What they said when the Toyota Yaris was new.....
(Dec 11 2005 )
THE Yaris city car has been an outstanding success for Toyota since it was
introduced in 1999, with European sales topping 1.2 million.
In the UK this year it has been snapped up by no fewer than 38,000 people looking
for an affordable little motor which is ideal for town driving but who still
need to make the occasional long journey in comfort.
The Yaris fits the bill, and the latest version, on sale here in January, should
be set to continue the Japanese company's success.
For a start it looks better than the original model with smoother, more dynamic
lines. It has a more solid stance with an arched beltline which gives it a sense
of forward movement.
Front end improvements have been made with a pronounced bulge in the bonnet
around the Toyota badge, a new grille and headlamps.
Interior changes include a completely new centre console which provides a simple
layout for heating controls, radio/CD, and satnav if fitted.
Lighter coloured materials have been used to give the Yaris's interior an airier
feel.
Another innovation is the introduction of a sliding rear seat which allows
additional space for luggage with the seats folded completely flat without having
to remove the headrests.
Overall size of the new Yaris is up on the old one, resulting in more head
and leg room, but its turning circle remains the tightest in the B-segment,
which includes competitors such as the Peugeot 206, VW Polo, Citroen C3, Renault
Clio, Fiat Punto and Vauxhall Corsa.
When it goes on sale, there will be a choice of two petrol engines - the lightest
one-litre production engine in the world and a 1.3 litre version, plus a 1.4
diesel.
It will come in three grades, T2, T3 and T Spirit with automatic/manual transmission
available on most models.
I tested the 1.4D with auto transmission and the 1.3 petrol on some twisty
mountain roads and found the automatic jumpy and not easy to use. In fully automatic
mode it is constantly searching for the best gearing and lurches alarmingly
when making its mind up.
The best bet is the 1.3 petrol, which will be the biggest seller In the UK.
It is a gutsy little unit with 86bhp, giving it a top speed of 106mph and
0-62mph in around 11 seconds. It is very competent on some of the tighter hairpins
and pulls well. Ride and handing on the open road is good and on motorways it
is a reasonably quiet runner with a minimum of road, wind and engine noise for
a car in its class.
Available in three or five door versions, the new Yaris is economical to run.
Fuel consumption is frugal, with the 1.0 petrol returning 52mpg on a combined
run, the 1.3 petrol 47mpg, and the 1.4D 62.8mpg.
Insurance rates are also at the lower end of the scale from Group 1E, the lowest
possible for the 1.0 entry level, up to Group 4 for the top models.
Toyota is also claiming that the new Yaris, at 39 per cent after three years
of ownership, will have the highest residual value in the B-segment sector.
Standard equipment levels are high on the new Yaris with air conditioning and
nine airbags a new feature, plus a keyless, push-button starter system.
Prices for the new Yaris start at £8,995 for the 1.0 VVT-I T2 three-door, £10,495
for the 1.3 petrol T2 three-door, and on to a hefty £13,295 for the top-of-the-range
1.4 D-4D 90 T Spirit five-door.
Overall this is a big improvement to the already popular Yaris and bearing
in mind the reputation of Toyota products the newcomer should be given careful
consideration by anyone looking for a practical, good-looking, economical little
motor.
Copyright Trinity Mirror