New Toyota Yaris Hybrid: Full Review

If you are among the more than 10,000 followers of our Instagram account, you will almost certainly have heard about the new Toyota Yaris Hybrid, the only B-segment supermini to offer a hybrid option. That option matters greatly: in Portugal, over 30% of Toyota Yaris sales are hybrid-powered versions, and Toyota’s aim is for that figure to reach 50% soon. So, what has changed in this new Toyota Yaris Hybrid?

Design

At first glance, it would be easy to think the new Toyota Yaris has not changed at all. However, while the exterior revisions are subtle, they are certainly there. Toyota has invested €90 million in updating the Yaris and fitted 900 new parts to the model.

Exterior

Both ends of the car have been comprehensively refreshed, helping to give the model a more contemporary appearance. According to Toyota, the redesigned front end takes inspiration from catamarans, with the main change being the reworked headlamp units, which can now be specified with optional LED daytime running lights. The front grille has also been revised.

Changes are equally apparent at the rear. Alongside the new bumper, the rear lights have been reshaped and, like the front units, now feature LEDs. This creates a new rear light signature for the Toyota Yaris. The tailgate is also new, a necessary alteration given the changes made to the rear light clusters.

Two additional paint colours are available as well: Nebula Blue, shown in the pictures, and Tokyo Red. There are also new 15- and 16-inch wheel designs.

Interior

Overall, the cabin has not undergone major changes. It has remained largely unchanged since 2011, receiving only updates rather than a full redesign. There is now, however, a stronger emphasis on customisation, with fresh upholstery colours and trims. The most significant revisions concern the instrument panel, which gains a 4.2-inch colour TFT display as standard from Comfort trim onwards, and the infotainment system, now offered with Toyota Touch 2 software and a higher-resolution screen. From Comfort grade, the steering wheel receives Piano Black inserts.

When it comes to gadgets, the Toyota Yaris is well equipped, with the available onboard technology proving adequate. However, Toyota Touch 2 is not compatible with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and that is undoubtedly something Toyota needs to address in future.

The atmosphere inside is pleasant for both front and rear passengers, while the Toyota Yaris remains a roomy and practical choice. The seats have been revised with new head restraints, and smaller details have also been updated, including the ventilation air vents.

Safety

Toyota Safety Sense as standard

Fitted as standard to the Toyota Yaris, Toyota Safety Sense includes a Pre-Collision Safety System with Autonomous Emergency Braking, Automatic High Beam, Lane Departure Warning and, when equipped with the new 4.2-inch TFT multi-information display, Traffic Sign Recognition.

Hybrid version improved

Here, the focus has been on cutting noise and vibration levels, which had previously been a weak point of the Toyota Yaris Hybrid. Click on the interactive image to discover the key changes.

The Toyota Yaris Hybrid in numbers

• Claimed combined fuel consumption of 3.3 l/100 km
• CO₂ emissions from 75 g/km
• Engine capacity: 1497 cm³
• Combined output (electric and combustion): 100 hp
• Maximum torque: 111 Nm
• Top speed: 165 km/h
• 0–100 km/h acceleration: 11.8 seconds

What is it like to drive?

From behind the wheel, the new Toyota Yaris Hybrid delivers exactly what you would expect from a hybrid, and for those who appreciate that character, it has no better argument against its rivals. Its strongest qualities are its smoothness and ease of use, especially around town, where the CVT gearbox and hybrid powertrain perform particularly well. It always sets off in electric mode, reverses electrically too, and can be driven in electric mode at speeds of up to 50 km/h.

Once you leave urban routes behind and head towards the countryside, the Toyota Yaris Hybrid copes effortlessly with the demands placed upon it and proves dynamically capable. On the motorway, there is little to criticise: it is smooth and quiet.

Whether the engine note under heavy throttle is pleasant or not is open to debate, and the CVT gearbox is probably not the best ally if you are arguing from a “pro-Toyota Yaris Hybrid sound” position.

Even so, Toyota’s acoustic improvements (have you seen the interactive image?) have considerably reduced the discomfort felt when stronger acceleration is required, whether for overtaking, showing off your driving skills, or using up fuel because it is the start of the month and everything is being done in style… those typical things.

A demonic sibling is on the way

While this Toyota Yaris Hybrid is an eco-friendly proposition, its forthcoming 210 hp sibling promises to be a four-wheeled demon. You can read more about the Toyota Yaris GRMN here.