Toyota Yaris: Relax More Intensely

2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 05:39

Toyota has done more than just redesign the Yaris. With a more intensive grip on the paint pot and technical innovations, the hybrid drive will continue to please the majority of small car buyers - despite a new vacuum cleaner in the range.

Toyota has donated a little more than just a classic facelift to its Yaris small car and replaced over 900 parts on the vehicle. The third generation, which has been available since 2011, will be arriving from April 24th with improved safety equipment, revised engines and a refreshed look. In addition, a new 1.5-liter engine with 82 kW / 111 PS replaces the previous 1.33-liter unit. As usual, the Japanese are offering their bestsellers as three and five-door models. At least 12,540 euros are due in combination with the 51 kW / 69 PS three-cylinder. The five-door car costs 700 euros extra. The hybrid version is in the price list from 17,990 euros.

However, only customers of the small three-cylinder have the choice between the two body variants. All other engines are only available as five-door models. The 1.5-liter vacuum cleaner, a further development of the now superseded rather powerless-looking 1.33-liter with 73 kW / 99 PS, is completely new to the range. Thanks to a high compression of 13.5: 1 and a valve control that allows a change between Otto and Atkinson combustion cycle, it should enable better performance with lower consumption at the same time.

Agile 1.5 vacuum cleaner for the Toyota Yaris

And the 1.5 series actually provides a more agile driving experience than the predecessor engine. After all, the Sauber provides a maximum torque of 136 Nm at 4400 revs. But that also means that you should always keep the torque in the right range by diligent use of the six-speed gearbox. But you shouldn't take it too boldly, then the unit will show itself from its loud side. Depending on the equipment and weight, Toyota specifies a standard consumption of between 4.8 and 5.0 liters.

During the first test drives in the hinterland of Amsterdam, the on-board computer showed consumption of 5.8 liters for a mix of motorway journeys (Vmax: 120 km / h), country roads and city streets. Nice: the chassis gently swallows many bumps in the road.

Toyota does without diesel at Yaris

The majority of Yaris customers will continue to rely on the hybrid version. So far, around 60 percent of buyers in Germany have opted for this combination of combustion engine and electric drive; Toyota is now even anticipating a 70 percent hybrid share in the engine mix and is supporting this by paying a hybrid premium of 3000 euros, based on the state e-car premium. Otherwise, the hybrid scoresnaturally due to its low consumption values. The standard value is between 3.3 and 3.6 liters. During the revision as part of the facelift, the engineers less focused on the drive unit. The well-known combination of the 55 kW / 74 PS strong 1.5 liter petrol engine and the 45 kW / 61 PS electric motor as well as the total output of 74 kW / 100 PS remains. Rather, the aim was to improve the smoothness and reduce the noise.

The hybrid now drives much quieter. But only up to a certain point. For example, if you accelerate to overtake or accelerate with vigor, the engine compartment booms as ever. Accompanying this is the continuously variable transmission - a DSG is not yet an alternative at Toyota even in the medium term - according to its unwillingness to support this driving style. The Yaris Hybrid is a vehicle for relaxed drivers. The interplay between the two engines is most effective and therefore the most economical for the driver in an urban environment. Speaking of economical: Toyota has taken diesel from the Yaris range in Germany.

Comprehensive safety package for the Toyota Yaris

There is an extensive safety package for the small car ex works. The so-called Safety Sense package includes collision avoidance as well as lane departure warning and high beam assistant. Most customers opt for the Comfort equipment (from 15,790 euros, hybrid: from 19,340 euros). A traffic sign recognition is also part of this. The standard equipment also includes air conditioning, a 4.2-inch display for the on-board computer, reversing camera and leather steering wheel.

Oh yes. And of course there were also a few optical retouches. There is a more aggressively drawn front and larger rear lights with characteristic LED graphics at the rear. The handle in the paint pot has become more intense in color. If you want, you can also customize your vehicle with colored exterior mirror caps or elements for the front. New upholstery fabrics are now being used in the interior. What remains is the decent amount of space and the trunk volume, which holds between 286 and 1119 liters.

Even after the extensive facelift, the Yaris is the preferred vehicle for buyers who value safety and fuel consumption, but who consider design and performance less important. At the end of the year, however, Toyota is playing the emotion card and launching a sporty variant called GRMN. A 1.8-liter turbo with at least 210 hp ensures driving pleasure here. (SP-X)