This SR model is the closest we’re likely to get to a sporty Toyota Yaris. It targets hot-looking warm hatches such as the Ford Fiesta Zetec S. The question is, does it have the performance to back that challenge up?
The SR adds some subtle updates to the Yaris’ neat, yet hardly head-turning, looks. Changes include 10mm lower suspension, 16-inch alloys, a roof-mounted rear spoiler, black grille and foglamps.
Inside there’s a set of red-stitched leather and cloth sports seats, plus a leather handbrake cover and steering wheel. SRs also get a touchscreen and six-speaker stereo, while our test car had the optional £650 Touch and Go pack, which adds Bluetooth, USB and a reversing camera. On the downside, the switchgear feels cheap and the handles used to recline the front seats are especially nasty.
The seats look good, but are too firm and flat, while the driving position is too high, despite a greater range of adjustment than was available in the old Yaris.
The leather steering wheel (which incorporates phone and audio controls) feels good, yet the new electric steering system is lifeless. It’s very light, which is great for parking, but it lacks feel – as do the pedals and gearshift action.
The 98bhp 1.3-litre engine has to be revved hard to get the best out of it. With a 0-62mph time of 11.7 seconds, the Yaris is hardly warm, but it’s not too coarse when pushed. The pay-off is claimed 51.4mpg economy and 129g/km CO2 emissions.
It’s no Fiesta Zetec S rival in corners, either. There’s a lot of body roll and not much grip, especially in the wet, while the ride is choppy on poor roads.
The cabin is roomy enough, though, but the 286-litre boot (or 710 litres with the back seats folded) can’t match the Fiesta’s.
The SR may have a five-star Euro NCAP rating, stability control and seven airbags, but it’s neither as practical nor as much fun as rivals.
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Toyota seems to know its customers pretty well, they want "sporty" looks in their supermini but 98hp is plenty of poke. Economy is more important than speed 99% of the time.
Granted some of the interior fitting and fixtures look slightly cheap but they feel solid and will probably last forever.
You are totally wrong about the Touch & Go system, its £500 not £650 to upgrade to sat-nav and in my experience its the best I've used in any small car.
Yaris have "Touch" as standard giving touchscreen control bluetooth phone, radio, USB, iPod control and reversing camera at NO extra charge not as part of the upgrade as you suggest.
Also the boot on a Fiesta is 295l so its only 9l bigger, it also has a higher loading lip potentially making it less handy for large items.
I like the new Yaris, and being a current owner of the previous generation Yaris, I would like to see a hot hatch version. Not everyone wants a hybrid or good fuel economy as top priority. But its good to see Toyota releasing sporty models again with the GT86 :)
Your quite right cbz76. I dont understand why Toyota dont offer a hot Yaris or even a warm one. The car tested above seems distinctly cold!
I remember many years ago, looking at the Mk1 T sport and test driving it and thinking it was a fun car for the money. Dont know why Toyota UK wont offer the 1.5RS model of the current generation - offered in Japan.
This seems about right. Toyota is not for me but there are plenty of people for whom it is