Toyota Yaris facelift revealed

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28 May, 2014 10:00am Jonathan Burn

More details on radical Yaris facelift announced, including more efficient engines and greater refinement

Further details on the facelifted and recently introduced Toyota Yaris have been revealed. Aside from the obvious Aygo inspired design, biggest changes include a more efficient 75g/km of CO2 Hybrid model plus further mechanical changes to boost refinement and increase driving fun.

The fresh-faced model, which wears substantially redesigned front and rear bumper now features 1,000 completely new parts. For a facelift even Toyota admits the Yaris has received quite a bold overhaul but a more dramatic look for future facelifted models is something we can continue to expect from the Japanese manufacturer.

Although the interior may look largely unchanged, every surface is new and trimmed with softer materials. A larger seven-inch integrated touchscreen is now also fitted as standard, while the centre console has been raised by 23mm to reduce the length of the gearstick.

Under the now more rigid body structure, the rear suspension has been redesigned to incorporate a stiffer torsion beam with softer springs meaning improved ride quality. Improving refinement was also on the to do list, achieved through better sound insulation around the dashboard bulkhead and doors.

Available engines remain unchanged from those offered on the current model. The 1.33-litre petrol and 1.4-litre diesel engines have been fitted with a torque vectoring rod and better insulation for the exhaust to boost refinement, while the 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol and Hybrid models are now more efficient. The smaller-capacity petrol engine is the same offered in the forthcoming Aygo, with CO2 emission reduced from 110g/km to 99g/km.

The most efficient engine remains the Hybrid powertrain, with emissions cut from 79g/km to 75g/km meaning it’s now exempt from the London congestion charge. Fuel economy is also claimed at 86.5mpg, up from 81mpg. Pricing for the updated Yaris range will be announced closer to the September launch.

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Submitted by Mr J on Wed, 2014-05-28 11:21.

Yikes - Darth Vader nursing a hangover.

Submitted by Historymaker on Wed, 2014-05-28 12:16.

New look is very striking, something that Toyota sorely lacked in the past... Bright colours will bring the new look out even more. If Toyota continues this trend, future models will not only attract the geriatric crowd, but a new generation of younger buyers.

Submitted by Ab, Netherlands on Wed, 2014-05-28 13:32.

Nice car, excellent quality, not to say the best small car.

Submitted by Fadyady on Wed, 2014-05-28 13:53.

Now that's what I call a large grille. Not much seems to have changed in addition to the front grille. 75g\km is impressive for a non-plug-in car. Does it slip under the congestion charge? Other engines are exactly the same.

Submitted by More disappointment on Wed, 2014-05-28 18:04.

Disappointing mid life refresh for several reasons - the 1.3 petrol is unchanged so the relatively high emissions mean no cheap UK road tax, despite new materials the interior will be as disappointingly boring as before, and they haven't re-introduced the brilliant sliding rear seats that were a past characteristic of the Yaris.

A real shame because I think the new Yaris looks great and no doubt will be dependable. But just like the disappointment of the Aygo not having the 1.2 engine from it's sister C1 and 108 cars, these factors are enough to cross it off my short list.

Unless the new engines Toyota are working on will make there way into the Aygo and Yaris in the near future (fingers crossed).

Submitted by TC* on Wed, 2014-05-28 19:09.

Toyota should have carried over fascia of current Yaris Hybrid rathr than carrying back X shape of new Aygo IMO.
@Faryday 75 gr CO2 figure is for Hybrid version

Submitted by Mat s on Wed, 2014-05-28 21:06.

I think Toyota have done a good job with this facelift. It looks much bolder and sharper than before, however I tend to agree with you about the engines. The 1.33 falls into a relatively high tax band. It also amazes me that Toyota don't offer the warm 1.5 RS version sold in Japan. I think Toyota need sportier versions of their mainstream cars. (like Fords ST models). This new Yaris will have to be competitive - especially when Honda and Mazda are about introduce a new Jazz and 2 respectively - early indications are that these will be excellent cars. Life for the Yaris in the supermini class is not going to get any easier.....