Is the Toyota Yaris a good car?
There’s a reason it’s been around for so long – here’s why:
By Ben Welham
Last updated: 20 June 2025
In a world where big and heavy SUVs are the norm, it’s refreshing to see a humble little Toyota Yaris bumbling around city streets or on the motorway.
When you see one, you instantly think ‘ha, I bet they wish they had an SUV’. But then you look again and think, ‘what do they know that I don’t?’
In this guide, we’re going to tell you about the Toyota Yaris and why we think it’s a great car to buy for many different reasons.
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Is the Toyota Yaris a good car?
There are many reasons to suggest the Toyota Yaris is a fantastic car.
Firstly, its price. Even new, the Yaris is a strong proposition at around £23,000, and this gets you a solid car that’ll run for many, many years. But get a used one and you can easily save thousands of pounds and let someone else take the depreciation hit instead.
Then there’s its size. Being a compact city car means the Toyota Yaris is well-suited to those living in built-up areas. It’s easy to nip about town in yet still has enough boot space (286 litres) for everything you’d need.
There’s also how efficient they are, and the main reason most people by a Yaris in the first place. Getting close to 70mpg, they’re hard to ignore.
You don’t get loads in the way of smart tech, but this is a blessing in disguise, meaning less can go wrong. Yet you still get all the creature comforts you’d ordinarily want, such as a touchscreen, Bluetooth and air-con.
 "Toyota Yaris rear")
Is the Toyota Yaris a good hatch to buy?
Absolutely. Whether you’re a new driver or someone downsizing, the Toyota Yaris will make a great option for you for all the reasons laid out above.
It’s especially attractive as a used car proposition, too.
Third-generation Toyota Yaris (2011-2019)
One of the most popular and best-selling Yaris models ever was the third generation, sold between 2011 and 2019 – so it had a long run.
It was a simple car that just worked, and had a solid VVT-i engine that could continue to run with just the essential maintenance.
Because these are slightly older now, it means used ones are much easier to come by, resulting in bargains for buyers out there.
Fourth-generation Toyota Yaris (2020-present)
The latest and current generation of Toyota Yaris came out in 2020 and built on what was already an impressive car.
With self-charging hybrid technology and a few more bells and whistles, this car was more than happy to go about its business.
Being more than five years old also helps its used value, so make sure to snap up a great deal.
Toyota Yaris Cross
If you like the regular Toyota Yaris but want something with a higher driving position and more practicality, then there’s only one place to look: the Toyota Yaris Cross.
Sitting 95mm taller than its hatchback sibling, the Yaris Cross is more ideal for families, especially when you have those pesky car seats to fit, which can be a pain in smaller cars.
Along with this is a 397-litre boot, which is 111 litres more than the hatchback has. But note that if you go for an all-wheel drive version, boot space shrinks to 320 litres.
 "Toyota Yaris Cross")
Toyota Yaris vs. rivals
Don’t think the Yaris gets off scot-free with no rivals, because it certainly does have some. Aside from SUVs, the city car comes close in terms of popularity, and this leaves it with some stiff competition.
Some of the Toyota Yaris’ key rivals include:
Discover used Toyota Yaris cars for sale
If you’re serious about buying a used Toyota Yaris, then you’ve come to the right place. With different generations, years and specs, there are plenty to choose from.
All of our cars come with a 14-day money back guarantee and a 90-day warranty for added peace of mind.
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