The latest Toyota Yaris range will do nothing to harm the reputation previous generation models had for Toyota quality, reliability and user friendliness. These are all the attributes mainly sought out by the older buyer wanting a well equipped durable single car but as a family's second car for shopping and the school run, it also fits the bill very well. It is aimed at 30-40 year olds but if you are younger or older don't let that put you off, it's good for all ages.I was struggling to find a word that which best described the new Yaris to would-be owners and 'logical' fits the bill.It is positioned in the Toyota range between the Aygo city-car models and the Corolla hatchbacks, saloons and estates and it is a smaller alternative to the excellent and much larger Toyota Verso MPV, so that is a logical move.The Yaris is a 'supermini', one of the new breed of larger cars in that sector selling against the Fiat Grande Punto, Renault Clio and now the Peugeot 207 ranges. The Yaris is pretty compact in overall length, 3,750mm, but it really does make the best use of interior space in its sector. It is a relatively short car but with a high roofline has the feeling of a much bigger car overall. The front interior is well thought out with loads of storage space and elbowroom so you do not feel confined. The rear seat offers plenty of legroom for two adults and one child and as the seat slides backwards the legroom can be increased further. With the rear seat in its normal position the three or five door Yaris models offer 30% more boot space than the previous version. Not for nothing does Toyota market the Yaris as their 'bigsmall' car.For the record the first generation Yaris range was introduced to the UK in 1999 and it has progressed to being the top selling model in Europe for Toyota accounting for one in four of all models they sell. The UK sales target for Yaris models this year is 38,000 units and since its launch in 1999 over 209,000 of them have found UK homes. In Europe sales have been 1.2 million units.January 1 this year saw the new Yaris introduced under the marketing banner of 'Big Car Thinking' and I would say that is spot on for accuracy and I rarely agree with marketing hype. In June, just in time for summer, Toyota introduced new and cheaper special edition variants, the Ion models with prices starting at £7,995 for the 1.0-litre VVT-I three-door and £8,495 for the five-door variant. Prices of other models in the range start at £8,610 and go up to £13,280. Option packs including satellite navigation are available. Some versions might look a bit pricey but the residual values are so strong retail customers get pretty good value for money.There is a choice of three engines, 1.0-litre and 1.3-litre variable valve timing petrol units and a 1.4-litre D-4D direct injection diesel unit. Five-speed manual transmission is standard on all models but a multimode semi-automatic gearbox option is available for 1.3 and 1.4-litre engines. Specification levels are Ion, T2, T3 and T Sprit and all models are available with the option of three or five doors. A logically comprehensive range.My test car was the Yaris 1.0 VVT T3 3-Door priced at £9,810. As I think three-door hatchbacks in real-life situations are not as versatile or as user friendly as five-door models, I'd spend the extra £500 and have that body option.As I wrote earlier in this review, the big news about the Yaris is its use of space. That by far is its best feature together with impeccable build quality, renowned Toyota reliability, low insurance ratings, high Euro NCAP five-star passenger safety rating and good residual values.The fold flat floor and 60-40 split folding rear seat system is just what any hatchback needs giving a best in class 737 litres of maximum load space.The interior design, fixtures and fittings could be described as 'funky', they will not suit all tastes, but they work and are user friendly. Air conditioning is standard on the T3 and higher specification models and it really is a must in winter or summer. The high upright seat positions provide very good giving visibility all around and it makes getting in and out of the car easier for older owners.The ride quality is not brilliant, it is unsettled if not fully loaded, a little bounce with some bodyroll during cornering but then its not a 'hot-hatch'. There is road noise intrusion as well in varying degrees depending on the surface of the road. The engine noise can also be intrusive but after a while you get used to it.The 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, 68bhp petrol engine with its variable valve timing, as also used in the Toyota Aygo, is a little gem. It's nippy, responsive, a bit noisy when under stress, but it is a willing worker and it performs nicely with the slick five-speed manual transmission. Its low emissions of 127 g/km puts it in road tax class C, which costs £100 per year. As an attraction for younger buyer an insurance group rating of one, or at worst two should be achievable. As for fuel economy, well Toyota quote 57.6mpg as the average and my test car returned 54.4mpg so that is another plus point.Overall the Yaris is pretty good, some areas excel, some are ok and perhaps against the likes of the new Clio it doesn't handle as well but as a package it has to be a logical consideration if you are thinking of buying a new-age 'supermini'MILESTONES: Toyota Yaris 1.0-VVT T3 3-Door. Price: £9,810. Engine: 1.0-litre, three cylinder, petrol, variable value timing, 68bhp, 93Nm of torque. Performance: 96mph, 0-62mph 15.7 seconds, 57.6mpg (54.4mpg actual), CO2: 127g/km. VED: Band C £100. Insurance group: 1-2. For: Versatile interior, roomy for a 'supermini', distinctive exterior appearance, well built, good reliability, low running costs. Against: Bouncy ride, noise intrusion, on the pricey side but offset by good residual values.
