Why buy the Toyota Yaris?
If you want a small car that’s dependable and practical, the Toyota Yaris is well worth a look. It’s really easy to drive, with light steering and a good view out from the driver’s seat. The hybrid power version of the Yaris is particularly popular and could help reduce both your fuel bills and your carbon footprint. Petrol and diesel power are also available in an extensive model range that may well include the right car for you.
Toyota Yaris range and updates
The latest Yaris has been sold new since 2020. You can buy one of two distinct versions – the standard car is a five-door, hybrid-only model that has petrol-electric power and an automatic gearbox. There’s also the GR Yaris, which is a three-door, high-performance car that looks quite different and is only available with a powerful petrol engine, manual gearbox and four-wheel drive.
An earlier Yaris was sold new from 2011 to 2020. You can easily spot the older car by its more square-shaped body. It’s available with three-door or five-door hatchback bodies and you can choose from petrol or diesel engines, as well as hybrid power. There’s also the choice of manual or automatic gearbox, with the automatic being a standard feature on all hybrid models.
On both these generations of the Yaris, the ‘Icon’ and ‘Design’ trim and equipment packages are the most popular. Both come equipped with many features as standard, but if you want as many bells and whistles as possible on your Yaris, look for the top-of-the-range Excel.
Toyota Yaris tech and features
Every version of the latest Yaris comes with a lot of features as standard including a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, plus DAB radio and Bluetooth. You also get air con, adaptive cruise control and a reversing camera. Higher-spec models have largely the same features as well as plusher seats, different styling details and extra driver safety features.
It’s a similar story with the older version. Most models have air con, Bluetooth and front electric windows as standard, while higher-spec models have extras such as cruise control and a reversing camera.
Toyota Yaris running costs and value
According to official figures, the latest hybrid Yaris can give you an average fuel economy of 57-68mpg. The exact figure depends largely on the size of wheel fitted to a particular model – the bigger the wheel, the lower the fuel economy. The high-performance GR Yaris can give you an average fuel economy of up to 34mpg.
The older Yaris models can give you an average fuel economy of 37-65mpg with a petrol engine, up to 72mpg with a diesel engine and as much as 85mpg with hybrid power.
The Annual Vehicle Excise Duty (car tax) is low across the board – only £20 in many cases and even free in some others.
Toyota Yaris vs rivals
There are many small hatchback rivals to the Yaris including the Citroen C3, Honda Jazz and Mazda2. Compared to the Toyota, the Citroen is more comfortable, the Honda is more spacious and the Mazda feels better to drive. The Toyota, however, offers a great combination of space, an easy driving experience, and fuel efficiency.
