Following its unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show, the facelifted Toyota Yaris has gone on sale, priced from £12,495 OTR.
The revised range offers a greater choice and improved equipment specifications across the board says Toyota. The restyling includes a more ‘dynamic’ exterior, while on the inside the cabin is now finished in a ‘higher quality’. Changes have been made under the skin as well, and a new, efficiency 1.5-litre petrol engine has been added to the line-up. Toyota's Safety Sense package is provided as standard on all new Yaris models - which includes Pre-Collision System, Lane Departure Alert and Automatic High Beam.
Entry point to the range is via the Active trim, available both with a 1.0-litre or 1.5-litre hybrid option. Key equipment features include the Toyota Safety Sense, along with rain-sensing windscreen wipers, power front windows, Bluetooth and a six-speaker audio system. Hybrid models additionally feature automatic air conditioning and projector headlamps.
The Icon trim adds new-design 15-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, air conditioning and a 4.2-inch colour TFT multi-information screen. These models are also equipped with the Toyota Touch 2 touchscreen-controlled multimedia system, rear-view camera and the Toyota Safety Sense features are expanded to include Road Sign Assist.
The new Icon Tech grade extends the equipment specification to include Toyota Touch 2 with Go satellite navigation and access to online services, and front parking sensors.
As the name implies, the Design trim focuses on style - reflected in the fitting of 16-inch alloys with a contrast black and machined-face finish, plus a honeycomb mesh grille, piano black side mouldings, rear privacy glass and a rear spoiler.
The revamped Yaris also gets a Bi-tone trim available as a grade in its own right (having previously been an option for Design models) - with a wider choice of contrasting colour options: Nebula Blue joins Tokyo Red, Glacier Pearl White and Platinum Bronze, each matched with a black finish for the roof and pillars. The special colour treatment continues in the cabin with different matching trims for the dashboard and door panels. Where equipment features are concerned, Bi-tone models gain power rear windows, LED daytime running lights and LED rear lights.
The range-topping Excel grade offers 'premium quality' features and exterior elements including new-design 16-inch alloys, a rear spoiler and chrome side sills. LED front and rear lights are fitted, with an automatic dusk-sensing function for the headlights. The cabin benefits from automatic air conditioning and part-leather and Alcantara seat upholstery. A (fixed) panoramic roof is available as an option for Design and Excel models.
The new 1.5-litre petrol engine replaces the previous 1.33-litre unit in the line-up. Although the new engine has a larger capacity and produces more power (up by 10 per cent), it has been engineered to achieve better fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions. Toyota says pre-homologation testing reveals fuel consumption has been reduced by 12 per cent – combined cycle performance from 109g/km and 56.5mpg (manual transmission, with 16-inch wheels). Matched to a six-speed manual transmission it is 0.8 seconds quicker in acceleration from 0 – 62mph and can also be paired with an optional CVT automatic.
The new model also aims to 'improve the hybrid driving experience' by introducing a new subframe, engine mounts, front driveshafts and roll restrictor that make it even quieter and smoother, particularly under acceleration.
The range of powertrains is completed by the established 1.0-litre VVT-i three-cylinder petrol engine with five-speed manual transmission.
Pricing from £12,495 OTR for the entry-level Active 1.0 VVT-i 5MT to £19,295 OTR for the Excel 1.5 Hybrid CVT auto.