The 1.3-litre petrol engine is carried over from the previous Yaris. Its VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing – intelligent) is intended to boost torque at low to medium engine speeds while preserving power at the top end. The former is more impressive than the latter, 89lb ft at 4200rpm supplementing 86bhp at 6000rpm. However, there still never seems to be quite enough torque to make the Yaris feel effortlessly flexible in the higher gears.
That said, the engine goes about its business smoothly and much more quietly than before. At the test track the Yaris returned competitive, if not exceptional figures: hitting 60mph from rest in 11.1sec, 0.4sec quicker than the new Clio 1.4. The 14.5sec the Yaris takes to get from 50 to 70mph in fifth gear just shades the Renault (14.6sec). Impressively hushed as the new Yaris is at motorway speeds, the Clio is quieter still.
A five-speed manual transmission is standard with a precise, low-effort shift that’s so easy to use you soon forget about it altogether.
The new Yaris does offer something of the stability and ride comfort of a larger car, which reduces the stresses experienced with the old model. The electric steering, although light, has good feel and is quick-witted and accurate on turn-in. Body movement is generally very well damped and motorway cruising comfort is a world away from that of the old Yaris – it stands comparison with the bar-setting Clio. At low speeds the ride is notably firmer than the French car’s, but acceptably comfortable nonetheless.
Some of the old traits do remain, though. The new Yaris scrabbles for traction out of tight turns and junctions, body roll in fast cornering can build up to surprising levels and grip isn’t quite as tenacious as, say, a Fiesta’s. But these are minor gripes given the strides made in other areas.
The brakes are as good as any in the class – powerful, fade resistant and endowed with a meaty pedal action.
