knee airbag) in addition to the standard driver and front passenger airbags.The new Yaris comes in 12 models, two body styles, two transmission and two engine types and three specification levels -- YR, YRS and YRX. The Yaris sedan will arrive early next year and is expected to make up 25 per cent of Yaris sales. The entry-level YR only comes with the 1.3-litre engine. Standard equipment includes airconditioning, electronic throttle, power windows, mirrors and steering, single disc CD player, driver's glove box, 14-inch steel wheels and a full-size spare.The mid-level YRS adds 15-inch wheels, telescopic leather-bound steering wheel with audio controls, leather-bound shift lever and knob, and front passenger vanity mirror with cover. The top-level YRX adds 15-inch alloys, a six-disc in-dash CD player, driver and passenger seat front map pockets, storage tray under the passenger seat, front foglights and unique interior trim. Both engines have better fuel economy than their predecessors, as well as lower emissions.Toyota claims the 1.3-litre engine uses six litres of fuel per 100km (manual) and 6.1 litres per 100km for the 1.5-litre engine.In terms of ride, handling and quality, it is clear that the new Yaris will be a tough competitor in the small car market. It gives a sporty ride without compromising comfort.There is very little noise intrusion from either the road or the engine, compared to some of the competitors. On launch, both the 1.3-litre and the 1.5-litre engines were tested. The automatic 1.3-litre entry level YR is spritely around town and comfortable at higher speeds. The continually variable automatic took a little getting used to. I needed to constantly feather the accelerator to maintain a constant speed.The Yaris was styled at Toyota's European design studio in France and has a funky exterior. The new car still hints at its Echo heritage but the fresh design gives the car a more sporty appearance. The front grille also connects the car to the Corolla and Avensis Verso models. Inside, the car retains the unusual centre-mounted digital dash and slim-line dials of the Echo but had been given a slight freshen-up.It was surprisingly easy to adjust to the new concept of the speed, fuel and rpm being to the left rather than the traditional placement of the dials behind the wheel. A quick glance to the left is all that is needed to take in the relevant information.With 80kW of power, the 1.5-litre engine is quite zippy, especially when mated to the five-speed gearbox. The 1.5 tested was the range-topping YRX which features a reach-adjustable steering wheel with audio controls.The clutch has a low take-up point and the gearbox is smooth and more refined than most in the class.The Yaris has the most storage compartments of any of its competitors, but you need it with a pretty small boot when the back seat is occupied.Move the back seat forward and luggage space jumps to 363 litres. The Yaris gets the thumbs up for a full-size spare.