If it’s length is anything to go by, the new Toyota Yaris seems to have outgrown the subcompact car market. However, despite its length amendments over the years, the current model still remains below 4 metres — the unofficial threshold between subcompact and the compact.
But while the Yaris’s main rival, the VW Polo, has already graduated to the next class, we look at the other areas where the Japanese-built car has made the grade.
The first Toyota Yaris was launched as a successor model for the Toyota Starlet in 1998, with a relaunch following in 2006.
But it was in its third generation — originally released in 2011 — that the Yaris started to, for the first time, offer a Toyota Prius-inspired hybrid propulsion engine in addition to a traditional fuel-powered option.
While the original model was offered also as a minivan with the Yaris Verso, customers can only choose between a two-door or four-door model nowadays.
The Toyota Yaris’ biggest strength is its reliability, with excellent scores in numerous long-term roadworthiness tests. Only with the fourth check did the chassis let the side down after the drive shaft gave way from increased wear and tear.
With regards to the brakes, no faults were detected on the newer Toyota Yaris, while potential oil loss is not a concern for any Yaris across the model years according to a 2019 report from the German-based Auto Bild Tuev.
Likewise, when it comes to exhaust emission testing in most cases, the Toyota Yaris passes at the first try. However, the most serious shortcomings were identified in the lighting systems of the vehicles.
In many cases, all Yaris models are prone to defective rear lights and headlights, with the bad test results already appearing after the second roadworthiness test.
Faulty exhaust systems also become more and more frequent from the third test onwards.
The German General Automotive Club (ADAC) writes with regard to the in-house breakdown statistics, that “the Yaris is consistently good to very good.” And so the few minutes needed by mechanics to work on the Yaris were reserved only for faulty spark plugs and the batteries (2012 and 2013). – dpa
