Opinions required re the new Yaris Hybrid owners

[Bernard Foy]

Hi All, I have a 2019 Yaris Hybrid which I’m pretty pleased with, however I’m thinking about buying the new model Yaris Hybrid. So if any forum members have had my model and have bought the new model I would love to hear your opinions on the differences and improvements and how you find the new model in comparison. Thanks in advance 

[Gerg]

I haven't owned the last model, but I have driven it.  And I have done some miles in a hybrid Auris.  Whilst you wait for owner's responses, here's my thoughts from a short drive 2 weeks ago (when cold and damp) of a Design level trim model on 16 inch wheels and a panoramic roof fitted.  In no particular order, these were my impressions:

The car is obviously more energetic at low speeds than the older generation Yaris/Auris/Prius hybrids. This is it's most striking feature when driving compared to the last one.  It could even bring out the hooligan in you, if you were susceptible.  Much more suited to a 'point and squirt' driving technique in the urban situation, if required.

This might be exaggerated by a shorter, lighter throttle (?) with a different response curve. (I only drove the car in 'normal' mode.)  On he open road, the car has enough electric power to very gently accelerate the car to about 41 mph before the engine finally cuts in, this was on the flat with no wind, but this might improve with familiarity.  I was quoting this as a reference point, not as an important feature.  The engine was also less inclined to 'rev-out' than the old one when spirited acceleration was used, following the pattern set by all new models.

The ride is good, but not quite as big an improvement as I seem to remember the Corolla being over an Auris, especially as the Corolla I tried was on 18 inch wheels, and the Auris I drove in on was on 15 inch ones.

The Battery is happier to sit in a mid-charge position when the car is being driven when compared to older versions of hybrid, I think, and the hybrid system seemed to be more 'engaged' when driving.  It was as if the car's designers were now unconcerned as to what happened to the traction batteries longevity - so they could use the batteries harder and longer.

The 'engine braking' on a zero throttle seems significantly more than before, but this just needs getting used to.

The car feels more 'planted' than the Yaris or the Auris, the wheels do feel like they are out at the corners of the car.  This could be aided by the shape and fit of the seats, which suited me quite well.

The digital dash is a mixed bag for me.  Some of this is just unfamiliarity, but the previously fine resolution of the old charge meter dial, for instance, is not reproduced by the few 'digital' circular segments that illuminate on the new version, there is less detailed information here.  But does this matter to you?  Maybe not.  The digital dash is not fitted to the base model, on that it is a conventional dial format. That base model also has halogen headlamps - I wonder if these are better than the last model's? I hope so!  All other trim levels get LEDs headlamps over here (UK).

Apart from the small conventional, temperature control knobs, the heater is managed by small, black push-buttons set against a black dash. Until you become familiar with these, I would judge these as 'style over substance'.  All the heater controls are set quite low down, so not so easy to see at a glance.  These settings are probably mirrored on the central 'infotainment' display when you adjust them, I didn't notice.

The 'gear shift' is nicer feeling and much better looking than the old Yaris (but not Auris and Prius!).  The handbrake is electric, which for me, is a solution looking for a problem - I really don't mind using a handbrake.  The car has 'hill hold' which worked well when I tried it out, although I wouldn't miss it if it wasn't there.  At least in this hybrid application, it's slightly delayed release does not accelerate clutch wear, as it might do on a conventional car.

The engine is obviously a 3 cylinder, you can easily hear the distinctive 'thrum'.  It's cutting in and out is not as smooth as four cylinder hybrid variants, but it's not a problem.  The engine is quite keen to quickly cut in when needed.

The car I was in (Design trim) had reverted to a completely conventional ignition key and column lock.  It has two windscreen wipers now as well, I didn't need to use them much on my drive.

The elbow rest that is sculpted into the driver and passenger's door is completely without any padding at all.  I use this arm rest a lot on all the cars I drive.  This one was rubbish, and that  just for the sake of a simple upholstered pad.  This won't bother other people, I'm sure, but my elbow was not remotely comfortable on it.  Shame.

When the mpg tally was deleted from the computer for my test drive, the salesman explained he drove the car enthusiastically with no eye to economy at all.  The running total for the car up to then was 50 mpg.  On my leisurely jaunt through the lanes with some urban and 60 mph 'A' roads thrown in, I got 73 mpg, but I was driving fairly economically, and the roads were largely clear of traffic, but were damp/wet.

I liked it.  Apart from the LED headlamps, and the aesthetics of missing front foglamps, then I'd be happy enough with the base model.

And I could always cable-tie some foam rubber to my elbow for longer journeys, or just wear a thick coat...

[Bernard Foy]

Thank you Gerg for your comprehensive and thoroughly analytical reply, much appreciated.

[BLENHEIM51]

I had the previous Yaris Hybrid for six years and have now own the new Yaris Exel which we collected mid December 2020. I find the road noise is much improved over previous, which, when driving on the A419 which has a stone finish you could hardly speak to a passenger. Level of noise much reduced on new model.

With previous model we constantly obtained around 60mpg, the new model is constantly 73/74mpg.

The new model is just improved in all areas. Ride is very firm (Exel has 17inch wheels) but very controlled and not bangy and crashy like previous. There is much better feedback from the suspension, the old model did not feel anywhere as controlled.

Only downside is I have experienced are odd things happening with some of  the  electronic features the new model has.

[Graham47]

14 minutes ago, BLENHEIM51 said:

 

Only downside is I have experienced are odd things happening with some of  the  electronic features the new model has.

Can you expand ?  I’m contemplating replacing my 2018 icon tech with either a dynamic or excel, my ‘perception’ is that a number of faults seem to be appearing on the new Yaris.

[Cyker]

I think a lot of the issues were with the early models, mainly from 2020 - My one was made in April 2021 and I haven't had any weird issues with it so far (Well, aside from the over-sensitiveness of the auto-brake/alert but sadly that seems to be by design).

If you can afford to do so, I'd say definitely at least try the new one - IMHO it's far far better than the Mk3! I found the Mk3 quite disappointing, esp. compared to my old Mk1 D4D, but the Mk4's drive train is lightyears ahead and how a hybrid system should be! (It's not just economical, it has grunt too!)

It's not very Yarisy at all, but it's a damned good B-segment car. Toyota really blew the doors off with this one!

 

[Mikw]

Until i brought a MK 4 i hadn't ever driven a Toyota Hybrid at all.

What can i say about the Mk4?  Well on 16 inch wheels it's a comfy ride, eager to accelerate off the mark using electric power. Around town it will typically be on electric power for 60/70 percent of the time, and an indicated mpg of 70-80 is quite possible.

On the open road it's almost always between 65-75 mpg, and is always smooth. To have the cruise control is a boon on longer journies, i'm really like the car.