Toyota is making life exhausting for its tiniest tot, the common-or-garden Yaris.
Launched again in 2020, the fourth-generation Yaris has been topic to cost hikes nearly yearly since, regardless of the emergence of aggressive new gamers within the gentle automobile house.
The brand new Suzuki Swift and MG 3 each provide hybrid powertrains, whereas the all-electric BYD Dolphin begins at lower than $30,000 earlier than on-road prices. In the meantime, Yaris costs have crept as much as $28,990 plus on-roads for the bottom Ascent Sport and practically $35k for this – the flagship ZR.
New automobile consumers have seen, and acted accordingly. The Yaris is the slowest-selling car in its VFACTS section (mainstream gentle passenger vehicles), which is kind of an anomaly for a Toyota.
That begs the query: is there any advantage in shopping for a top-spec Toyota Yaris for household SUV cash in 2025? We lived with the trendy ZR for per week to seek out out.
How a lot does the Toyota Yaris value?
Pricing of the Toyota Yaris will increase by as a lot as $800 this yr, though the ZR was principally spared from the hikes.
| Mannequin | Value earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2025 Toyota Yaris Ascent Sport | $28,990 |
| 2025 Toyota Yaris SX | $32,390 |
| 2025 Toyota Yaris ZR | $34,590 |
To see how the Toyota Yaris traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
What’s the Toyota Yaris like on the within?
The inside of the flagship ZR is nice, however it’s not fairly $35,000 good. When you have been searching for a primary instance of the ‘Toyota tax’, that is it.
Slipping into the cosy cabin, the Yaris ZR makes a strong first impression with comforting seating and wonderful ergonomics.
The ‘sports activities’ material seats maintain you in place with out intruding in your private house, and the bottom cushion is thick sufficient to stay supportive over lengthy journeys.
Each entrance seats characteristic guide adjustment levers, and it’s simple to seek out your ideally suited driving place because the steering wheel tilts and telescopes extensively. No seat heating although, a characteristic that’s normal within the sub-$30k Suzuki Swift Hybrid GLX.
All key controls are inside shut attain, from the pedals and kit lever to the infotainment display screen. It’s a user-friendly house that places the driving force first.
Construct high quality additionally will get a convincing tick – there’s no play in any of the inside panels, whereas creaks and rattles have been absent from our tester. All of the stalks, buttons and switches really feel strong and performance with a satisfying click on or flip.
The supplies, alternatively, are nothing to jot down house about. Laborious, textured plastics dominate the inside panels, damaged up by addition of some suede right here and there.
Along with suede accents, the ZR brings sporty crimson piping and stitching, which provides a welcome splash of color to an in any other case unexciting cabin. From a supplies standpoint, the spotlight of this Yaris is its leather-accented steering wheel – textured, agency, and simply the suitable dimension.
Peek by the highest part and also you’ll discover a digital instrument cluster, which works in tandem with a head-up show and eight.0-inch infotainment touchscreen.
Each inside screens have been up to date for 2024, and that replace was a well timed one because the previous-gen tech was exhibiting its age.
The SX and ZR achieve a full 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster with 9 patterns and three themes. It’s a little bit pixelated, however the format is clear and you’ll cycle by quite a lot of totally different readouts whereas maintaining a tally of whether or not the powertrain is in ‘cost’, ‘eco’, or ‘energy’ mode.
Performance inside the instrument show extends to ADAS settings – handy in principle, however impractical in observe. Personally, I’d discover it simpler to make ADAS changes by the infotainment menus.
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity is now wi-fi, and there’s cloud-based satellite tv for pc navigation. Toyota has additionally ditched USB-A retailers for a pair of USB-C retailers up entrance.
The upgraded infotainment display screen is devoid of bodily controls, a pattern that’s all the trend within the automotive business proper now. Eradicating buttons and switchgear can have a unfavourable impression on usability, however that’s not the case right here.
Shortcut icons are pinned to the suitable facet of the display screen, and the system has a flat studying curve. Highlights of the upgraded media show embody detailed native satellite tv for pc navigation and sharp graphics, though processing speeds could possibly be improved.
Toyota is taking an incremental method to the digitisation of inside controls, which means the model has but to ditch rotary dials and buttons for the local weather management system. Positive, storage and aesthetics endure a little bit in consequence, however that’s unlikely to faze most Yaris consumers.
And it’s not just like the the Yaris is desperately missing for cabin storage. Moderately, it gives a choice of intelligent options that belie its dainty exterior dimensions.
You get not one however two storage trays beneath the infotainment display screen, and the door bins are deeper than you would possibly anticipate. There’s an additional nook above the glovebox, which itself is a good dimension.
I used to be solely left wanting for a centre console, however it’s exhausting to carry that in opposition to the tiny Yaris. That brings us to the second row.
It’s not significantly spacious, which is hardly a shock. At 6’1″, I used to be simply capable of squeeze myself into the again behind my driving place, slouching all the way down to keep away from contact with the headlining.
Smaller adults match with out trouble, and also you’ll comfortably cram a number of children again there. Is it luxurious? No, however the material seats don’t lack cushioning and the entrance seat backs are sort on squashed knees.
All issues thought of, the Yaris is as roomy if no more so than rival microcars. You’re simply paying much more for that privilege.
And other than a number of millimetres of additional house apart, you don’t get an entire lot in your cash. USB retailers, air vents, cupholders, and a centre armrest are all nowhere to be seen, leaving rear passengers with a pair dinky map pockets and drink bottle-shaped door bins.
Yaris consumers are unlikely to want the again seats regularly although, and when doable it’s sensible to drop the rear bench for additional cargo capability.
With each rows of seating in place the Yaris gives 270 litres of boot house – greater than the Suzuki Swift Hybrid (265L), Kia Picanto (255L) and Mazda 2 (250L), however lower than the BYD Dolphin (345L) and MG 3 (293L).
The opening aperture is kind of small, however there’s no load lip should you go away the adjustable boot ground in its default place.
Beneath all of it is a space-saver spare tyre, an more and more uncommon characteristic that Australian consumers worth extremely.
| Dimensions | Toyota Yaris |
|---|---|
| Size | 3950mm |
| Width | 1695mm |
| Top | 1495mm |
| Wheelbase | 2550mm |
| Cargo capability | 270L |
To see how the Toyota Yaris traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
What’s beneath the bonnet?
All Toyota Yaris autos are powered by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid powertrain producing 67kW of energy and 120Nm of torque, mated with a 59kW/141Nm electrical motor, a small lithium-ion battery, and a repeatedly variable automated transmission (CVT).
| Specs | Toyota Yaris ZR |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L 3cyl hybrid |
| Engine outputs | 67kW/120Nm |
| Electrical motor outputs | 59kW/141Nm |
| System outputs | 85kW |
| Battery | 4.3Ahr lithium-ion |
| Transmission | CVT |
| Drive kind | Entrance-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1130kg (kerb) |
| Gasoline economic system (claimed) | 3.3L/100km |
| Gasoline economic system (as examined) | 4.0L/100km |
| Gasoline tank capability | 36L |
| Gasoline requirement | 91 octane common unleaded |
| CO2 emissions | 76g/km |
| Emissions normal | Euro 5 |
To see how the Toyota Yaris traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
How does the Toyota Yaris drive?
Regardless of its age and worsening worth in comparison with rivals, the Yaris stays a pleasant little automobile to drive. Simply as the inside feels strong, the mechanical components of the Yaris really feel expertly developed, sturdy and applicable for this utility.
It weighs a measly 1130kg and that’s skilled as a energy round city – the Yaris is vastly manoeuvrable and conscious of driver inputs.
The steering is devoid of really feel however razor sharp – you possibly can change route right away, and it’s simple to dart out and in of site visitors.
Slicing by site visitors usually includes use of the accelerator pedal, which isn’t at all times an satisfying expertise in microcars. Many gentle autos lack refinement when pushed enthusiastically, usually attributable to an absence of grunt and cabin insulation.
Nonetheless, that’s not the case with this Yaris. Right here, the hybrid powertrain makes a low three-cylinder warble beneath throttle, however it by no means rattles or screams.
And once you wish to potter round in a extra relaxed method, the Yaris is EV-like – quiet, easy, and peaceable.
With 85kW of mixed energy, it’s additionally acquired sufficient ‘go’ to really feel nippy at city speeds. The CVT transmission tends to go unnoticed, at all times discovering the suitable steadiness between effectivity, efficiency, and drivability.
Past agility and powertrain refinement, the Yaris gives a easy journey for a light-weight hatch. It feels settled on the street regardless of its diminutive dimension, with compliant suspension that smooths out coarse tarmac other than the occasional bobble over significantly difficult surfaces.
Extra composed than some autos twice its dimension, the Yaris straddles pace humps like a mountain goat and feels substantial on the street whereas possessing all of the fascinating traits of a tiny runabout, together with ease of parking.
You’ll be capable of squeeze it into nearly any parking house, and this top-spec ZR comes with all of the useful tech together with a reversing digital camera and sensors. Even with out it, there’s loads of entrance, facet and rear visibility with no apparent blind spots.
Whereas it’d be truthful to anticipate the Yaris to thrive within the metropolis and suburbs, what’s most spectacular is the way it performs on the freeway.
Though there’s not a lot in the way in which of pulling energy at larger speeds, the Yaris is a little bit automobile that’s blissful to play with the massive boys. It doesn’t really feel flimsy when driving alongside B-doubles, and the cabin is nicely insulated from wind and tyre noise.
As soon as cruising at a continuing pace, the Yaris will run on EV energy alone, indicated by an icon that pops up on the digital cluster.
Adaptive cruise management with energetic lane centring aids in snug cruising, taking all the effort out of marathon journeys.
The system is extremely simple to function and works flawlessly, a lot in order that I’d wager multi-hour street journeys will be accomplished earlier than fatigue even threatens to creep in.
Different superior driver help programs (ADAS) work away within the background, solely alerting the driving force of threats when vital. Changes will be made by the instrument cluster.
From a gasoline effectivity standpoint, the Yaris stays among the finest autos in its class. We noticed a mean consumption of 4.0L/100km over the course of our check, which could possibly be additional improved by making the most of the ‘Eco’ drive mode.
To see how the Toyota Yaris traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
What do you get?
There are three members of the Yaris vary.
2025 Toyota Ascent Sport gear highlights:
- 15-inch metal wheels in 185/60R15 tyres
- House-saver spare
- Halogen headlights with LED daytime working lights
- Automated high-beam
- Fabric upholstery
- 60/40 cut up/fold rear seats
- Urethane steering wheel
- Tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment
- 4.2-inch instrument cluster display screen
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- DAB+ digital radio
- Six-speaker sound system
- 2 x USB-C retailers
- Local weather management
- Keyless entry and begin
The SX provides:
- 16-inch alloy wheels in 185/55R16 tyres
- LED headlights and tail-lights
- Rear privateness glass
- Embedded, cloud-based satellite tv for pc navigation
- 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
- Satin silver inside trim
- Tender-touch instrument panel
- Leather-based-accented steering wheel and shifter
The ZR provides:
- Rear spoiler
- Darkish chrome grille
- Black mirror caps
- Head-up show
- Entrance sports activities seats
- Entrance centre console field with gentle
- Piano black trim
- Crimson sprint and door inserts
To see how the Toyota Yaris traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
Is the Toyota Yaris secure?
The Toyota Yaris has a five-star ranking from ANCAP, primarily based on testing carried out in 2020.
| Class | Toyota Yaris |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 86 per cent |
| Little one occupant safety | 87 per cent |
| Weak street consumer safety | 78 per cent |
| Security help | 87 per cent |
The next security gear is normal throughout the vary:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Pedestrian
- Bicycle owner (daylight solely)
- Motorcyclist
- Oncoming car
- Intersection collision avoidance assist
- Emergency steering help
- Low-speed acceleration suppression
- Adaptive cruise management
- Lane hint help
- Velocity signal recognition
- Reversing digital camera
- 8 x airbags
- Entrance and rear parking assist brake with parking sensors
The ZR positive aspects:
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Secure exit help
To see how the Toyota Yaris traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
How a lot does the Toyota Yaris value to run?
Toyota backs its vary with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.
| Servicing and Guarantee | Toyota Yaris |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5 years, limitless kilometres |
| Roadside help | $99 per yr |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years |
| Whole capped-price service value | $1250 |
| Common capped-price service value | $250 |
To see how the Toyota Yaris traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
CarExpert’s Tackle the Toyota Yaris
The Toyota Yaris is the very best mainstream gentle automobile available on the market, however it’s additionally the costliest.
At $35k, the flagship Yaris ZR is hundreds of {dollars} pricier than an equal Mazda 2, MG 3 or Suzuki Swift Hybrid, and that in itself is prone to dissuade many potential consumers.
Nonetheless, the standard of the product can’t be disputed. Even after a number of years available on the market, the Yaris feels cutting-edge in the way in which it drives – the powertrain is intuitive and environment friendly, whereas the chassis and security programs are completely dialled in.
You’re additionally shopping for into the peace of thoughts that comes with proudly owning a Toyota. But when worth for cash is your prime precedence – as it’s for a lot of consumers on this worth bracket – then this ZR is difficult to advocate.
The bottom Ascent Sport gives the identical mechanical package deal for a barely extra palatable worth, whereas the Kia Picanto is an affordable as chips different from a equally reliable model.
Like the concept of electrical motoring? The BYD Dolphin can now be had for lower than $30,000 earlier than on-road prices, and the larger MG 4 can be Yaris ZR cash.
Focused on shopping for a Toyota Yaris? Let CarExpert discover you the very best deal right here
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