Toyota Yaris vs Volkswagen Polo
Can the new Toyota Yaris scale the heights of the supermini class? We find out as it squares up to the VW Polo
It hasn’t been long since we held our last supermini battle, but we already have another new contender to put under the microscope. This time, it’s the turn of the recently facelifted Toyota Yaris to show what it can do.
In the past, the Japanese supermini has been a dependable but rather uninspiring choice in the class, so Toyota has given it a bit of a boost with fresher looks, an expanded model range and a revised interior with more technology on offer. For this test, we’ve lined it up against the winner of our last comparison, the Volkswagen Polo. We were impressed by the VW’s all-round ability previously, and it’ll pose a strong challenge for the Yaris.
We’re testing petrol versions of both cars here – the 1.33-litre Yaris in new Sport trim, and the Polo with 1.2-litre turbo power in SE specification.
Has Toyota done enough to take the fight to the Polo, or will the Yaris come up short?
Click on the links above to read each in-depth review, then read on for our road test verdict.
Head-to-head
Design
Both cars have been facelifted this year, but you’ll barely notice the difference between a 2014 VW Polo and its 2013 counterpart.
Used - available now
2022 Toyota
Yaris
21,834 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L
Cash £18,446
2019 Toyota
Yaris
33,219 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L
Cash £12,896
2019 Toyota
Yaris
37,106 milesManualPetrol1.5L
Cash £11,378
2019 Toyota
Yaris
22,417 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L
Cash £12,550In comparison, the Yaris has been given a significant overhaul. The front end has headlights similar to those on the Verso MPV, while the ‘X’ theme seen on the new Aygo has also been incorporated in the front end. Go for a Sport model, and you also get distinctive 16-inch machined black alloys.
Options
You can spec up the Yaris with sat-nav (£650), panoramic glass (£550), metallic paint (£495), leather (£900) and a couple of option packs. The Polo has pricier extras, but offers adaptive cruise control. This £500 kit includes steering wheel controls and customisable cruising distance.
Engines
Toyota has stuck with a naturally aspirated engine, while VW has taken the turbo route for its motor. The Yaris has more power, but you have to rev it to make the most of it, which will harm economy. The Toyota is hobbled by higher emissions, too, and so is a pricier company car choice.
Verdict
1st: Volkswagen Polo
There's no stopping the updated VW Polo. Its combination of punchy performance, smooth and refined cruising ability, high-quality interior and practicality means it’s going to be a tough act to beat in the supermini class. Not only is it a great all-rounder that’s just as capable on the motorway as it is around town, it comes at a decent price, while low running costs mean it won’t be expensive to run, either.
2nd: Toyota Yaris
The new Toyota Yaris has made a positive step forward with its looks and infotainment system, but it’s not quite done enough to take the spoils ahead of the Polo. This Sport model has some attractive extras to make it appeal to a younger audience and it’s a decent urban runabout, too. However, the Yaris doesn’t feel as at home on the motorway, while the higher price and steeper running costs count against it.
Toyota Yaris vs VW Polo: key specs
| Volkswagen Polo 1.2 TSI (90) SE | Toyota Yaris 1.33 VVT-i Sport | |
| On the road price/total as tested | £14,360/£15,665 | £14,995/£16,690 |
| Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000) | £7,065/49.2% | £6,463/43.1% |
| Depreciation | £7,295 | £8,532 |
| Annual tax liability std/higher rate | £396/£793 | £478/£956 |
| Annual fuel cost (12k/20k miles) | £1,697/£2,828 | £1,668/£2,780 |
| Ins. group/quote/road tax band/cost | 15/£292/B/£20 | 10/£251/C/£30 |
| Cost of 1st/2nd/3rd service | £288 (2yrs) | £125/£195/£125 |
| Length/wheelbase | 3,972/2,470mm | 3,950/2,510mm |
| Height/width | 1,453/1,780mm | 1,510/1,695mm |
| Engine | 4cyl in-line/1,197cc | 4cyl in-line/1,329cc |
| Peak power/revs | 89/4,800 bhp/rpm | 99/6,000 bhp/rpm |
| Peak torque/revs | 160/1,400 Nm/rpm | 125/4,000 Nm/rpm |
| Transmission | 5-spd man/fwd | 6-spd man/fwd |
| Fuel tank capacity/spare wheel | 45 litres/space saver | 42 litres/repair kit |
| Boot capacity (seats up/down) | 280/1,371 litres | 286/768 litres |
| Kerbweight/payload/towing weight | 1,107/421/1,000kg | 1,040/450/880kg |
| Turning circle/drag coefficient | 10.6 metres/N/A | 10.0 metres/0.29Cd |
| Basic warranty (miles)/recovery | 3yrs (60,000)/1yr | 5yrs (100,000)/1yr |
| Service intervals/UK dealers | Variable miles/223 | 10k miles (1yr)/181 |
| Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos. | 19th/31st | 17th/6th |
| Euro NCAP: Adult/child/ped./stars | 90/86/41/5 | 89/81/60/5 |
| 0-60/30-70mph | 9.9/10.2 secs | 10.6/10.3 secs |
| 30-50mph in 3rd/4th | 5.0/7.2 secs | 5.4/8.0 secs |
| 50-70mph in 5th/6th | 10.9 secs/N/A | 12.1/17.1 secs |
| Top speed/rpm at 70mph | 114mph/2,600rpm | 109mph/2,900rpm |
| Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph | 51.4/36.9/9.4m | 50.6/36.9/9.8m |
| Noise outside/idle/30/70mph | 62/40/58/64dB | 55/41/59/68dB |
| Auto Express econ. (mpg/mpl)/range | 40.7/9.0/403 miles | 41.4/9.1/382 miles |
| Govt urban/extra-urban/combined | 47.1/70.6/60.1mpg | 43.5/65.7/55.4mpg |
| Govt urban/extra-urban/combined | 10.4/15.5/13.2mpl | 9.6/14.5/12.2mpl |
| Actual/claimed CO2/tax bracket | 160/107g/km/14% | 158/119g/km/16% |
| Airbags/Isofix/park sensors/camera | Four/yes/£295/£240 | Seven/yes/£700*/yes |
| Auto box/stability/adaptive cruise ctrl | £1,375/yes/£500 | £1,000/yes/no |
| Climate control/leather/heated seats | £380/no/£360 | No/£900/no |
| Met paint/panoramic glass/keyless go | £540/£855/no | £495/£550/no |
| Sat-nav/USB/DAB radio/Bluetooth | £700/yes/yes/yes | £650/yes/yes/yes |
