Toyota Yaris
Toyota Yaris
Toyota launched the original Yaris in 1999 it quickly realised it had a hit. Winning the prestigious European Car of the Year award, it was light years ahead of the Starlet that it replaced and redefined standards in the supermini sector. Some seven years on and with a new Toyota Yaris just launched.
Initially available with just one engine option, a 1 litre 16-valve unit producing 67bhp, Toyota quickly added a 1.3 litre 85bhp unit to the range in October 1999, followed by a 1.4 litre 74bhp diesel engine in February 2002. All the engines are super-economical; expect 50mpg plus from the petrols and 60mpg plus from the diesel.
While the extra power of the 1.3 litre may seem appealing, in reality it feels barely brisker than the 1 litre and you will save yourself a few hundred pounds going for the smaller unit. The diesel sacrifices a little in terms of refinement for the greater fuel economy and particularly when warming up can be a little noisy.
On the road the Yaris offers excellent steering and good brakes, front seats are roomy, if lacking a little in lateral support, and the funky, centrally sited instrument panel gives the car a distinctly modern feel. At motorway speeds the petrol engines can become a little buzzy and the Yaris’s high roofline makes it prone to wind noise.
Rear legroom is reasonable. Okay, it’s not quite a limo but it’s certainly comfortable enough for most journeys. Access to the rear is pretty good even on three-door models — one reason why they tended to be the biggest sellers — and to many the car looks more balanced with an absence of rear doors.
Equipment levels aren’t bad with driver’s airbag, split-fold rear seats and a transponder immobiliser as standard across the range. Post-March 2001 cars get ABS as standard with the additional benefit of electric brake force distribution. Top specification Spirit models are the most sought after used buys, commanding an £800 premium over the T3 model thanks to air-conditioning, alloy wheels and a leather-bound steering wheel.
Loyalty among Toyota Yaris drivers is high, so the majority of late, low mileage cars tend to find their way back to Toyota main dealers in part exchange. It’s worth checking our Toyota website (www.toyota-uk.com) to find good tips of where to find the best Dealers, although you can buy with confidence from non-franchised dealers provided the car has a good service history.
The Toyota Yaris is the perfect example of how far modern cars have come. Thanks to clever packaging, excellent fuel economy and great reliability the ownership experience should be as near to trouble-free as you can get.
Brakes ABS with electric brake force distribution became standard after March 2001
Facelift New teardrop headlights, metallic radiator grille and body-coloured mouldings all part of the March 2003 facelift
Suspension Firm ride repays with sharp handling although tyre noise can become intrusive on some road surfaces
Front seats Swivel front seats available for people with disabilities from August 2003
Warranty New cars were covered by a three-year/60,000-mile warranty; servicing is due every 12 months or 10,000 miles Upholstery Standard cloth is hard wearing but look carefully for burns and stains, which can be expensive to repair or remove
VITAL STATISTICS
Model Toyota Yaris 1.0 VVT-i T Spirit
Engine 998cc, four cylinders
Power 67bhp
Transmission Five-speed manual
Fuel 50.4mpg (combined)
Acceleration 0-60mph: 14.1sec
Top speed 96mph
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