Young and fun: Toyota debuts all-new Yaris

MANILA, Philippines - Shoulder pads, huge hair, and baggy pants—most of us have gone through at least one fashion trend that we’d rather forget today. Despite wearing outfits that would otherwise call the fashion police’s attention, dressing for fun’s sake is always in; it’s something that doesn’t go out of style. And ‘fun’ is the word that perfectly describes the all-new Yaris, Toyota’s new subcompact hatchback.

With the right size for drivers that need an agile yet functional vehicle, the all-new Yaris arrives with a new sense of style, outstanding safety features, and of course, Toyota’s stellar reputation for reliability, durability, and value for money. This is a no-compromise vehicle that features excellent attention to detail and ends up being smart and hip yet functional and practical at the same time.

Completely redesigned from tip to stern, the all-new Yaris is a mix of sharp edges and smooth surfaces—expressing a hatchback that’s very fashion forward. Riding on the same platform that underpins the waku-doki Vios, the Yaris features an eye-catching handlebar grille that extends all the way down the front bumper. Projector-type headlamps with arrow-shaped ends give it a sharp look while blacked out B- and C-pillars give the illusion of a floating roof. Unique C-shaped tail lamps complete the look. Like all other modern Toyota designs, the Yaris features integrated aerodynamic detailing scattered throughout the car ensuring a quiet and fuel-efficient ride. Compared to the previous Yaris, the all-new model is a full foot longer (+315mm at 4,115mm) with more front (+115mm) and rear overhangs (+110mm). However, it’s lower by 45mm (1,475mm).

Thanks to a substantially lengthened wheelbase that’s up 90mm (2,550mm), stepping inside the Yaris reveals a wealth of practical space with substantially more rear legroom at 663mm (up 77mm) and more luggage space (81 liters with rear seats up, 326 liters with rear seats down). Like the Vios, the Yaris’s instrument panel migrates from the center of the dashboard to a more traditional location with a flat-bottomed three-spoke steering wheel and orange-lit controls lending a sporty demeanor. The Yaris comes with an interior swathed in leather, chrome, satin silver accents, and quality plastics that cocoon the occupants for an upscale feel.

With the huge growth in the small hatchback segment, the 2014 Yaris features a beefed up line-up with the introduction of two grades to fit various needs and budgets: the 1.3E and the 1.5G. Both variants feature engines equipped with Double Overhead Cams (DOHC) and VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-Intelligence) for excellent fuel economy without compromising on-road performance. The 85hp, 122Nm 1.3-liter engine can be paired to a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic with Super ECT while the 107hp, 142Nm 1.5-liter engine is mated solely to a 4-speed Super ECT automatic.

Fun and stylish also need not be expensive as the 2014 Toyota Yaris is now much more competitively priced at P 720,000 for the 1.3E M/T. The price goes up to P755,000 for the 1.3E A/T and tops out at P845,000 for the 1.5G A/T. The all-new Yaris comes in seven hip and fashionable colors: Freedom White, Attitude Black, Thermalyte, Gray Metallic, and new shades of Orange Mica Metallic, Red Mica Metallic, and Frozen Blue Metallic.