The 1.8 SR was introduced to the Yaris range in April 2007 as "the best Yaris you can buy", a comment which was presumably not to be taken as an insult to the 1.3 petrol and 1.4 turbo diesel SRs which came out at the same time. All versions were designed to look more sporty and handle more excitingly than lesser Yaris models, and the 1.8 in particular was the first car in the range to be fitted with Toyota's new Dual VVT-i engine.That engine produces 131bhp, making this the strongest Yaris unit to an almost hilarious extent (the 1.4 diesel is a distant second with 90bhp). The SR is also considerably more powerful than the warm-hatch rivals quoted by Toyota, namely the Volkswagen Polo Sport, the Vauxhall Corsa SXi, the Renault Clio 111 and the Peugeot 207 Sport (though I hope it's not too churlish to point out that every one of them has an engine size of 1.6 litres or less, and most of them are cheaper than the SR even when adjustments for different equipment levels are taken into account).To go with the Dual VVT-i unit, there's modified suspension - giving a ride height 8mm lower than that of non-SR models - along with low-profile 205/45 tyres on 17" alloy wheels, and an electric power steering system that has been revised to provide snappier response to the driver's actions on the wheel.If all this reminds you of a previous Yaris, you're probably thinking of the previous-generation T Sport, which we tested during the reign of Charles II and which, despite being a lot less powerful than the SR, was as mad as a box of frogs.The SR is altogether a more sober device. In a week's driving, the only time I had any sense that that this was intended to be a sporting car was - ironically enough - when I was pottering through town. In those conditions there's a slight chattering through the low-profile tyres, which almost entirely vanishes as you build up speed.Apart from that, there's very little sense of sportiness. There's a fair amount of grip and the balance is good (the limiting factor in each case being mild understeer as the body starts to lean over on tighter corners) so you can have quite a lot of fun, but it's safe to say that the SR does not approach the levels of handling precision provided by the humblest MINI.The revised steering is indeed more responsive, as advertised, without being at all fussy. In fact, I think it would be a welcome addition to models further down the Yaris food chain.Of course, a large part of Toyota's vast success has been based on its ability to design and build cars which do the job for which they were intended without stirring their owners' passions or being in any way memorable. That's what has happened with the SR, too, and it's best to approach it in that frame of mind.So let's do that. As a reasonably powerful hatchback, the SR has enough acceleration to be useful in overtaking situations, though the flipside is that it's not spectacularly economical (39.2mpg on the combined cycle, rather less during my stint, in which 300 miles seemed to be close to the range on a single tankful).Gold stars for its ride comfort - at least once you're up to speed, as suggested earlier - and for interior space. Black marks for visibility, thanks to the chunky windscreen pillars and remarkable lack of glass area at the rear of the car, both of which create infuriating and potentially dangerous blind spots. With the rear seat in place, luggage room is only moderate at 257 litres, though more is available under the false boot floor.I'm not sure if I like the central instrument display very much. This has been a Yaris characteristic from day one, and although the second-generation set-up is easier to read than the one it replaced, I do feel that the front passenger is confronted with information which would be of more use if presented closer to the driver.The fact that there is no interior lighting near the steering wheel means that at night you're driving in a little pocket of total darkness, which is a bit disconcerting at first, though I dare say you'd get used to it.From the outside, the SR is the most handsome Yaris, thanks to those 17" wheels, a chrome exhaust tailpipe, revised front and rear bumpers, side skirts and a small but visually effective roof spoiler. Inside, you'll quickly realise that the SR is pretty well-equipped, with climate control air-conditioning, a six-speaker audio system, keyless entry and start, a fully adjustable steering column and nine airbags.Oh yes, and speaking of airbags, the Yaris is one of several superminis to have achieved the full complement of five stars for adult occupant protection in the Euro NCAP crash test programme. It also managed three (out of five) and two (out of four) for child and pedestrian protection respectively; other manufacturers have done better with cars in the same class, but Euro NCAP's comments were generally favourable.Our car was a three-door, but the SR is also available with a five-door body, at an extra cost of £500. Engine 1798cc, 4 cylinders Power 131bhp Fuel/CO2 39.2mpg / 170g/km Acceleration 0-62mph: 9.3 seconds Top speed 121mph Price £13,075 Details correct at publication date
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