Toyota has updated the latest generation of its Yaris with an additional, more powerful new hybrid electric powertrain; significant new and enhanced safety and driver assistance features; and all-new driver’s instrumentation and multimedia system that exploit the potential of digital technology.

The new Yaris offers customers the option of a new, more powerful full hybrid electric powertrain, the “Hybrid 130”. Joining the established “Hybrid 115” powertrain option in the line-up, the new “Hybrid 130” reaps the benefits of fifth-generation Toyota hybrid technology to give sharper acceleration.

The 1.5-liter full hybrid electric system has a great track record since its launch, founded on leading fuel and emissions efficiency and its ability to go further and for longer in all-electric EV mode. These qualities are maintained and re-engineered for increased output.

The key change is the introduction of a new hybrid transaxle with a more powerful electric motor-generator (output up from 59 kW to 62 kW), together with adjustments to the software and hardware in the power control unit (PCU).

The result is a 12% uplift in total system output, from 116 DIN hp/85 kW to 130 DIN hp/96 kW. Maximum torque from the MG2 electric motor is increased by 30%, from 141 N·m to 185 N·m, available across the entire rev range.

This translates to faster acceleration, half a second quicker to bring the 0-100 km/h benchmark down to 9.2 seconds. Similarly, there’s more rapid performance at overtaking speeds, with 80-120 km/h accomplished in 7.5 seconds.

Toyota’s long-standing experience with hybrid technology ensures that the CO₂ emissions remains best-in-class at 87-98 g/km while fuel consumption remains robust at 3.9-4.3 l/100 km (WLTP combined cycle data).

Fuel economy is further enhanced with features such as the Predictive State of Charge Control for downhill and congestion driving conditions by using a combination of data from the navigation system to ensure the battery charge level maximises EV driving to enhance fuel efficiency depending on route, traffic, and gradient.

The new “Hybrid 130” is available as standard in the new Yaris Premiere Edition and GR Sport models. In some European markets it is also available in the High grade.

Toyota is also transforming the new Yaris’ user experience with digital technology, extending from driver information to on-board entertainment and connectivity and even access to the vehicle.

The new Yaris also sees the introduction of the latest Toyota Smart Connect multimedia package, designed for easier, more intuitive operation with a fast-reacting interface. It includes access to a cloud-based navigation system that helps ensure time-efficient journey planning with up-to-the-minute information on routes, traffic events and delays.

Toyota T-Mate embraces all the advanced features that make the new Yaris safer and easier to drive and park, features that have been made more effective than ever with new and enhanced functions. These include the latest generation Toyota Safety Sense driver assistance systems.

The new Yaris is equipped with a new camera and radar which can scan further ahead and wider than before, significantly increasing the scope for accident risk detection. For example, this means the Pre-Collision System (PCS) can now additionally recognize a potential head-on impact and wider range of objects in the car’s path, including pedestrians, cyclists and, for the first time, motorcycles.

Acceleration Suppression is a new Toyota Safety Sense feature which will intervene to slow any sudden acceleration of the car when there is a risk of a collision with a vehicle ahead.

Proactive Driving Assist (PDA) is also new, designed to help avoid familiar accident hazards when driving at low speeds. It provides smooth deceleration when the driver comes off the throttle to slow down when coming up behind a slower vehicle, or when entering a bend. PDA also provides Steering Assist: when the car is approaching a bend, this will adjust steering force to help the driver make a smooth and stable turn.

The new Emergency Driving Stop System (EDSS) can support the driver should they be taken ill or be incapacitated. Active when Lane Trace Assist is engaged, this detects if the driver has made no steering, braking or acceleration inputs for a certain amount of time. Initially the driver will receive audio and visual warnings, and if there is still no response from the driver it will bring the car to a gentle stop, activate the hazard lights and unlock the doors.

Safe Exit Assist (SEA), available as an option, provides visual and audio warnings to help prevent a car door being opened inadvertently into the path of vehicles and cyclists approaching the rear. The Rear Seat Reminder System (RSRS) is another innovation that reminds the driver with warnings and audio alerts if they have left a child or pet on the back seat, helping avoid the risk of “hot car” incidents.

As well as these additional functions, the new Yaris benefits from upgrades to established Toyota Safety Sense features. The Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) has been revised for quicker response and to operate with a more natural and reassuring feel. For example, when another vehicle moves into the Yaris’ traffic lane, deceleration is more gradual. The driver can also select a longer vehicle-to-vehicle gap setting and the system’s curve speed reduction function activates earlier, giving smoother speed control.

New systems have been added to the ACC, designed to make overtaking safer. Overtaking Prevention Support prevents unintentional passing on the wrong side of a vehicle (“undertaking”) and Preliminary Deceleration/Turn Signal-Linked Control helps the driver safely re-join the traffic lane after overtaking, at an appropriate speed and distance from other vehicles.

The Lane Departure Alert has been revised so that it will recognise when the driver has steered out of a lane when trying to avoid an obstacle (pedestrian or other road users) and temporarily cancel the Lane Departure Warning.

The Lane Trace Assist’s (LTA) lane-centring function has been recalibrated to work with a more natural feeling and now just a one-touch adjustment of the speed limiter is all that’s needed to match traffic sign information relayed by the Road Sign Assist.

The Yaris is one of the most successful models in Toyota’s history with its worldwide sales surpassing the 10 million mark in 2023. This achievement shows this small car has delivered on its original promise of bringing “big-small” thinking to the B-segment as a car that’s compact and purposeful-looking yet delivering a spacious interior.