Toyota Yaris 2021 price increase + hybrid specs | Chasing Cars

Tom reveals pricing and specifications for the new 2021 Toyota Yaris hybrid and provides expert insights.

Is this the small car news story of 2020? In a huge departure from the outgoing car, the new Toyota Yaris steps up in price by about $10,000 in real terms. No more $16K driveaway deals: the new Yaris will start around $25K driveaway in Australia, with the hybrid running at over thirty grand on road. What’s happened? Why is the new Yaris so expensive? Should you now buy a Volkswagen Polo instead? We give you a preview of the 2021 Toyota Yaris before returning in early September with a full review. Stay tuned for that.

In today’s view, Tom Baker from Chasing Cars brings us a news piece on Toyota’s new city-sized hatchback, the Toyota Yaris, now available in hybrid form.

What do you think of the new Toyota Yaris? Have Toyota got the pricing wrong? Does all that new safety tech justify the increase? Would you consider a Yaris Hybrid? Let me know all your thoughts in the comments box below.

While you’re there, please consider subscribing and joining our Chasing Cars community.

[jered]

Wouldn't even consider the Yaris at this price, thank you for the early video very informative, have been waiting for pricing for ages

[Clove_Parma]

I think the upgrades look nice, but it's very hard to justify $35, 000 on a top spec Yaris when I could get a Mazda 2 GT for $27, 500 out the door. Sure you get a touchscreen and a proper heads up display, but there's no way someone would end up spending an extra $7, 500.
If you assume someone drives a car for 100, 000km with 91 octane at $1.40/l you'd still be $4, 300 odd ahead with the 2. (Yaris fuel cost being $4, 600 and 2's being $7, 600).
If someone wants to go for the Yaris for the newer styling and lower emissions, power to them but it's definitely hard to make the value case that you could with the last gen.
Hell, like you said even the Corolla would be around $2000 less over 100, 000km to run (fuel cost of $5880 over that time).
Great video as always, looking forward to seeing the first drive.

[anakinskywalker]

Wowzers that's an enormous price for a small car! I think Toyota have lost the plot on this new yaris.
I thought Mazda was bad with the new 3 but this just takes that to a new level.

[bmc]

Crazy to think that you can buy a 2 litre i30 auto with all the safety features and a 7 year warranty for 26k drive away. Or, a 1.5 Yaris in manual for 25k. I know where my money would go.

[kookaburra]

It's really good that you're giving overview of an upcoming vehicles in aus 👍

[MrTonifumi]

About 30% price rise? And there is no inflation???
I got an email today saying my life insurance is going up 17%
And there is no inflation?

[lsiv]

For 10k more I’ll just buy the corolla. Stay safe!

[gordonclark]

Phew! If I was looking at one, I wouldn't bother at that price.

[noelgibson]

I currently drive a 2012 Corolla sedan.
I love the new Yaris. I might wait a couple of years and buy a second hand example at a lower price. Corollas are now too big for my needs, and the styling doesn't do it for me.
The new Yaris's interior is beautiful, as is it's styling. I guess the price rise is a result of extra safety and comfort features that all new models are kind of obliged to have these days. It is what it is.
I've had a dream run with my current car. Other than with regular services, I've never had it off the road. Toyota is a great brand that i will stick with for the rest of my life.

[jamestorrens]

I know a lot of people in the comment section have talked about the price, but, holy crap! $25k for the base model? Thats... uh, a lot. I think the outgoing Yaris Ascent had a starting price of $18k.

[jaydendinh]

i dont think i would buy the yaris for an extra 10 grand

[haydos]

- Ascent Sport: $19, 990 drive-away
- SX hybrid: $23, 990 drive-away
- ZR hybrid: $27, 990 drive-away

I wonder if they're worried about keeping up with demand if prices were more reasonable like this. Look at the waiting times on their RAV4 hybrid...it seems like they've priced to manage demand

[piglet]

I appreciate your directness in discussing price rises. The main UK car reviewers e.g. What Car, Carwow, even Honest John, are now sales portals as well, so they are hardly likely to draw attention to the problem that new cars are becoming out of reach for many buyers of average means.. Emissions and safety regulations are driving this inflation, forcing the customer towards electrification and the view that 30, 000GBP is an acceptable price for a mediocre small hatchback (take a bow, Zoe, DS3). Rising demand for good used cars is already one consequence over here.

[markbiggart]

That’s absurd! As you rightly point out you can buy a Volkswagen polo trendline with a leather steering wheel leather gearstick in a manual for around $17, 000 why on earth would you spend $8000 more on a Yaris? And wouldn’t you just buy a Corolla instead for that money?

[nikitis]

For a Japanese small car I don't think you can beat Suzuki on value. Great fun to drive, bomb proof and brilliantly economical just adds icing to the cake.

[jesserowlingsify]

25k for a plastic steering wheel? They're having a laugh.

Move into the next class up for that price. Might lose a few safety features but you get more space, more power, and more comfort with a negligibly larger footprint.

[davidperry]

Goodbye to budget priced small cars. This increase in prices began with the Mazda 2 increases for basically the same car as before with a bit of extra equipment. The Yaris may prove to be a better car than the Mazda but not at those prices. I think the public will turn off in a big way. Buy a Polo or even a Audi for not much more.

[kunal]

Before i knew the price, i was seriously thinking to buy this car. But now it makes no financial sense.

[jalapeno_salsa]

And I thought a Mazda 2 was expensive...

[vrcommodore]

I have respect for Toyota’s, but around $25, 000 for the base model Yaris, I wonder how it’ll sell. Lots of budget conscious car buyers will turn to Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, etc.
Even the base model Volkswagen Polo Trendline is cheaper. I’ll pass on the Yaris.