Toyota’s Yaris has always been a decent, if not great, alternative for those in the market for Ford Fiesta-sized car. Majoring in bulletproof reliability, a spacious well-built cabin and strong range of economical engines, the small Yaris has some of the lowest running costs in its class. Buy new and the Toyota will also doggedly hold its value. In 2010 the whole Yaris range was spruced up with the addition of an all-new 1.33-litre engine that offers stop start in congested traffic.
Initially, there’s was the choice of four engines in the Yaris range, a 68bhp 1.0-litre, 87bhp 1.3 and a more powerful 133bhp 1.8-litre. There was also the option of a 90bhp 1.4-litre diesel. Out of the three, the tiniest 1.0-litre is probably best option for those who rarely venture out of town. That’s because it crawls to 62mph in 15.7 seconds and tops out at 97mph. A better all-rounder is the more powerful 87bhp 1.3-litre, that was initially offered, or its replacement the more powerful 101bhp 1.33-litre that was offered from January 2010.
The newer 1.33-litre engine verges on the heroic. Teamed together with a slick six-speed manual it completes the 0-62mph dash in 11.7 seconds and hits 109mph. On the move it needs plenty of revs to deliver its best, but easily keeps up with traffic and, thanks to decent gearing, cruises near silently at 70mph. The sole diesel, meanwhile, is a little vocal when working, but rewards with punchier in gear acceleration. Finally, the most powerful and sportiest 1.8-litre lived a short life in the Yaris range. The 131bhp engine was introduced in April 2007 and fazed out towards the end of 2008. Available in the SR the sportiest Yaris could sprint to 62mph in 8.9 seconds but was seen more of ‘warm’, rather than ‘hot’ hatch to challenge the fast Renaults that lead the hot hatch class.
ABS, Alarm, CD/Radio, Electric Mirrors, Electric Windows,Immobiliser, Power Steering, Remote Central Locking,