• Summary
• What's Good
• What's Bad
• On the Road
• In The Cabin
• Prices and Specs
• Owners' Reviews

Latest Update 2-4-2012: At from £14,995, Yaris hybrid undercuts Jazz hybrid:

Introduction:

The third generation of the Toyota Yaris builds on the strengths that made the first two so successful - namely durability, reliability and build quality. Like its predecessors, it's not especially exciting or fun to drive, but there's plenty to like about the latest Yaris and it's an easy car to recommend with cleaner engines, a more inviting interior and plenty of space too.

Quality is evident throughout and Toyota has worked hard to ensure this Yaris is even better built than the last one. The result is a car that feels solid and well screwed together. On the road this shows with impressive refinement and on the motorway, the Yaris feels like a larger car with very little noise or vibration in the cabin. It comes with a revised suspension set-up and electric power steering so it's easy to drive, albeit not very involving.

The ride is touch firm too - more so than you'd expect from a Toyota - but this is really the only criticism of the very capable Yaris. The engine line up is simple with two VVT-i petrols - a 1.0-litre and a 1.33-litre - the latter of which is ideally suited to the car. There's also a 1.4 D-4D diesel which is capable of an official 72.4mpg although the petrols are hardly thirsty with claimed economy figures of more than 50mpg.

The Yaris is also well equipped as standard with the majority of models coming with Toyota's new Touch audio system with touchscreen controls, Bluetooth, a USB port and a rearview camera. For the first six months of being on sale, Toyota is offering a free upgrade to include sat nav too.

In 2012 the Yaris range will be expanded with the launch of the hybrid HSD model. Powered by Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive, it's aimed principally at urban customers as it can be driven in a fully electric mode that's ideal for busy city traffic, while it will be exempt from the London congestion charge.