2023 Toyota Yaris facelift debuts in Thailand, can you dig its looks?

While the Toyota Vios has undergone an all-new generation in the form of the DNGA-based AC100 Vios, its hatchback twin, the Toyota Yaris seems to be soldiering on in its current generation with a fourth facelift.

Making its world debut in Thailand, the updated Toyota Yaris has a look that resembles that of the second-gen Toyota Prius C/Aqua. Even with the new look, the XP150 Yaris has been around for ten years with the model launched way back in 2013.

Like many updates, the new Yaris’ changes are mostly cosmetic. The obvious is the front design with sharper-looking projector LED headlamps and a completely reworked front bumper. Toyota dubs this a “hammerhead design”.

Also read: All-new 2023 Toyota Vios open for booking; Est. price from RM 90k, DNGA, D-CVT

Clearly, most of the visual revisions are focused on the front as the rear is pretty much the same as the outgoing pre-facelift Yaris. The most notable design addition on the 2023 Yaris’ rump is the revised rear bumper which gets a sportier look with side diffusers and a carbon fibre pattern.

Step inside the 2023 Yaris though and it looks almost the same as the pre-facelift. Then again, why bother fixing something that is already working fine, right?

Also read: Want a drama-free but fun car that you can just get in and drive? Toyota Yaris is your ideal starter car

Depending on the variants, the Yaris’ interior is offered with either black, black and red, or brown colour upholstery. Added features include a larger floating-style 9-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support as well as two USB type C charging ports for rear passengers.

In terms of safety features, higher variants of the updated Yaris come with blind-spot monitors, Pre-Collision System, and lane departure alert. However, 7 airbags come as standard on all variants.

As the Thai-spec Toyota Yaris facelift qualifies as an Eco Car in the Kingdom, it is powered by a 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated 3NR-FKE 4-cylinder VVT-iE unit (92 PS/109 Nm). Power is sent to the front wheels via a CVT-type automatic transmission.

The 2023 Toyota Yaris facelift is available in Thailand in four variants:

• 1.2 Sport – THB 559,000 (~RM 72k)
• 1.2 Smart – THB 619,000 (~RM 80k)
• 1.2 Premium – THB 679,000 (~RM 88k)
• 1.2 Premium S – THB 694,000 (~RM 89.5k)

For now, the crossover-looking Yaris X-Urban variants appear to be discontinued as they are pulled from Toyota Thailand’s website.

According to Thai sales data, the Yaris is no longer the Kingdom’s best-selling hatchback at least in January 2023 with the Honda City Hatchback snatching the crown. Can the new-look Yaris claw its way back to the top in the coming months?

Also read: Next-gen 2023 Toyota Yaris will be a rebadged DNGA Perodua Myvi