The all-new Toyota Yaris is now available in Ireland from €14,760. My first reaction to the pictures of the new Yaris was that this is a much more stylish car, and let's face it, Toyota’s supermini needed to be. And when I got to see it up close, I was pleasantly surprised that it was indeed a stylish new arrival, writes Padraic Deane.
Staying with the exterior, it is the first vehicle to feature the distinctive new face of the next generation Toyota family. And the Yaris is available in a choice of ten exterior colours. Bringing a more colourful palette to the Yaris, four colours are newly adopted by the model range.
New Yaris is available in three grades, Terra, Luna, and Sol, providing an even more spacious interior and bigger boot space, while remaining one of the most compact B-segment cars on the outside.
Spending an hour behind the wheel in all kinds of roads and surfaces in north county Dublin last week, I satisfied myself that all the substance that is the hallmark of the current Yaris remains intact, and has been enhanced.
The driving experience in the new Yaris provides improved agility in addition to the assured handling and ride quality associated with this model line. Excellent safety features include electric power steering, seven airbags, vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution, and break assist, as standard on all grades. In addition, a sound insulating acoustic windscreen and new aerodynamic door mirrors make for a much quieter ride with reduced wind noise.
The Yaris is available with a choice of three engines; 1.0 and 1.33 litre VVT-I petrol engines and a 1.4 litre D-4D turbo diesel, all of which feature Toyota Optimal Drive, a range of engineering measures designed to maximise performance and driving enjoyment while minimising fuel consumption and generating low, tax-efficient CO2 emissions.
The Yaris delivers 58.9 mpg (4.8l/100km ) combined cycle (1.0 litre VVT-i ) with only 111 g/km CO2 emissions, qualifying it for an annual road tax rate of only €104.
Despite being a run-out model, Yaris remained the second best selling model in the big volume B-segment, that accounts for 21 per cent of new cars sold here in Ireland. This should give the new third-generation Yaris every chance when competing for the top slot in this class next year in a market that Toyota forecasts will be slightly down on this year. New Yaris will be helped by the fact that a hybrid version will join the range during 2012.
The new Yaris builds on the clever packaging DNA of its predecessors with an even more spacious and practical interior. It also takes a clear step up with a segment breakthrough in affordable multimedia connectivity for all but the entry level models.
There is a new layout in front of the driver, including new analogue dials. The high-quality interior also includes air vents trimmed with gun metal finish, and the controls and switchgear feature chrome plated convex cross-sections.
A Touch of class from Toyota
The 6.1 inch full colour, touch screen interface represents a new approach to affordable, on-board multimedia systems. It incorporates AM/FM radio, a CD/MP3 player, Bluetooth mobile phone hands-free connectivity with a music streaming facility, and automatic phonebook synchronisation at each connection. A USB port allows for the connection of portable music players including iPod, with the facility to display iTunes album cover art.
On-screen vehicle information displays include remaining fuel range, instant fuel consumption, and average fuel consumption per minute over the last 15 minutes. In addition, the system incorporates a rear view camera.
From November Sol drivers can add the optional Toyota Touch & Go satellite navigation system.
Its promised fuel-efficient, low emission powertrains and innovative transmissions combine with revised suspension and Electric Power Steering (EPS ) systems to offer customers the ideal balance of comfort and the greater agility essential to urban driving.
Toyota tells us that quality will remain a key Yaris attribute, further increasing the built-in quality recently praised in the prestigious German 2011 TüV report.
Positioned at the heart of the B-segment, the new Yaris sets out to meet the demands of both progressive, technology-focused customers and more conventional users who place an emphasis on quality, practicality and, of course, value for money.
The new Yaris is a stronger model and looks wider. While being slightly longer, it is actually lighter and sits somewhat lower on the road that the predecessor. The boot space is also bigger in the new Yaris.
The new model boasts improvements in both rigidity and also aerodynamic efficiency and Yaris still boasts an excellent turning circle.
The five-door Luna for me offers the best value at €15,895, which is a reduction of €800 on the out-going model and much enhanced specification (including Toyota Touch ), except for the dropping of air conditioning, which can be had as an optional extra at a costly €1,100.
If you are in the market for a new supermini now or for early next year, you simply must include the new Yaris on your shortlist. Check it out.
