Toyota Yaris 2024: a hybrid with character

Those who come across the new Toyota Yaris 2024 may not be able to distinguish it from the one on sale since 2020 and which has the distinction of being the best-selling SUV (what we call the B segment) in Europe. But there are changes, and quite a lot. lAt least, however, they take place outside and affect two aspects: on the one hand, the color palette, and on the other, the wheels. As such, Neptune Blue with a contrasting black roof is new for the Premiere Edition, which can also be had in two-tone Pearl White. But no less attractive is Ascari Gray, which will only be offered in the GR Sport version.

In terms of wheels, Toyota has introduced new 16-inch models for the Active Plus trim, 17-inch for the Style and Premiere Edition trims, and 18-inch with red stripes for the GR Sport. This appearance is enough to update the product. , because the GT Sport badges that the sportiest variant gets and the G-shaped motif that now adorns the grille are rather discreet.

Key on the phone

Most of the new features are concentrated in the car’s interior. And the more we delve into its “insides”. As for the interior, the first novelty is that it no longer requires us to carry a physical key with us, since in the Premiere Edition and GR Sport we can integrate it into our phone through the MyToyota app. This function, compatible with Android and iOS, not only opens and closes the doors, but also allows us, even from a distance, to start the engine, activate the air conditioning or turn on the emergency lights to find the car in the parking lot. .

The second big change is the 12.3-inch screen as a clock panel, which the High, Premiere Edition and GR Sport versions now offer as standard (the others retain the 4.2-inch screen), with three different zones, 12 template displays and the ability to choice between them. a variety of data on both sides, so it’s quite practical.

Screens are growing

And the third major premiere, which can be seen behind closed doors, is the infotainment screen, which on one side has grown to 10.5 inches (from 9 inches in the Active Plus version), and on the other is controlled by a new system. What we find most interesting in this third section is that the Yaris can now be controlled using cloud navigation. That is, he will take into account traffic accidents and send us on a different route if he thinks we will save time. Even so, this is true. It’s fair to say that the Style version now includes a wireless charger for our phone.

When stopped, there’s little to discover other than the trim details, which particularly stand out on the GR Sport, which features Alcantara sports seats with GR emblems (these also appear on the trunk button and steering wheel), more attractive stitching, and a black steering wheel. steering wheel, perforated leather and sports pedals.

Up to 130 hp

As for engines, the Yaris is equipped with the fifth generation of hybrid powertrains from the Japanese brand. The most powerful version increased power to 130 hp, with an improvement in torque from 141 to 185 Nm at any speed, and in order to “pull this increase out of the hat,” Japanese engineers installed a more powerful electric motor-generator and with improved lubrication, which was accompanied changes in power control unit (PCU) software and hardware.

These innovations reduced the 0-100 pace by 5 tenths, leaving the sprint time at 9.2 seconds and the 80 km/h to 120 km/h pace reduced to 7.5 seconds.

However, Toyota representatives we met in Sitges, where it was launched internationally, seemed almost prouder that the 130H version’s average consumption remained at 3.9-4.3 l/100 km, while 120H – 3.8-4.9 l/100 km. km. And therefore average emissions are 87-98 g/km CO2 (87-98 for 120H).

1.5 three-cylinder

The heat engine is still a 1.5 three-cylinder engine with twelve valves and variable valve timing, developing 85 hp. in the simplest version and 96 hp. at its most powerful. The difference lies in this heat engine, as the electric motors (CVS synchronous) are almost identical in performance, with an 83 hp advantage. at 130H compared to 80 hp. at 120H.

As for the overall performance of its powertrain, aside from its very low consumption (for us, combining city routes with a bit of mountain road at a somewhat spirited pace, it remained at 4.5 l/100), what we liked was the on the one hand, how the electric motor takes over control in those urban moments that punish city consumption (for example, when accelerating out of a roundabout).

CVT switching

On the other hand, changing the variator does not show such a big “discrepancy”, as we remember from old Toyotas, between acceleration and increased noise. If you press the right pedal hard, this strange effect does occur, but Toyota engineers are making it less and less noticeable.

The rLevas has neither a heat engine nor a battery regeneration modification. What it does have is a B mode on the gear selector (which is great, by the way), but to activate it you have to first press a button on the handle, and the hold change isn’t very noticeable.

Lots of maneuverability

Beyond that, there’s a good dynamic feel to the car, which weighs 1175kg in the 130H version we tested (the 120H remains at 1110kg), which is typical for a hybrid model no matter how much lithium battery it hides. rear seat only 0.76 kWh. This, coupled with the fact that the Yaris is one of the shortest models in its segment in terms of wheelbase (2560mm), gives it mouse-like agility without the need for modifications to the chassis.

The Yaris is accompanied by a technological implementation that we must admit is very extensive (for a car in this segment). The little Toyota already had Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Automatic High Beam (AHB), Parking Assist (PKSB) and rear parking sensors, among other items.

Now, in addition, it has improved some of its systems and supplemented its equipment with new ones. Among the improvements is the Pre-Collision System (PCS), which now recognizes more possible objects or vehicles that we might collide with, including motorcycles.

Improvements and additions

Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) has also been improved, which takes into account corners or roundabouts to adapt the speed at which we pass them; and the Lane Keeping Assist (LTA), recalibrated for a more natural action and which now adapts to the speed indicated on the signs if we press the speed limiter button.

But on top of all this are five new systems that the Yaris didn’t have before. So, we now have Control of involuntary acceleration at low speed (does not allow acceleration when there is a threat of a collision with the car in front), Emergency steering assistance (corrects the trajectory in the event of a dangerous turn). situations), proactive driving assistance (if we lift our right foot, deceleration occurs smoothly), safe exit assistant (warns us if vehicles are approaching from behind so that we do not open the doors) and an automatic emergency stop system (if the driver does not react traffic or road, the vehicle may come to a complete stop).

The Toyota Yaris hybrid line, which is already available in our country, has prices ranging from 22,400 euros, which the Active Plus version costs, to 26,150 euros, which we have to pay for the Premiere Edition.