Name: Toyota Yaris (2020 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Toyota Yaris
Rating: 67

Summary

The Toyota Yaris is a five-door supermini-class hatchback. This model is the all-new fourth generation, which was launched in the UK in summer 2020. While the previous model included a hybrid model, the new version is hybrid-only at launch.

Unusually for a new model, the new Yaris is actually shorter than the old model, although beter packaging means it’s roomier inside. There is also a high-performance model on the way called the GR Yaris, however this is an almost completely different car and won’t be included here.

Based on 26 reviews as of July 2023, the Yaris has an Expert Rating of 67% on our unique Expert Rating Index, which puts it right in the middle of the supermini class.

The Toyota Yaris has been praised for its packaging and refined hybrid powertrain, which makes good use of its electric power in urban driving. It also scored very highly in the latest Euro NCAP crash testing programme. However, the starting price is quite high and interior lacks the flair of some rivals.

Key specifications

Body style: Small five-door hatch
Engines: petrol-electric hybrid
Price: From £22,125 on-road

Launched: Summer 2020
Last updated: Summer 2023
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert+

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid Dynamic
“Practicality levels may be down ever so slightly, but the new Toyota Yaris remains a truly attractive proposition in the small car segment.”
Read review

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: GR Sport (2023)
Score: 6 / 10
“It’s a shame Toyota hasn’t pushed the Yaris GR Sport further towards the performance realm, because it’s a long way from encroaching on GR Yaris territory. For £25,000, there are also plenty of compelling superminis with more dynamic flair.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“With sharper styling and frugal hybrid-petrol engines, the Toyota Yaris is ready to compete with the best in the supermini class.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid automatic Dynamic
Score: 8 / 10
“The latest Toyota Yaris is right in the mix, and should be on the shortlist of any supermini buyer – especially those who do most of their driving around town. We’d suggest steering clear of high-end editions, though – on grounds of both value and ride quality.”
Read review

Auto Trader+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.8 / 10
“Packing a hybrid powertrain into a supermini-sized car is no mean feat, Toyota’s electrified expertise very much in evidence in this all-new Yaris. A new platform, a greater emphasis on handling and bold styling add up to an appealing package which is expensive but should be fuss-free to own and drive.”
Read review

Autocar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“There are sweeter superminis to drive, and few will argue that several rivals are not easier on the eye. But in hybrid-only form, the fourth-generation Yaris is potentially more frugal than them all and it is better to drive, is more interesting to look at and has a more distinctive cabin than its predecessor.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Toyota Yaris, then, is now better than before in the areas that matter and probably more characterful than at any time since its inception.”
Read review

Business Car+

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid automatic Icon
Score: 8 / 10
“The new Toyota Yaris isn’t class-leading when it comes to its interior, but it is good enough. It is also competitively priced and tax-friendly, it drives well and should provide excellent real-world economy, with 60mpg easily achievable.”
Read review

Car+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Toyota’s Fiesta-rival is newer, more economical, and just possibly a little bit smarter than the Blue Oval’s iconic supermini.”
Read review

Car Keys+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Toyota has taken the efficiency and generous standard kit levels of the previous Yaris and made it a lot more desirable thanks to its stunning looks and enjoyable driving experience. “
Read review

Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“More economical, comfortable and stylish than ever, the latest Toyota Yaris is the best small Toyota yet”
Read review

Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Toyota Yaris has a sporty look and is fun to drive yet it also doesn’t use much fuel. That engine isn’t the quietest, though, and don’t expect the finest cabin quality.”
Read review

Company Car Today+

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid Design
Score: 8.2 / 10
“Good looks, great emissions figures and a decent level of standard specification are all major plus points, although it doesn’t always feel the most premium of superminis.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid Dynamic
“Other superminis may beat the Yaris in specific areas, but overall the newest Toyota is a bit of a winner.”
Read review

Daily Mail+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“Striking new Toyota Yaris has dramatic styling and bold looks, and better fuel economy.”
Read review

Driving Electric+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The latest Yaris Hybrid is a major step forward from its predecessor and should be more of a worry for its rivals.”
Read review

Eurekar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“All in all, the new Yaris has moved on to take Toyota into fresh territory in the small car market and it is genuinely a little model with big car features.”
Read review

Fleetworld+

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid automatic Design
Score: 6 / 10
“More of the refinement, practicality and efficiency that the Toyota Yaris is known for, with a welcome dollop of neat design and driver appeal. If you can live with the limitations of the hybrid drivetrain.”
Read review

Honest John+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“The Toyota Yaris promises sharp styling, great manoeuvrability, excellent cost-of-ownership, comfort, quality and the clever application of new technologies, including multimedia functions and a new hybrid engine.”
Read review

Motoring Research+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Toyota Yaris has been transformed from dull to dynamic. Bold styling is combined with a quality interior and efficient hybrid tech.”
Read review

Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Toyota’s self-charging hybrid Yaris makes more sense than ever”
Read review

The Sun+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“All in all, the Toyota Yaris is miles better than before. Younger, fresher, nicer to drive, full of kit, and decent value. Definitely worth a look.”
Read review

The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid Dynamic
Score: 8 / 10
“This new Toyota Yaris is better to drive than any that has gone before and is probably better than a cooking Yaris needs to be. If you drive in urban conditions you should see the sort of mid-sixties miles per gallon as claimed and the interior is of high quality and pleasing to live with.”
Read review

Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Efficient, interesting looking and updated inside, but the Toyota Yaris remains forgettable to drive.”
Read review

What Car?+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Fourth-generation Toyota Yaris has a frugal hybrid system that’s punchy enough even out of town while the interior is solidly constructed. It’s decent to drive, but rear-seat space is average and its boot is a bit on the small side.”
Read review

Which?+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“The hybrid-only Yaris is priced higher than many of its rivals, but it should provide very low-cost motoring thanks to very good fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions. Safety and equipment are strong suits, too, and it’s a very easy car to drive. It’s a deserved Which? Best Buy.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: September 2020
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 86%
Child protection: 81%
Vulnerable road users: 78%
Safety assist: 85%

Note on safety

The new Yaris was the first car to be put through Euro NCAP’s tougher 2020 crash testing regime, and it performed exceptionally well. A very good set of scores on a much tougher testing protocol makes this one of the safest cars on the road – regardless of size.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

Model tested: 1.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid

Overall score: 3.5 stars
Date tested: February 2021
Read the full Green NCAP review

Clean Air Index: 6.3 / 10
Energy Efficiency Index: 7.4 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 5.9 / 10

The Toyota Yaris received a 3.5 star rating from Green NCAP in February 2021. Green NCAP said: “The new Yaris comes in hybrid form, a 1.5-litre petrol engine being supplemented by an electric motor. Together, they deliver some impressive results. On-road emissions of NO_x and CO are very low, and particulate number is well controlled.

“The car scores well in energy efficiency and its emissions of greenhouse gases are, in the case of CH₄ and N₂O, vanishingly small. All in all, the Yaris achieves a well-deserved 3½ star rating.”

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 25
Average repair cost: £231.03
Last updated: October 2022

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

As of October 2022, the Toyota Yaris has a good reliability rating of 69%, according to warranty data provided exclusively to us by our commercial partner, MotorEasy. This score applies to both this generation Yaris and previous (pre-2020) generations, which is good news if you are considering a used Toyota Yaris.

Although we don’t have a huge number of data points yet, the repair bills claimed under warranty to date have been very inexpensive. All in all, the Yaris looks like being a reliable choice as a used car.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Hybrid models	67 mpg	A	64 – 69 mpg	A – A

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Hybrid models	95 g/km	A	92 – 99 g/km	A – A

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	14	A	13 – 14	A – A

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£140	A
Year 2	£392	A
Year 3	£636	A
Year 4	£808	A
Year 5	£1,065	A
Overall	£3,041	A

If you’re looking for a new car that’s cheap to run, the Toyota Yaris is a very good place to start. In fact, it scores an ‘A’ in every category of our running costs data, provided exclusively to The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data.

On top of the perfect set of scores you an see above, which are based on the average results for the whole Yaris range, the fuller range of data shows that every single version of the Yaris scores an ‘A’ in every category – an extraordinarily good result.

If you’re looking at a used Yaris, it’s also pleasing to see that servicing costs remain low for five years from new (which is as far out as our data goes) and probably forever after that.