Toyota Yaris Hybrid: fun and common sense

Toyota Yaris Hybrid: fun and common sense

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Feel: Wow - the metal sheet in pearl red metallic combined with the roof in mica black ensure a really chic appearance on the city boulevard. When you get in - well, it's a matter of taste - the bright red applications on the seats, door panels and dashboard probably make some people happy, while they annoy others with their intrusive trendiness. The good ergonomic seats, the easy-grip steering wheel and the clear switches and buttons give no reason for criticism, on the contrary. Particularly pleasing: the good rear-view camera as standard and the cooled glove compartment. 

Drive: Silent electric starting, subtle activation of the petrol engine, harmonious interaction in city traffic - cruising with a clear conscience is the Yaris Hybrid's domain. On country roads and motorways you quickly notice that the hybrid is not designed for speed. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just under 12 seconds is okay, but the rubber band effect of the E-CVT transmission and the loud howl of the gasoline engine during kickdown spoil the pleasure.

Load: Toyota has cleverly managed to hide the 20-cell nickel metal hydride battery in the Yaris in such a way that a standard trunk volume of 286 to 768 liters is available without any annoying steps. Two adults will find enough knee and headroom in the rear, but it soon becomes uncomfortable with three of them.

Conclusion: The hybrid effect is particularly fun in city traffic and also offers the greatest fuel consumption advantage over the Yaris' petrol brother. However, this quickly melts away in intercity traffic, which is the nature of hybrid drives. In any case, the visual facelift is quite successful on the outside, while the interior of the style variant was a little too deep in color for my taste.