COVER Used buyer’s guide: Toyota Yaris

Which one?

BECAUSE most Yaris Mk4s are the same mechanically, it’s just a question of working out which colour and trim level you want. However, the GR Yaris is a completely different animal altogether; its focus on performance over economy means it’s the polar opposite of the regular Yaris.

Stick with the hybrid and there are five trim levels to choose between, starting with the Icon. This comes with 16-inch alloys, a seven-inch touchscreen display, reversing camera, DAB radio, climate control, plus automatic headlights and wipers.

The Design has an eight-inch screen, LED headlights and privacy glass, while the Dynamic has 17-inch wheels, artificial leather sports seats, dual-zone climate control and a JBL premium hi-fi. The Excel adds power-folding door mirrors, front and rear parking sensors and keyless go. Alternatives

THERE are lots of superminis out there to choose from, but if you want one with a hybrid powertrain, there are just a couple for now: the Honda Jazz and the Renault Clio E-Tech. The Jazz is incredibly roomy and versatile, ultra-reliable and easy to drive, while the Renault is well equipped and has a great interior, but it’s not as readily available as the Jazz.

If you’re happy to take the plunge, you could go fully electric with the Renault Zoe, Peugeot e-208 or Vauxhall Corsa-e; the last two are also available with petrol engines.

If you don’t need hybrid power, the SEAT Ibiza, Skoda Fabia and VW Polo are all worth a look, just like the Kia Rio, Hyundai i20 and Citroen C3 – and don’t forget the multitalented Ford Fiesta or the Mazda 2.

Partwatch

Dealer price Independentprice

Part

Frontbrake pads(axle set) £61.98 £39.04-£47.29

Frontbrake discs(pair) £167.35 £67.08-£81.38 Door mirror glass(electric) £92.98 £12.99-£25.98* Frontwiper set £24.17 N/A

Prices for a 2020 Yaris 1.5 hybrid. Dealer figures from Listers of Stratford-upon-Avon (listers.co.uk). Independent prices from Euro CarParts(eurocarparts.com). *Price from carwingmirrors.co.uk

Interior

THE cabin is constructed to a very high standard, but its design isn’t very inspiring, with lots of black plastic. Everything is clearly laid out and it’s userfriendly, although the infotainment is a bit dated.

Treat the Yaris as a two-seater and you’ll have ample cabin space, but the back seats are tight for anyone close to six feet tall. Boot space is on the small side at 286 litres with the back seats in place; drop them and this rises to 947 litres.

All Yaris Mk4s benefit from Toyota’s Touch 2 infotainment system, although the Icon only has a seven-inch touchscreen, whereas the rest have an eight-inch unit. The system isn’t very clear, with too many sub-menus, but the screen itself is well placed and the control knobs are easy to use.

Recalls

TOYOTA has recalled the Yaris Mk4 on three occasions so far. The first time was in October 2020, because 106 Yaris and Aygo models made in June of that year were fitted with faulty headlight units, which didn’t allow the driver to switch between high and low beams (or vice versa). Once that was dealt with, the next recall arrived in January 2021, because 4,015 Yaris models built between July and October 2020 were fitted with rear seatbelts that could be damaged in some scenarios by the sharp edges of their retaining brackets; the solution was to fit a protective cover to the bracket.

The most recent campaign came in June 2012, because 19,992 examples made between July 2020 and April 2021 featured faulty software, which prevented the ESP from working properly. The fix was a software update.

PRACTICALITY By class standards, the Yaris is a little tight in the rear. But it’s spacious if you treat it as a two-seater

Verdict

THE Yaris is Toyota’s biggest-selling car, and it’s easy to see why it’s so popular. When it arrived in 2020, it scooped our Affordable Hybrid Car of the Year award – a feat that it repeated the following two years.

Meanwhile, many outlets voted the GR Yaris Hot Hatch of the Year in 2021, and we gave it our Performance Car of the Year award that year. So whether you want a supermini that puts the emphasis on economy and affordability, or a hot hatch that provides thrills aplenty on every drive, the Yaris might be just what you’re after.

If you need a car for regular long-distance motorway drives you might be disappointed by the hybrid’s fuel economy. But otherwise, the Yaris will probably hit the spot.

Contacts

Official oyota.co.uk Forums yarisworld.com toyotaownersclub.com gr-yaris.co.uk