Bay Harbour: December 09, 2020

Wednesday December 9 2020
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
BAY HARBOUR
PAGE 23
New Yaris buyer faces tough decisions
MAKE NO MISTAKE, Toyota’s
new hatchback Yaris is everything
you would want – cheeky styling,
fuel efficiency and value pricing.
However, there is a challenge
facing any potential buyer, that
being the hybrid is the best in
the series, and that may be a step
too far price-wise for those in the
budget car market.
I base those comments on the
three drives I’ve had in the new
Yaris, I’ve driven two petrol-only
models and a hybrid, and the latter
wins out with its economy and
driving experience, the connection
to electric power makes for
effortless motoring.
Now, I’m not saying the
petrol-only model isn’t worth
consideration, I still like it, and
most of that is because its threecylinder
engine is also thrifty and
truly delightful in terms of honesty.
This evaluation focuses on the
high-spec ZR variant which lists
at $29,990, an extra $3000 buying
you into the hybrid. Bear in mind,
too, that the range starts at $25,990
for the GX petrol model which
I evaluated in these columns in
September. It is also available in
hybrid form at $27,990.
All models have the same basic
petrol powerplant – a 1.5-litre
unit that, as I’ve mentioned, it only
has three combustion chambers.
Regular readers will recall my
enthusiasm for that layout and in
recent years many manufacturers
have opted for that configuration.
To me it makes a lot of sense, the
less reciprocating mass you have
the more efficient and smooth the
engine becomes.
However, those who do go the
three-cylinder way will need to
keep in mind that it is an experience
just that little bit different, there are
sounds that are foreign to that of say,
a four-cylinder engine of the same
capacity there is a distinctive tone
and the Yaris buyer in all forms will
need to adjust to that.
In petrol form it is listed with
an 88kW power output and
145Nm of torque. These figures are
relatively healthy for its capacity,
and if you take into account that
it is small and light at just 4m and
1075kg respectively, the five-door
hatchback feels nimble and is no
slouch against the clock. You can
expect a standstill to 100km/h
acceleration time of around 10sec
and 7.5sec to make 80-120km/h.
On the subject of figures Toyota
claims a 4.9-litre per 100km
combined cycle fuel usage average.
That’s a bold claim, but it is one
that is within target. I took the
evaluation car on a long highway
loop, and on the open road
straights the fuel usage readout was
TOYOTA YARIS ZR: Petrol-only model has tough
competition from its hybrid stablemate.
listing 4l/100km instantaneously
at 100km/h. That resulted in a
dash display average of 5.5l/100km
when I took the test car back to
the dealership, which is not that far
distant from Toyota’s claim.
Of course, those figures are
nowhere near those of the hybrid
with its 3.3l/100km, but I wasn’t
disappointed given that on
occasion I allowed the wee engine
to work freely towards the top end.
Drive is sent to the front wheels
through a continuously variable
transmission, this is fast becoming
Toyota’s gearbox of choice in
the models it offers that are
earmarked for efficiency. In the
ZR-spec petrol-only Yaris there
are paddle-shifters which will lock
the transmission into any one of
10 pre-set steps. That function is
useful when slowing for corners, or
for inclines, up or down.
The CVT ratio has been
structured to provide that
reasonable acceleration to highway
speed, and once there the engine is
relaxed at 100km/h, turning over
slowly at 2000rpm.
Aimed at the twists and turns
out of the Waimakariri River gorge
bridge, the Yaris felt sprightly and
agile. The chassis isn’t disturbed
by mid-corner bumps or road
deviations, the suspension does
a good job of controlling body
balance.
The Yaris is also a comfortable
car for four adults; it’s a bit of a
squeeze width-wise for three adults
in the rear, and leg room depends
totally on how far back the front
seat passengers have their seats, but
there’s no shortage of head room, it
is clever in the way it translates its
limited space into occupant comfort.
In ZR spec, the Yaris gets a
good level of fitment that should
please the budget-conscious buyer
and those who rate safety as a key
ingredient. To that end, when
• Price – Toyota Yaris ZR,
$29,990
• Dimensions – Length,
3940mm; width, 1695mm;
height, 1500mm
• Configuration – Threecylinder,
front-wheeldrive,
1490cc, 88kW,
145Nm, continuously
variable automatic.
• Performance –
0-100km/h, 10.8sec
• Fuel usage – 4.9l/100km
crash tested, the series should
easily earn a five-star Australasian
New Car Assessment Program
rating, thanks to the Toyota
SafetySense suite of technologies.
There are too many features to
mention in detail, but I particularly
like the head-up display and radar
cruise control.
My daughter works for an
organisation that has at least a
dozen Yaris’ – mostly all white
– that are used as pool cars on
a daily basis. I told her they will
probably be replaced in time with
the newcomer. She’s hoping some
of the trendy colours Toyota is
offering in the new model will be
incorporated into the fleet.
I hope that when that time comes
some would be hybrids, but if not,
then the petrol-only model is still a
very worthy consideration.
Just as you would expect from
Toyota, the new Yaris is a smart car
and one which pleases in all forms,
you can expect it to last forever and
at the same time be charmed at
every drive with that delightful wee
engine up front.