Review - 2024 Toyota Yaris

While it hasn’t received much in the way of updates in recent years, the Yaris has offered such a compelling package for buyers looking for a city car it’s hard to argue with its competitiveness, especially for fuel-conscious buyers.

Just how good is the Toyota Yaris, then, and how does it stand up against its competitors? Let’s take a closer look to find out.

Toyota Yaris Competition

Starting Price: $24,800

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How Much Does It Cost?

The Toyota Yaris range is priced from $24,800 for the entry-level Yaris Ascent Sport, with prices rising to $28,190 for the Yaris SX, while the Yaris SX Hybrid is priced at $30,190.

From here, the range moves to the Yaris ZR which is priced at $31,260, while the range-topping Yaris ZR Hybrid is priced at $33,260.

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

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Toyota Yaris (SX HYBRID) Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the Toyota Yaris Have?

Toyota’s entry-level Yaris Ascent Sport comes riding on a set of 15-inch steel wheels and receives LED daytime running lights and LED tail lights, cloth upholstery, adaptive cruise control, a rear-view camera, power-folding mirrors, 4.2-inch driver’s display, air conditioning and power-folding mirrors.

Stepping up to the Yaris SX adds 15-inch alloys, climate control, LED headlights, upgraded fabric upholstery, silver exterior highlights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, keyless entry & start, a digital speedometer and satellite navigation upgrade.

Finally, the range-topping Yaris ZR picks up 16-inch alloys, a head-up display, sports seats, a rear spoiler, upgraded upholstery with black and red accents and some added safety equipment we’ll cover in the safety section of this review.

Connectivity & Infotainment Features

The Toyota Yaris is packaged with a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display that offers both Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, as well as DAB+ digital radio in the base model, while the SX picks up a satellite navigation upgrade.

The Yaris’ 7.0-inch display is paired with a six-speaker sound system for all members of the range.

Does the Toyota Yaris Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

The Toyota Yaris range does not have wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto connectivity, requiring occupants to connect their Android or iPhone device to the infotainment system via a wired USB connection.

Is the Toyota Yaris Comfortable to Drive?

Sitting behind the wheel, the Toyota Yaris lives up to the age-old saying that good things come in small packages.

As a fit-for-purpose city car, the Toyota Yaris is an incredibly strong performer thanks to its lightweight and nimble package that makes zipping through the city a simple and fun experience.

Power for non-hybrid Yaris members of the range comes supplied by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that produces 88kW of power and 145Nm of torque, powering the front wheels via a CVT automatic.

Stepping up to the hybrid adds the same 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol paired with an electric motor that produces a combined 85kW of power and some torque bonuses thanks to the e-motor.

Acceleration in both is motivated thanks to the Yaris’ lightweight stature, while the responsive steering becomes incredibly easy to control at low speeds and while parking.

The small footprint means that three-point turns and roundabouts are a simple task, while the Yaris feels like a bit of a go-kart in the urban jungle that helps mundane commutes a little bit more exciting.

Pick up the pace and the Yaris’ suspension package does well with moderate bumps around town while offering some decent stability while cruising at highway speeds.

All up, the Yaris remains a difficult package to fault thanks to its manners around town, zippy handling and a well-refined ride that doesn’t feel small and tinny as you’re driving on the highway.

Is it Fuel Efficient?

Fuel efficiency is one of the main advantages of opting for a micro hatchback like the Toyota Yaris which, even without the hybrid assistance returns super efficient figures of 4.9L/100km.

Buyers ticking the box on the Yaris Hybrid range can expect to see incredibly fuel-efficient figures of 3.3L/100km on the combined cycle, making it one of the most outright fuel-efficient vehicles on the road.

How Much Fuel Does the Toyota Yaris Use Around Town?

• Yaris Petrol City Fuel Consumption: 6.1L/100km

• Yaris Hybrid City Fuel Consumption: 2.8L/100km 

How Much Fuel Does the Toyota Yaris Use on the Highway?

• Yaris Petrol Highway Fuel Consumption: 4.2L/100km

• Yaris Hybrid Highway Fuel Consumption: 3.6L/100km

Is it Practical and Spacious?

While the Yaris doesn’t have a big footprint, Toyota has done a great job of extracting as much space as possible in the front of the Yaris’ cabin.

It’s not the most technically advanced cabin, but it remains extremely familiar and usable thanks to the simple, straightforward layout that is easy to get acquainted with.

The Yaris’ lofty roofline combined with the low-slung driving position means that even the tallest of drivers won’t have a problem getting comfortable while adding a nice bit of visibility to the cabin.

In terms of storage, the Yaris offers a tray behind the gear lever, combined with a pair of cupholders, a large glovebox, added storage inside the folding armrest and bottle holders inside the door sills.

Move to the second row and things get mighty cramped in the back of the Yaris, though this can be said for all of its rivals, too.

As a result, it’s more of a two-seater, or a package for families with young kids hunkered down in a child seat, though it is indeed possible to squeeze an adult in the rear, with no issues for headroom, though a lack of usable legroom.

The Yaris’ second row comes packaged with a pair of ISOFIX anchors and three top tether mounts to accommodate both forward and rear-facing child seats.

How Big is the Toyota Yaris’ Boot?

The Toyota Yaris’ boot measures in at a fairly compact 270L in total, which is enough for a decent-sized run to the supermarket or a couple of school bags when needed.

The second-row seats fold in a 60:40 arrangement to help accommodate sports equipment and bulky cargo thanks to the tall roofline.

Is it Safe?

The latest Toyota Yaris range comes packed with a generous level of safety equipment, even in the base model which is a nice touch for price-conscious buyers.

As standard, the Yaris range picks up autonomous emergency braking with cyclist detection and junction assist, lane-departure alerts with lane-keep assist, a rear-view camera, traffic sign detection, adaptive cruise control, emergency steering assist and eight airbags.

Step up to the range-topping Yaris ZR and you’ll also receive rear cross-traffic alerts and a blind-spot monitoring system.

Does the Toyota Yaris have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

The Toyota Yaris has been awarded full marks from ANCAP, securing a five-star safety rating from testing in 2020.

In those tests, the Toyota Yaris range scored the following marks:

• Adult Occupant Protection: 86%

• Child Occupant Protection: 87%

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 78%

• Safety Assist: 87% 

What Warranty Does the Toyota Yaris Come With?

Toyota offers the Yaris with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, extending to seven years of factory warranty coverage for the drivetrain when serviced within the Toyota network.

The Yaris Hybrid’s battery warranty can extend out to ten years when you service it within the Toyota network.

Service intervals for the Yaris range stand at 12 months or 15,000km, whichever elapses first.

Our Verdict: Is the Toyota Yaris Worth it?

The Toyota Yaris is an incredibly strong performer from pretty much every angle you look at it.

The Yaris Hybrid is no doubt the engine and fuel economy pick of the range, though the standard petrol is impressively fuel-efficient that it won’t punish you for not upgrading to the pricier hybrid range.

As a complete package, the Yaris is a great fit-for-purpose city car that is comfortable, user-friendly and remarkably charming, standing as one of the best of the bunch.

Don’t forget that if you’re looking to upgrade to a new car, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can help find you the best possible price.

Five Toyota Yaris Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. 3.3 - 4.9L/100km fuel economy figures

3. 270L boot space

4. 12-month/15,000km service intervals

5. Five-star ANCAP safety rating