What is it?
Toyota's latest Yaris might appear to have had only a light facelift on the outside, but beneath the surface are extensive revisions that, the firm says, include more than 900 new parts as a result of around £76 million of development. And as Toyota is keen to point out, its European team took the lead.
So, yes, there's a sharper look at both the front and rear, but also a new 1.5-litre VVT-iE petrol engine, which replaces the outgoing 1.33 VVT-i and is claimed to be more powerful as well as more frugal. Toyota has also done away with its 1.4-litre diesel engine and removed the option of a three-door bodystyle. Instead, the unique-for-the-class full-hybrid model has received the most attention, with adjustments to the power steering, anti-roll bar, driveshafts, engine mounting, dampers and front subframe in the pursuit of better handling and refinement. Happily, a 205bhp supercharged 1.8-litre petrol GRMN Yaris hot hatch will follow later.
Inside, Toyota has worked to upgrade dashboard materials and improve standard infotainment and safety equipment. The car's trim structure and personalisation options have been given a shake-up, too. An impressive list, then, but do these many small changes add up to a supermini that's finally capable of outshining class stars such as the Ford Fiesta and Skoda Fabia?
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Sometimes little things count for a lot. My wife just bought a Yaris Hybrid Icon Tech. I love the ride and most things about it. I just think some finesse is lacking where one would expect it to be present.
With regards to the front seat mountings. Bare nuts and metal, where most cars would have plastic moulded covers hiding them.
The beading around the rear window frames have rather large Knobbly joints.
Also surprised that as it is an Icon tech, the rear windows are manually controlled.
3 Star At Best
I like that new CHR a lot and its suppose to be quite sharp to drive so why are the Yaris and Auris so dull.
The 0-62 time appears exactly right for the power to weight