| First Drive | Stoke Poges, England | 2012 Toyota Yaris |
Key Facts
Model tested: 2012 Toyota Yaris 1.3 TR
Pricing: £13,260
Engine: 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol
Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body style: five-door hatchback
Rivals: Ford Fiesta, Honda Jazz, Renault Clio
CO2 emissions: 123g/km
Combined economy: 52.3mpg
Top speed: 109mph
0-62mph: 11.7 seconds
Power: 98bhp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 92lb.ft at 3,800rpm
In the Metal: 
Inoffensively styled, the new Toyota Yaris is a safe evolution from its predecessor incorporating the Japanese company's latest design language. It looks bigger, chunkier and a bit less feminine as a result of its more upright front and bolder headlights. It's bigger inside too, which, given the old car's already clever use of space, makes for a generously accommodating small car with good space for adults in the rear.
The steering wheel is of high quality and the touch-screen Touch and Go system incorporating satnav, music and telephone works very well. Sadly the rest of the interior feels built to a price, with too much use of shiny and hard plastics. Toyota's Korean rivals produce more tactile dashboard and trim materials - in cheaper cars.
Driving it:
The 1.3-litre VVT-i petrol engine is mated to either a six-speed manual or seven-stepped CVT automatic, the former infinitely preferable thanks to a crisp shift and the reasonably eager engine. The CVT is among the better ones available and even gains you a few mpg on the official combined consumption cycle - 55.4- over 52.3mpg. Even so, you'll have to do a lot of miles to return the additional outlay. Refinement is good in all models, and the Yaris rides decently - even the 10mm lower suspension on the SR spec copes admirably with our wrecked tarmac. The steering's weighting is nicely judged and its response is crisp - particularly for an electrically powered system. It's a commendable if rather forgettable driving experience, with a decent, upright driving position, well placed pedals and good visibility.
It'll never engage you on the road like a Mazda2 or Ford Fiesta might though, but if you're sat in traffic you can always Facebook your friends via Touch and Go. Thing is, the Yaris has always been a car bought by a more mature audience, and we're not sure that a lot of pensioners know what Facebook is - or want it in their car.
What you get for your Money:
A decent five-year, 100,000-mile warranty, assured reliability and a sizable standard equipment list - including Touch and Go free for the first customers - is what you're getting. T2 is the entry spec, but Toyota anticipates most sales being TR, which includes 15-inch alloys wheels, air conditioning and Toyota Touch - incorporating audio, Bluetooth, USB connectivity and a rear-view parking camera (optional Touch and Go adds satnav and Google Maps to that).
Worth Noting
Despite being bigger and better equipped Toyota has managed to reduce the overall weight of the Yaris by 20kg over its predecessor. A hybrid will join the range next year too, though it'll add a sizeable premium to the list price.
Summary
Improved in every area over its predecessor the new Toyota Yaris is a commendable supermini choice - if not an exciting one. New technology does add some interest, but it's difficult to see it breaking free from its traditional demographic. With the UK's population ever aging though, perhaps that's not such a bad thing...
