While the GR Yaris may have put the once-humble hatch on the radar of enthusiasts, the non-Tommi Mäkinen-honed version has been quietly generating volume sales for the Japanese automaker. Over the past 25 years, over 10 million of the superminis have been sold.
Although no longer offered in the U.S. (with the discontinued U.S. model based on the Mazda 2 anyway), the fourth-generation is getting a refresh for Europe, with an expanded hybrid lineup, improved safety features, and a revamped infotainment system.
More Powerful Hybrid On Offer
The changes for 2023 kick off with a new “Hybrid 130” drivetrain, which is offered in addition to the existing Hybrid 115 configuration. Both hybrid systems feature a 1.5-liter engine, but the new 130 features a new transaxle with a larger electric motor and improved software. As the name implies, the combined output is increased to 130 hp (96 kW), while torque with the new motor goes from 141 Nm (104 lb-ft) of torque to 185 Nm (136 lb-ft) – a not insignificant increase of 30 percent.
Toyota says that the most significant advantage of the new hybrid will be felt during overtaking, with a time of 7.5 seconds taken to accelerate from 80 km/h (50 mph)to 120 km/h (75 mph). The 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) has been reduced by half a second, too, now standing at 9.2 seconds.
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While CO2 emissions have gone up slightly with the Hybrid 130 vs. the Hybrid 115, Toyota says it’s a modest increase, with the car retaining its best-in-class status of 96–116 g/km.
Both the old Hybrid 115 and the new Hybrid 130 drivetrains will be available, but the Premiere Edition and GR Sport (not to be confused with the GR Yaris) grades will be exclusively available in the higher-performance hybrid guise. The Premiere Edition is a new offering that sits at the top of the Yaris lineup. It features the option of an exclusive Neptune Blue paint job with contrasting black roof and pillars, 17-inch alloys, and matching blue stitching and accents in the cabin.
Digital Nannies Step Up Their Game
Toyota has improved the level of standard active and passive safety kit included on the Yaris, introducing the new features under the Toyota T-Mate moniker. First off, the car’s collision detection system has been upgraded to detect motorcycles, in addition to other cars, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Other new digital nannies include Acceleration Suppression At Low Speed, which stops a driver from accelerating suddenly when it detects a vehicle ahead. There’s also the new Emergency Driving Stop System which works when Lane Trace Assist is activated. Should a driver doze off or be taken ill while on a highway, the system sounds a warning. If no inputs are detected, it will then bring the car to a gentle stop, activate the hazard lights, and unlock the doors.
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The driver assistance tech doesn’t end there. The new Proactive Driving Assist feature will slow the car down if a driver comes off the accelerator and it detects that there’s a car or a curve in the road ahead. If that’s still not enough, the car’s steering assist will adjust the steering force, enabling the driver to make a smooth and stable turn. Not quite the driver-assist tech we can see enthusiasts appreciating, but then the standard Yaris is unlikely to cater to that segment of the market.
For the 2023 Toyota Yaris, updates to Toyota’s Safety Sense can be made over the air for the first time. New software upgrades will be downloaded when the car is being driven and installed when convenient.
Updated Infotainment System
The 2023 Toyota Yaris benefits from a new infotainment system. One of the new features is the customizable driver’s instrument display, with four options available to choose from. Screen size will depend on what model you opt for. Plump for High, GR Sport, or Premiere Edition grades, and you’ll be treated to a 12.3-inch “combimeter” (the display directed ahead of the driver), or alternatively, slum it with the 7-inch version in the Mid+ grade. Infotainment screen size is also dictated by the model, with a nine or 10.5-inch display as the two options on offer.
There’s wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto functionality, and Toyota has improved the Yaris’ voice recognition software to respond to a variety of commands for functions such as climate control.
New Digital Smart Key
For the first time ever, the Yaris will be offered with a digital smart key that can use an Apple or Android phone to remotely lock or unlock the car and operate the climate control and hazard lights. However, this functionality will be offered only if you’re prepared to stump up for a yearly subscription to the service, although the Premiere Edition will come bundled with a one-year connection.
If this new take on the Yaris tickles your fancy, order books will open in June in selected European markets. Pricing will be announced closer to launch and according to individual markets.
