Toyota Yaris review
The Toyota Yaris is a super-reliable, cheap-to-run, and well-equipped supermini that’s famous for its hybrid efficiency and brilliant build quality.
Author: Charlie Harvey
19th Dec 2025 – 8 mins read
The Toyota Yaris has been a supermini superstar for decades, and it's a hugely important car for the Japanese brand. It has always offered drivers an affordable, sensible, and incredibly dependable way to get around. The third-generation model, which went on sale in 2011, took things a step further by being one of the first small cars to offer super-efficient hybrid technology. This generation of Yaris majors on low running costs, ease of use, and peace-of-mind reliability. It comes packed with an impressive amount of standard safety kit, and the hybrid version is one of the most economical non-plug-in cars you can buy. While the interior might feel a bit dated and it’s not the most exciting car to drive, its rock-solid dependability and fantastically low running costs make it a very smart and sensible choice for anyone looking for a hassle-free small car.
Pros
- Extremely cheap to run, especially the hybrid model
- Incredibly reliable with a brilliant warranty from new
- Comes with a lot of standard equipment
Cons
- The interior feels a bit cheap and dated
- The CVT automatic gearbox can feel sluggish
- It's not as refined or fun to drive as some rivals
Interior
Dashboard & tech
The interior of the Yaris is very straightforward and functional, but it’s starting to show its age. The dashboard has a simple, clutter-free layout that’s easy to get your head around, but it lacks the style and modern flair of rivals like the Ford Fiesta or Peugeot 208.
Most models come with a seven-inch touchscreen, but it’s not the best system out there. The graphics look a bit outdated, the screen can be slow to respond, and it doesn't support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which is a real shame. On the plus side, the build quality is excellent. The cabin feels solid and well put together, even if the plastics feel a bit hard and scratchy.
Comfort
The Yaris is designed to be an easy and comfortable car for town driving. The light controls and excellent visibility make it a breeze to manoeuvre in tight spaces and to park. A reversing camera is standard on most models, which is a fantastic feature for a small car and a real help in busy car parks.
The ride is generally comfortable, though it can feel a little unsettled over rougher surfaces. The Yaris is at its best when driven in a relaxed manner. It’s not the most refined car on the motorway, but for the daily commute or school run, it’s a perfectly pleasant and stress-free companion.
Quality
Toyota has a world-class reputation for building high-quality, durable cars, and the Yaris is a perfect example of this. Although the cabin plastics might not feel very plush, everything feels like it has been screwed together with incredible care. It’s a car that gives you the sense it will run forever without any squeaks or rattles appearing. This outstanding build quality is one of the main reasons why the Yaris is such a popular and trusted choice.
Practicality & boot space
Interior space
The Yaris has always been one of the smaller cars in the supermini class, and this is reflected in the amount of interior space. It’s not as roomy as a SEAT Ibiza or Volkswagen Polo, but Toyota has used the space very cleverly.
There’s a good amount of room up front for the driver and passenger to get comfortable. Space in the back is decent for a car of this size, with good headroom and just enough legroom for adults on shorter journeys. Children will have no complaints at all. The five-door model makes access to the back seats nice and easy.
Boot space
The boot in the Yaris offers 286 litres of space. While this is a useful size that’s big enough for the weekly shop or a couple of weekend bags, it’s smaller than what you’ll find in many newer rivals. The latest Renault Clio, for example, has over 100 litres more space.
The rear seats fold down to increase the load area to 768 litres for carrying bigger items. A great feature is that the hybrid model is just as practical as the standard petrol car, as the batteries don't eat into any of the boot space.
Driving
Driving experience
The driving experience in the Yaris is tailored towards ease of use and relaxation rather than fun. It’s not a car that will excite you on a twisty B-road, as the steering lacks feel and it doesn’t have the agile, engaging nature of a Ford Fiesta.
Instead, it’s a safe, predictable, and incredibly easy car to drive. For drivers who just want to get from A to B with the minimum of fuss, it’s ideal. The hybrid version is particularly relaxing in town, as it can run on silent electric power at low speeds. The main downside is the CVT automatic gearbox, which can make the engine sound strained and noisy when you accelerate hard.
Performance
The Yaris is available with a choice of two regular petrol engines or a hybrid setup. The entry-level engine is a 1.0-litre petrol with 71bhp. It’s fine for city driving but feels very sluggish on faster roads.
A much better choice is the 1.5-litre petrol engine, which has 109bhp and makes the Yaris feel much more comfortable on A-roads and motorways. The hybrid version also uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine, combined with an electric motor, for a total output of 99bhp. It feels perfectly nippy around town but is let down by that CVT gearbox.
Running costs
Fuel economy & CO2 emissions
This is where the Toyota Yaris really shines. It’s an incredibly cheap car to run. The hybrid model is the star of the show, capable of achieving an official fuel economy figure of up to 76.3mpg. That’s an amazing figure for a non-plug-in car and means your trips to the petrol station will be few and far between.
Even the standard petrol engines are very efficient. Low insurance groups, particularly for the 1.0-litre model, also help to keep running costs down, making it a great choice for new drivers.
Value for money
The Yaris is competitively priced and offers great value. It’s famous for being a brilliant used buy, thanks to its reliability. Because it’s so dependable, it holds its value well for a supermini, but there are still fantastic deals to be had on nearly-new models, with significant savings available compared to the list price. It represents a very sensible and affordable way into a super-reliable car.
Reliability & Warranty
Toyota's reputation for reliability is legendary, and the Yaris is one of the most dependable cars you can buy. Owners report very few problems, and the cars are known for running faultlessly for years. From new, the Yaris came with a fantastic five-year, 100,000-mile warranty, which is one of the best in the business and provides excellent peace of mind when buying a used model.
Safety
Safety features
The Toyota Yaris is an incredibly safe supermini. When the updated model was crash-tested by the safety experts at Euro NCAP in 2017, it was awarded the maximum five-star rating.
A huge selling point is that all models come with Toyota's 'Safety Sense' system as standard. This is a brilliant package of active safety aids that includes autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam assist. It's a very generous amount of safety kit for a small, affordable car.
Trims & Engines
Trim levels
The Yaris is available in a range of trim levels, all of which are well-equipped.
Active: The entry-level model is a bit basic, missing out on a touchscreen and alloy wheels, but it does come with the full, brilliant Toyota Safety Sense package.
Icon / Icon Tech: This is the sweet spot in the range. It adds 15-inch alloy wheels, a reversing camera, and the seven-inch touchscreen system. Icon Tech adds satellite navigation.
Design: This popular trim adds stylish upgrades like 16-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, and privacy glass.
Excel: The top-of-the-range model gets part-leather upholstery, climate control, and automatic lights and wipers.
GR Sport: This trim gives the Yaris a sporty look inspired by Toyota’s GRMN hot hatch, with unique 17-inch alloy wheels and a sports-tuned suspension.
Engines
The engine lineup is focused on efficiency.
1.0-litre Petrol: A 71bhp three-cylinder engine that’s ideal for city driving and new drivers thanks to its low insurance group.1.5-litre Petrol: A more powerful 109bhp four-cylinder engine that’s a much better all-rounder. Available with a manual or CVT automatic gearbox.1.5-litre Hybrid: This combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for a total of 99bhp. It’s incredibly economical and comes with a CVT automatic gearbox as standard.