Toyota launches third-generation Yaris in UK for summer sale
The new Toyota Yaris arrives with updated styling, improved cabin quality and three engine options, including a diesel, ahead of a hybrid version due next year.
Toyota has unveiled the third generation of its Yaris supermini, confirming that UK sales will begin this summer. The new model brings sharper styling, a more upmarket interior and a revised engine line-up, with prices starting at £11,170.
At launch, buyers will have a choice of three engines. Two petrol units are available: a 1.0-litre VVT-i and a 1.33-litre dual VVT-i. The diesel option is a 1.4-litre D-4D. Toyota has also confirmed that a hybrid Yaris, based on the concept shown at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, will join the range next year.
The new Yaris is offered in four trim levels: T2, TR, SR and T Spirit. Equipment levels have been raised, with Toyota’s Touch & Go multimedia system and a 6.1-inch touchscreen display set to be standard on 95 per cent of UK sales. The system brings sat-nav and Bluetooth connectivity to the supermini segment, aiming to broaden the Yaris’s appeal among tech-focused buyers.
Sharper design and improved quality
Toyota says the new Yaris builds on its predecessor’s strengths with a more dynamic exterior and a noticeable step up in cabin quality. The dashboard layout has been revised and now places the speedometer and tachometer directly in front of the driver, addressing a long-standing criticism of previous models. Materials and fit-and-finish have also been improved, targeting rivals such as the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo.
The car is available as a three-door or five-door hatchback, with the three-door variant emphasising the sportier side of the range. Toyota has also patented designs for a sport version of the new Yaris in Europe, though no details have been released yet. The SR trim is positioned as the most dynamic in the line-up for now.
Engines and efficiency
Toyota claims the new Yaris offers greater agility and efficiency than before. The 1.0-litre VVT-i is aimed at economy-minded buyers, while the 1.33-litre dual VVT-i offers more power for those needing better performance. The 1.4-litre D-4D diesel caters to drivers covering higher mileages. A Multidrive S automatic transmission is available, and all engines are designed to meet Euro 5 emissions standards.
- 1.0-litre VVT-i petrol: entry-level, focused on economy
- 1.33-litre dual VVT-i petrol: more power, still efficient
- 1.4-litre D-4D diesel: for higher mileage drivers
- Multidrive S automatic transmission option
A hybrid Yaris is due to follow in 2012, expanding Toyota’s hybrid range in Europe and bringing the technology to the supermini class. Further details on the hybrid model will be released closer to launch.
UK pricing and availability
The third-generation Yaris is available to order now in the UK, with first customer deliveries expected in the summer. The entry price is set at £11,170, with higher trim levels and options pushing the cost upwards. Toyota is targeting both existing Yaris owners and buyers new to the brand, promising more style, equipment and efficiency than before.
The new Yaris enters a competitive supermini market, facing rivals including the Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Polo and Renault Clio. Toyota is betting on improved quality, technology and the forthcoming hybrid option to win buyers in the UK and across Europe.
