Toyota YarisToyota’s Yaris has been a common sight on British roads since launch in 1999, and this latest model – the third generation – has been designed to consolidate the strengths of the last one whilst offering, as Toyota puts it, “sharper, contemporary styling, a step-up in quality, even greater agility and a breakthrough in affordable multimedia connectivity with Toyota Touch and Go”. Multimedia systems are a prime selling point these days, and the new Toyota ‘Touch’ audio system, with touchscreen controls, is fitted as standard to all but the entry level new Yaris (T2) in the UK, additionally providing Bluetooth, a USB port and a rear-view camera. It can be upgraded to the ‘Touch and Go’ system, which provides full map satellite navigation, advanced Bluetooth functions and access to a range of connected information services using compatible mobile phones via a dedicated Toyota customer portal.But for most Yaris buyers the main selling point will surely be the prospect of what they hope will be extreme Japanese reliability, and despite a few recent well-publicised hiccups in the Toyota reliability story, surveys still show Toyota has a good reputation in this field. It’s worth mentioning, however, that Yaris models sold in the UK are built in France.The UK range includes three and five-door models and four grades: T2, TR, SR and T Spirit. Engine choice includes 1.0-litre VVT-i and 1.3-litre dual VVT-i petrol units and an 89PS 1.4-litre D-4D diesel, with five and six-speed manual transmissions. New to Yaris however, Toyota’s Multidrive S continuously variable transmission is available with the 1.3 petrol.It’s not unusual for a model revision to show an increase in body size, indeed it’s more likely than not. But the new Yaris has done the business to a greater degree than normal with its 10cm increase in length. That 4” uplift should result in a noticeable boost to cabin comfort, and the main beneficiaries will be those in the rear seat, where leg room is now good enough for a lanky teenager to sit behind his or her tall parent with neither having cause to complain. Head room is as generous as that for legs, and the seats themselves, though on the firm side, are comfortable over long journeys.I tested the 1.3 petrol-engined model, which speaks with a very soft voice, so you’re not worried by engine noise, nor indeed by the tyres either, and a near absence of both is rare in this sector. We had the 5-door car, so entry to the rear was no problem; this is obviously the choice for families, or anyone with regular back seat passengers.Performance from this engine is impressive enough (0-60 in 11.7 secs and a top speed of 109mph), but you do have to work the 6-speed box to get the best out of it. Maximum torque is at 3,800 revs, which is actually a higher figure than that of the smaller engine, so flooring the throttle at 1500 revs is a frustrating and rather pointless habit.It’s a good car to drive, with plenty of adjustments for seat and wheel, though I could have done with a bit more of the steering reach adjustment. Parking is made easy by the excellent view afforded to the driver: rear side windows are one-piece, without the common divider that hampers vision, and there’s a good sized back window. Gear change on our manual car – a 6-speeder – was positive, if a touch stiff, and the CVT version that I tried (Toyota call it Multidrive S, shortened to MDS) was even more relaxing due to gearing that was prepared to go a good deal higher than the manual box. That of course also helps the fuel consumption, and the official figure for the MDS is over 3mpg better than the manual.Interior design has a quality feel and look, as we’ve come to expect of Toyota, with our car featuring a restful light grey insert to the facia and doors, and clear gauges for the driver, though I’m sure many will be disappointed that the speedo intervals are at 20, 40, 60mph etc, which don’t tend to be the limits we’re supposed to be matching.The Yaris boot, at 286 litres before folding the rear seat, is a fair size, though it has to be loaded over a pretty high sill. More disappointing is the cheap design of the seat folding, which like so many others these days features only folding back rests; the seat cushion is fixed, so the increase in capacity is small and the shape inconvenient. That’s a pity, because the rest of the car looks, and feels, well designed.Size: 3.89m x 1.70mEngines: Petrol: 1.0 & 1.3 litres – 68 & 89bhpDiesel: 1.4 litres – 89bhpGearbox: 5/6-speed manual (CVT option) FWDBest consumption: Diesel – 72.4mpgPrice at Dec ’11: from £11,170Full details of the Yaris are available on the manufacturer’s website: www.toyota.co.ukPeter Cracknell – Dec 2011
Toyota Yaris
Toyota’s Yaris has been a common sight on British
roads since launch in 1999, and this latest model –
the third generation – has been designed to
consolidate the strengths of the last one whilst
offering, as Toyota puts it, “sharper, contemporary
styling, a step-up in quality, even greater agility and a
breakthrough in affordable multimedia connectivity
with Toyota Touch and Go”. Multimedia systems are
a prime selling point these days, and the new Toyota
‘Touch’ audio system, with touchscreen controls, is
fitted as standard to all but the entry level new Yaris
(T2) in the UK,
additionally providing
Bluetooth, a USB port
and a rear-view
camera. It can be
upgraded to the
‘Touch and Go’
system, which
provides full map
satellite navigation,
advanced Bluetooth
functions and access
to a range of
connected information
services using
compatible mobile
phones via a
dedicated Toyota
customer portal.
But for most Yaris
buyers the main
selling point will surely be the prospect of what they
hope will be extreme Japanese reliability, and despite
a few recent well-publicised hiccups in the Toyota
reliability story, surveys still show Toyota has a good
reputation in this field. It’s worth mentioning,
however, that Yaris models sold in the UK are built in
France.
The UK range includes three and five-door models
and four grades: T2, TR, SR and T Spirit. Engine
choice includes 1.0-litre VVT-i and 1.3-litre dual VVT-
i petrol units and an 89PS 1.4-litre D-4D diesel, with
five and six-speed manual transmissions. New to
Yaris however, Toyota’s Multidrive S continuously
variable transmission is available with the 1.3 petrol.
It’s not unusual for a model revision to show an
increase in body size, indeed it’s more likely than not.
But the new Yaris has done the business to a greater
degree than normal with its 10cm increase in length.
That 4” uplift should result in a noticeable boost to
cabin comfort, and the main beneficiaries will be
those in the rear seat, where leg room is now good
enough for a lanky teenager to sit behind his or her
tall parent with neither having cause to complain.
Head room is as generous as that for legs, and the
seats themselves, though on the firm side, are
comfortable over long journeys.
I tested the 1.3 petrol-engined model, which speaks
with a very soft voice, so you’re not worried by
engine noise, nor indeed by the tyres either, and a
near absence of both is rare in this sector. We had
the 5-door car, so entry to the rear was no problem;
this is obviously the choice for families, or anyone
with regular back seat passengers.
Performance from this engine is impressive enough
(0-60 in 11.7 secs and a top speed of 109mph), but
you do have to work the 6-speed box to get the best
out of it. Maximum torque is at 3,800 revs, which is
actually a higher figure than that of the smaller engine,
so flooring the throttle at 1500 revs is a frustrating and
rather pointless habit.
It’s a good car to drive, with plenty of adjustments for
seat and wheel, though I could have done with a bit
more of the steering reach adjustment. Parking is
made easy by the excellent view afforded to the
driver: rear side windows are one-piece, without the
common divider that hampers vision, and there’s a
good sized back
window. Gear change
on our manual car – a
6-speeder – was
positive, if a touch stiff,
and the CVT version
that I tried (Toyota call
it Multidrive S,
shortened to MDS) was
even more relaxing due
to gearing that was
prepared to go a good
deal higher than the
manual box. That of
course also helps the
fuel consumption, and
the official figure for the
MDS is over 3mpg
better than the manual.
Interior design has a
quality feel and look, as
we’ve come to expect of Toyota, with our car featuring
a restful light grey insert to the facia and doors, and
clear gauges for the driver, though I’m sure many will
be disappointed that the speedo intervals are at 20,
40, 60mph etc, which don’t tend to be the limits we’re
supposed to be matching.
The Yaris boot, at 286 litres before folding the rear
seat, is a fair size, though it has to be loaded over a
pretty high sill. More disappointing is the cheap design
of the seat folding, which like so many others these
days features only folding back rests; the seat cushion
is fixed, so the increase in capacity is small and the
shape inconvenient. That’s a pity, because the rest of
the car looks, and feels, well designed.
Size:
3.89m x 1.70m
Engines:
Petrol: 1.0 & 1.3 litres – 68 & 89bhp
Diesel: 1.4 litres – 89bhp
Gearbox:
5/6-speed manual (CVT option) FWD
Best consumption:
Diesel – 72.4mpg
Price at Dec ’11:
from £11,170
Full details of the Yaris are available on the
manufacturer’s website: www.toyota.co.uk
Peter Cracknell – Dec 2011
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