ADDED VALUE IN TOYOTA YARIS

2014 Toyota Yaris HB AscentToyota Yaris has been given a big facelift, and carries extra equipment at little or no added cost. Such is the way of the slowing Australian car market at the moment that any company that isn’t prepared to cut prices and/or give more for less will struggle to sell cars in decent numbers.

Toyota Australia is running hot at the moment and, though the year still has several months to go, the Corolla looks like finishing number one overall for the second year in succession.

So it makes a lot of sense to have Corolla’s younger brother Yaris drag some more people into the showroom.

2014 Toyota Yaris HB AscentBig radiator grilles are all the rage at the moment and Toyota Yaris hatch has one of the biggest and boldest of them all. There’s a touch of the upcoming Toyota NX hybrid at the front, and with a little imagination we can even similarities to the latest Lexus models at the front of the smallest Toyota sold here.

Changes to the interior give it a brighter look and Yaris certainly doesn’t look like a low-cost car. A 6.1-inch display audio screen provides touch, drag and flick control of the type we are using in virtually all smartphones or tablets. A telephone switch is installed on the steering wheel, and the stereo now has six speakers rather than four.

Many buyers moving down from big cars are finding they can use something like Toyota Yaris as a family car when the kids are young. One thing these people demand is back doors, so the three-door Yaris hatch has been pulled out of the range as part of this midlife revamp, only five-door hatches are being brought downunder.

2014 Toyota Yaris HB SX

Long overdue is telescopic adjustment of the steering-column.

All Yaris models now have the safety of a reversing camera. Automatic flashing of the hazard lamps under hard braking is fitted. Cruise control can be useful in saving your licence as governments continue to reduce speed limits and buy ever more speed cameras to prop up their coffers, so all new Yaris have cruise as standard.

Toyota Australia has revised the Yaris’ model names. The range now begins with the 1.3-litre Ascent, now fitted with 15-inch steel wheels instead of 14-inch. Toyota says the additional equipment fitted on the Ascent is valued at over $2000, yet it has kept the price steady at $15,690 for the manual and $17,290 with auto transmission.

Yaris SX powered by a 1.5-litre engine, has had its prices increased by $400 to $17,790 (manual) and $19,390 (automatic). Toyotas says it now has more than its $1000 of new features, reversing camera, foglamps, rear and side privacy glass and a new design of wheel covers.

Finally, the topline auto-only Toyota Yaris ZR has been upgraded with auto-levelling LED headlights, a rear spoiler and diffuser, side skirts and Toyota Link connected mobility. It has at over $2000 of extra equipment but is priced only $1300 higher at $22,690.

Unseen, but very much appreciated, the Yaris hatch has a stiffer body shell to reduce in noise, vibration and harshness. More direct and linear steering response has been gained by new suspension calibration. We haven’t had time to road test the upgraded Yaris, but will give you our comments on this as soon as we get into one.

Yaris hatch has seven airbags (including one for the driver’s knee), plus vehicle stability and traction control, and anti-skid brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist.

Over 186,000 Toyota Yaris have been sold in Australia since its introduction in 2005, making it the best-selling vehicle in its segment over that period.

The upgraded Yaris hatch range is covered by capped-price servicing at a maximum of $130 per service.

About Ewan Kennedy

Ewan Kennedy, a long-time car enthusiast, was Technical Research Librarian with the NRMA from 1970 until 1985. He worked part-time as a freelance motoring journalist from 1977 until 1985, when he took a full-time position as Technical Editor with Modern Motor magazine. Late in 1987 he left to set up a full-time business as a freelance motoring journalist. Ewan is an associate member of the Society of Automotive Engineers - International. An economy driving expert, he set the Guinness World Record for the greatest distance travelled in a standard road vehicle on a single fuel fill. He lists his hobbies as stage acting, travelling, boating and reading.
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