Toyota Yaris Road Test

Toyota Yaris

On motorways, the Yaris is perfectly happy at comparative speed although overtaking is best accomplished with a gear down-change to fourth. Country lanes seem to reveal a sporty alter ego. Thanks to the increased (50 per cent) torsional stiffness of this all-new platform, the Yaris feels tauter and more stable on fast bends than before. Toyota has altered the suspension slightly, with new MacPherson struts in the front and a V torsion beam in place of the rear anti-roll bar. Wider tyres, fitted as standard throughout the range also help to make the car feel firmly planted while the Vehicle Stability Control is on hand to keep you on the straight and narrow. When it comes to stopping, the new Yaris has larger front brake discs than the previous model as well as ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA).

Prices for the new Yaris range from £8,995 for the 1.0-litre, 3-door in T2 trim to £13, 295 for the 5-door, 1.4 D-4D, T Spirit with automatic transmission. The test car weighed in at £10,495, which isn't bad for this well made, practical car. There is a tendency to think of the Yaris as being a bit boring but I didn't find that to be the case. Besides, you can always jazz it up with the optional Sports Pack at £675 or, perhaps the Leather Pack for £1,195.

I really could not fault the car and if the only minor niggle I had was the shallowness of the boot platform, it can't be bad.

Toyota Yaris