The Toyota Yaris Doesn't Try to Excite You Either
Three reviews, one consistent picture: outstanding for stretching a tank of fuel, unremarkable for almost everything else — and for plenty of buyers, that's precisely the point.
A Small Car Built Around One Priority
Every car design involves trade-offs, and few models make theirs as clearly as this one. Efficiency comes first, comfort and practicality come second, and driving enjoyment barely enters the conversation — reviewers keep landing on the same conclusion about where this car's priorities actually sit.
Specs at a Glance
| Body style | Supermini hatchback |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L 3-cyl hybrid (114bhp or 129bhp) |
| Transmission | CVT automatic (all versions) |
| 0–60mph | 9.7 sec (114bhp) / 9.2 sec (129bhp) |
| Fuel economy | Up to 65mpg in urban testing |
| Price range (new) | From around £24,000 |
Full Review Summary
What Car?
What Car? recommended the standard 114bhp hybrid over the more powerful version for most buyers, finding the price jump hard to justify given the modest performance gain. They liked the physical climate controls, which remain easier to operate on the move than the touchscreen-based systems creeping into rivals, but flagged limited rear passenger space and a small boot as real drawbacks for family use. Reliability survey placement was mid-table for the model specifically, though Toyota as a brand scored strongly overall.
Auto Express
Auto Express rated it a highly economical, well-equipped supermini let down by limited passenger space and an uninspiring interior compared to key rivals. In a direct twin test against the Renault Clio hybrid, they gave the win to the French car, citing a smoother powertrain and more upmarket cabin feel. They were clear that anyone wanting genuine driving enjoyment should look to the unrelated GR Yaris hot hatch instead, since the standard car simply isn't built for that.
Autocar
Autocar's road test measured real-world touring economy comfortably above 60mpg, putting it well ahead of most rivals on running costs. They praised the easy, two-pedal driving experience and improved refinement of the CVT gearbox compared to older Toyota hybrids, though noted the car still isn't a class leader on outright driver engagement. Their view was that the car succeeds precisely by refining a formula it's stuck to for years rather than reinventing anything.
Strengths
- Excellent real-world fuel economy
- Physical climate controls, easy to use on the move
- Strong reliability reputation for the brand
- Easy, low-effort driving experience
Weak points
- Limited rear passenger and boot space
- Uninspiring interior compared to key rivals
- Not a car built for driving enjoyment
Who It Actually Suits
Buyers whose top priority is low running costs and dependability in a small footprint, particularly for city driving. Families needing rear-seat space or anyone wanting a genuinely engaging drive should look elsewhere in the class.