Toyota Yaris: Small Revolution

 

The little Toyota is getting a makeover and is taking the opportunity to fill up with personality. Wanting to be the ideal city car, the Yaris adopts a series of renewed engines, including a hybrid set. Has the transformation paid off?

The Yaris: it's a real institution at Toyota. Since the end of the last century, the small Japanese has presented itself as a guarantee of safety, reliability and, more recently, frugality with its hybrid version. However, the black spots of this so-called green engine quickly darkened the picture. Will Toyota manage to change that?

White paper

In view of the new models produced by the brand, we expect a lot from this new city car. First good news: this new model is based on a brand new GA-B platform, which uses the principles of the TNGA modular base shared by the latest Toyotas.

These new underwear allowed engineers to completely change the proportions of the Yaris. Thus, it loses 40 mm in height but gains some 50 mm in width while the tracks widen by 57 mm. In total, while still measuring less than 4m, the new Yaris benefits from a wheelbase that is 50mm longer.

Look at me!

With the new platform, Toyota combines a more… striking design! And that's the least we can say. Whether we like it or not, it is clear that the Yaris is no longer a city car "white product". With its large rims (up to 17 inches optional), its large black grille, its roof in contrasting color (optional) and its hips pronounced by its taillights, it will not go unnoticed.

Also, with its lower roofline and stockier aesthetic, this new Yaris appears smaller than before. However, this is very far from the truth. In fact, thanks to its extended wheelbase, this new version even offers increased interior roominess! with buy used cars in Jp Online The trunk, meanwhile, still has 286 liters of cargo space.

What changes in the cabin is the presentation. Here, the Yaris makes a real leap into the future! It was time. We thus discover a double-deck dashboard, adorned with the infotainment system screen and a whole series of practical storage spaces. In addition to the friendly presentation, the equipment is there. Thus, all Yaris are equipped with Apple Carplay and Android Auto and the option list includes, in particular, a JBL sound system and even a head-up display!

Green choice

Under its hood, the new Yaris houses three 3-cylinder engines. There is a 78 hp 1.0-liter petrol, a 128 hp 1.5-liter petrol and, more importantly, the 120 hp hybrid package. Fourth generation, this new hybrid group is the key element of this new Yaris.

As with the rest of the car, the engineers have reworked this set from top to bottom. Thus, it now consists of a new 1.5-liter petrol unit and two more powerful electric motors / generators. On the battery side, it is now lithium-ion. This allows it to weigh 12 kg less while offering higher voltage and more performance.

Thirsty sparrow

However, as anyone who has ever driven a Toyota hybrid will tell you: the driving experience is far different from the numbers on paper. But that was before ! Yes, since the fourth generation of hybrid, Toyota seems to have given pride of place to the electric. And it's is no different in this new Yaris. Thanks to its more powerful electric motor, the B-segment city car spends most of its time with the combustion engine off.

More impressive still, when the revivals are stronger, the 3-cylinder wakes up but its groan is contained and the famous "coffee grinder" effect of the e-CVT box is reduced to a minimum. Finally, here is a Yaris with respectable acoustic comfort.

And the conso in all this? Well, since the gasoline engine spends its time sleeping, driving around town and on national roads will come out with impressive numbers. While the homologation speaks of 3.8 l / 100 km (87 g / km CO2), we reached 3.1 l / 100 km on such a course! On the highway, this consumption will climb to 4.4 l / 100 km. It's just bluffing!

Verdict

With the new Yaris, Toyota hits the nail on the head! Finally, the small city car leaves its “white product” dress in oblivion and gains personality, whether in terms of style, interior or even road behavior. A hell of a great recipe that is only improved by the thirst for sparrows and the comfort of the new hybrid engine.