Toyota Yaris

The Toyota Yaris fights against the Honda Jazz and Mazda 2. From our experience with the pre-facelift model, the cabin is supremely quiet, with a smooth and fuel efficient drive from the 1.5-litre engine that’s paired to a CVT. The facelifted Yaris bumps things up a bit by introducing Android Auto/Apple CarPlay support and Toyota Safety Sense ADAS suite in addition to its 7 airbags, blind-spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert and panoramic view monitor - making it the safest car in the B-segment hatchback market.   

Design

Gone is the bulbous exterior of the previous Yaris sold in Malaysia, the current version is Gone is the overly-fussy face of the pre-facelift, and the new version looks much sharper and cleaner thanks to redesigned front fascia with LED headlights and a front bumper. While the back and the wheels look the same as before, the design is an improvement over the last. Three colours are available this time - red, silver and white.

Dimensions

The 2020 Toyota Yaris (pre-facelift) measures in at 4,145 x 1,730 x 1,475 x 2,550 mm in length, width, height and wheelbase.

Lighting

Every variant now gets LED headlights and DRLs.  

Wheels

The Yaris retains the 16-inch wheels from the pre-facelift.   

Centre Console 

Toyotas are not well-known for their cubby space distribution, though there are still a number of useful units strategically located they're still measuring on the small side

Dashboard

Like all Toyotas, the Yaris's dashboard is built with good quality material and fitted nicely to enforce the quiet cabin that Toyota is going for.

Space

If compared to its competitors, the Yaris does not have ample space for a tall person to stretch. But it is still enough for a comfortable sprawl.

Boot

You can still easily fit a 28-inch luggage bag comfortably though it is still comparatively small against its sedan sibling, the Vios.

Safety Feature

This is where the Yaris sets itself apart from its competitors. 7 airbags, VSC, Traction Control and HAC come as standard on all variants. There is also blind-spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert and even Panoramic View Monitor to safely park your car without the fear of hitting any kerbs. The facelift model adds Toyota Safety Sense Lane Departure Assist and AEB.  

Infotainment

Though launched in 2019, the Yaris is still not equipped with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto ready. But the crisp touchscreen display is connected to a DVD Player and allows The new Yaris gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto now!

 *Review based on 2019 pre-facelift Toyota Yaris.  

Engine

It's not the fastest engine in its class with power output figures like 107 PS and 140 Nm, but if driven in the city, the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine hardly feels like it is lacking in power.

Transmission

Since the new generation's arrival, the Yaris can comfortably lay claim to the smoothest CVT of its class. Too bad we can't say it's the quietest.

Front-wheel drive

The Toyota Yaris is front wheel drive only

 *Review based on 2019 pre-facelift Toyota Yaris.  

Sound Proofing

Since it's launch in 2019, the Yaris came with the quietest cabin in class. Toyota has insulated the car well and the cause is helped by the acoustic windshield glass as well. At 90 km/h, the Yaris rates at 62 decibels while at 110 km/h, the Yaris' noise level reads at 68 decibels.

Passenger Comfort

Toyota set up the Yaris' suspension to best iron out the imperfections of Malaysian roads. So, while it might not have the cornering talent of the Mazda 2, the Yaris does give a comfortable ride.

 *Review based on 2019 pre-facelift Toyota Yaris.  

Fuel Consumption

In mixed conditions of stop-go traffic and highway driving, the Toyota Yaris returned a fuel consumption of 5.8L/ 100km. While it can't make the claim that it's the most fuel efficiency car in its class, the Yaris will still help you safe on fuel.

How fuel efficient is the Toyota Yaris?

Conclusion

While the Toyota Yaris is not the car with the best driving experience you can get, it makes up the shortcoming with its comfortable cabin and fuel efficiency. And, the Yaris can certainly claim to be a value-for-money car thanks to the first-in-class safety features and 7 airbags just to name a few.