The Toyota Yaris: Hot, hip and really fun to drive

It is always a joy at the wheel of a car that is easy to drive. The Toyota Yaris 2014 is one such car.  The Yaris’ light steering and smooth suspension make it easy and enjoyable to drive around town — even when traffic is really horrendous. (And when is it not?)

The Yaris is equipped with a 106-horsepower, 1.5-liter four-cylinder that provides great fuel economy. It is loaded with a four-speed automatic transmission.

I really love how it is so easy to feel comfy and in full control once in the cockpit of a Yaris. The four-door hatchback, which I got a chance to test drive, offers great headroom and legroom. In addition, other cool features like Bluetooth phone connectivity, audio connectivity and USB/iPod integration are now standard.

In the Yaris SE, the model I drove, there are standard features like power windows, remote keyless entry, cruise control, a six-way-adjustable driver seat, auxiliary steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, upgraded interior trim and a 60/40-split fold-down rear seat. It also comes with a sport-tuned suspension, 16-inch alloy wheels, unique front and rear bumper fascia, sportier tires, four-wheel disc brakes, a unique grille, fog lamps, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shifter and upgraded cloth upholstery.

I have to say that for drivers like me, these features make setting up the inside of the car easy — just like a DIY fix-it. And, when you handle a car on your own, this sort of attention to detail is just perfect.

IT’S IN THE SIMPLICITY

The Yaris’ interior knobs couldn’t be simpler or easier to use. There are just a couple of gauges to read, and the large speedometer is mounted directly in front of the driver. Those worried about a subcompact car affording a low view of the road will find the high-mounted front seats help provide good sight lines, though the lack of a telescoping steering wheel can be a problem for short and tall drivers alike. 

I am a lover of really big SUVs, but I must say that I found much to be happy about in the small Yaris Hatchback. For starters, steering is quite light in this small Toyota, and makes the car effortless to drive around town and guide into tight parking spaces. The Yaris is also steady around turns and has a reasonably smooth ride. 

I took a few friends for a drive to a small town in Cavite. We filled the Yaris with six adults (including me), and, although the Yaris is a five-seater, I did not hear any complaints from my other five passengers.  Neither did I have any complaints about the way this baby drove. I did not experience any difficulty with the Yaris on our drive, whether it was overtaking on the SLEX or fitting into tight spaces on the smaller roads in Cavite. The need to feel in control when driving is a must for me, and the Yaris is the right size for drivers like myself. Toyota’s reputation for reliability, durability, and value for money is definitely everything that the Yaris is about.

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.

The all-new Yaris is a mix of sharp edges and smooth surfaces, resulting in a hatchback that’s very fashion-forward. Riding on the same platform that underpins the 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 315-mm longer (4,115-mm) with more front (+115-mm) and rear overhangs (+110-mm). However, it is lower by 45-mm (1,475-mm).

With the huge growth in the small hatchback segment, the 2014 Yaris features a beefed-up lineup 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 compromises to on-road performance. The 85 horsepower, 122 Nm 1.3-liter engine can be paired to a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic with Super ECT while the 107 horsepower, 142 Nm 1.5-liter engine is mated solely to a 4-speed automatic also equipped with Super ECT.

Let me just say that “fun” and “stylish” need not be expensive.  The 2014 Toyota Yaris is priced starting from P720,000 for the 1.3E M/T. The price goes up to P 755,000 for the 1.3E A/T and tops out at P 845,000 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.