PAYING THE PRICE OF PROGRESS

Toyota’s cheapest car is stacked with technology, but there’s a sting in the tail

The new Toyota Yaris is a little car with a big question to answer: Is it worth it? Completely revised for 2020, the Yaris is a clever little car with a price tag that has sparked debate throughout the automotive industry. Toyota can’t hide from the fact its smallest hatch costs almost 44 per cent more than the previous model, likely pushing it out of reach to some cost-conscious buyers. The manufacturer has sold 250,000 examples of the Yaris in Australia, plus another 82,000 Toyota Echo hatchbacks and sedans — many to young and old drivers on a budget.

Priced from about $25,500 drive-away in basic manual form, the Yaris’ value looks particularly questionable when equipped with an optional hybrid engine preferred by Toyota’s Corolla, Camry and RAV4 buyers.

Only available in mid-grade SX or top-level

ZR trim with an automatic transmission, the cheapest Yaris Hybrid costs about $33,000 drive-away, which is more than the bigger Corolla Hybrid’s entry point, and within sight of the family-sized Camry.

The hero car in Toyota’s press photography, a blue Yaris ZR Hybrid with contrasting black roof, costs almost $37,000 drive-away. That’s a little more than a five-door Mini Cooper, or about $5000 beyond the ask of a Corolla Hybrid.

But Toyota says Yaris buyers aren’t interested in bigger cars.

It defends the dollar strategy by pointing out the Yaris has more tech than a Corolla — such as a lightweight lithium-ion battery and centre airbags wedged between front occupants.

Every Yaris has a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which represents a significant step up from the old model. Likewise, auto emergency braking with pedestrian detection, active cruise control, lane keeping assistance and blind-spot monitoring make it a winner on the safety front.

New looks are attractive to our eyes, as is a driving position that places you low in the car, with a small and sporty steering wheel that responds quickly to input.

There’s loads of room up front, with plenty of hidey-holes and more boot space than the Corolla. But the back seat isn’t great for adults.

Toyota says customers who can’t afford a new Yaris are welcome to consider its used car program. A good wedge of its media presentation for the new Yaris focused on the popularity of its second-hand models, and how

used buyers under 25 get a free driving course until the end of November.

The new car makes a case for affordable ownership thanks to efficient engines and capped-price servicing (uncommonly cheap at $975 for 5 years).

The standard engine is a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder unit which uses 4.9L/100km to make 88kW/145Nm peaks in automatic form.

We tested it with a six-speed manual transmission likely to be ignored by the vast majority of buyers, and saw 6L/100km figures.

The hybrid is much more impressive. Merging a more efficient 1.5-litre, 67kW/120Nm petrol motor with a 59kW/141Nm electric motor and compact lithium-ion battery, the package is officially good for 85kW of combined power, and official fuel economy of just 3.3L/100km.

That makes it the most efficient model in the range — it even uses less fuel than the Prius.

And unlike the vast majority of cars on sale, the Yaris Hybrid can easily beat its claimed fuel figure. Careful inner-city driving returned outstanding 2.5L/100km economy.

Highway driving will double that.

The Yaris is in its element around town, where compact dimensions, a tight turning circle and eager hybrid power make for easy progress.

Expansive outward vision, supportive seats and sound ergonomics help its case. The

Toyota rides well around town, but can feel a little sharp over bigger bumps, and it’s not as fun to toss around as the best in class

It is less impressive at highway speeds, where it lacks the surefooted composure and effortless punch of bigger cars such as the automatic