Toyota Yaris gets hybrid power

Hybrid technology features in every Toyota Yaris trim level and a recent package of improvements has made this petrol/electric supermini model smarter, plusher inside, better to drive and quieter – and capable of doing more than 85mpg.

The Yaris Hybrid is powered by a combination of a 1.5-litre petrol engine and a small electric motor which together combine to produce a modest 100hp.

That might not sound much, but such is the torque of the motor that it feels as if it’s got the lazy flexibility of a bigger engine which is exactly what you want around town.

You can pull away and drive just over a mile purely in electric mode if you’re light on the throttle and when the petrol engine does kick in, it’s anything but uncouth.

The power pack is effectively a downsized version of that featured in the Prius, with a more compact electric motor, transaxle, inverter and battery pack.

With this revised model, the engineers have tweaked things quite a lot, adding in a new subframe, as well as changing the engine mounts and front driveshafts and adding in a roll restrictor.

All of this is designed to make the car even quieter and smoother, particularly under acceleration. As before, this model is at its best in stop and start city traffic. Ride quality retains a decent suppleness, courtesy of a supple torsion beam rear suspension. The steering is also sharper than you might expect.

Toyota has spent more than 90 million Euros improving this model, so we’re talking about more than just a light facelift here. The front end is completely new, much sleeker and classier than before.

Originally, it was only possible to order a Yaris Hybrid with very plush trim, but you can now specify this technology right across the range, which means a lower starting point for prices which begin at around £16,000.

Active is the entry point to the fivedoor-only line-up, but even at this level, the car comes equipped with dual-zone climate control, trip computer, power front windows and split-folding rear seats.

Further up the range lie Icon, Icon Tech, Design, Bi-Tone and Excel derivatives. The range-topping Excel gets features like part leather seats, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers and dusk-sensing headlights.

The question is whether the Yaris Hybrid works out cheaper to run over a three-year period than, say, a rival small diesel supermini. In truth there’s extremely little in it. The Hybrid scores better for fuel economy, insurance costs and emissions, but a diesel alternative might counter with slightly better residual values and cheaper servicing.

With ever stricter emissions-based tax legislation, the 79g/km Hybrid future-proofs itself better than any diesel , which could be critical.

Is the Yaris Hybrid a car that appeals on grounds other than mere skinflintery? Yes. Even if you didn’t care what fuel economy or emissions figures it was getting, you’d be impressed with its ride quality in town, its smooth powertrain and the way it integrates big car features into a supermini.

Choose the base Active model and you’re getting an awful lot of car for around £16,000. You can easily spend that on a sparsely-equipped feeblypowered Fiesta or Corsa diesel, so the Yaris Hybrid’s value is easy to appreciate.

The changes to the Yaris have worked well on the Hybrid. While it’s still not the sharpest driver’s car in the sector, it never set out to lay claim to that title.

Instead it’s a car that works brilliantly at its key remit; taking the slog out of city driving.

You can’t ask for much more than that.

The Yaris Hybrid can return better than 85mpg.