The 2021 Toyota Yaris continues Toyota’s hybrid onslaught and will also bring the latest safety tech to the light car class, but at what cost?
The 2021 Toyota Yaris is due to arrive in Australia in August, bringing with it a host of new technology. Toyota Australia claims that it will “leapfrog competitors in the light-car market, setting a new benchmark with segment firsts and the introduction of in-demand premium features.”
Following its bigger brother, the all-new Yaris will be offered from launch in three trims and two drivetrains. The range will start out with the Ascent Sport, which will be a petrol-only affair, while the SX and ZR will be available as a petrol or hybrid.
Both drivetrains are new for Australia, with the former 1.3- and 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engines being replaced by a zippy new 1.5-litre three-cylinder unit delivering 88kW. Despite the 10% power increase over the previous 1.5, it manages to use 15% less fuel – at just 4.9L/100km.
Misers will be more interested in new hybrid, which brings that number down to 3.3L/100km through the use of high-density lithium-ion batteries. This petrol-electric powertrain is good for a combined output of 85kW.
While the previous Yaris could be optioned with a basic version of autonomous emergency braking, the new model will bring Toyota’s whole suite of active safety and driver-assist technology as standard across the range. This includes a camera- and radar-based autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, speed sign recognition, lane-keep assist that intervenes with steering inputs and a reversing camera.
The Yaris also introduces two firsts for Toyota – AEB that works when turning at intersections and a front-row centre airbag that is designed to provide additional protection for the driver and front-seat passenger in side impacts. The only other car that currently offers a centre airbag in Australia is the Audi A8.
Kicking off the new range, the Ascent Sport can be paired with a manual or CVT transmission. On top of the aforementioned safety kit, it brings 15-inch steel wheels, LED daytime running lights, 60/40 split-fold rear seats, and a 7-inch touchscreen screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The SX adds proprietary satellite navigation, keyless entry with push-button start, 15-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps and rear lights, piano-black and satin interior finishes, leather-accented steering wheel and digital gauges.
The ZR completes the range with 16-inch alloys, a rear spoiler, head-ups display, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors with auto braking, sports seats and pedals, piano black trim, red inserts, and paddle shifters for the petrol variant.
The new Yaris will be available in a choice of 12 colours, with ZR owners able to further personalise their cars with a black or white contrast roof.
Despite confirming specification and timing, Toyota Australia has remained tight lipped on pricing. We expect the new drivetrains and safety tech will see the price rise across all grades. Stay tuned as more is revealed closer to its launch in August.
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