Toyota comprehensively revises Yaris

Toyota has revised the Yaris, with improvements to material quality and revised engines, meaning lower emissions and improved fuel economy. Prices are to be announced, but don’t expect much difference from the current model, which starts at £10,995.

Cosmetically the Yaris has been given a look similar to that of the all-new Aygo, with a large, black grille dominating the front of the car. There are also new headlight and tail light clusters using LED lighting. The door design has also been revised to incorporate a more prominent crease down the flank of the car.

The cabin has been redesigned, with a slimmer dashboard, a shorter gear lever and a new closed storage area. There’s a new touchscreen system and a new selection of materials to make the cabin feel more upmarket, including new seat trims and greater use of soft touch plastics.

Changes under the skin are comprehensive, too. The steering and suspension have been reworked to deliver greater ride comfort and more enjoyable handling, while body rigidity has been increased by the use of additional welding points. There’s also improved sound-proofing to quieten the cabin.

The hybrid model has been tweaked to reduce emissions, down from 79g/km to 75g/km. That means it’s eligible for London congestion charge exemption under the new, stricter rules. Toyota has also improved the 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, lowering its CO2 emissions to 99g/km. Power remains the same at 68PS.