Review of the new Toyota Yaris TR Range

Following the herd is not something that Toyota could be accused of where its Yaris supermini is concerned. The car has been consistently popular in the UK but in a number of subtle ways, it doesn't quite conform to the norms of the market. Most superminis try to be perceived as sporty, youthful and dynamic. The Yaris doesn't really bother with all that, preferring to trade on its durability and low running costs. It's also usual for rival cars to have a wide range of engines and trim levels but the Yaris makes do with a far narrower line-up. It's the TR versions we take a look at here that are destined to account for the majority of sales.

When Toyota's original MK1 Yaris was launched, it was unquestionably the finest supermini money could buy. Then we saw the Honda Jazz, the Ford Fiesta and others all offer more space than the compact Yaris could ever hope to compete with. It boiled down to this: Toyota launched the Yaris, it did well for a while, but then the market changed. A great little car was just that, great but little. A similar fate has befallen the second generation Yaris, launched in 2005. It looked a substantial and spacious vehicle at launch but the subsequent arrival onto the market of the likes of Ford's Fiesta, Fiat's Grande Punto and Renault's Clio left the Toyota lagging a little in terms of sheer size. In recent times, Toyota has responded by focusing on the economy angle where the Yaris can excel with its range of compact and efficient engines. All of which are available in the TR trim level.

In an age where the fastest superminis routinely nudge the 200bhp barrier, the Toyota Yaris engine range looks distinctly feeble with a maximum of just 100bhp on offer. Petrolheads might want to take their business elsewhere but Toyota has laid on a fine choice of engines for the majority who are shopping for a less frenetic small car. The three-cylinder 1.0-litre unit has 68bhp and takes nearly 16 seconds to get the Yaris to 60mph. It's lively enough at low speeds but sounds like it's working too hard on the motorway. The 1.33 VVT-I engine is much more like it. The most powerful engine in the range with 100bhp and a 11.7s 0-60mph time, it also comes with Toyota's start stop technology. Finally, there's a 1.4-litre D-4D diesel with 88bhp. This is the quickest Yaris with its superior torque getting it to 60mph in 10.7s and there still aren't a whole lot of small cars that it will beat way from the lights.

"Buyers valuing economy and robust build in a compact and manoeuvrable small car will find the Yaris ticks the right boxes"

In truth, there's little about the Yaris that suggests that more power and a sporty trim level would be a good idea. This is a comfy supermini that's compact and very easy to pilot through busy streets. It has a comfortable driving position and good visibility, thanks to the upright seating position, but it doesn't have the sharpness of response you get from the best handling little runabouts. The ride can get bouncy and never settles onto the road in a convincing manner so this isn't a car that spurs you on to driver faster. Yaris customers will see this as a good thing.

This Toyota has never been one of the more striking superminis to look at but its compact curves are easy enough on the eye. The brand's exemplary build quality is evident in the Yaris' interior and you'll search in vain for shoddily assembled trim components. The problem is that instances of design flare are similarly hard to come by in the rather bland cabin environment. The centrally-mounted digital instrument cluster takes some getting used to but otherwise, the controls are sensibly positioned and extremely easy to get to grips with but with rival superminis offering some highly intelligent and charismatic interior designs, the Yaris falls a little short. It's a shame because the car does the hard work so effectively.

Interior space is another thorny issue, a product of the Toyota being a noticeably smaller car than the latest crop of super-sized superminis. It's over 16cm shorter than the latest Ford Fiesta and while this has its advantages when parking, it's less beneficial when it comes to fitting four passengers and their luggage inside. At least the Yaris is packaged well to make the most of the space that's available. The boot is 272-litres, compared to 295 in the Ford, but Toyota's impressive EasyFlat rear seats split 60:40, fold and slide, bringing a useful degree of versatility and up to 477-litres of space.

The TR trim level is the most widely available in the Yaris range, being offered with all of the available engines and in both three and five door bodystyles. Toyota is obviously banking on it selling big and has thrown in a good collection of equipment to grease the wheels. You get 15" alloy wheels, air-conditioning, remote central locking, electric windows, electric mirrors, a CD stereo, the Easy Flat folding seats, plus a leather steering wheel with audio controls that's fully adjustable.

Only four airbags come as standard and there's no stability control but for around £700, the optional safety pack will put that right. The two more powerful engines are available with the MultiMode 6-speed self-shifting gearbox as an option but get a six-speed manual as standard. The entry-level 1.0-litre engine makes do with a five-speed manual 'box.

The Yaris might not have a properly quick version in its arsenal but neither does it have one that lets the side down on fuel efficiency. Every single model in the range, even the automatic, dips under the 120g/km barrier for CO2 emissions and the very worst combined cycle economy you'll get from a Yaris is 55.4mpg from the 1.33-litre petrol. The 1.4-litre diesel returns 68.9mpg and 109g/km emissions. Combined with insurance that ranges between groups 2 and 4, this makes the Yaris one of the most affordable superminis to run.

With a narrow model range and a line-up of engines that's clearly focused more on efficiency than fun, Toyota's Yaris doesn't play by the established supermini rules. The TR trim level is set-up to be the most popular in the line-up and it comes with a detailed specification that only looks a little light from a safety perspective. Buyers valuing economy and robust build in a compact and manoeuvrable small car will find the Yaris ticks the right boxes.

TOP 2 YARIS DEALS

The results below show the top YARIS deals on buyacar

Toyota Yaris 1.0 VVT-i TR 5dr Hatchback
Price £9,144 Click for a Yaris Review	Save £2,599
Toyota Yaris 1.0 VVT-i TR 3dr Hatchback
Price £8,680 Click for a Yaris Review	Save £2,552