Toyota Yaris 2011-2018 used car review
The Toyota Yaris is practical and well built.
The Toyota Yaris is practical and well built, though other small cars are more fuel-efficient and better to drive.
The Yaris is the smallest car Toyota offers in New Zealand and is hugely popular with business fleets and rental car companies. Initially available in three and five-door shapes, it has only been sold as the latter since 2014. The car’s basic components, such as the engine and transmission, have been around for a very long time which has made them very robust. The Japanese-import equivalent of the Yaris is called the Vitz.
Inside and out
Although some small cars have shifted to a tall people-mover like shape, the Yaris remains a traditional small hatchback. The nose is short and features an x-shaped design with a small narrow grille on top of a large black-plastic section on the front bumper.
On our review GX model, steel wheels with covers are standard. The central pillar on the side of the car is blacked out to give the impression of one long window. The rear hatch cuts deep into the bumper to aid in loading.
The interior plastics of the Yaris have a hard, durable feel to them. The GX is the entry-level model yet it still gets a reasonable level of equipment - the most noticeable being an LCD screen for the infotainment system high in the centre of the dash.
Below this are chunky, easy-to-used dials for the manual air-conditioning. Another nice addition for such a low-cost car is stereo and Bluetooth phone controls on the steering wheel. A storage shelf in front of the passenger is handy for small items and there is a USB port for charging devices and streaming music.
The front seats are soft yet comfortable and supportive although taller drivers could find a lack of support under their thighs. The driver’s seat can be manually adjustable for height. Rear seat space is reasonable but only enough for two adults. There are three headrests but no centre armrest.
At 337 litres, the boot is a good size for a small car. One large or one medium and two small cases should fit. The back seat can split and fold forward to provide additional space.
On the road
Two engines are available in the Yaris: a 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol in the GX, and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol in the SX and ZR. Both have the choice of a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. Power output from the 1.3-litre version in our review car is rated at 63kW and 120Nm.
Performance is acceptable around town or when simply cruising on the open road - hills or overtaking moves will see the engine struggle. Opt for the 1.5-litre models if you head out of town often. The four-speed automatic works okay though it can quickly be caught out in the wrong gear or could need changing frequently on hills.
The way the Yaris handles also makes it better for the city. The ride is soft and comfortable around town and the steering light and quick. At speed on the open road, it can get a little bouncy over bumps. Being little and nimble, it’s very easy to squeeze the Yaris into small spots. Visibility is also excellent and, for cars from the 2014 update, there’s the bonus of a standard reversing camera.
Being little, the Yaris can only pull light loads although it is still better than CVT automatic-equipped small cars which are often not tow-rated. Toyota suggests towing up to 550kg unbraked (a small trailer) or up to 900kg braked (a medium-size trailer).
Safety
The Yaris carries a five-star ANCAP rating and its safety equipment levels are high for a small car. Standard features include front, side, curtain and driver’s knee airbags, electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes with brake assist. Autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping warnings and blind-spot detection became standard from the 2017 update.
The rear seat features full shoulder-type belts in all three positions, which offer more protection than the lap-only type. ISOFIX child seat mounts are found in the rear window seats, and there are three tether points behind.
Reliability
There is little to worry about with a Yaris. The engines and transmissions are very well proven - and they use timing chains which do not require regular maintenance. One thing to look out for is a full-service history - the engine holds a relatively small amount of oil so it performs best when it is kept in top condition.
Cost of ownership
Toyota recommends servicing the Yaris every year or 15,000km whichever comes first. A Toyota dealer told us service prices range between $260 and $330.
RightCar estimates that over 14,000km of driving a year, a Yaris will cost $1,760 a year to fuel - low but not as good as competitors that use CVT automatic transmissions. The 42-litre fuel tank will cost $84 to fill and should take you 580km before the fuel light comes on.
A vehicle licence for the Yaris costs $99.02 a year, with the car in the second cheapest ACC levy group.
Trade Me Insurance estimates insurance for a Yaris valued at $16,770 will cost $49.46* per month. This is $3 less than the cost to insure a Honda Jazz.
Buyers' guide
This generation Yaris is available on Trade Me from $5,000 for high mileage used cars, through to virtually new demonstrator ZR models at up to $27,000. Brand new GX models start from $20,990 drive-away.
Because they are popular with fleets and rental car companies, there is always a good supply of two to three-year-old models available on the market, though they hold their value so well you might find it better value to buy a new one.
Variants
- GX - Powered by a 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine. Features steel wheels, manual air-conditioning, urethane steering wheel and CD player stereo. Reversing camera and Bluetooth phone connectivity standard from 2014 update.
- SX - Powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine. Adds 15-inch alloy wheels, fog-lights, leather accents on seats, climate control air-conditioning and automatic headlights.
- ZR - Powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine. Adds 17-inch alloy wheels, carbon fibre-look interior trim, LED lights, silver-stitched seats, sports steering wheel and tinted windows.
Timeline
- 2011 Launched in New Zealand
- 2014 Receives cosmetic facelift
- 2014 Three-door version discontinued
- 2017 Given another major cosmetic facelift
Details
2016 Toyota Yaris GX
1.3-litre four-cylinder, 63kW/120Nm (claimed)
Four-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
$8,000 to $15,000 for models which have travelled 70,000 to 120,000km
Five-speed ANCAP
15,000km or 12 months
Space saver
6.3-litres per 100km (claimed)
Regular
3945mm
1695mm
1510mm
550kg (unbraked), 900kg (braked)
9.4m
This review covers the Toyota Yaris for model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 017 and 2018.
Review vehicle supplied by Turners Cars.
*Our insurance estimates are based on a 35-year-old male with no accidents in the last two years, garaging the car in Mission Bay, Auckland. The car is not used for business and will cover 10,000km to 20,000km a year. We estimate with no option add-ons and $500 excess. Customise your estimate at Trade Me Insurance.
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