The Toyota Yaris is one of the most popular and enduring small cars in the world, with a loyal fan base and a reputation for reliability, efficiency, and practicality. But the Yaris is not just a sensible choice, it's also a fun and exciting one, especially with the latest updates for the 2024 model year.
The 2024 Toyota Yaris has received a comprehensive mid-life facelift that enhances its design, performance, technology, and safety features. The new Toyota Yaris is more stylish, more powerful, more connected, and more capable than ever before, making it a strong contender in the competitive subcompact segment.
The new Toyota Yaris is available in four trim levels: Icon, Design, Excel, and GR Sport. The Icon is the entry-level model that offers a generous standard equipment list, including LED headlights and taillights, 16-inch alloy wheels, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and a suite of advanced driver assistance systems.
The Design adds some extra flair with a bi-tone paint scheme, 17-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, and LED fog lights. The Excel is the luxury-oriented model that features leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver's seat, a panoramic sunroof, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation and JBL sound system, and a 360-degree camera.
The GR Sport is a sporty model that mimics the look and feel of the high-performance GR Yaris hot hatch. It has a more aggressive grille, sporty lower body styling, 18-inch alloy wheels with red brake calipers, a rear spoiler, a diffuser-style rear bumper, GR logos, sports seats, sports pedals, and a GR steering wheel.
The new Yaris also introduces a new limited-edition Premiere Edition model that showcases some of the new features of the facelift. It has a unique Neptune Blue bi-tone paint color with a black roof and pillars, black leather upholstery with blue stitching, blue ambient lighting, and an exclusive badge.
One of the biggest changes for the 2024 Toyota Yaris is the introduction of a new hybrid powertrain option. The new Toyota Yaris Hybrid 130 system boosts the power and torque of the front electric motor from 85 kW to 96 kW and from 141 Nm to 185 Nm. This results in faster acceleration times in both the 0-100 km/h sprint (down 0.5 seconds to 9.2 seconds) and the 80-120 km/h overtaking maneuver (now 7.5 seconds).
The new hybrid system still uses Toyota's 1.5-liter three-cylinder petrol engine that runs on the Atkinson cycle for improved efficiency. The engine also features variable valve timing and an electric water pump to reduce friction losses. The combined output of the hybrid system is 130 hp (97 kW) and 180 Nm of torque.
The new Hybrid 130 system is available only on the Premiere Edition and GR Sport models. The rest of the range continues to offer the Hybrid 115 system that delivers 115 hp (86 kW) and 120 Nm of torque from the same petrol engine and a smaller electric motor. Both hybrid systems are paired with an e-CVT automatic transmission that simulates six gears for smoother driving.
The hybrid models also benefit from Toyota's fourth-generation hybrid technology that optimizes the energy management between the engine and the battery. The battery is a lithium-ion unit that is lighter and more compact than the previous nickel-metal hydride battery. It also has a higher energy density and faster charging capability.
The hybrid models can run on electric power alone for short distances at low speeds, reducing fuel consumption and emissions. Toyota claims that the new Yaris can achieve up to 68 mpg (3.5 L/100 km) on the WLTP combined cycle and emit as low as 92 g/km of CO2.
The new Yaris also offers a conventional petrol engine option for those who prefer a simpler drivetrain. It's a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine that produces 72 hp (54 kW) and 93 Nm of torque. It can be paired with either a five-speed manual or an optional CVT automatic transmission.
The petrol models are less efficient than the hybrid models but still offer decent fuel economy and low emissions. Toyota claims that they can achieve up to 53 mpg (4.4 L/100 km) on the WLTP combined cycle and emit as low as 99 g/km of CO2.
The new Yaris also boasts improved driving dynamics thanks to its lightweight yet rigid platform that uses high-strength steel to enhance safety and handling. The suspension has been tuned to provide a comfortable ride while maintaining agility and stability. The steering has been calibrated to deliver a more direct and responsive feel.
The new Yaris also features a new safety system that can bring the car to a safe stop if it detects an unresponsive driver. The Emergency Driving Stop System (EDSS) monitors the driver's inputs and alerts them if they have been inactive for a certain amount of time. If there is no reaction from the driver, the system will gently slow down the car, activate the hazard lights, and unlock the doors.
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The 2024 Toyota Yaris also comes with a host of other safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, pre-collision system, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and hill-start assist.
The new Yaris also offers enhanced connectivity and convenience features, such as over-the-air updates for the safety system and the infotainment system. The latter supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as online services such as weather, traffic, parking, and fuel prices. The new Yaris also has a smart entry and start system, a head-up display, and a digital rearview mirror.
The new Yaris is expected to go on sale in Europe in early 2024, with prices to be announced closer to the launch date. The new Yaris will compete with other subcompact hatchbacks such as the Ford Fiesta, the Vauxhall Corsa, the Peugeot 208, the Renault Clio, the Skoda Fabia, and the Dacia Sandero.
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The new Yaris is also likely to arrive in other markets, such as Australia and Asia, later in 2024. However, it is unlikely to be offered in North America, where Toyota has discontinued the Yaris due to low demand. Instead, North American customers can opt for the larger Toyota Corolla or the smaller Toyota C-HR crossover.
The new Toyota Yaris is a testament to Toyota's commitment to making hybrid technology accessible and appealing to a wide range of customers. The new Yaris combines efficiency, performance, style, and safety in a compact and affordable package that is hard to beat. The new Yaris is not just a hybrid hatchback, it's a hybrid hatchback that's hotter than ever.
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