Middle Of The Road
by Mike Grundon (20 Dec 05)

"Don't scare the punters!" That's the subliminal message I was getting loudest and clearest as Toyota launched the latest version of its Yaris supermini. And I can understand why. Accounting for one in four of every Toyota sold in Europe, it's the company's best seller by far. Over 1.2 million have rolled onto our streets since it was launched in 1999. You don't mess lightly with market performance like that.

Toyota speaks about refining the Yaris as well as making significant advances in quality, safety and versatility. It also talks of a "strong, dynamic look" that its designers extol with enthusiastic fervour. In reality, the tweaks and changes made to the mechanics, trim and spec of the old car give it some marginal improvements and a few marginal setbacks.

As for the image, well anyone who was expecting the exciting themes introduced in the tiny Aygo earlier this year to be carried onward and upward into the Yaris will be disappointed. No matter what you say, out on the street it's just a little hatchback amongst so many other little hatchbacks.

So what are the choices now? Well, from launch on January 1 it'll be available with three or five doors, and a choice of three engines, two gearboxes and three levels of trim. Both bodyshells have identical external and internal dimensions so the choice you need to make is one of style (three-doors look a bit more racy), your rear passengers' level of mobility, and whether or not the extra two doors are worth the extra £300.

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