The Toyota Yaris has always been a practical and sensible supermini option, but the most recent model is much more than that. It’s our favorite inexpensive hybrid for the second year in a row because to its outstanding hybrid powertrain and a new architecture that makes it much better to drive than before. It achieves high economy by combining a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor, with the most economical variant delivering 68.8 mpg and CO2 emissions of 92 g/km.
However, the hybrid system is not only fantastic because it has minimal operating expenses. It also means that while using electric power, the Yaris is quiet and smooth to drive, especially in city traffic, which is what little cars like this are designed for. In addition to providing a boost in power, the electric motor’s additional aid improves both performance and refinement by relieving pressure on the gasoline engine. The CVT automatic transmission is precisely tuned to increase efficiency, yet unlike earlier CVT vehicles, it doesn’t cause the engine to drone.
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Is the hybrid Toyota Yaris electric?
With its quick speed and responsive handling, the Toyota Yaris Hybrid is the ideal hybrid vehicle for today’s fast-paced urban environment. With a 1.5-liter VVT-i petrol engine and a potent electric motor, it has a 98bhp complete hybrid powertrain that is connected to a smooth e-CVT continuously variable automatic transmission.
The advantage of this hybrid drivetrain is that it enables the Yaris Hybrid to go up to 1.2 miles in solely electric EV mode (automatically selected up to speeds of 31 mph) without consuming any gasoline or emitting any harmful emissions. The battery is also charged during acceleration and braking.
With the same small 4.7-metre turning circle as the standard Yaris, the specially tuned suspension provides a smooth ride, and you can confidently and precisely get where you need to be.
In town
There is only one engine option, so Toyota has gone all “take it or leave it.” It has a hybrid drivetrain that combines an electric motor and a 1.5-liter, three-cylinder gasoline engine to produce 116 horsepower.
With an average fuel economy of 68.8 mpg, it uses a CVT automatic transmission to drive the front wheels. That’s excellent news for those who live in towns because it implies that driving is convenient and affordable. Although there is an EV mode, it’s usually best to let the car choose the most affordable route for you to travel.
The Yaris is most comfortable in town since it has a good turning circle and its suspension is capable of absorbing most road imperfections. However, the GR Sport model has sportier suspension and wider 18-inch alloy wheels, so it will be firmer.
However, the Yaris is simple to park because it comes standard with a reversing camera on all models.
On the motorway
The Yaris generally cruises along well, although the ride on the highway is somewhat bumpy. There isn’t too much wind or traffic noise, yet it’s punchy enough to avoid becoming overwhelming. However, competitors like the VW Polo and Seat Ibiza feel more mature and quiet overall.
Every model in the range also has standard adaptive cruise control and lane assist features, which is unusual for cars at this price point. When you’re driving along a highway, these technologies will help to automatically keep your car in its lane, maintain a certain speed, and keep a set gap between you and the vehicle in front of you.
On a twisty road
The Yaris performs admirably on quicker roads, but because of how the CVT transmission forces the engine to rev quickly, it may occasionally be a little raucous. Nevertheless, it corners well and drives delightfully. The 17-inch wheels might improve the car’s appearance, but they also drastically stiffen the ride, so we’d advise against adding them.
Perhaps more so than you might anticipate, both the grip and the degree of driver satisfaction are excellent. Although it isn’t nearly as entertaining as a Ford Fiesta, it is unquestionably among the more entertaining little vehicles to drive over a truly curvy stretch of road.
Toyota Yaris hybrid: Does it self-charge?
The self-charging hybrid design of the Toyota Yaris of the future prevents it from being hooked into a power source, negating the need for a charge time. Toyota built the Yaris to recover energy during routine driving, such as while braking, rather of using power from the mains.
Because the Yaris has lesser batteries than a plug-in hybrid equivalent, it is only able to drive on electric power alone for limited distances. This means that, rather than cruising up and down quicker routes, the Toyota Yaris Hybrid is best suited for low-emission driving in stop-and-go traffic.
How much battery life does a Yaris hybrid have?
The 1.5-liter gasoline engine and electric motor, which produce a combined 98bhp, are crucial to its green credentials. The ability to drive away in pure EV mode and do so for up to 31 mph for just over a mile makes the powertrain perfectly suited for city living. At slower speeds, it is incredibly refined since the petrol engine seamlessly and softly kicks in when needed.
Only available in two trim levelsIcon and Excelthe Hybrid includes a 6.1-inch touchscreen, a rear-view camera, Bluetooth, and alloy wheels as standard equipment. In addition to the usual 100,000 mile/5-year warranty, Toyota is providing a free insurance policy for one year with the Yaris Hybrid.
Engines, performance and drive
The 1.5-liter gasoline engine in the Yaris is a modification of the 1.8-liter unit used in the second-generation Toyota Prius. When paired with the on-board electric motor, it increases to 98 horsepower and a decent 111 Nm of torque from its base output of a modest 73 bhp. The Yaris can also operate silently on electric power alone, depending on battery charge, but only for a maximum of 1.3 miles and at speeds under 31 mph.
Even yet, the Yaris isn’t as smooth of a ride as a traditional diesel supermini, and on broader roads, its lack of performance and lifeless steering make it unsuitable for someone who enjoys driving. However, if you live and work in the city, it’s a perfect fit, but when you step outside of its comfort zone, everything start to fall apart.
MPG, CO2 and Running Costs
The Yaris hybrid is the most efficient vehicle in its class, which is the main advantage of having two power sources. It is tax-free and no longer subject to the congestion charge in London because of its extremely low C02 emissions of 75g/k. Additionally outstanding is its claimed economy of 85.6 mpg.
Why did Toyota cease Yaris production?
It was announced at the 2015 New York International Auto Show in April that this plant would produce a version of the Mazda2 for Toyota with minor styling changes, with the vehicle to be sold in Mexico as the Yaris, in the United States as the Scion iA,[23] and in Canada as the Yaris sedan. In July 2015, Toyota confirmed that the car would be sold in Mexico as the Yaris. In 2014, Mazda began production of the Mazda2 in Salamanca, Guanaju .[25]
For the 2017 model year, the car was renamed as the Toyota Yaris iA following the discontinuation of the Scion brand in the United States. [26][27] For the 2019 model year, it underwent a minor facelift with an updated grille insert and trim changes. [28][29] In contrast to the previous models, which only offered exterior colors and a choice between 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmissions as factory options, the 2019 model year’s Yaris
For the 2020 model year, a Mazda-built Yaris hatchback that was rebadged as a Mazda2 and had a front fascia similar to that of the Yaris sedan made its debut at the New York International Auto Show in April of that year. [32][33] Its official images were unveiled on April 1, 2019,[34] and the Yaris hatchback was available in LE and XLE trim levels in the United States and Canada. Sales of the hatchback started in October 2019 in the US.
Due to new regulations and slow sales, both Mazda2-based Yaris models were phased out in the United States in June 2020. [35][36] In July, Toyota announced that sales were also ending in Canada. [37] In August, the vehicles were also phased out in Mexico, leaving only the Thai-imported XP150 series Yaris and Yaris Sedn as its indirect replacements .[38]
Is buying a Toyota Yaris worthwhile?
Toyota has a long history of making dependable vehicles with high levels of safety and superb build quality. The Yaris placed 21st out of 75 vehicles in our 2021 Driver Power survey, an improvement from 43rd in 2020. Toyota was voted into fifth place out of 30 manufacturers, up from sixth the year before and comfortably in front of luxury brands like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes.
With strong individual ratings of 86% for adult occupant protection and 81% for child occupant protection, Euro NCAP has given the Yaris a complete five stars for safety.
The Yaris comes equipped with a lot of safety equipment as standard, including active systems like a Driver Attention Alert, Road Sign Assist, Emergency Steering Assist, and a Pre-Collision feature with cyclist and pedestrian detection. Reversing cameras, Automatic High Beam, and Toyota’s e-call emergency call system are all included in entry-level vehicles.
Why doesn’t Toyota make electric vehicles?
Toyota steadfastly opposed electric vehicles for 20 years. The largest carmaker in the world with the highest profit margin claimed that its gasoline hybrids would be the best and most practical approach to reduce emissions from motor vehicles. Until, that is, around 2030 when its hydrogen fuel-cell automobiles were ready for prime time.
What a difference, though, a few years can make. A few years ago, one particular California startup automaker rose to prominence and today has millions of cars on the road and tens of thousands of loyal followers. Tesla is poised to become the first American automaker from scratch to succeed in almost a century. Toyota is the market leader in hybrids thanks to a long-running wager. But that did nothing to help it become a leader in EVs, where it really lags behind the majority of other producers. It now needs to play quick catch-up.
Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda unveiled his company’s updated and enlarged plans to increase the manufacturing of battery-electric vehicles in the middle of December. There were numerous big-production and big-dollar promises, to put it briefly. Toyoda set a target of 3.5 million battery-electric vehicles annually by 2030 (out of Toyota’s 10 million global total) using no less than 30 distinct Toyota and Lexus models in all market sectors during the 25-minute media conference. And he committed a staggering $70 billion in total to electrification.
Why does it all matter? And how should we interpret Toyota’s assurances, particularly in light of the fact that the company seems to have been coerced into developing battery-electric vehicles in the first place?
How is a Toyota Yaris hybrid charged?
The Yaris hybrid never needs to be charged from an external electric power source, unlike a pure all-electric vehicle, because the gasoline engine also powers an electric generator to charge the battery pack. Depending on the road conditions, the car may be powered by one or both sources.
Which Yaris model is the best?
The model with the highest performance is the Yaris GRMN. It is an extremely limited model with improved brakes and suspension as well as a lairy paint job. Its hungry 1.8-liter supercharged engine produces 210 horsepower.