Road test: Toyota Yaris 1.0VVT-i Active

Once again a car proves that less can be more. The cheapest version of Toyota’s new, third generation Yaris supermini is also the best to drive.

With two petrol engines, a diesel and a hybrid to choose from, the three-cylinder one-litre petrol entry model provides a sense of fun which the other versions can’t match.

This is the same unit that powers Toyota’s new Aygo city car, and unless motorway driving is your priority, its 68bhp is adequate. The Yaris’s front styling, cabin and suspension have been revised and the interior uses better-quality materials, giving it a more premium feel than before.

The other engine choices are a 1.33-litre four-pot petrol unit giving 98bhp, an 89bhp 1.4-litre diesel and a hybrid system with a 1.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor together providing 98bhp. The hybrid has a CVT auto gearbox, which makes the engine sound a bit frantic at times, but it is a civilised car for city driving. The regenerative braking system also gives an all-or-nothing feel to the brakes.

Even on smooth German roads the Yaris can seek out ruts and vibrations that would go unnoticed in some rivals, and the suspension feels a bit nervous at times.

All versions make a fair amount of noise at motorway speeds but the Yaris is a fine city car, with comfortable seats and plenty of room for a supermini. There are four trim levels and a choice of three or five-door bodies. Prices range from £10,995 to £17,695.

Toyota Yaris 1.0VVT-i Active
Top speed: 96mph;
MPG: 65.7;
Emissions: 99g/km;
Price: £10,995