So we have been a bit busy with many, many things recently. One of them is going on the media test drive of the new, 2019 Toyota Yaris which was held sometime last week. UMW Toyota Motors, the distributors of Toyota vehicles here held a media drive for this newly launched B Segment compact hatchback. We were paired with another journo or two (technically would make it a trio not a pair) and were asked to drive a Yaris 1.5G AT to Janda Baik over in Pahang and back to the UMW Toyota HQ located in Shah Alam.
This wasn't some long distance drive like the one we had with the recently launched Toyota Vios, but a shorter day trip. But our first thought of the new Toyota Yaris was that it was going to drive or feel exactly like the Vios, but without a boot. There would not be much changes in terms of its driving dynamics because of this. We were quite wrong.
The Yaris is actually a tad bit sportier... But let's get to that slowly after a few paragraphs below. If you do feel like reading, you should as I have added some additional thoughts which I have not stated in this article (and vice versa).
When I got into the driver's seat, it felt all Vios-like. There was no difference as the steering wheel felt the same, the instrumentation felt the same, the switchgear felt the same. This isn't a bad thing as the Vios / Yaris' interior does have its ergonomics set out correctly. I could easily get comfortable inside and everything seemed to be in easy reach. There was nothing out of the ordinary and even the farthest buttons, which was the infotainment system's on-off button was in easy reach. Whatever equipment you find in the high specced Vios like the Blind Spot Monitors, Rear Traffic Alert, that infotainment system can be found in this full specced variant. It could be one of the better equipped B segment cars out there today.
Aside from that, the only thing that one would think that differs from the G Specced Vios is the lack of leather trimming inside. Only the steering wheel seems to have some leather while the seats get cloth. Personally, this isn't an issue for me as fabric seats are usually better for drivers in my opinion. In compact, affordable sedans or hatchbacks like this, I do know people do like their leather seats but do note that in these sorts of cars, you don't have heavily bolstered side supports. With leather, you may slide around a bit more and the fabric in the seats actually work together with the clothes you wear. The additional 'grip' caused by friction is a good thing. Unless you like to drive fast naked, them even fabric seats could feel like leather but in the opposite way.
Secondly, I actually like fabric seats in cars like these simple because most of the times the owners may park them in places where there is no shade. Fabric seats are better especially when you just want to get going as quickly as possible. And if you maintain them properly, they can last even longer than badly maintained leather which will definitely crack if you don't nourish them with leather cream. So for me, I have no complaints that UMW Toyota has decided to specify this full-specced G variant with fabric seats. It may have also contributed to the competitively priced RM83,888 (otr without insurance) which I must say is quite attractively priced (by Malaysian standards). The car is locally assembled at UMW Toyota's Bukit Raja plant by the way, which also keeps the price down due to localised content.
So yes, the new Yaris looks like a Vios inside. Outside, you do notice the lack of a boot but from the C pillars forwards, it is essentially a Vios. A Vios without a boot so we said, but when we drove it, it isn't. The Yaris drives quite differently indeed.
When you are going at it on the highways, in a straight line, the Yaris feels so much more planted at the 150-160kmh mark compared to the Vios. The car feels solid, stable and taut when driving on the highways at these higher than usual speeds. The Vios would somehow lose its composure by around 140kmh even if you have set the car to 'Sport' mode (there are Eco and Sport options if you want to play around with). This hatchback does the high speed tracking way better. Everything feels more composed up to the speeds mentioned above. The steering feels nicely weighted and it adds to the feeling of solidity at speed.
Of course, this is mostly in a straight line, it does better than the Vios but I believe that it is the inherent nature of the chassis to understeer. This Yaris 1.5G is fitted with 195/50/16 inch tyres and it does have a narrow, B segment chassis to work with. So it feels a little tippy-toe in mid-corner. There is some noticeable body roll when you are cornering and there is that noticeable trait where the car tells you that you're overcooking the corner by weighing up the steering a lot and also feeling that it wants to go straight instead of cornering. So you are forced to back off and then feed in the power gradually again. That being said, it corners at speeds at least 5kmh faster than the Vios at the very least. So it is the sportier of the two. And the lack of a boot also makes the rear end have less of an effect when you are cornering.
You can now tell that I like driving the Yaris more. I also have to add that the Yaris loses none of the refinement that you can find in the Vios. Being a Toyota B segment car, it is one of the more refined B segment cars on sale here in Malaysia. The overall NVH levels are low for this car and comes close to what I would consider the industry benchmark. Even at over 40kmh over the highway speed limit, a decent conversation could be held with the person next to you.
In terms of performance, the 1.5liter engine gives you that similar Vios or B segment poke. Normally aspirated and tuned for torque, the 107ps and 140Nm does its job adequately. It is also refined enough in traffic and tractable enough too. We all would like 400Nm torque right? But for the sake of affordability and for a nice urban roundabout, the engine and transmission works well enough.
In terms of performance, the 1.5liter engine gives you that similar Vios or B segment poke. Normally aspirated and tuned for torque, the 107ps and 140Nm does its job adequately. It is also refined enough in traffic and tractable enough too. We all would like 400Nm torque right? But for the sake of affordability and for a nice urban roundabout, the engine and transmission works well enough.
For a B segment car, it feels nice and refined inside, even the engine roar isn't coarse or rough, and you add the fact that the 7 speed CVT gearbox actually mimics a traditional torque converter transmission, its all good. It does not hold 5,000rpm and irritate the heck out of you if you are overtaking or driving hard. This isn't the case if you are driving a Honda Jazz, which was nicely provided to us to try out during the drive.
In terms of the Jazz, it is a car which was launched way back in 2014 and by Japanese manufacturing standards, could be due for a total model change by 2020. So it is on its last legs and isn't a worthy competitor. Especially the base variant which was provided to us (You can watch it in the video review). The Jazz is noisier inside due to wind and more tyre roar (Hondas are never as quiet as any Toyota), has that droney CVT gearbox which like to just hold high rpms and a steering that has no weighting and feel whatsoever. It is at least half a generation behind the Yaris we tested. I think I am being polite here...could be more than half a generation. But if you must buy a Jazz, get the Hybrid as it has more soundproofing inside it as well as a better, more powerful powertrain.
Now, back to the Yaris. The drive was surprisingly good, better than the Vios which is essentially the same car. Somehow, Toyota's engineers have made these two cars drive slightly differently from one another. The Yaris is the sportier drive but the Yaris is as refined as the Vios too. The only difference is that one has a boot and the other a hatch. One can carry a bicycle or something large from IKEA if you fold down the rear seats. One has a more traditional three box design which may allow some protection from smells and odors as well as more space if you like bringing home lots of durian. That being said, the boot swallowed a large coleman cooler, you should check out the video of it at the 8minute 24sec mark or thereabouts.
Both are quite good B segment cars. Personally I'd take the Yaris though, as it's all about the drive, yes?
2019 Toyota Yaris 1.5G AT
Engine
2NR-FE 4 Cylinders, 16-valve, DOHC, Dual VVT-i
Displacement (Bore x Stroke) cc (mm)1,496
Max. Output (SAE-Net) kW (PS) / rpm107 / 6,000 rpm
Max. Torque (SAE-Net) Nm / rpm140 / 4,200 rpm
Drivetrain
TransmissionCVT with 7-speed Sport Sequential Shiftmatic Mode
Chassis
Suspension (Front / Rear)MacPherson Strut with Stabiliser / Torsion Beam with Stabiliser
Brake (Front / Rear)Ventilated Disc / Solid Disc
SteeringElectric Power Steering (EPS)
Kerb Weight (kg)1,140
Turning Radius (m)5.7
Fuel Tank Capacity (litres)42
Tyres & Rims195/50R16, Alloy
Spare Tyre & Rim16" Alloy
Exterior
HeadlampsProjector Halogen with Manual Levelling
Rear Combination LampsLED
Daytime Running LightsWith
Side Turn IndicatorOutside Wing Mirrors
Auto Fold Wing MirrorsWith
Door Outer HandleChrome Plated
Windshield GlassAcoustic
Door VisorsWith
Fog LampsWith Front & Rear
Wing MirrorsPower-adjustable & Retractable with Turn Indicators
Interior
Smart Entry & Start System
Seats (Material)Black Fabric with Blue Stitch
Seats (Rear Seats)60:40 Split Foldable
Combination MeterOptitron
Multi-information Display (MID)With TFT
Drive Mode SwitchWith (SPORT Mode & ECO Mode)
Steering Wheel (Type)3-spoke Leather & Tilt Adjustable
Steering Wheel (Switches)With Audio, MID & Bluetooth®
Shift Lever Knob MaterialLeather
Audio System TypeDVD Player with 6.8" Touch Screen, USB Mirroring, Tuner, MP3, Voice Dial, USB, AUX & Bluetooth®
Audio System Speaker6
Panoramic View Monitor (PVM)With
Auto Air-conditioning
USB Charging Ports2
Front Foot IlluminationWith (Blue)
Power Window (Front / Rear)With Auto Up / Down & Jam Protection at Driver's Side
Window TintPremium Security & Solar Film
Digital Video Recorder (DVR)With (Front)
Scuff PlatesWith (Illuminated Type)
Safety
Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTAWith
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)With Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) & Brake Assist (BA)
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Traction Control (TRC) With
Parking SensorsRear
Impact Detection Door LockWith (Speed-linked)
Seatbelt3-point ELR x 2 with Pretensior & Force Limiter (Driver & Passenger) / 3-point ELR x 3
SRS Airbags7 (Driver, Driver Knee, Passenger, Side, Curtain Shield)
ISOFIXWith (Rear Only)
Security
Alarm SystemWith Immobiliser, Siren with Back-up Battery, Cabin Sensor & Tilt Sensor
Optional
Aerokit (Front Bumper Spoiler, Rear Bumper Spoiler & Side SkOptional (With Roof Spoiler)
Rear Digital Video Recorder (DVR)Optional
DVD-AVX with Reverse Camera
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