Even though the 2006 Yaris is an all-new model from the ground up, it retains the suspension layout of the old model – MacPherson struts at the front teamed with a rear torsion beam. The basics have, however, been extensively tweaked to give more agility and suppleness. To improve steering feel, the chassis team increased the front wheels’ castor angle by a few degrees, made the steering gearing 20% quicker and adjusted the electric power assistance to feel more naturally weighted. The rear torsion beam axle is essentially the same as before, but with the geometry revised to maximise stability.
The dashboard is bolder and simpler than before with greater depth and a distinctive pillar-style centre console that houses all the non-stalk controls, including the button that opens the lockable glovebox. The new design places everything closer to hand and provides vastly more stowage space: 18 litres in the dash alone. The signature dashboard feature of the old Yaris – the 3D digital instrument display with its eery, floating green digits – has been mildly redesigned for the new car with the addition of a multi-display trip computer. But it looks rather old compared with the more radical treatment of conventional dials in the new Honda Civic, and the digital rev counter doesn’t work as well as an analogue type – it takes too long to decipher.
The centre console is finished in a convincing aluminium-like plastic and there is a pleasing solidity to many of the cabin plastics and fittings, too. But the interiors of rivals such as the Clio, Skoda Fabia and, in particular, VW Polo give the impression of being more expensive and better finished.
You have to park the new Yaris next to the old model to appreciate the difference in size. In isolation, the new car’s smoother, slightly more masculine shape is so well proportioned you’d be hard pushed to say it looks appreciably bigger. But as well as the body being 110mm longer, the wheelbase is stretched by 90mm.
