First Drive: The Toyota Yaris Hybrid is your only choice when it comes to hybrid superminis
Potential hybrid buyers are well served by family cars such as the Toyota Prius. But what if you need or want something a little smaller? Tom Wiltshire puts the Toyota Yaris Hybrid supermini to the test
What is it?
The Yaris Hybrid isn’t exactly new – in fact it’s been around since 2011, pre-dating the recent rush manufacturers have made towards hybridization and proving that Toyota may not have been the first, but it’s certainly one of the most committed.
We’re testing it here in its latest form, which received a heavy facelift over the outgoing car.
What’s new?
The facelift Yaris range – introduced in 2014 – gained Toyota’s latest family ‘face’ – a bold, X-shaped grille with a prominent badge front and centre. For 2017, along with a price hike, the entire range received a Safety Sense system containing autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning and automatic high beam.
What’s under the bonnet?
The Yaris range is offered in three flavours – 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre petrols, plus the 1.5-litre petrol hybrid we have here. This model makes up approaching half of UK sales, and on paper looks quite attractive, offering a decent level of power, average performance for the class and stellar economy.
Out on the open road, things are less convincing, and the Yaris Hybrid isn’t a great motorway cruiser. But stick within the city limits and it’s rather good fun.
What’s it like to drive?
Toyota has proved it can make the Yaris fun to drive with the incredible GRMN. Unfortunately, none of that car’s DNA makes its way into the hybrid. It’s definitely lacking a fun streak – though it is at least reasonably comfortable and remains composed in corners. The steering however is just too light and remote.
How does it look?
Image will likely always be a problem for the Toyota Yaris – ever since the first model it’s become a go-to car for retirees. Even jazzing it up with posh paint schemes and bold exterior design touches can’t fix that. However, it does look genuinely smart, and there are some great colours on offer.
What’s it like inside?
The Yaris’ interior is poor. Though everything’s well screwed together, the switchgear is outdated and the materials for the most part are cheap and nasty.
What’s the spec like?
The Hybrid is available across all Yaris trim levels, ranging Active, Icon, Icon Tech, Design, Excel and Bi-Tone. Entry-level cars do miss out on alloy wheels but still get the full suite of safety tech plus front electric windows, dual-zone climate control and USB and Bluetooth connectivity. Step up a grade and Icon brings alloys, keyless start, cruise control, a rear-view camera and the Touch 2 Infotainment system. Our Icon Tech model added sat-nav and front parking sensors.
Verdict
The Yaris Hybrid remains a car without rivals even seven years on from its debut, but being the best in a class of one is easy. The real problem is with its narrow range of ability – this is a car that’s wonderful in town but downright terrible on the open road.
Those who do high mileage would be better served by a diesel supermini, and anyone who regularly drives out of the city should probably choose a turbocharged petrol. As a second car or town runabout then, the Yaris makes sense – but it’s too compromised recommend elsewhere.
