Toyota Yaris 2021 Summary - Should YOU Buy One?

In MK4 model form, the Toyota Yaris has been further Europeanised with sharper styling, a better quality interior, improved media connectivity and significant changes to its segment-leading hybrid engine. What was already a class act has just become genuinely hard to overlook.

Design and Build

The Yaris takes its styling influence from the current Corolla family hatch, the panel work adopting various creases to give it some extra flair. Pronounced blister feature over the wheel arches, plus there's complex surfacing over the rear doors - and the car is both lower and wider than its predecessor. Unusually and against the current trend, this MK4 design is actually slightly smaller than the one it replaces, measuring in at 3,940mm - most supermini rivals are over 4 metres long. As usual, of more importance is the stuff you can't see - namely the new generation 'GA-B' platform this car sits upon.

Inside, you'll notice features more commonly seen in larger cars, including a large 10-inch centre-dash infotainment touchscreen. 'Apple CarPlay'/'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring is standard. There's also a further TFT information display between the two instrument binnacle gauges. The driver's seat positions you a little lower than before (36mm lower to be exact) and there are plenty of soft-touch materials around the cabin. The dashboard has been made slimmer and is set lower, with a wider and higher centre console. The driver's instrument binnacle has twin digital meters flanking the TFT multi-information display, and is presented with a shallow hood. Last, but not least, the steering wheel size has been reduced. The rear part of the cabin isn't especially spacious, but the boot area is of a versatile size and is enhanced by a variable-height boot floor.

Market and Model

Expect pricing to be much as before, which means you'll be looking at prices up towards £20,000. Most models will get features like dual-zone air conditioning, rear privacy glass, push-button start, automatic headlights and wipers, cruise control and auto-folding mirrors. Plus leather steering wheel trim, air conditioning and a smartphone-mirroring-compatible multimedia system.

Safety was a design priority: Toyota says that this fourth generation Yaris was designed to be the world's safest compact car, featuring significant advances in both active and passive safety systems. Standard advanced driver assistance systems include full speed-range intelligent adaptive cruise control and lane trace assist. In addition to these systems, the new Yaris has been developed to provide the best possible occupant protection, in line with stricter testing standards that will be applied in 2020. For example, to provide protection in the event of a side impact, the Yaris is the first car in its segment to be fitted with a centre airbag.

Cost of Ownership

The Yaris' residual values have always held up better than a Fiesta and a lot better than a Corsa and will stack up even more competitively now that the efficiency of this latest model has been improved. It'll help that the new hybrid engine is 20% lighter this time round, contributing to an overall weight saving of around 20kgs. And that a lithium-ion battery pack replaces the old model nickel hydride cells, meaning that more zero-emission all-electric progress should be possible. Toyota is talking of a CO2 figure as low as 86g/km. And a WLTP combined cycle fuel reading of 76.3mpg.

The Yaris is covered by a five-year, 100,000-mile warranty and buyers also get five years of pan-European roadside breakdown assistance, a three year paint warranty and twelve years of anti-perforation cover. And extended warranty can be bought at extra price as part of a package that includes free MOTs and extended roadside assistance cover. There's a dedicated 'MyT' app that allows you to book a service online using your 'phone. And Toyota has a 'Fixed Price Servicing' plan, so you'll know in advance exactly how much any work will cost before you check into a dealer.

PLAYLISTS

FOLLOW OSV ON

[rivervalegroup]

Thanks for watching! Would you buy a Toyota Yaris?

[yepthatsme]

Loved the review. Very tasteful. Better than carwow that mocks constantly cars functions that are not good for them but might be good for others.

[whitemoor]

Like this a lot. Interior looks excellent.

[zeproo]

Excellent !!! A review to re-watch in the year 2150.

[davidp]

What a great no nonsense review. Why have I not seen this channel before? Ready to change my vehicle now (postponed from last year for obvious reasons) and considering the Yaris, Honda Jazz or Hyundai i20. Will look at longer reviews to see what’s what.

[benrosenberg]

Got this a few days ago, and I LOVE it

[noyb-yb]

fast forward a year or two.... We just returned (Oct 2022) from visiting Italy, France and Greece. A lot of hybrid Toyotas everywhere! Particularly so in Rome and the Yaris hybrid hatch seems to be the most popular. Toyota must be doing something right.

[memyselfandi]

I'm getting the design soon.. it's going to be my first car nervous much

[ibsweet]

It's all very well saying "if you avoid the lower versions", if you do, you'll necessarily get 17" wheels and a harder ride. I’ve ordered the Excel. Potholes here we come!

[karlpeart]

getting the gr sport version in december. cant wait

[DavidHughes-opzl]

What percentage inaccuracy would you allow for the dashboard mpg read‐out figures...?

[michaelweil]

Here in Israel the new Jazz HEV mid spec and the equivalent Yaris sell for approximately the same price. There is no question as to which car I would choose.. it would be the Jazz

[DavidHughes-opzl]

Am I correct or incorrrct in saying that the new ones now coming off the profuction lines feature a 4 rather than 3 cyliners engine?

[slowioczek]

In review you said that this car is super mini, so what is for you Aygo, VW UP etc. Are they extra super micro cars for you?

[superthierry]

Not sure about the all white interior. Seats will need constant cleaning 🧹 . If I was in the market for a supermini it would have to be the Yaris. 😎🚙🇯🇵

[neilwallace]

Be aware that despite the claim the the Yaris can carry a tow bar it can’t. After having purchased one in November I have been informed by Toyota that after them giving me a towing and nose weight the car cannot have a tow bar fitted.

[roconnor]

One big downside for me is the price i.e. nearly £20k for the base model? I can bu a brand new VW Polo for about £15500.

[nicolausmalmgren]

in a few day i have my premiere Yaris :)

[oddities-whatnot]

Well im genuinely surprised by this. Both me and the lady had the previous models but the biggest problem we found is the engines were hard work when trying to make progress. I had the 1.33 and it sounded very strained when accelerating, and even then it seemed as though the power was restricted somewhat. Terrible engine design. The 1.5 hybrid was not much better although the CVT was great, we liked that. Good to see a completely new engine in this model. Very overpriced though in my opinion but then again, all new cars these days seem to be ridiculous prices. Cars are simply not good value, but I think thats very deliberate so that most buyers will only be able to afford them on PCP deals.

[letsseeif]

Nineties styling loses me and here in Australia they've upped the price by seven thousand dollars albeit, in a very small market segment in which the Yaris has never been a leader.