2018 Toyota Yaris

By Martin Pretorius 

When the Yaris first arrived in South Africa a little more than a decade ago, it was received with open arms. Its cuddly, mouse-like visage and cheerful demeanour won it a lot of fans, while eager three- and four-cylinder engines and a compact, lightweight build gave it a surprisingly peppy character. The next generation stayed true to this formula, growing slightly larger (but still remaining significantly smaller than its competitors) and more angular, but somehow never attained the popularity of its predecessor – and that in spite of two face-lifts and the belated addition of a bigger (1.5-litre) engine.

Meanwhile, its opponents grew ever larger, more powerful, and more accomplished, leaving the Yaris even further behind the pack. This doesn't mean that the outgoing Yaris is a bad car, but in a field full of over-achievers (Polo/Vivo, updated Corsa, and ever-popular Fiesta), merely being perfectly adequate just doesn't cut it. Something needed to change, which brings us to the latest Yaris, an almost complete re-invention of Toyota's upper-B-segment hatchback.

 It's a lot bigger than before

The previous two generations were significantly smaller than their opponents, which gave them an edge in confined spaces but significantly compromised practicality. The new Yaris addresses this issue by growing longer by 165 mm and wider by 5 mm, bringing it more in line with the dimensions of its competition. The old car's gangly appearance is furthermore banished thanks to a roofline which is now 45 mm lower than before, which combines with the extra length to give the new car a much more conventional profile than before.

Those extra millimetres yield a far more spacious cabin, with enough leg- and headroom to accommodate 4 six-foot tall adults with space to spare. The luggage compartment also grows by a useful 8%, from 280 to 310 litres. In terms of the interior space, the Yaris can now go head-to-head with the class leaders, and finally puts some air between itself and its budget-conscious sibling, the Etios.

 It looks more substantial, too

Apart from its increased size, the styling is conceived to give the Yaris more presence on the road. The front end loses the outgoing model's X-design motif and gaping grille, gaining slim horizontal headlights for a much sharper nose design. In profile view, there are some scallops and creases down its flanks, but the biggest change comes courtesy of a blacked-out C-pillar. It may be a styling gimmick, but the “floating” roof thus created looks smooth and sleek.

Around the back, the old car's angular tail lights also make way for slimmer, horizontal items, while the rear bumper gets extra folds and creases. The design might be somewhat fussy to some eyes, but the new Yaris definitely looks a lot more contemporary and interesting than its predecessor.

 It's not so new under the skin

In contrast to the previous Yaris's 1.0- and 1.3-litre engine choices, the new model features only one engine – the same 1.5-litre 4-cylinder which was introduced with the old Yaris Pulse. Don't expect any real fireworks, though: even with variable valve timing on both intake- and exhaust camshafts, this is very conservatively-engineered powerplant. Meanwhile, the manual gearbox presents a curious retrograde step, being only a 5-speed unit in place the old car's 6-speed transmission.

Peak outputs are quite respectable on paper, with 79 kW and 140 Nm on offer, but it must be pointed out that the absence of a turbo charger means that it is rather lacking in low- and mid-range torque. In this regard, the Yaris is still a step behind the class leaders, who all produce much more power from their lower-displacement, boosted engines.

The other anomaly lies in the automatic option, which features a CVT. This version isn't too bad for one of its type, but it seems ill-at-ease with the engine's peaky power delivery. It is very smooth in operation, though, making it ideal for heavy traffic, but the best chance of performance will only materialise with the manual gearbox.

More technology but fewer airbags

The new Yaris is available in four trim levels. The Xi variant opens the range, and features keyless entry with a start button, a 4-speaker audio system with Bluetooth- and USB functionality, power steering, manual air conditioning, and front power windows. Mid-level Xs offers the choice of a manual gearbox or the CVT, and adds 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, rear power windows, a leather steering wheel and LED daytime running lights.

All models from Xs upwards also feature a touch-screen multimedia system with full smartphone integration, satellite navigation, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and steering wheel controls. The Cross derivative is based on the Xs, but grows some plastic body cladding and roof rails for a more-rugged look. The range is capped by the Sport variant, which adds 2 additional speakers (for a new total of six), flashy “Optitron” instrumentation, leather seats, automatic climate control, projector headlamps and front fog lamps, LED tail lights, side skirts, and spoilers front and rear with red accent stripes.

Unlike the old Yaris, which carried 4 airbags, all variants except the Sport now only feature frontal airbags for the driver and passenger, with the Sport adding side- and curtain airbags, and a driver's knee ‘bag. That said, standard stability control and ABS across the range replenishes some peace of mind.

What's it like inside?

The new dashboard design is easy on the eyes and easy to operate, with a horizontal design emphasis creating an impression of space. The centre console stands proud, with the infotainment system atop the centre stack with the air-con or climate controls mounted below in a piano-black panel framed by contrasting trim pieces.

It's not the most visually arresting design, but even though the plastics are of the hard variety, it's all very well screwed together. While not as borderline premium as a Polo or Corsa's cabin, the ambience is at about the same level as the current (soon-to-be-replaced) Fiesta and Hyundai i20 in this regard.

The driving experience

Various under-the-skin enhancements, along with its changed dimensions, makes the new Yaris a far more accomplished driver's car than its predecessor could ever hope to be. It starts with a stiffer bodyshell, and then adds a re-engineered suspension and re-calibrated power steering, to end up with a surprisingly dynamic little package. The suspension tuning strikes a near-perfect balance between compliance and control, giving a well-judged compromise between ride comfort and handling dynamics. It’s stable and planted on the road yet goes around corners eagerly, and rides very well in the process.

The chassis development actually puts the rather lukewarm engine to shame. Yes, it is a rev-happy little mill, but it lacks real enthusiasm across most of its operating range, even at sea level. The only sign of life occurs when you really wind it up (an action which is fortunately encouraged by the slick-shifting gearbox), but even that is quite subdued in comparison to the amount of noise it generates at these high engine speeds.

Fortunately, the predictable handling balance and well-controlled body motions make it easy to maintain the momentum you've so laboriously built up, but it also makes the keen driver long for more of a kick from under the bonnet.

You win some, you lose some

Only time will tell if the improved dynamics, extra space, sleeker design and increased standard equipment will be enough to lure buyers from competing showrooms. Value seems like a better proposition than before, with a price range between R 230 800 (Xi) and R 286 000 (Sport) which pitches it bang in the middle of its market segment.

In most respects, the new Yaris is up to the challenge of winning back market share, but it remains to be seen how badly buyers will miss the extra urge on offer from its rivals' forced-induction engines. It's a very good car in need of an equally accomplished powertrain, but for those in search of Toyota's traditional values of quality and conservative engineering, that may actually be an added attraction...

New Yaris Pricing:

1.5 Xi MT	R 230 800
1.5 Xs MT	R 253 400
1.5 Xs CVT	R 268 500
1.5 Cross	R 268 500
1.5 Sport	R 286 000