WHEN the first Toyota Yaris was introduced in 1999 it was well received by everyone - except driving instructors.
For the Yaris had no traditional dials on the dashboard. Instead you looked into a semi-circular housing - a bit like looking into a deep tunnel - which housed a digital speedometer and a rev counter.
And even though it sounds a bit odd it was exceptionally clever because it meant you took your eyes off the road for less time than with a conventional dashboard.
The only problem was that the "tunnel" was angled towards the driver - and instructors couldn't see what speed their pupils were doing.
The new Yaris has no such problem. The "tunnel" is still there but now it is visible from both front seats.
This model has proved to be one of the company's most successful and the secret is the little car's big feel. With the exceptional levels of interior space for a car of this size it makes you feel Toyota should have called it Tardis rather than Yaris.
The latest model builds on the strengths of its predecessor. The shape has not changed too dramatically - you can still easily see it is a Yaris - but it now looks far more macho, far more dynamic.
And inside there is even more head and shoulder room than before thanks to its high roof and clever use of space.
A sliding rear seat means you have a choice of giving rear seat passengers more leg room or creating more luggage space beneath the rear hatch. For extra comfort the rear seatbacks also recline.
And if you need to carry large items the Yaris is exceptionally flexible with rear seats that quickly flick down to create an extended flat load space.
The re-routing of the exhaust means the traditional hump that is normally associated with the middle seat is gone so there is comfortable seating for three in the rear.
Like most cars the Yaris has a glovebox but also has five other opening dashboard storage compartments.
Greater soundproofing and more refinement of the car means this is one of the quietest diesel models I have come across. Many modern diesels are quiet when sitting inside but once you step out the level obviously increases dramatically.
With the Yaris even from the outside there is just a gentle purr.
The car comes in three spec levels with my test car being the flagship T Spirit, with the all-aluminium 1.4-litre D-4D, 89bhp engine and five speed manual gearbox.
At this level you get a lot of "extras" for your money, including climate control air conditioning, distinctive metallic effect cabin trim, 15 inch alloy wheels and the "Smart Entry and Start" system.
That means that as long as you have the control fob in your pocket you can lock and unlock the doors and start the engine without a key.
As you approach the car a sensor picks up a signal from the fob so that as soon as you touch the door handle it unlocks, the interior light is switched on and you can start the car by pushing the start button on the dashboard.
On the safety front you get front airbags, side and curtain airbags and a first-in-class driver's knee airbag.
On the road the little car's 1.4-litre engine is punchy enough without being dynamically quick and over a week averaged around 55mpg for me.
There is little doubt that with the new model the Yaris success story will run and run.
FAST FACTS
Toyota Yaris T Spirit 1.4 D-4D 5dr
Price: £12,780
Mechanical: 89bhp, 1,364cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox.
Max speed:109 mph
0-62mph: 10.7 secs
Combined mpg: 62.8
Insurance group: 4
CO2 emissions: 119g/km
BiK rating: 18%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 3yrs paint; 12yrs anti-rust