What features does a Toyota Yaris have?
The Toyota Yaris offers a compact, efficient package with petrol and hybrid powertrains, modern safety tech, and practical interior space, with features that vary by trim and market. In short, it blends economy with everyday usability across its hatchback and Yaris Cross variants.
The Yaris lineup today spans a traditional hatchback and the Yaris Cross small SUV, with hybrid options widely available in many regions. This article outlines the core powertrains, technology, safety features, and practicality to help readers understand what to expect from current models.
Drivetrain and efficiency
Overview of the main powertrain choices and transmission setup helps explain how the Yaris delivers efficiency and urban-friendly performance.
- 1.5-liter petrol inline-three engine common to both hatchback and Yaris Cross, tuned for efficiency and smooth operation.
- Hybrid powertrain combining the 1.5-liter petrol engine with an electric motor, paired with an automatic e-CVT for seamless acceleration and strong stop-start efficiency.
- Transmission generally centers on an automatic e-CVT; traditional manuals are not widely offered on current Yaris models in most markets.
Across the lineup, the petrol setup provides quick and reliable city driving, while the hybrid variant emphasizes fuel economy and lower emissions, especially in urban and mixed-cycle driving.
Technology, infotainment, and connectivity
Modern Yaris models emphasize smartphone integration, intuitive displays, and driver-centric controls across trims, with upgrades available on higher-spec versions.
Smartphone integration and screen options
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility for seamless smartphone integration.
- A touchscreen infotainment system (size varies by trim) with Bluetooth, USB ports, and voice controls.
- Wireless charging and upgraded audio systems on higher trims, depending on market specifications.
- Navigation features and additional apps are available on select trims and regions.
These tech features are designed to provide easy access to apps, navigation, and media while driving, with more premium options typically reserved for higher trim levels or specific markets.
Safety and driver-assistance
Safety technology is a central pillar of the Yaris lineup, with Toyota Safety Sense or equivalent packages offering a suite of assistive systems on many trims.
Safety availability by trim
- Pre-Collision System with pedestrian detection (and in some markets cyclist detection).
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane.
- Adaptive Cruise Control and, in some configurations, traffic-jability features for smoother highway driving.
- Automatic High Beams and Road Sign Assist to improve daytime/nighttime visibility and awareness.
- Electronic stability/traction control, along with hill-start assist in many trims.
Overall, Toyota Safety Sense and related systems aim to reduce the risk of collisions and support safer driving habits, with exact features and availability varying by market and trim level.
Practicality, space, and design
Designed to maximize interior room in a compact footprint, the Yaris emphasizes flexible seating and cargo arrangements and reachable comfort for daily use.
- Five-seat arrangement with a foldable rear seating setup (60/40 split) to adapt between passengers and cargo.
- Cargo space varies by model: hatchbacks offer a practical trunk area, while the Yaris Cross provides larger cargo capacity for weekend trips and groceries.
- Clever interior storage cubbies and cupholders, with drivetrain-accessible storage features that suit urban life.
In practice, the Yaris balances compact exterior dimensions with versatile storage and passenger space, making it well-suited for city commuting and family duties alike.
Summary
The Toyota Yaris combines efficient powertrains (petrol and hybrid) with a robust suite of safety systems, reliable infotainment options, and practical interior space across its hatchback and Yaris Cross variants. Features expand with trim and market, but the core package centers on efficiency, connectivity, safety, and everyday usability for urban driving and beyond.
What are the disadvantages of the Toyota Yaris?
What are the disadvantages of the Toyota Yaris? The Yaris is a very good all-round car, but there are some issues. The cabin looks cheap, the back seat is really quite cramped, and the boot is smaller than you get in most of the competition.
What are the features of the Toyota Yaris?
Standout features of Toyota Yaris
- Solar energy-absorbing windshield with infrared cut off.
- 60:40 split folding rear seats.
- Acoustic and vibration control glass.
- Roof-mounted rear AC vents with ambient lighting.
- Infotainment system with gesture control.
- Rear wheel disc brakes.
What is special about the Toyota Yaris?
Toyota Reliability
The Yaris benefited from Toyota's legendary reliability, with many model years being considered the most reliable subcompact cars. According to RepairPal, the Yaris boasts a remarkable reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5.0, placing it at the top of its class among subcompact cars.
Why did Toyota discontinue the Yaris?
Toyota discontinued the Yaris primarily due to declining sales of small cars as consumers shifted to larger SUVs and crossovers. Additionally, the cost to meet new safety and emissions regulations for a new generation made the vehicle less profitable, especially in the competitive U.S. market where sales had already plummeted. Toyota is also focusing resources on its hybrid and electric vehicle development, with some markets introducing the smaller Yaris Cross SUV as a replacement.
- Declining market demand: The overall popularity of subcompact cars waned as many consumers in markets like the US began preferring larger vehicles like SUVs and crossovers.
- Profitability concerns: Making a new-generation Yaris compliant with modern safety and emissions standards would have made the entry-level model too expensive to build profitably.
- Strategic shift: Toyota redirected its resources and strategy towards hybrid and electric vehicles and larger models. In some regions, this meant launching the Yaris Cross SUV to fill the gap left by the discontinued Yaris sedan and hatchback.
- Model platform changes: The US market Yaris had been a rebadged Mazda2 for several years, indicating a lack of investment in its own subcompact platform.
