Super Supermini Yaris (Toyota Yaris 1.3 VVT-i SR 3dr)

Member Name: jmorley99

Product:	Toyota Yaris 1.3 VVT-i SR 3dr
Date:	18/03/02 (1899 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: see op

Disadvantages: see op

I drove this car for the first time about a week ago when I got sent out on an errand at work. Previously I had never really liked the look of the Yaris, but the 20-minute drive to pick up some parts for work really opened my eyes.

Interior – This has got to be one of the best points about this small car. The dash is a centrally mounted LCD display that shows you everything you need to know revs, speed, and fuel the whole lot really. The seats were firm but comfortable, but I expected them to be a bit more huggy as I was driving the VVTi SR sporty version. The car although it is supposed to be a super mini felt cavernous inside and all round visibility was excellent. All the controls were very well positioned in relation to the driver and despite the usual Japanese plastic felt solid and expensive. There was also lots of little handy cubbyhole to store things in, which I love.

Spec – The VVTi SR is nearly the top of the range and so was well kited out, it had remote central locking, great 4 speaker radio / CD. Electric windows all round. Alloy wheels and a sporty looking body kit, as is the norm for such pretenders. It also comes with 2 front airbags, side impact bars, and ABS as standard.

Performance – This is where the Yaris really impressed me, the little engine it this ting pulled really well through all the gears but seemed to hit a sweet spot around 3500 rpm, when it just started to growl and want to go like the clappers. The exhaust note really complemented the sporty feel of the car. The ride was also surprisingly stiff which coupled with the wider wheels and tyres made it really feel safe as I chucked it into the corners. The 1.3 engine certainly felt a lot faster than the quoted 11 second 0-60mph.

Other – with a quoted 47.8 mpg it is frugal to say the least, unless you drive it like I did of course. The insurance is low as well only group 4, which is great if you’re a youngster l
ike myself. The only thing that lets it down really is the plastic Tonka toy steering wheel and the fact that it doesn’t look as good as some of the competition i.e. Clio see op.

All in all a good second car for a family but also a cheap to run warm hatch for those you like to play. To top it all Toyota have just brought out a new T-sport model with an even punchier 1.5 engine under the bonnet.

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