Toyota’s New Yaris: Advanced style, performance and safety

August 19, 2020

2020 Toyota Yaris. Toyota Yaris ZR with optional black roof.

Toyota’s all-new Yaris has arrived in Australia, setting a new benchmark for compact cars with its stylish design, dynamic performance and the clever application of new technologies – including safety features previously available only in luxury cars.

The fourth-generation Yaris sits on a new Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform that delivers a step-change in styling appeal, ride comfort and agility – advances already seen with TNGA platforms in cars like RAV4, Camry and Corolla.

TNGA is also central to the new Yaris hatch’s lower centre of gravity and more rigid body – engineering achievements that translate into impressive dynamics, a comfortable ride and agile handling.

Complementing the Yaris GA-B platform are new 1.5-litre three-cylinder powertrains that develop more power than their four-cylinder predecessors, while using substantially less fuel and cutting emissions.

The stand-out is Toyota’s latest hybrid system that also generates higher power output while achieving the best fuel economy of any Toyota ever offered in Australia – at only3.3 litres/100km¹ and just 76 grams/km² of CO₂.

Advances in active and passive systems are designed to create the world’s safest compact car with the new-generation Yaris retaining its Ascent Sport, SX and ZR equipment levels.

Yaris is the only vehicle in its class with front-centre airbags, designed to protect the heads of front-seat occupants, and a driver-assist system that can detect and automatically brake to help avoid pedestrians and vehicles at intersections³.

These technologies are standard across the range, along with a host of other driver-assist features, including a pre-collision system with autonomous emergency braking³, and a secondary brake that can further slow the vehicle after an accident.

Toyota Australia Vice President Sales and Marketing Sean Hanley said prices starting from $22,130⁴ for the manual Ascent Sport represent strong value for a vehicle that resets the benchmark in its class.

“The all-new Yaris has sharper styling, a dynamic new platform, powerful and efficient new powertrains, an engaging new driving experience and the cutting-edge safety that is otherwise available only in luxury cars,” Mr Hanley said.

“Its capability and features – including quality, safety and connectivity – go beyond anything else offered in this segment and respond directly to the needs and preferences of compact-car buyers.

“Such an advanced level of engineering and specification will deliver long-term value to people buying their first new car, right through to those who are downsizing.

“At the same time, the new Yaris is extremely practical: agile and easy to park in the city, comfortable on longer journeys, and affordable to own.”

A Direct Shift CVT adds just $1,500⁴ with a CVT-equipped hybrid on SX and ZR for a further $2,000 over their equivalent petrol variants. Low ownership costs include a five-year warranty⁵, extendable to seven years⁶, up to 10 years on the hybrid battery⁷ and five annual services capped at $170 each⁸.

Yaris is one of the most popular vehicles sold in Australia, recently passing 250,000 local sales. This is in addition to 82,000 examples of Toyota’s Echo – the local name used for the first-generation Yaris.

Sporty exterior and high-quality interior

All-new Yaris is shorter and lower than its predecessor with a longer wheelbase for maximum interior space and stability.

A sporty exterior design comprises a prominent cascading grille, longer bonnet, sculpted door panels, dynamic character lines and a shorter rear overhang.

There are 12 exterior colours, with ZR variants also available with two-tone paint.

The interior offers an open, spacious and comfortable cabin with ample headroom, a wider centre console and an up-market ambience with high-quality seat fabrics.

Ascent Sport has an all-black interior; SX gains silver highlights while ZR is distinguished by sporty red inserts.

A safety-inspired “hands on the wheel, eyes on the road” concept results in intuitive placement of controls and a smaller-diameter steering wheel with fingertip switches.

Linked driver information sources include a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch multi-information display in the instrument cluster. SX and ZR speedo and tacho/hybrid meter dials are digital. ZR variants have a 10-inch colour head-up display.

The new platform allows the driver’s seat to be set lower and further back towards the centre of the car, creating a more engaging driving position and helping to lower the vehicle’s centre of gravity by around 15mm.

The steering wheel is set closer to the driver, with wider tilt and telescopic adjustments. Electric steering assistance is tuned for a light feel at low speed and a responsive feeling at high speed.

A 270-litre cargo area incorporates a two-level deck board. Larger items can be accommodated with a 60:40 split-fold rear seat back.

Three new powertrains

New Yaris is powered by a 1.5-litre inline three-cylinder Dynamic Force engine with the choice of a six-speed intelligent manual gearbox on Ascent Sport or Direct Shift CVT. SX and ZR grades can also be specified with Toyota’s latest hybrid system.

The new direct-injection 1.5-litre petrol engine’s 88kW and 145Nm represent gains of 10 per cent and 2.7 per cent over the previous 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine outputs, courtesy of a lighter block and crankshaft, reduced frictional losses and high-speed combustion technology.

At the same time, new Yaris uses less fuel – just 5.4 litres/100km¹ for the manual and 4.9 litres/100km¹ for the CVT. The latter is an improvement of more than 23 per cent over the equivalent outgoing model.

Impressively, these fuel-consumption figures are also superior to the discontinued 1.3-litre engine by up to 6.9 per cent.

Toyota’s fourth-generation hybrid system’s petrol engine adopts port injection with 10-hole injectors, variable valve timing and the world’s fastest combustion speed. An electric motor instead of oil pressure controls intake variable valve timing, resulting in a wider adjustment angle.

Operating on the Atkinson Cycle, its 67kW/120Nm outputs are supplemented by a 59kW/141Nm electric motor-generator and a compact lithium-ion battery. Combined maximum power output is 85kW.

Yaris hybrid can be operated in a fuel-saving eco mode or a more responsive power mode. As a full hybrid, it can also run on electric power alone – a noticeable contributor to its urban-cycle fuel economy of just 2.8 litres/100km¹.

The hybrid transaxle adopts a compact dual-axis structure with the power-control unit installed directly above it, resulting in a small and lightweight system.

Dynamic chassis

Yaris adopts a chassis that has been engineered to improve dynamic qualities, reduce body roll and improve braking stability and stopping distances.

The revised front MacPherson struts and rear torsion-beam layout includes reduced friction, softer springs and an increase in rear roll stiffness – measures that further improve agility, balance, braking stability and distances while reducing body roll.

The new platform also underpins a significant increase in body rigidity, which contributes to agility, stable handling, ride comfort and lower noise and vibration.

Ground-breaking safety

Ground-breaking safety features, designed to make Yaris the world’s safest compact car, include front-centre airbags, sensors that can detect vehicles or pedestrians at intersections when making turns³, and a secondary collision brake.

These new potentially life-saving features are firsts for the Yaris segment and being offered for the first time on a Toyota vehicle in Australia. They are expected to be progressively introduced to the brand’s other models.

Other advanced safety technologies include a pre-collision safety system with autonomous emergency braking³, active cruise control³, automatic high beam, and technologies to assist with cornering³, staying in the intended lane³ and detecting speed signs. A reversing camera and a full suite of brake assist and traction-control systems including active cornering assist are also standard.

ZR variants gain front and rear parking sensors³ and a parking support brake system³ that can warn the driver of objects around the vehicle and even apply the brakes if necessary.

Other standard features

Other standard equipment on Ascent Sport include Apple Carplay⁹ and Android Auto¹⁰, LED daytime running lamps, tail and stop lamps; auto retractable door mirrors with LED turn signal lamps; and power windows.

Additional standard equipment on mid-range SX includes satellite navigation with pinch-and-zoom capability; speed-limit display and warnings; automatic air-conditioning; keyless smart entry; smart-start ignition button; soft-touch instrument panel; 15-inch alloy wheels; LED headlamps, indicators and rear combination lamps; and privacy glass.

Top-of-the-line ZR gains 16-inch alloys; rear spoiler; head-up display; sports front seats; blind-spot monitor; intelligent clearance sonar; parking support brake system; and paddle shifter on the petrol variant.

¹ Achieved in test conditions for comparison purposes only. Actual fuel consumption varies depending on driving conditions/style, vehicle condition, load and options/accessories fitted. Source: ADR81/02 combined (litres/100km) for auto models.
² Emissions vary depending on driving conditions/style, vehicle condition & options/accessories fitted.
³ Driver assist feature. Only operates under certain conditions. Check your Owner’s Manual for explanation of limitations. Please drive safely.
⁵ The standard Toyota Warranty Advantage period is 5 years, with unlimited kms, from delivery. Excludes vehicles used for a commercial purpose, such as taxis, hire vehicles and vehicles transporting people or goods for payment including rideshare. See toyota.com.au/owners/warranty or your vehicle’s Warranty and Service Book for T&Cs. This warranty does not limit and may not necessarily exceed your rights under the Australian Consumer Law.
⁶ Conditions apply. See toyota.com.au/owners/warranty or your vehicle’s Warranty and Service Book for T&Cs. This warranty does not limit and may not necessarily exceed your rights under the Australian Consumer Law.
⁷ The Toyota Warranty Advantage (TWA) Hybrid Battery coverage is for up to 10yrs, with unlimited kms, from date of first delivery. It is comprised of the standard 5yr TWA and extended each year for an additional 5yrs with an annual hybrid health check inspection according to Toyota specifications. Excludes vehicles used for a commercial purpose, such as taxis, hire vehicles and vehicles transporting people or goods for payment including rideshare. See toyota.com.au/owners/warranty or your vehicle’s Warranty and Service Book for T&Cs. The TWA does not limit and may not necessarily exceed your rights under the Australian Consumer Law.
⁸ Maximum payable for standard scheduled logbook servicing (normal operating conditions) until first of 5 years or 75,000km (up to the first 5 services). Excludes government and rental vehicles. Contact your Toyota Dealer or go to toyota.com.au/advantage for other exclusions, eligibility and full details.
⁹ CarPlay^® is a trademark of Apple, Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries. Requires compatible device, USB connection, mobile data, network reception & GPS signal. Mobile usage at user’s cost. Apps subject to change. For details see toyota.com.au/connected.
¹⁰ Android Auto™ is a trademark of Google LLC. Requires compatible device, USB connection, mobile data, network reception & GPS signal. Mobile usage at user’s cost. Apps subject to change. For details see toyota.com.au/connected.