Toyota Yaris : In a car industry that sometimes values machismo exterior designs, high horsepower numbers or sexy tech, the Toyota Yaris has somehow carved out a little niche for itself as a sensible and practical pick in the compact sedan segment.
No, it did not set Indian sales charts on fire but the Yaris has found a place for itself among the niche set of buyers who value comfort, safety, and hassle-free ownership.
Introduced as Toyota’s riposte to the likes of the Honda City, Hyundai Verna and Maruti Ciaz, the Yaris made its mark with a different value proposition – an accomplished, laidback sedan that put essentials ahead of gimmicks.
Toyota Yaris Subtle yet Clean Exterior Appearance
You need only glance at the Toyota Yaris to grasp its design philosophy. It’s not trying to make a show of itself with exaggerated curves or loud styling. It’s not ugly, but there’s no “sex” in this design: it’s a perfectly serviceable design.
Up front, the grille is glossy and flanked by wraparound headlamps and trim chrome highlights. It’s soft spoken, but it grows on you with each listen.
The rear design is no-nonsense as well—austere, tidy, and without superfluous overlay.
And while it might not make as bold a statement as some of its more flamboyant competitors, its design language is timeless and does not rapidly show its age.
Effortless engine operation
The Yaris comes with a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol motor that sends out close to 106 PS and 140 Nm of peak torque. Customers also had the option of either a 6-speed manual or a 7-step CVT depending on the variant.
Sure, the engine won’t give you that surge you might find in a turbocharged competitor, but it provides what most daily drivers are most likely looking for: A nicely refined and smooth gut stomping, linear power delivery and predictable behavior.
The CVT in particular is suitable for city traffic, providing a smooth and easy drive.
At steady speeds, the cabin is well insulated and the engine is smooth. It’s a car obviously designed for comfort, not for speed.
Cabin and Features Houses multiple comfortable people
The Yaris interior captures Toyota’s trademark of simplicity and ease of use. The dash is nicely laid out with soft-touch materials in all of the right places and it has a clean control arrangement. The front seats are supportive and comfortable, and backseats have good legroom and adequate headroom for normal-sized adults.
One neat party trick was the option of roof mounted rear AC vents, a’ feature that is sparsely seen in this segment.
In addition to attributes such as the flat rear floor, armrest and adjustable headrests, the Yaris was obviously designed for rear passenger comfort.
Boot space is ample, with 476 litres the unit will be fit for long hauls or family cars.
Features and Safety
The Yaris came equipped with a decent set of features including touchscreen infotainment system, climate control, keyless entry, push button start and controls mounted on the steering wheel.
While it wasn’t the most tech-stuffed car in its class, it was hardly stripped of high-tech essentials, and it did all of the important tech stuff well.
Its real standout, though, was safety. Even in sub and mid-variants, Toyota gave up to 7 airbags, ABS with EBD, hill-start assist, and vehicle stability control—all of which was very much unlike others in the game when it came to the safety aspect.
Pros:
Great construction and dependable built
Petrol is silky and sophisticated
Goodies in the cabin and a comfy ride
One of the most secure vehicles in its category
Low upkeep and solid brand confidence
Cons:
No option of diesel and turbo-petrol variant
Ho-hum design might not be for younger buyers.
Tech and infotainment features are thin on the ground
Not as sporty or exciting as competitors
Our price was a bit higher than the competition
Toyota Yaris Final Verdict
The Toyota Yaris might not have been a flashy or wildly popular choice, but for people who value long-term peace of mind — and reasonable comfort and safety — it was a strong pick.
It wasn’t designed to woo at first sight, it was made to endure. And for a lot of people, that’s just what matters.