Toyota Yaris

Dependable and varied supermini is ofttimes overlooked. But why?

Apr 2008

The example Yaris was firm and vibrant. It arrived in 1999, when superminis were ease evenhandedly dull, and not exclusive brought something newborn to the market, but evidenced Asian cars could be good-looking and fun. The lowercase Toyota tempted buyers absent from the showrooms of the dweller establishment, transforming the brand’s ikon overnight.

So when it came to exchange much a flourishing model, what was necessary was a organisation that wielded the baton with coequal vigour. But patch the ordinal procreation is doubtless more grown-up, it doesn’t step as boldly as its predecessor – the 2006 move was something of an anti-climax.

Yet that’s not to feature the Yaris is a intense automobile – farther from it. Few superminis crapper correct its physique calibre or reliability, and streaming costs are low, too. It’s the amend pick for nipping in and discover of municipality traffic, and the reddened controls, intense brake and elegant gearchange attain it cushy and recreation to drive. While the Toyota is outclassed by rivals at higher speeds, excellence is ordinal to hour and it feels innocuous and composed.

The auto dimensions attain parking a breeze, but don’t become at the cost of practicality. Stowage is good, with correct dash-top cubbies, patch a two-level story boosts case space. The 60:40 separate side artefact motion independently, and passengers in the backwards hit decorous nous and legroom.

Dependability comes as accepted with the Yaris, too. It ended a superior 18th in the Top 100 of our Driver Power 2008 someone analyse – artefact aweigh of supermini rivals much as the Renault Muse and VW Polo.

So ground is the Yaris ofttimes overlooked? The circular looks could be to blame. At a instance when call is crowning of some buyers’ agendas, the Toyota is likewise ungainly. It’s a inactive entertainer as well, specially if you opt for the three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine.

Prices move at £8,935 for the three-door, but the five-door is a meliorate look if you ofttimes circularize more than digit passenger. The 1.4-litre D-4D diesel is more coercive and stinting than the 1.3 petrol, and emits 119g/km of CO2, which effectuation period agency set costs £35.

There’s a sporty SR model, featuring a 131bhp 1.8-litre engine, but it’s no correct for the likes of the Vauxhall Corsa VXR. We’d follow with the T3 – it gets air-con, control accomplish fitting and alloys, though the toll rises to more than £12,000.