DRIVEN: New Toyota Yaris with a sporty touch

Toyota updated their ever-fresh Yaris halfway through last year with the Pulse model, and this derivative showed a few improvements here and there.

So, when Toyota announced they were launching another new Yaris this year, it came as a bit of a surprise.

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This Yaris is kinda all-new, in that the hatch is now imported from Thailand and not Europe, as before. It is longer and wider and features sharper styling that will appeal to a younger target market.

However, it still runs on the same chassis as before. I like the direction Toyota is taking with their styling – it might be a bit polarising, but at least now you can love it or hate it, and not die of boredom when you look at their products.

Especially when it wears an “S” badge on the rear.

In Yaris speak, Sport means you get a non-turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol powerplant that produces 79kW of power and 140Nm of torque, which is adequate at best, especially on the Reef, where the thin air sucks the life out of any naturally aspirated engine.

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So, progress is by no means rapid, but the claim is that you can get to 180km/h, which is way more than what is legally allowed and more than enough to see you get to work and back every day.

Fuel consumption is claimed at 5.9 litres per 100km, but I averaged a still very decent 7.2 litres per 100km – and that was without trying to save fuel or take it easy.

Handling is mostly exactly what you would expect from a Yaris and the proven McPherson strut-type front suspension and rear torsion beam layout.

But the one thing I could not get used to, was the steering feel. The steering would never centre, and this meant you were constantly having to make small inputs to keep the car going in a straight line.

Even when taking long constant radius corners, the level of steering angle and input you started with would change midway through the corner. Not pleasant and it spoils the experience somewhat.

Maybe it’s something an owner would get used to. Inside it is pretty much Thai spec plastic, with a decent dose of modern technology in the form of an advanced new touchscreen infotainment system.

In addition to the standard AM/FM, USB and Bluetooth functionality, the new audio system features full smartphone integration and support via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto + protocols.

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While CarPlay uses standardised Apple applications with Siri integration, Android users are able to fully customise which “apps” they would like to “mirror” on the audio screen. Users are able to customise the home screen layout via a “drag and drop” technique. Additional apps can be added via Wi-Fi connectivity.

In addition, a built-in satellite navigation system is included – allowing users to maintain turnby-turn guidance even when their smartphone is not connected. The system includes speed limit information and provides a GPSsourced vehicle speed read-out in real time.

And I am happy to say that Toyota is continuing to add more and more safety systems into their South African spec cars.

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In the Yaris Sport here, you get driver and passenger airbags; Isofix points; ABS with Brake Assist (BA); Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD); Vehicle Stability Control (VSC); seat belt pretentioner and force limiters; Hill Assist Control (HAC); as well as side, curtain and driver knee airbags.

At R286 000, the Toyota Yaris Sport is a good car, but at this price point, there are plenty competitors screaming at you for your money – such as VW’s Polo, Ford’s Fiesta and Renault’s Clio.

Pricing

• All Yaris models come with a three-year / 45 000km service plan and three-year / 100 000km warranty.
• Customers have the option of upgrading the above to a longer term / and or higher mileage through Toyota value added services.

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