The
Toyota
Yaris Hybrid is the cleanest and most efficient supermini in its class. Toyota
claims it can return up to 85.6mpg with CO2 emissions of only 75g/km, making it
the cleanest none plug-in hybrid model currently on sale in the UK.
This
facelifted model has been treated to an extensive overhaul, which Toyota
has invested around £70 million in. The new-look front end features an Aygo-inspired
nose, sleek LED headlights and chrome trim, while the interior has been fitted
with softer materials, a new multimedia system and more spacious storage
cubbies.
Key
to its eco credentials is the 1.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor,
developing a combined 98bhp. The powertrain is ideally suited to life in the
city as you’re able to pull away in pure EV mode and you can do this for just over
one mile at up to speeds of 31mph. When the petrol engine is required, it cuts
in smoothly and silently so it’s very refined at slower speeds.
Offered
only in two trim levels – Icon and Excel – the Hybrid comes as standard with a
6.1-inch touchscreen, rear-view camera, Bluetooth and alloy wheels. Another
bonus is that Toyota is offering the Yaris Hybrid with one year’s free
insurance on top of the standard 100,000 mile/five-year warranty.
Styling
Unlike
the standard Yaris, the hyrbid version gets bolder styling to help it standout
from the supermini crowd. The revised front features a larger lower grille,
teardrop shaped foglights, smart LED strips in the slim headlights and alloy
wheels. Inside the hybrid gets an energy meter instead of a rev counter and
bespoke blue-ringed dials but a very outdated gear lever for the CVT gearbox.
The
faclifted model also gets a much improved interior over the outgoing Yaris.
There's plusher plastics and soft materials, plus a new Touch 2 multimedia
system. An Aygo-style steering wheel and more spacious cubbies have also been
added.
Driving
The
Yaris uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine derived from the 1.8-litre unit in the
second generation Toyota Prius. On its own it produces a modest
73bhp total but when combined with the on-board electric motor this grows to
98bhp and a respectable 111Nm of torque. Depending on the level of battery
charge the Yaris can also run silently on electric power alone but only for a
maximum of 1.3 miles and at speeds below 31mph.
Still
the choppy ride and noisy CVT gearbox mean it's not as relaxing as a conventional
diesel supermini and on wider roads the lack of performance and lifeless
steering mean that the Yaris is not a car for anyone who enjoys driving. Yet,
if you live and work in the city it's an ideal fit but take it out of its
comfort zone and things quickly unravel.
Reliability
One
of Toyota's traditional strengths is reliability. Even its petrol-electric
drivetrain has been tried and tested before in the Prius and it comes with an
100k mile five year warranty as standard. Toyota and its dealers both finished
strongly in our Driver Power satisfaction survey. The Yaris also earns a five
star safety rating thanks to its seven standard airbags and standard ESP
system.
Practicality
One
of the standard cars biggest strengths is its spacious interior and the Yaris
hybrid is no exception. The boot carries 286 litres with the rear seats in
place and because the battery pack and the fuel tank have both been moved
underneath the rear seats the loading area swells to 768 litres of once they
are folded down flat.
There's
also decent space for rear passengers, too. Because there is no transmission
tunnel there is generous amounts of space for adult passengers, plus headroom
is generous, too. There are lots of cubbies and cup holders up front though and
the upright driving position means that all round visibility is excellent and
the compact dimensions mean it's easy to park too, made even simpler by the
fact a rear-view camera comes fitted as standard to Hybrid models
Running Costs
The
main benefit of using two power sources is that the Yaris hybrid is the most
efficient car in its class. With C02 emissions set at an incredibly low 75g/k
it is tax-free and now exempt from the London congestion charge. Its claimed
economy is also an impressive 85.6mpg.
However
to get close to that figure you would have to drive mainly in town as on the
motorway because the hybrid is heavier than the standard car it has to be
worked hard to keep pace with other traffic. Other costs like insurance and
servicing and relatively low despite the complex technology it uses and like
most Toyotas it should hold its value well too.
Source : autoexpress.co.uk
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