Toyota Yaris

The Toyota Yaris was once known as one of Australia’s most affordable cars, but that is now a distant memory. With the current model now around five years old, when the current generation launched in 2020, it arrived with significant price increases compared to its predecessor, marking a shift in its positioning. For the first time, even the base model Yaris came with a price tag that no longer started with a "1."

This price increase was in part due to the much higher safety requirements for the vehicle to achieve a good rating.

As such, the Yaris introduced notable features, including a comprehensive safety suite and Australia's first hybrid option for the model. However, these strengths have not been enough to restore the Yaris to its former top-seller status in the segment.

The hybrid drivetrain, one of the car's standout features, makes the Yaris one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles available today, with a claimed combined fuel consumption of just 3.3 litres per 100km.

Despite a drop in sales in the new generation, the Yaris still has its strengths. While its pricing was initially a point of contention, recent price increases among competitors mean the Yaris is no longer positioned as a premium-priced option in its class.