Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 79%

With a large number of superminis selling on price and value, Toyota has stuck to its guns, and built a solid-feeling urban runabout which majors on quality and features.

But is there a market for a premium supermini outside of cult future classics like the Mini?

Read on for our review of the Toyota Yaris, or click the links to skip to a section.

Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling | Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment | X-Factor | Rivals

1. Looks

The new, second generation Yaris has a cheeky look which although typically Toyota (the forthcoming Corolla replacement looks very similar) is thoroughly European. A short snout is framed by two doe-eyed headlights, and a small grille. The rear has a hint of the new Vauxhall Corsa but remains the strongest connection with its pretty predecessor. The 15-inch wheels on our T3 test car look too small, and with only the range-topping T Spirit above it, we expected alloys as standard.

8/10

2. Looks inside

Some passengers thought the interior is bland, but all the controls are logically placed, and with the dials in the centrally-mounted instrument cluster, it looks tidy and uncluttered. The digital speedometer and rev counter takes a little getting used to, not least because it looks like its set back further than it actually is, causing slight eye strain. Once this is overcome, it becomes second nature to glance at the bright, clearly lit screen. The swooping lines on the door cards are pleasant, but two interior handles seems like overkill. Frustratingly on a £10,000 car, there’s no lumbar support for the lower back.

8/10

3. Practicality

It might be small, but the Yaris has a tardis effect, and seems enormous from the passenger seat. This is helped by a remarkably light and airy cabin, with lots of glass and minimal clutter on the dashboard. There are no fewer than 12 storage areas accessible for the front seat occupants, including two useful gloveboxes in front of both driver and passenger. The rear seats slide back and forth, providing extra boot space or legroom in the back. With the seats fully back, there is 272 litres of space, rising to a useful 363 litres with them forward (rear legroom is non-existent if you want to max the boot though). Fold the rear seats flat, and there’s up to 1,086 litres of room. The only frustration was with the rear seats back and the false floor in place (it can be removed, or used to hide away rarely-used tools), shopping needs to be put down before space can be made to pack it in.

8/10

4. Ride and Handling

The Yaris is a hoot to drive, providing plenty of wheel on each corner fun (like the original Mini), and we love its ability to sail from one corner to the next without fuss or drama. The ride was good too, particularly around town and only becomes flustered at speed on badly maintained roads. The Yaris can turn around in the smallest of spaces, with a turning circle of just 4.7 metres.

8/10

5. Performance

With a 86bhp, 1.3-litre engine, the Yaris is more nippy than fast, but around town, it’s more than enough. It’ll reach 62mph (100km/h) in 11.5 seconds and hit 106mph flat out, but the fun is to be had stirring the gearbox to get the best from it.

7/10

6. Running Costs

At around 47 miles per gallon of petrol used, the Yaris is a frugal machine. Be gentle with the pedals, and on a clear road it should hit 60mpg without fuss (economy conscious drivers may want to pay a premium for the 1.4 diesel versions, which can manage more than 70 miles per gallon). It just misses out on exemption from the London Congestion Charge, although its Band C emissions rating means it costs £100 a year to tax. This is combined with a gentle depreciation curve and Toyota’s famous build quality to make an excellent long term ownership prospect. Additionally Toyota claims the Yaris has been built to be easy to repair, helping to keep insurance costs down. Service intervals are every 20,000 miles, with just a minor check over in the intervening 10,000 miles.

Sadly, the Yaris is expensive compared to its rivals. The range starts at more than £8,000, rising to over £13,250 for the top of the range.

7/10

7. Reliability

Toyota consistently appears in lists of the most reliable cars, and the Yaris is unlikely to be any different. Although it’s an all-new car, its predecessor proved to run and run without any major issues.

9/10

8. Safety

The Yaris has received a full five star rating for occupant protection in the EuroNCAP crash tests programme. Brake assist, which applies the brakes harder in the event of a skid to maximise the effectiveness of the anti-lock braking system is standard on all models. Most models in the range receive driver and passenger airbags, with a deactivation switch should a child seat be fitted in the passenger side. Our T3 test car (and the T Spirit) is the first supermini to have a driver’s knee airbag, while an energy-absorbing pad has been built into the door, adding to the protection offered by the side and curtain airbags.

9/10

9. Equipment

Our Yaris T3 test car features a high level of standard kit, although it was supplemented with the £295 Protection Pack, which consists of scuff plates on the door sills, mudflaps and mats. At £675, the alloy wheel, chrome tailpipe and roof spoiler-toting Sport Pack looks like good value, and given the choice, we would have chosen it for our test car. The fully-integrated stereo system – complete with steering wheel-mounted controls – plays MP3 and Windows Media files as well as standard CDs. We would have expected more for our £10,000 though.

7/10

10. X-Factor

Reliable, good looking, fun to drive; its hard not to see the appeal in the Yaris. In fact, its one of the best all-rounders on sale today.

8/10

Rivals

You might also want to consider:

Citroen C1

Ford Fiesta

Honda Jazz

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