Toyota has unveiled its bold fourth-generation Yaris, which is more stylish, upmarket and safer than ever before.
The new Yaris is the first to be built on a new platform known as ‘GA-B’, which aims to allow for improved performance, a more enjoyable driving experience, better safety and bolder design.
The Yaris – traditionally one of the blandest-looking models in Toyota’s range – now looks far more stylish than ever before, thanks to a new look that shares plenty in common with the C-HR and Corolla.
It’s smaller in length and height than the model it replaces, though it’s wider to allow for further interior space. Sharp lines, LED headlights and a bold new grille also feature, along with a longer bonnet that aim to give Toyota’s most popular European model a sportier look.
The inside has also been transformed, too, with Toyota offering a minimalist design with a limited number of new buttons, as well as more soft-touch plastics in a bid to give it a more upmarket feel. A digital instrument cluster and a head-up display are also available, too.
Toyota was one of the first brands to offer a hybrid supermini with its Yaris in 2012, and sales of the electrified Yaris now outstrip those of the petrol model. While a 1.0-litre petrol will continue to be offered, the new model is offered with an all-new 1.5-litre hybrid powertrain, which claims to be more responsive and more efficient than the current model.
Fuel economy figures and CO2 emissions are yet to be announced, though a 20 per cent improvement is promised.
The Japanese firm is also wishing its Yaris to be the safest car in its class, with new features including a central airbag, as well as adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist. All these features will be fitted as standard.
Further details and pricing will be announced closer to when the new Yaris goes on sale in the second half of 2020.