The latest edition of the Yaris continues a concept that has been tried and tested for 22 years. An internal combustion engine continues to serve as the basis for the small car with full hybrid drive. The European design center was responsible for the original shape and since 2001 over 4 million Yaris have been produced in the French plant in Valenciennes. The full hybrid version is currently the best-selling model. A look into the modifications of the fourth generation of the Yaris.
The small car, which is compact at 3,94 meters, plays with the accentuated wheel arches, the large-format front air opening and the sloping rear with new visual stimuli. The new LED lights and the streamlined exterior mirrors definitely contributed to this. With the trend-setting design, he is sure to get some new fans.
Full hybrid drive
The full hybrid drive has been a mainstay in new car sales for Toyota for over two decades. The current Yaris still combines the internal combustion engine and the electric motor. In the current expansion stage, you can experience thrifty to sporty moments sparingly. Equipped with the CVT automatic transmission, however, the Yaris is more the tourer for everyday routine. It takes a little less than 100 seconds to accelerate to 10 km / h. It is sufficiently dynamic for overtaking maneuvers on the country road, on the autobahn it moves quickly at 180 km / h until it is closed.
Once you have taken a seat in the small car, you will feel the compact dimensions, especially in the rear. It is still not a space miracle and offers a manageable 268 liters in the trunk, which can be expanded to 768 liters with the rear bench seat folded down. As a typical city runabout, it was created primarily for daily commutes, shopping and errands.
However, there are numerous technical achievements from recent years in series on board. These include an easy-to-read info display as a touchscreen, voice recognition and everyday smartphone integration. Practical details include the head-up display, adaptive cruise control and adjustable automatic air conditioning. The instrument cluster behind the steering wheel is divided into three parts and is reduced to the essential information about the driving situation. When driving with the head-up display, this information is also rather secondary.
The battery for the electric motor is a new and lighter lithium-ion battery. Short distances in the city can be covered purely electrically with the 59 kW / 80 PS electric motor. This also has a positive effect when maneuvering and parking. As soon as power is called up, the 1,5-liter three-cylinder with 68 kW / 92 PS registers audibly. This enables the agile Yaris to be accelerated to 10 km / h in a little less than 100 seconds. Thanks to the higher maximum torque of 141 Nm, the dynamics are improved compared to the previous model. The dynamics have a positive effect, especially when overtaking or driving on the motorway. The top speed is 180 km / h. From 130 km / h, however, the high speeds of the three-cylinder have a significant effect on the interior noise.
Suspension
The Yaris has also found a good compromise when it comes to the chassis. With the new TNGA-B platform, the small car is not much longer than before, but now has a 57 mm wider track and is five centimeters wider and four centimeters lower than the previous model. The torsional stiffness has been increased significantly by a cross brace between the struts. These measures contribute to a more secure driving behavior and more harmonious suspension comfort, which is clearly noticeable on uneven road surfaces.
At the end of a test, the consumption during the test period is always part of the test. On our journeys over 14 days in a third mix under cool winter conditions between 0 to 10 degrees outside temperature, we averaged a little over 4 liters of super unleaded E10. Those who choose the more sporty driving style are 6 liters even at high speeds on the autobahn. These are tolerable consumption values in the small car segment.
safety aspects
In view of the moderate consumption values and low CO2 emissions, a comparatively higher purchase price compared to the petrol version must be taken into account. The basic version starts at 19.990 euros and ends with the full version with the “Premiere Edition” version for 25.790 euros (April 2021). In return, in terms of safety equipment, you get a comparatively fully equipped small car.
The Yaris achieved five stars in the revised EuroNCAP crash test, sending a clear signal to the competition in this vehicle segment. The standard equipment already includes emergency brake assist with day and night pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistant and a central airbag that provides additional protection for the front occupants.
Summary
The Yaris full hybrid scores points in the small car segment over the competition with comprehensive basic equipment in the area of vehicle safety. The improvements in the chassis area and the low weight add to the driving pleasure. With the integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the Yaris is a small car in keeping with the spirit of the times.
Addendum
Test from 2021
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