Interested in a Toyota Yaris?

    The GR Yaris and Yaris Cross get a lot of attention, but the original-flavour hatchback risks getting a little lost in the shuffle.

    The Toyota Yaris hatchback is unchanged for 2021 following its redesign late last year.

    UPDATE, 27/07/21 – Toyota has confirmed the Ascent Sport manual has been axed and some pricing and specification adjustments have been made. We’ve updated this article and brought it forward.

    That means prices still start around $7000 more than the base price of its predecessor.

    The range is capped by the ZR Hybrid, priced at $32,200 before on-road costs. That’s pricier than a mid-spec Corolla Hybrid.

    The range now opens at $23,740 before on-roads for the Ascent Sport auto, with the manual transmission option no longer available.

    “We can confirm starting from May 2021 the manual transmission option has been removed from all grades of the Yaris hatch vehicles, due a low uptake of less than 4% since launch,” said a spokesperson from Toyota Australia.

    That’s an even lower take rate than the Corolla, which lost its manual option earlier in 2021. It a manual take rate of less than five per cent.

    Prices have increased by $100 or $110, depending on the model, but Toyota has added some more features.

    The adaptive cruise control now works at all speeds, while all models feature rear grab handles and emergency steering assist.

    Yaris sales through the end of March were down 45.3 per cent compared to the same period last year, with the hatchback range overtaken by the new Yaris Cross in sales (1614 vs. 2040).

    The Yaris has forfeited its place as Australia’s best-selling light car as buyers instead flock to the MG 3 which, while considerably cheaper at $16,690 drive-away, doesn’t have anywhere near the level of safety equipment offered by the Toyota. Like the Yaris, it’s auto-only.

    Pricing

    • 2021 Toyota Yaris Ascent Sport: $23,740
    • 2021 Toyota Yaris SX: $27,130
    • 2021 Toyota Yaris SX Hybrid: $29,130
    • 2021 Toyota Yaris ZR: $30,200
    • 2021 Toyota Yaris ZR Hybrid: $32,200

    All prices exclude on-road costs.

    Engines

    The 2021 Toyota Yaris is powered by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine producing 88kW of power and 145Nm of torque.

    It’s offered only with a continuously-variable transmission.

    Optional on the SX and ZR is a hybrid powertrain, which combines a 1.5-litre 67kW/120Nm petrol three-cylinder engine and a 59kW/141Nm electric motor for a maximum combined power output of 85kW.

    Toyota doesn’t quote a combined torque output for the hybrid.

    Fuel Economy

    The 2021 Toyota Yaris uses 4.9L/100km on the combined cycle and 3.3L/100km in hybrid guise.

    Hybrid models have a 36L fuel tank and petrol models have a 40L tank, while all models run on 91RON regular unleaded fuel.

    Dimensions

    The 2021 Toyota Yaris measures 3940mm long, 1695mm wide and 1505mm tall, on a 2550mm wheelbase.

    Boot space is 270L, and the rear seats fold 60/40. Under the boot floor is a space-saver spare.

    The base Ascent Sport weighs between 1000kg and 1050kg (kerb), while the heaviest hybrid models tip the scales at 1130kg.

    Servicing and Warranty

    The 2021 Toyota Yaris is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

    Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. The first four services are capped at $195 each.

    Safety

    The Toyota Yaris has a five-star rating from ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2020.

    It received an adult occupant protection score of 86 per cent, a child occupant protection score of 87 per cent, a vulnerable road user protection score of 78 per cent, and a safety assist score of 87 per cent.

    All 2021 Toyota Yaris models come standard with the following safety equipment:

    • Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection and junction assist
    • Lane-keep assist
    • Lane-departure warning
    • Adaptive cruise control
    • Reversing camera
    • Traffic sign recognition
    • Emergency steering assist
    • Front, front-side, front-centre and curtain airbags (eight in total)

    ZR models add blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

    Standard Equipment

    The Ascent Sport comes standard with the following equipment:

    • 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
    • Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
    • DAB+ digital radio
    • 15-inch steel wheels
    • LED daytime running lights
    • LED tail lights
    • Power-folding mirrors
    • Urethane steering wheel
    • 4.2-inch trip computer
    • Automatic high-beam
    • Six-speaker sound system
    • Power windows
    • Air-conditioning
    • Cloth upholstery

    The Yaris SX adds:

    • 15-inch alloy wheels
    • Keyless entry and start
    • Climate control air conditioning
    • Digital speedometer
    • Soft-touch instrument panel
    • Leather-accented steering wheel
    • LED headlights
    • Rear privacy glass
    • Silver trim highlights
    • Satellite navigation
    • ‘Fabric’ upholstery

    The Yaris ZR adds:

    • 16-inch alloy wheels
    • Rear spoiler
    • Head-up display
    • Sports front seats
    • Blind-spot monitoring
    • Rear cross-traffic alert
    • Paddle shifters (excludes hybrid)
    • Unique seat trim
    • Piano black and red interior accents

    MORE: Everything Toyota Yaris

    William Stopford

    William Stopford is an automotive journalist based in Brisbane, Australia. William is a Business/Journalism graduate from the Queensland University of Technology who loves to travel, briefly lived in the US, and has a particular interest in the American car industry.

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