Bay Harbour: November 11, 2020

PAGE 16 BAY HARBOUR
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Wednesday November 11 2020
Toyota Yaris hybrid pick-of-the-bunch
THERE WAS A time in Japan
when nearly all of Toyota’s new
vehicles were offered to the
domestic market with hybrid
technology.
In New Zealand we had a
smattering of them arrive here in
pre-owned form and, of course,
Toyota New Zealand had Prius and
its off-shoots – Prius C and Prius V.
Demand for hybrid technology
has allowed TNZ to broaden its
hybrid range, of course Lexus is well
represented in hybrid form, and
models within Toyota’s mainstream
range are becoming increasingly
available with hybrid options, take
Corolla and Rav4 as examples.
The latest Toyota hybrid to
land here is the new Yaris, a
small hatchback that needs little
introduction, only that the new
series is a completely new design
from the previous generation.
The shape is more cutesy and the
driveline is vastly different, even if
you discount the hybrid variants.
All new Yaris models have threecylinder
engines, and that is the
way engine build is trending, many
manufacturers are leaning towards
the three-pot layout to glean
efficiency advantages.
Recently I evaluated the entry
level petrol-only Yaris and was
charmed by the 1.5-litre, naturallyaspirated
three-pot engine, it is a
real honey. That same engine is
coupled to the hybrid system that is
an option in the four-model Yaris
range. There are two petrol-only
models and two hybrids, both with
varying specification levels.
This evaluation surrounds the
range-topping hybrid – ZR to be
exact. It lists at $32,990, adding
$5000 to the entry-level GX which
is most tempting and easily within
the budget of eco-conscious buyers.
It doesn’t seem that long ago that
when Prius arrived its price tag was
something one had to really aspire to;
today hybrids are affordable and the
Yaris definitely sits in that category.
For the record, the petrol-only
Yaris is priced at $25,990 and
$29,990. The pricing is structured
so that if you felt you wanted to do
something for the environment,
then a step up to hybrid isn’t
onerous. As an aside, both variants
have a $500 two-tone paint option.
To be honest, if I was a Yaris
buyer, I’d be into the hybrid, for
me it’s the best of both worlds,
that cheeky wee three-cylinder
engine and the benefits of battery
propulsion.
Yes, the Yaris in this form feels
sprightly; the electric boost on
top of the engine’s 67kW is very
noticeable. What’s more, battery
power comes in from a zero point,
it is immediate and adds to the
TOYOTA YARIS ZR: Fitted with economical hybrid system.
torquey nature of the engine. For
the record, Toyota claims a 120Nm
low end figure, while hybrid boost
adds18kW at the top end.
Take into account, too, that
the Yaris hybrid is light at just
1130kg, there is a constant feisty
feeling, the engine is a delight with
its characteristic harmonics and
free-revving nature. In traditional
Toyota hybrid fashion, drive is
sent to the front wheels through
continuously variable transmission.
The Yaris wants to run on electric
power mostly, of course the engine
has to charge the batteries, but it
seems to me the batteries have a
high and lasting charge, the engine
is quick to cut out, only reluctantly
coming on-board when immediate
acceleration is needed.
That’s no surprise, high power
batteries are the norm in hybrids
these days, and with further
efficiencies all-round the Yaris is a
lean operator.
Toyota claims an amazing
combined cycle fuel usage figures
of 3.3-litres per 100km for the Yaris
hybrid; that was a hard target but
I took the evaluation car back to
the dealership with the fuel usage
readout listing at 4l/100km, which
I was quite pleased with, and it
was up with the lowest readings
I’ve ever had testing a car with an
internal combustion engine.
For interest’s sake, the petrolonly
model is rated at 4.9l/100km,
so there are noticeable advantages
to be gained from buying hybrid.
While the Yaris might be
considered the quintessential city
runabout, it is also happy on a long
journey, I completed my usual
Malvern Hills circuit and it simply
cruises beautifully, fuss-free and
happy to tackle a quick overtake.
Toyota also claims a 10.2sec
standstill to 100km/h acceleration
time, which is marginally quicker
than petrol-only. The Yaris hybrid
will also complete a highway
overtake in 7.1sec (80-120km/h),
that strong mid-range push making
this time very acceptable.
• Price – Toyota Yaris ZR
hybrid, $32,990
• Dimensions – Length,
3940mm; width, 1695mm;
height, 1500mm
• Configuration – Threecylinder,
front-wheeldrive,
1490cc, 67kW,
120Nm, continuously
variable automatic.
• Performance –
0-100km/h, 10.2sec
• Fuel usage – 3.3l/100km
As capable as it is, the Yaris
hybrid will most definitely
appeal to those who will use it
as a city commuter and for the
occasional highway journey and,
for that matter, it is perfect for that
role.
In ZR form it gets a healthy level
of specification – keyless entry
and ignition, satellite navigation,
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto,
radar cruise control and headup
display. The latter sit with
Toyota’s extensive suite of safety
technologies which, when tested,
should easily earn a five-star
Australasian New Car Assessment
Program rating.
Not only does the entire Yaris
range stand out for its honesty and
frugal operating nature, the new
model has design flair and style on
its side. It competes well with the
raft of new-age fuel efficient models
which are landing in New Zealand
at the moment.
Toyota can relax though, its
hybrid systems are widely regarded
and you’d be hard pressed to find a
driveline with greater efficiency.
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