Toyota Yaris review

Driving position 

The driving position of the latest Toyota Yaris marks a complete departure from the perched feeling you’d get in previous generations.  

Built on a new platform, the driver’s seat is mounted 21mm lower and 60mm further back than in older models, creating a significantly lower centre of gravity.  

This shift transforms the car's ergonomics; instead of feeling like you are sitting on top of it, you’re tucked into a driver-focused cockpit, making you feel more connected to the car. 

The steering wheel is smaller and sportier than before, with an increased range of reach and rake adjustment that allows for a much more natural posture.  

Toyota has even moved the A-pillars rearward to open up the view through the corners, making the car feel exceptionally easy to place on the road. 

Drivers who prefer a high, SUV-like seating point for easy entry and exit may find post-2020 models a bit more of a drop to get into.  

However, for those who prioritise a connected, ergonomic feel, it is arguably the best-sorted driving position in its class. 

Tech and features 

Toyota Yaris trims 

– Icon 

– Design 

– Excel 

– GR SPORT 

For 2020 and beyond, the Yaris has undergone a significant digital overhaul, finally bringing its cabin technology in line with its world-class hybrid engineering.  

The centrepiece of the updated interior is a new, faster infotainment system 

Mid-range and premium trims now feature a crisp 10.5-inch touchscreen, while even the entry-level models benefit from an upgraded nine-inch display.  

Both systems support wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, and the "Hey Toyota” voice assistant has been refined to handle more natural commands, such as adjusting the climate control. 

Behind the steering wheel, the analogue dials have been swapped for a fully digital experience. Higher grades receive a 12.3-inch customisable driver’s display.  

This screen doesn't just show speed; it integrates navigation maps and hybrid energy flow, keeping vital data directly in the driver's line of sight.  

While the tech is a massive step in the right direction, we’re not as keen on the overall fit and finish. This is where cars like the VW Polo and MINI Cooper pip it. But you get what you pay for; it’s hardly like a 1950s VW Beetle in there. 

Engines and power 

Toyota Yaris performance stats 

– Power: 116hp or 130hp 

– 0-62mph: 9.2 to 9.7 seconds 

– Top speed: 143mph 

– Driven wheels: Front-wheel drive (FWD)

All versions of the Toyota Yaris (except the high-performance GR Yaris) are powered by the same 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine.  

You get either 116hp or 130hp. With only 14hp between them, there’s not a lot in it. All you need to know is that the 130hp is slightly thirstier than the 116hp. 

To achieve that bit more horsepower, GR Sport and Excel trims swap in a larger electric motor-generator and upgraded software to bump up the power output. 

It may not sound like a lot, but this extra muscle makes a noticeable difference during motorway overtakes and uphill climbs, providing a more relaxed big-car feel without a significant penalty to efficiency. 

Power is sent to the front wheels via an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (e-CVT).  

While Toyota has recalibrated this system in post-2020 cars to better align engine revs with actual road speed, the characteristic drone of this type of gearbox remains present under heavy acceleration.  

However, for 90% of daily driving, the system is remarkably seamless, transitioning between electric and petrol power so quietly you'll likely only notice it by watching the EV light on the dash.  

It remains the most polished and proven powertrain in the subcompact segment, giving you punchy city performance with microscopic running costs. 

Handling and ride comfort 

We may surprise you with what we’re about to say, but the Toyota Yaris is quite a fun car to drive.  

Because the chassis is so rigid, the suspension doesn't have to work as hard to keep the car level, resulting in steering that feels sharp, direct and remarkably go-kart-like through tight city streets.  

With a tiny 5.2-metre turning circle, it navigates urban mazes with a level of effortless precision that makes almost any other car feel cumbersome by comparison. 

Ride comfort is generally sophisticated for such a small vehicle, but it is heavily dependent on the trim level you choose.  

The entry-level models on 16-inch wheels provide a surprisingly supple experience, soaking up speed bumps and potholes with the maturity of a bigger car.  

However, as you move up to the GR Sport or Excel trims, the shift to larger 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels introduces a firmer, busier ride.  

While these larger wheels enhance the car's sporty stance, they also transmit more high-frequency road chatter into the cabin, which can feel a bit fidgety on poorly maintained city streets. 

Refinement has taken a noticeable step forward, though, with Toyota introducing targeted upgrades to quiet the cabin.  

New sound-deadening measures, including a dynamic vibration damper on the engine mount and thicker glass for the windows, help to isolate the interior from the characteristic thrum of the three-cylinder engine – something that can’t be said for the VW Up.  

It is exceptionally hushed during low-speed EV crawling, though the engine still makes itself known with a distinct drone during hard acceleration on motorways.  

Despite this, once you’re up to a steady 70mph, the Yaris feels more planted and grown-up than its dimensions suggest, offering a stable and relaxed drive that belies its city-car roots. 

Toyota Yaris boot space:  

– Boot space: 286 litres 

– Incl. Rear seats folded: 947 litres 

While Toyota has worked wonders with the hybrid tech and driving dynamics, the laws of physics are harder to cheat, and the boot space remains one of the smallest in its segment. 

With the rear seats in place, you’re looking at 286 litres of capacity. To put that into perspective, it’s over 100 litres shy of the Renault Clio (391 litres) and also behind the Volkswagen Polo (351 litres).  

In real-world terms, that’s enough for two standard carry-on suitcases and a few soft bags, but if you’re planning a family week away, you’ll be playing a very frustrating game of Tetris.  

The space itself is deep but narrow, and because the hybrid battery lives under the rear seats, there’s no option for a hidden underfloor storage compartment to stash your muddy boots or first aid kit. 

Practicality doesn't improve much when you fold the seats down, either. While the boot space expands to around 947 litres, the 60:40 split rear bench doesn’t fold completely flat, leaving a noticeable hump in the load floor.  

This makes sliding longer items – like a flat-pack bookcase or a bike – more of a struggle than it is in a Honda Jazz with its clever fold-up Magic Seats.  

There are a couple of shopping bag hooks and a light to help you out at night, but overall, the Yaris boot is strictly designed for city life and supermarket runs rather than family airport runs. 

Rear seats 

Passenger space is noticeably tight, particularly if the driver is tall.  

Legroom is at a premium, and the high window line combined with the dark headlining found on many trims can make the rear feel a bit claustrophobic for adults on longer journeys.  

It’s officially a five-seater, but in practice, it is much more comfortable as a four-seater, and even then, only if those in the back are children or shorter adults. 

The rear doors themselves don’t open quite as wide as some of the Yaris's more practical rivals, like the Honda Jazz, which can make fitting a bulky child seat a bit of a physical challenge.  

Once inside, you’ll find two ISOFIX points on the outer seats and a suite of airbags that extend protection to rear passengers.  

Ultimately, the rear of the Yaris is designed for occasional use or short city trips.  

If you regularly ferry adult friends or need a genuine family workhorse, you might find this a bit too small for comfort, making the Yaris Cross a more logical – if more expensive – alternative. 

Storage solutions 

Toyota has embraced a less-is-more philosophy, which keeps the cabin looking uncluttered but means you won’t be losing any large water bottles in the door bins.  

The door pockets are deep enough for a modest flask or a slim atlas, but they lack the felt lining found in some premium rivals, meaning loose items might rattle a bit over speed bumps. 

Just ahead of the gear selector, there is a dedicated tray that now houses a wireless smartphone charger on higher trims. 

Other clever touches include a shallow shelf carved into the passenger dashboard and the usual pair of cupholders positioned between the front seats.  

However, rear passengers are left with the short straw; storage in the back is relegated to slim seat-back pockets and small bottle holders in the doors.  

Toyota Yaris dimensions  

– Height: 1,500mm 

– Width: 1,745mm 

– Length: 3,940mm 

– Kerb weight: Up to 1,190kg 

Safety 

Safety is where the Yaris truly punches above its weight, effectively acting as a high-tech bodyguard in a subcompact suit.  

The car comes as standard with the latest Safety Sense 3.0 suite, which uses a higher-resolution camera and radar to scan further and wider than ever before.  

This upgrade isn't just a marketing gimmick; the Pre-Collision System can now detect oncoming motorcycles and crossing cyclists at junctions – scenarios that used to be the blind spots of early automated braking systems. 

The real standout for 2026 is the introduction of Proactive Driving Assist (PDA). This clever system acts like an invisible hand, providing gentle, automatic deceleration when you lift off the throttle approaching a curve or a slower vehicle ahead.  

It makes city driving feel significantly more fluid and less reactive. You also get Safe Exit Assist, which uses radar to monitor for approaching cyclists or cars from behind, temporarily locking the doors to prevent you from dooring someone – a lifesaver in cities. 

In terms of crash protection, the Yaris remains one of the few small cars to feature a centre airbag between the driver and front passenger to prevent head-to-head contact during a side impact.  

While it recently transitioned to a four-star Euro NCAP rating due to the organisation's increasingly strict testing criteria, it remains one of the safest structures in its class.  

With over-the-air (OTA) updates now standard, the car's safety software can even be patched and improved while it sits on your driveway, ensuring it doesn't just start safe, but stays current. 

Fuel economy 

Fuel economy is the Yaris’s undisputed mic drop moment.  

It remains one of the most efficient vehicles on the road that doesn’t require a plug, thanks to Toyota’s fifth-generation hybrid system, which is now even more adept at staying in electric mode.  

In typical city driving, the car can spend upwards of 80% of its time as a pure EV, meaning you aren't just sipping fuel, you're barely touching it. 

The entry-level 116hp engine returns a claimed 70.6mpg, and even the 130hp motor has official figures hitting 67.3 mpg.  

In the real world, we were seeing in the mid-60s without even trying, but we hear 80mpg is possible if you have a gentle right foot. 

The only time that efficiency takes a slight hit is on long, high-speed motorway stretches where the petrol engine has to do the heavy lifting without much help from the battery.  

Even then, you’ll likely see figures in the high 50s, which still puts most traditional petrol hatchbacks to shame.  

With a 36-litre fuel tank, you can comfortably expect a range of over 500 miles between fill-ups, making the Yaris one of the few small cars that feels just as friendly to your wallet as it does to the environment. 

Reliability 

If you’re looking for a reason to choose the Yaris over its more stylish European rivals, reliability is your trump card.  

The real headline, though, is the Toyota Relax warranty. While the car comes with a standard three-year/60,000-mile manufacturer warranty, you can extend this by an additional 12 months or 10,000 miles every single time you have it serviced at an official Toyota centre.  

This process can be repeated until the car is 10 years old or has covered 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. 

It’s essentially an industry-leading vote of confidence that gives you a decade of peace of mind, provided you stick to the dealer service schedule. 

Even the hybrid battery gets its own special treatment, with a separate warranty that can be extended up to 15 years through annual health checks.