Toyota Yaris

Step inside the 2019 Toyota Yaris, and you realise that there’s plenty of space for even tall-ish folks. The seats are alright as well, though lumbar support is lacking. Design-wise, this interior sure isn’t as gawk-worthy as its outer shell. While there are certain aspects of it that keep it from being totally monotonous, this certainly isn’t an exciting place to sit in. Having said that, it’s far better than its predecessor, and the subtle faux metal inlays combined with the piano black finish on the dashboard, centre console and doors look decent. Meanwhile, the blue stitching on the door pads and seats, and blue footwell lighting also help lift the ambience a bit. The build is strong, though the materials aren’t necessarily premium. However, Toyota has bettered the in-cabin NVH by adding additional sound-proofing measures. There’s also automatic climate control, power-folding mirrors, illuminated scuff plates, a surround-view monitor & digital video recorder, drive mode selector, a multi-information driver’s display, and a 6.8-inch touchscreen multimedia system with six speakers.

The 2019 Toyota Yaris is clearly not an astounding piece of automotive art, but its design won’t put you to sleep, either. It’s modern and fresh enough to intrigue you, but the complicated front end may not be to everyone’s liking. Complex as it may be, it not only stands out but also makes the new Yaris look more sporty. The fully-loaded 1.5 G variant (with the optional aero package) comes with large, projector headlamps, LED daytime running lights, and neatly integrated front spoiler/splitter. The side is characterised by a sloping roofline, large front doors, sporty side skirting, and stylish 15-inch alloy wheels with disc brakes all-around.

The rear styling is relatively conservative and isn’t as opinion-dividing as its front. And while the bulky bumper design may not bode too well with some people, the smart-looking partial LED taillights come into the rescue by offering a sense of occasion. The fancy aero kit also scores well by tacking on a rear spoiler, aggressive bumper extensions, and some fake vents. The Yaris is also larger now, boasting identical overall width (1,730 mm) and wheelbase (2,550 mm) as that of the Vios sedan. Of course, its lack of a trunk makes it shorter, and its shallow boot can barely hold up to 290 litres of luggage.

The 2019 Yaris gets independent struts up front and semi-independent twist-beam setup at the back. This means decent low-speed ride and acceptable high-speed stability. The handling characteristics are predictable, but there’s no real sense of excitement behind the wheel.

The 2019 Yaris comes with Toyota’s refined 2NR-FE four-cylinder motor that delivers 105 horses and 140 Nm of torque. The CVT gearbox is smooth and efficient, and as far as CVTs go, this one isn’t too bad. Better still, this engine-gearbox combo also pays dividends when it’s time for a fill-up. If driven sanely enough, the new Yaris can return up to an incredible 19 kmpl. Of course, with nought to 100 kmph time of 11 seconds and a top speed of around 175 kmph, speed isn’t the highlight here.

With all-around anti-lock disc brakes, the new Yaris stops plenty well. It also scores a gleaming five-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating, featuring seven air pillows, plus vehicle stability control, blind-spot monitoring, and even rear cross-traffic alert.

While this is neither a fun-to-drive car nor a design classic, the 2019 Toyota Yaris certainly doesn’t sacrifice on fuel economy or usable practicality. If you want a well-sorted, safe hatchback for between RM 71,000 and RM 84,000, the Yaris deserves to be on your list.