Toyota updates hybrid-only Yaris hatch range

TOYOTA has announced details of its updated Yaris hatch range this week; the now hybrid-only line-up is priced from $28,500 plus on-road costs – an increase of $3700 over the previous starting point of the petrol-powered range.

Available in three grades – Ascent Sport (new), SX and ZR – the Yaris range receives Toyota’s latest multimedia and Safety Sense systems alongside minor styling tweaks.

Mechanically, the range remains available with a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid and continuously variable transmission combination. The system offers a combined output of 85kW in conjunction with a 4.3Ahr battery.

ADR Combined cycle fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are listed at 3.3 litres per 100km and 76 grams per kilometre respectively.

Key among the changes to the MY24 Yaris is Toyota’s latest generation multimedia system now with a larger 8.0-inch (+1.0-inch) touchscreen, cloud-based satellite navigation for the Ascent Sport grade and cloud-based and embedded satellite navigation for SX and ZR variants, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth connectivity, DAB+ digital radio reception and a USB-C audio jack.

USB charging ports elsewhere in the Yaris now number two.

Yaris SX and ZR grades now also feature a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster which can be personalised through nine settings and three themes: Casual, Smart and Sport.

Elsewhere, the upgraded Yaris offers motorcycle recognition as part of its AEB system (in addition to cyclist, pedestrian, and oncoming vehicles), intersection collision avoidance (daytime only), and emergency steering assistance (daytime only).

The adaptive cruise control and lane trace assist functionality is enhanced with new cameras and sensors Toyota says operate over a wider area.

SX grades further benefit from a new parking brake and front and rear parking sensors, while the ZR gains safe exit assist functionality as part of the blind spot monitoring system.

Toyota says stylistic changes to the Yaris have been kept to a minimum with a new front grille – in resin for Ascent Sport and SX grades and dark chrome for ZR – and new upholstery patterns inside the cabin. Ascent Sport and SX grades feature cloth upholstery while the ZR version adds sport seats.

In terms of the colour palette, we now find several new hues. The Yaris is offered in Atomic Rush, Bronx Bronze, Coral Rose, Ebony, Frosted White, Glacier White, Massive Grey, and Stunning Silver. Premium colours attract a $575 surcharge.

Two-tone colours are available on ZR grades (from $775), combining a black roof with Bronx Bronze, Coral Rose, or Massive Grey.

All Yaris variants are backed by Toyota’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with included capped-price servicing for the first five years or 75,000km (whichever comes first). Maintenance intervals are set at 12 months or 15,000km with each service priced at $245.

“Our hybrid line-up continues to grow, and we know this is what our customer are asking for with hybrids making up 40.7 per cent of our sales to date this year,” said Toyota Australia vice president of sales, marketing, and franchise operations Sean Hanley.

“In the upgraded Yaris, the low fuel consumption and smooth performance of the hybrid powertrain provides a superb combination for a small city car, while the addition of new safety, multimedia and convenience technologies will provide plenty of customer appeal.”

2024 Toyota Yaris pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.