Toyota Yaris 1,5 Sport
In an effort to win back market share, Toyota has introduced a completely different Yaris
BARELY four months in and 2018 is shaping up to be a busy one for the smallhatchback segment. The new, sixth-generation Volkswagen Polo has only just hit the market, the latest Ford Fiesta will arrive imminently and, not to be outdone, Toyota has now launched a new version of the Yaris to South African buyers. Calling it new, though, isn’t strictly correct, as this specific version of the little hatchback is already available in Asian and Middle Eastern coun- tries. Built in Thailand, it runs on a different platform and is significantly larger than the outgoing Euro-spec model to which South Africans have become accustomed.
The range consists of five models and starts with the 1,5 Xi at R230 800, ends with this Sport model at R286 000, and includes a plastic-cladded, roof-racked Cross derivative priced at R268 500. They all feature the same 1,5-litre petrol engine, while the 1,5 Xs CVT is the only automatic option. This top-of-the-range Sport model offers a dark-metallic front grille, rear spoiler, shark-fin antenna and side skirts, as well as front foglamps and rear LED taillights.
Apart from its larger dimensions, what is immediately obvious is that this Yaris looks nothing like the outgoing model. The design – especially up front – is a lot fussier, with a riotous interplay of sharp lines and plastic inserts between the headlamps, foglamps and LED daytime-running lights, and that may not be to everyone’s taste.
Inside, the new Yaris is altogether more subtle and familiar, with a host of Toyota family controls. It is a well-specced interior, too, with this Sport derivative boasting climate control and a touchscreen infotainment system that offers Apple Carplay and Android Auto functionality, as well as satellite navigation. The Sport model also gets leather seats, red-stitched leather steering wheel and matching gear knob, two additional speakers (six in total) and high-definition Optitron instruments.
With my ideal driving position set, I clambered in the rear and was pleasantly surprised by the space on offer. Despite standing 1,87 metres tall, I found plenty of space in front of my knees with enough shoulder- and headroom, too. Toyota claims an increase in luggage space of 8% on the outgoing model, which seemed plausible when inspecting the fairly roomy boot. That said, the flimsy, felt-like material used on the boot floor is a letdown.
Quality throughout the cabin is fair, but there are some cheaperfeeling plastics on the doors, while the positioning of the USB port built into the infotainment system instead of in a cubby, as has become the norm, irks.
At the launch, we drove both the five-speed manual and the CVT derivatives. Unsurprisingly, the latter was slow off the line, even taking into account the near-200 kg total that my co-driver and I added to the mix. Once up to speed, though, its reaction time improved and it’s certainly the more relaxing option of the two. The five-speed manual felt marginally brisker, happily revving up to the 6 000 r/min redline. As before, this gearbox offers easy, smooth shifting.
Although Kwazulu-natal’s back roads are peppered with bumps and potholes, the Yaris nonetheless exhibited good ride comfort, with the car’s suspension system doing an effective job of ironing out the imperfections and keeping the car settled.
So, why the change then from the European-built model to this Asian-spec car? Well, according to Toyota, it’s for a number of reasons: its research indicates local customers wanted a larger Yaris, with styling that was perhaps not as rounded and “feminine” as the outgoing vehicle; and Toyota needed to deliver this at a competitive price point.
And that is exactly what the Japanese brand has managed; it’s a spacious car that trumps several of its competitors in that department. Cabin quality, however, is not quite on par with the new Polo and upcoming Fiesta, while the engine – especially when mated to the CVT unit – isn’t quite as pleasing to use as those turbocharged units of some competitors.
However, this version of the Yaris hatchback looks significantly more modern (the front almost Lexus-like) to some eyes, which could – together with what is a comprehensive infotainment system – lure younger buyers.