Toyota Aygo X Review
Read Caroline's Toyota Aygo X review for everything you need to know about buying Toyota's small car in Ireland.
For over 15 years, the Toyota Aygo has been Toyota's answer for the city car segment. Now Toyota has launched a new version of the Aygo and given it a rugged makeover.
The new Toyota Aygo X is something of a small crossover for the city car class and goes on sale in Ireland priced from €19,370, making it one of the most affordable new cars you can buy in today's market.
Powered by a small petrol engine, it goes up against other city cars such as the Hyundai i10 and Kia Picanto. But with its crossover inspired styling, this new Aygo X has arguably more style and presence than rivals.
So is there any substance behind that style? Let's find out.
Styling
The new Toyota Aygo X is styled as a small urban warrior with lots of rugged design features to help its crossover credentials. It's a bit longer and wider than the old Aygo and it also sits higher off the ground. At the front it looks a bit more modern and chunkier, with a high bonnet and large headlights (some versions get full LED). Big wheels are also part of the deal. 17- or 18-inch are fitted depending on the trim level and they fit the flared wheel arches beautifully, adding to the little Toyota's chunky charm. Other crossover-inspired design cues include cladding around the sills and wheel arches. Some versions of Aygo X get a contrast coloured roof, which extends to the rear wings of the car for even more style. At the back, it still bears a resemblance to the old Aygo city car with a full glass boot lid and signature light design.
Interior
Toyota has given the new Aygo X a fun and colourful cabin, that feels very solid and well-built for a small car. There are three trim levels for the Aygo X in Ireland: Pulse, Design and Envy. The size of the touchscreen differs depending on which version you go for. The standard size is 7-inch but top of the range models get an impressive 9-inch screen. It also offers wired or wireless smartphone connectivity via Android Auto® and Apple CarPlay®, depending on which trim level you go for. Manual air conditioning is included as standard, while top of the range models get climate control and wireless smartphone charging.
The Aygo X also takes a big step forward in terms of safety by introducing Toyota Safety Sense as standard including Pedestrian Detection, daytime Cyclist Detection, Collision Mitigation Support, Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Trace Assist and Emergency Steering Assist.
Practicality
The Aygo X comes with five doors as standard, which makes it more practical than a Fiat 500 for example. Albeit, the rear doors don't open very wide and when you do squeeze into the back, you'll find just two seats and pop-out windows. It's possible to seat adults in the back but there's really not a huge amount of legroom or headroom. If rear passenger space is a priority in your small car, you might want to step up to the larger Toyota Yaris. The Aygo X has a bigger boot than the previous Aygo and is up about 60 litres to 231 litres, which is acceptable for a city car and not too far off the boot volume of a Hyundai i10. With the rear seats down, the boot space increases to 829 litres.
Engines
There's just one engine available. Toyota is famous for hybrid but the Aygo X uses a simple 1.0-litre petrol engine with 70bhp. The 0 to 100km/h benchmark is a leisurely 15.5 seconds, but it manages to feel nippy around town at low speeds and can even hold its own on motorways once cruising speed is reached. However, it can run out of power quickly on more challenging uphill roads so frequent gear changes will be required from the 5-speed manual gearbox to keep it in its sweet spot. The Aygo X is relatively efficient and cheap to run. There's also the option of a CVT automatic gearbox.
Driving
The Aygo X is built on the same platform as the Yaris and the Yaris Cross. On the road the Aygo X feels light and agile; it’s everything you could want from a city car. The steering has been tuned for city driving so it’s easy to park and manoeuvre, while also offering a tight turning circle of just 4.7 metres. You also sit higher than in the previous Aygo so you get a better view out of the road ahead.
There’s more sound insulation than before to create a quieter cabin, while the suspension has also been tuned to improve comfort. It's surprisingly fun to drive too, with good road-holding ability through bends.
The Aygo X's small petrol engine makes it naturally best in town and city driving, as the revs run high on the motorway making it quite noisy at high speeds. The Toyota Yaris might be a better option if you will spend a lot of time on bigger roads by providing more power and comfort for passengers.
Pricing
The Toyota Aygo X Pulse is available from €19,370. The Aygo X Design is available from €20,565. The top of the range Aygo X Envy is available from €22,245.
Summary
The city car class has been in decline in recent years, so Toyota has made a smart move by turning their smallest car into an attractive small crossover.
The crossover makeover gives the Aygo X bags more visual appeal than some of its competitors. It has more presence and it's a stylish option in the city car class, with the strength of the Toyota badge.
If you're willing to spend a bit more on a small car like this and go for one of the higher trim levels, the Aygo X does boast some great features and all versions come with lots of standard safety equipment.
It's a small car so there are limits to its comfort and practicality, but the Aygo X is ideal for drivers who spend a lot of time in town. Sturdy and stylish, the Aygo X is now one of the best city cars you can buy.
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year
Toyota Highlander Review
Read Caroline's Toyota Highlander review for everything you need to know about buying Toyota's flagship hybrid SUV in Ireland!
The Toyota Highlander is now on sale in Ireland for the very first time. The brand's new large, seven seat SUV slots above the RAV4 in the Toyota range. It's hybrid only and all wheel drive, with a more friendly, road-going image and presence than the perennial Land Cruiser for example. It should be more efficient too, all going well.
SUVs are hot right now and so is hybrid. So is the new Highlander any good? It was time for Changing Lanes to take it for a drive to find out.
What's so special about the Toyota Highlander?
With seven seats as standard, a huge amount of passenger space and lots of luxury features on board, the Highlander is new territory for Toyota in Ireland.
Priced from €71,305, it's expensive for sure and a significant step up from the popular Toyota RAV4. All wheel drive comes as standard as does a 2 tonne towing capacity.
The Highlander epitomises the term 'big car'. This car has presence and takes up quite a lot of space for a modern SUV at nearly 5 metres in length!
It's built on Toyota's TNGA-K platform architecture, which also underpins the new Camry, and uses the Japanese brand's fourth generation hybrid technology on board.
The Highlander shares a familiar solid and rugged look with other Toyota SUVs like the Toyota RAV4. It's an impressive vehicle from any angle. LED headlamps and 18" alloy wheels come as standard.
Inside the new Highlander
Inside, the Highlander gives you something of an armchair experience, with a comfortable and high driving position. It's properly lofty from behind the wheel.
The design is hardly cutting edge but the cabin of the Highlander does feel high-end for this brand. Satin and wood grain trim finishes add some prestige, as does a full leather interior and plenty of soft touch materials.
There's also every interior feature imaginable including an 8” multimedia touchscreen featuring navigation and smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™, wireless phone charging, 3-zone air-conditioning, keyless entry and a Blind Spot Monitor (BSM).
Still competition is stiff among seven seat family SUVs, with the likes of the Volvo XC90 and even the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento bringing excellent quality and design to the segment, and arguably more impressive digitisation on board.
The Highlander comes well equipped from standard. But step up to a Sol (from €77,900) and enjoy extra features such as 20" alloy wheels (five spoke), JBL premium sound system, and heated front seats.
The top of the range Platinum (from €83,330) adds head-up display, 20" dark grey machined finish alloys (10 spoke), panoramic roof and pre-collision system with pedestrian and cyclist detection.
Is it practical?
The Toyota Highlander is huge inside! It's a very on-trend way of carrying multiple people and their things.
With a generous 2850 mm wheelbase, the Highlander feels like a genuine 7 seater. It offers more space and better access than many to passengers in the third row. The second row seating can slide forward by 180 mm to make third row accommodation more spacious and accessible. While with all seven seats in place, there's still 332 litres of boot space, comparable to a small hatchback.
In row 2, it's lounge-like, with big square windows, comfy seating and a flat floor. In five seat mode there is 631 litres of boot space in the Highlander, with a small bit of underfloor storage and a kick-sensor operated power tailgate.
Hybrid in the Highlander
The Highlander uses the same 2.5-litre hybrid powertrain as the RAV4, but here it puts out 248 hp. Driving modes are also included: Eco, Normal, Sport and Trail.
This is a standard hybrid; it's not like a plug-in hybrid that can be charged and driven electric for a limited range. Granted the Highlander's small capacity battery does mean that in low speed stop start town driving for example the SUV can run off its battery power when certain conditions are met, boosting efficiency.
This is a considerably sized car so I was very curious to see how well the Highlander would perform over motorway and town driving. But there were no ugly surprises, with my fuel consumption averaging at 6.9 litres per 100 km over a week of driving. Hybrid technology has come a long way and the Highlander feels acceptable in terms of efficiency.
Of course, steps have been taken to improve the car's aerodynamic performance. The front bumper bottom edge, front bumper sides and roof spoiler have all been shaped to smooth the flow of air passing over and leaving the vehicle.
A radiator air guide ensures that airflow is efficiently directed to the radiator with minimum resistance. When the radiator does not require additional air flow cooling, grille shutters close to both reduce airflow resistance and assist with engine warm-up.
A first for a Toyota vehicle, new aero-ventilating aluminium wheels combine both brake cooling and aerodynamic performance. The underbody features an extensive, flat undercover to smooth the passage of air beneath the vehicle.
Airflow exhaust mechanisms have also been fitted on the insides of the front and rear wheel arches. Reducing air pressure inside the wheel arches increases the contact load of the tyres, enhancing both grip and vehicle stability.
Driving the Toyota Highlander
On the road, power is delivered smoothly with not too much interruption from the CVT gearbox. To meet its more premium billing, the new Toyota Highlander uses an acoustic windscreen and front glazing. There's also roof, dash and floor silencers, and wheel arch and boot space liners.
The Toyota Highlander is clearly a car designed for gentle driving, and it excels at transporting those on board in comfort. Yet it's still agile for its size, with good grip and body control for a large SUV.
Ride character is made more comfortable through a system that controls drive torque to the front wheels to both reduce the vehicle pitch motion caused by road surface fluctuations and reduce bonnet lifting behaviour under hard acceleration.
Did you like it?
The Toyota Highlander builds on Toyota's recent success in hybrid cars and SUVs. The brand can now offer buyers an on-trend, large family SUV with seven seats that packages much of what has made the smaller RAV4 a success for example.
Chunky SUV styling meets the brand's best hybrid powertrain yet. The Highlander is quite unique in the segment as a standard hybrid, so it will suit those buyers where plug-in hybrid is less attractive, but who still require an economical petrol-driven SUV.
The interior of the Highlander gives a feeling of prestige but it is hardly the most high-tech cabin in the segment. Still it's old school Toyota quality that feels great from behind the wheel.
This car is truly huge inside with a generous blend of seating and cargo space. The Toyota Highlander is a step up for sure but it's one Toyota fans will love.
Model tested: Toyota Highlander Platinum
Price: €83,330
Engine: 2.5-litre petrol electric hybrid
Power: 248 hp
0-100km/h: 8.3 seconds
Top speed: 180 km/h
CO2 emissions: 160 g/km
Motor tax: €280 per year
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes
Toyota Yaris Cross Review
Read Caroline's Toyota Yaris Cross review for everything you need to know about Toyota's new small SUV in Ireland.
Toyota is a brand that has been slowly and steadily taking over the Irish new car market. The brand's punt on hybrid technology has really paid off, with new models like the RAV4, C-HR, Yaris and mighty Corolla featuring consistently in the top bestselling cars in Ireland.
Now the brand looks set to expand their reach into the small SUV segment with the launch of the new Toyota Yaris Cross.
What's so special about the Toyota Yaris Cross?
Based on the Yaris supermini, the new Toyota Yaris Cross is the brand's first B-SUV and exclusively hybrid-engined.
It goes on sale priced from €29,700, which is in the region of the popular Corolla. It's a bit more expensive to buy than a Yaris Hybrid (from €26,600). But it is a more substantial car and it's the trendy crossover type that customers are happy to pay more for.
In Ireland the Yaris Cross is sold in four grades: Luna, Luna Sport, Sol and GR Sport.
In the metal, the Yaris Cross has a good stance. It is easily distinguishable from the Yaris it is based upon, carrying the body of a small SUV quite convincingly. The Yaris Cross has grown in all directions, being longer, wider and taller than a Yaris supermini.
In fact the rugged design makes it more of a junior RAV4 from many angles, which is sure to please buyers in the market for a compact car like this.
Plastic cladding and squared off wheel arches reinforce the SUV look. Wheel sizes up to 18" are available.
Inside the Yaris Cross
Inside, the Yaris Cross is also unique enough to distinguish itself in the Toyota range. You sit a little bit higher than in a Yaris and the dashboard design feels a little more mature.
It's not the most youthful or trendy design Toyota has ever come up with - the C-HR would be a more fashionable choice - but it is solidly made and good quality with a mix of different materials and colours.
Sol (from €35,850) and above get a new 9" infotainment system with much more modern graphics. Other models get the older 8" touchscreen, though Apple CarPlay and Android Auto mean you can bypass the system most of the time.
Standard equipment includes 16" alloys, electric windows, climate control, push button start, and reversing camera.
Going up the trim levels adds more gear, larger alloy wheels, some cosmetic updates and opens up the option of a trendy bi-colour roof. The Yaris Cross GR Sport is the sportiest of them all, taking inspiration from Toyota's high performance 'GR' models.
But no matter which version you go for, there's a suite of standard safety equipment including road sign assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane departure alert and a new centre airbag. This makes it one of the safest small SUVs on the road.
Is it practical?
Yaris Cross has the same 2,560 mm wheelbase as the new Yaris hatchback, but is 240 mm longer overall, with 60 mm added to the front overhang and 180 mm to the rear for more interior space. The ground clearance is 30 mm higher. The vehicle is taller by 90 mm and wider by 20 mm.
So inside it feels bigger than the Yaris and is spacious enough for a compact vehicle in the front. But in the rear the Yaris Cross still fails to impress when it comes to legroom, with some rivals doing it better.
Yet a 397 litre boot is generous and adds a more practical touch to this car. An adjustable deck height gives the flexibility of either a secure underfloor compartment or increased boot space for larger loads.
Driving the Yaris Cross Hybrid
The new Toyota Yaris Cross is the latest model to be built on Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA). Designed and engineered in Europe, the Yaris Cross is manufactured in France.
Toyota’s new small SUV uses the brand's latest 1.5-litre petrol electric hybrid system, the same as in the new Toyota Yaris Hybrid. It works exceptionally well with a smooth and refined drive from a three-cylinder Atkinson-cycle petrol engine, engineered to reduce friction and mechanical losses and optimise combustion speed.
There is 116 hp available, which feels about right for a small SUV. The bias is towards efficiency and rightly so. There the Yaris Cross performs like a true hybrid star. My average fuel consumption over a week of driving finished at 4.7 litres per 100 km.
In a market now flooded with small turbo petrol engines, this stands out for its genuine efficiency while feeling lively enough behind the wheel too.
Elsewhere the Yaris Cross performs with few tricks other than a pleasant and predictable drive that's comfortable for its size.
Did you like it?
The new Toyota Yaris Cross became one of Ireland's bestselling cars soon after launch and it's still a very appealing prospect if you're in the market for a stylish small SUV that's well-built and efficient.
The Yaris Cross offers a smooth hybrid drive that is truly efficient and refined, making this the latest sophisticated hybrid machine to wear the Toyota badge.
It can get quite expensive as you up the trim levels for what is quite a compact car, but it certainly offers more space inside and a better image than the Yaris supermini.
Inside, the Yaris Cross has a mature and solid feel that will go the distance though some rivals feel a little more stylish. The Yaris Cross offers a good-sized boot, but some rivals feel more spacious in the back. Toyota's own Corolla Touring Sports or new Corolla Cross would be a little more spacious.
But everyone loves crossovers right now. The Yaris Cross has all the trendy design cues and compact dimensions that are bound to cement Toyota's name in the market for small SUVs.
Model tested: Toyota Yaris Cross Sol
Price: €35,850
Engine: 1.5-litre petrol electric hybrid
Power: 116 hp
Torque: 120 Nm
0-100km/h: 11.2 seconds
Top speed: 170 km/h
CO2 emissions: 113 g/km
Motor tax: €190 per year
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year
Toyota C-HR GR Sport Review
Read Caroline's Toyota C-HR GR Sport review for everything you need to know about buying the latest version of Toyota's popular hybrid crossover in Ireland.
The Toyota C-HR has been a great success in Ireland since it launched here back in 2016. A new model for Toyota when it launched, the C-HR's trendy crossover looks and hybrid powertrain have been enough to make it a bestselling car in Ireland in a relatively short space of time.
In 2020, the C-HR was updated slightly inside and out. The range was also widened with the arrival of a new 2.0-litre hybrid powertrain offering buyers the option of more power.
Now Toyota has added a new range topping trim level to the range - introducing the new Toyota C-HR GR Sport. It joins the Luna, Sport and Sol trim lines.
The C-HR range starts from €31,025, with the C-HR GR Sport range starting from €38,515.
What's so special about the Toyota C-HR GR Sport?
Inspired by Toyota's high performance GR Supra and GR Yaris, the GR Sport trim line bestows the C-HR with a list of sporty design enhancements. Just like the Toyota Corolla GR Sport, these enhancements are purely cosmetic.
Toyota's 1.8 litre hybrid (122hp) or 2.0 litre hybrid (184hp) powertrains provide the power, with a natural bias towards efficiency - rather than racetrack performance like those classic GR models!
Still it's a formula that works. The C-HR is a very good looking car anyway, with plenty of interesting design features. The GR Sport adds even more prestige to this popular crossover.
At the front there's a special black background to the Toyota emblem and headlamp housings. The centre bumper and fog lamp surrounds get a glossy black finish, a dark chrome grille and a new, more aggressively styled front spoiler.
There is lots of standard equipment including touchscreen with Apple Car Play and Android Auto, dual zone climate control, power adjustable driver's seat, and auto fold door mirrors. There's also the full range of Toyota Safety Sense, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert and high beam assist.
Around the back of the car the Toyota emblem has a black background. There are more glossy black reflector surrounds, bespoke under-bumper trim garnish and a GR Sport badge.
The Dynamic Grey paint with black roof is exclusive to the GR Sport and the car sits on special 19" alloy wheels.
Inside the C-HR GR Sport
The C-HR has a very stylish interior and good quality finish. It is one of the most premium feeling cabins of the brand's compact range. You sit that little bit higher than in a hatch and the cabin appears to wrap around you in a sporty way.
The new C-HR GR Sport gets a few special additions including a new silver cabin finish, perforated leather steering wheel rim with red stitching, unique scuff plates, and a GR stop/start button.
There are also new GR-inspired Alcantara seats with leather bolsters and red and grey stitching. They give the cabin a real sporty feel and look great!
The C-HR is classed as a C-segment SUV but it's on the 'cosier' side of the spectrum. There is seating for three in the rear but two will be most comfortable. The coupé-style design of the rear doors and high beltline look great from the outside. But it does mean that it's quite dark and enclosed feeling for back seat passengers.
The boot at 377 litres is more comparable with the average hatchback. Some crossovers and SUVs in this price bracket do have larger boots and are more practical.
Driving the Toyota C-HR Hybrid
The Toyota C-HR marked a turning point for the Toyota brand when it was first launched back in 2016. It was the first of a new generation of Toyota cars built upon the TNGA platform with more style and dynamism. TNGA changed everything for Toyota, creating a new line-up of cars that have really driven sales for the brand, including the latest Corolla and RAV4.
Toyota already made some dynamic upgrades to the C-HR in 2020 for improved steering feel. The 2.0-litre hybrid also launched with a new suspension design that improves ride comfort. Refinement was also improved with an upgraded Noise Vibration Harshness (NVH) pack to further reduce cabin noise.
The GR Sport adds on that with model-bespoke tyres, suspension system and steering tuning to improve how the car performs on the road, while retaining good ride comfort.
The C-HR GR Sport feels good on the road. It is a fun car to drive that handles more like a hatchback. The steering is precise and you feel nicely connected to the car. It can cruise on the motorway in comfort, with good refinement too. Though this model in particular does grate a bit over bumps on rougher surfaces.
What are my options?
There is the choice of two hybrid powertrains for the C-HR. The 1.8-litre hybrid has 122 hp and the best economy of the range. For anyone seeking a bit more power, the new 2.0-litre hybrid in the C-HR delivers 184 hp and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds.
The Toyota C-HR 2.0-litre hybrid feels robust and well balanced in terms of power and its delivery through a CVT automatic gearbox. Refinement has been improved with less noise from the CVT.
There's also a new monitor in the latest C-HR to show what percentage of the time your car is driving in EV mode, i.e. on power from the battery not the combustion engine. This is useful in low speed driving for example. Overall this car is as efficient as promised, with my average fuel consumption over a week of driving coming in at 4.8 litres per 100 km.
Did you like it?
The C-HR is one of Toyota's best models, with a premium finish to the design, interior and on the road behaviour that makes it stand out.
It is a very stylish and fashionable car. It was designed as such. So it's not the most practical or the best value for money of the C-segment SUVs. But still highly desirable.
All models come well equipped, including the entry into the range.The new GR Sport trim enhances the C-HR's individual look with a high end finish. It is in short a lovely car. But it starts to get expensive for what is still a relatively compact car. There is better value to be had elsewhere in the range.
Toyota offers two efficient hybrid powertrains for the latest C-HR. But the 1.8-litre hybrid is a good balance on power and efficiency, and will meet the needs of most motorists.
It’s very easy to see the appeal of the C-HR from behind the wheel. As more hybrids come to market, the sophistication of the hybrid powertrain and Toyota’s experience in this area shines through.
Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year
Model tested: Toyota C-HR 2.0 Hybrid GR Sport
Price: €41,160
Engine: 2.0-litre petrol electric hybrid
Power: 184 hp
Torque: 190 Nm
0-100km/h: 8.2 seconds
Top speed: 180 km/h
CO2 emissions (WLTP): 120 g/km
Motor Tax: €190 per year
Toyota bZ4X Electric Pricing For Ireland
Toyota Ireland has announced that the all-new Toyota bZ4X, the first Toyota electric car, will arrive in Ireland in June.
It's the first model from a new line-up of bZ - beyond zero - models promised by the Japanese brand.
The new electric five seat SUV will be available here in three grades - Advance, Sport and Premiere Edition.
The new Toyota bZ4X will go on sale priced from €43,402 and can be reserved online now through the Toyota website. Toyota expects that the 2022 bZ4X allocation will be pre-sold before its arrival in June
The new SUV will use a 71.4 kWh battery. With a fully charged battery, the new electric SUV from Toyotais said to have an expected range of more than 450 km. The brand says that even after 10 years of driving, the battery is targeted to still operate at 90% of its original performance.
There will be a single version with 204 hp and a dual motor, all wheel drive version of the bZ4X with 218 hp.
DC fast charging is available up to 150 kW.
As Toyota’s first battery electric vehicle (BEV), the new Toyota bZ4X is also the first to use the company’s new BEV-dedicated platform. based on eTNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture).
Toyota Yaris Hybrid Review
Read Caroline's Toyota Yaris Hybrid review for everything you need to know about buying Toyota's small hatchback in Ireland.
The Toyota Yaris is one of Ireland's most loved small cars. It's been around for over 20 years and is a consistent top 10 bestselling car in Ireland. In 2020 Toyota launched an all-new generation of the popular Yaris and it was quick to snatch the award of European Car of the Year 2021.
In 20 years, the Yaris has become Toyota’s most important model in Europe, steadily increasing both its sales volume and its market share.
What's so special about the new Toyota Yaris?
There's something major happening at Toyota in recent years. It's called TNGA or Toyota New Global Architecture. If you thought Toyotas were boring cars, you need to drive their new generation vehicles.
The new Yaris is the first small Toyota to be built on Toyota New Global Architecture. The GA-B platform is central to the car’s improved dynamic performance, giving a lower centre of gravity and much greater body rigidity. A range of Toyota Safety Sense active safety systems come as standard, including Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) such as Lane Trace Assist and Emergency Steering Assist.
The latest Yaris is also a much cooler looking car than the model it replaces. It's a far more energetic and dynamic design. A bi tone roof is available with alloy wheel sizes up to 17" and new LED light technology.
Inside the Yaris
Toyota has transformed the interior of the latest generation Yaris. Quality and design have taken a real step up in line with this car's cooler and more youthful image.
The interior has a more open and spacious feel when compared to the outgoing model. The driving position is better, sportier.
There are more soft touch materials and cool ambient lighting available on some models. There are 7" and 8" touchscreens available with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The steering wheel is smaller and sportier. New auxiliary buttons have a greater tactile quality.
The new GA-B platform allowed for a reduction in the car’s overall length, making it the most compact model in its class, but with an increase in its wheelbase for more space and comfort for everyone on board. The new Yaris has more space and elbow room - an extra 20 mm between the driver and front passenger. The boot is nowhere near class-leading but it has some depth and offers an adequate 286 litres of space.
In Ireland the Toyota Yaris is available in five trim levels – Aura, Luna, Luna Sport, Platinum and Premier. The 2022 Toyota Yaris range kicks off in Ireland with a 1.0-litre petrol with 72 hp, while there is also a 1.5-litre petrol manual and a 1.5-litre hybrid auto.
Pricing starts at €20,140 for the Yaris Aura petrol, while the Toyota Yaris Hybrid pricing starts from €23,990 in Luna trim.
How economical is the Toyota Yaris Hybrid?
The new Toyota Yaris uses the latest, fourth-generation Toyota hybrid technology. New components have been engineered to be compact, lightweight and efficient. The focus in the development of this car was not just to make it more efficient, but to also make the car more enjoyable to drive.
The Toyota Yaris Hybrid now offers EV driving for longer periods in urban traffic. CO2 emissions have dropped, while it's more efficient than before too. Under the bonnet there's a 1.5-litre petrol electric hybrid powertrain to improve efficiency by 20% and put out even more power at 116 hp. It's quicker and more responsive to the throttle.
Behind the wheel, the new driving position gives you a greater sense of control and connection with the car, supporting the fun-to-drive character of the new Yaris. The car feels more agile and engaging at the wheel. The steering is quicker and more direct. The hybrid delivers the power in a smoother, quieter and more refined way than the previous generation of the Toyota Yaris Hybrid.
While built for efficiency, the Yaris Hybrid feels natural on the road, like any petrol driven small car. A revised suspension set-up means it covers the tarmac better, with a softer and smoother ride. In town driving it can run up to 80% of the time on electric power, with the engine only cutting in when needed. So in urban environments it helps your eco-credentials, while sipping at the fuel.
Over a week of driving my average fuel consumption was 5.5 litres per 100 km, with some long distance motorway runs included. So this is a good return on fuel economy for a small car.
Did you like it?
The new Toyota Yaris is far more desirable than the car it replaces. It has truly blossomed as a small car on the new TNGA platform. It looks great and even quite sporty in higher trim levels like the top of the range Premier model on test for Changing Lanes.
Already an award winner, the new Yaris has been suitably revamped inside and now feels a lot more competitive in its segment with the latest technology and digital features.
The Toyota Yaris Hybrid has also been greatly improved. It's much more refined now on the road to drive. The car is more fun to drive than it was before. It's comfortable by small car standards too. It is more expensive to buy than the petrol models in the range, but the car has power and feels good on the road.
Toyota has just welcomed the new Toyota Yaris Cross to Ireland, an SUV spin off of the Yaris sharing much of the same DNA but in more of a crossover style.
The Yaris picks up the baton as a small simple efficient hatchback, with good value and choice available in the range.
It's a classic and reliable choice of small car but the Yaris now feels truly competitive in its class of vehicle and one you can pick with your heart too.
A transformation for one of Ireland's favourite cars.
Caroline Kidd
Model tested: Toyota Yaris Hybrid Premier
Price: €27,680
Engine: 1.5-litre petrol electric hybrid
Power: 116 hp
0-100km/h: 9.7 seconds
Top speed: 175 km/h
CO2 emissions: 88 g/km
Motor tax: €160 per year
Toyota Corolla Cross On The Way To Ireland!
Toyota Ireland has confirmed that a new SUV will join the range in 2022 - the new Toyota Corolla Cross.
What is the new Toyota Corolla Cross?
The new Corolla Cross is a mid-size family SUV and will join the RAV4, Highlander, C-HR and recently launched Yaris Cross in the brand's line-up of SUVs. Pricing for the new Corolla Cross in Ireland will be announced closer to launch.
The new SUV will complete the family of Corolla derivatives -sitting alongside the Corolla hatchback, Touring Sports and saloon.
Based on Toyota’s TNGA philosophy, the Corolla Cross features the latest GA-C platform developments. It will be exclusively available as a hybrid. It sits between the Toyota C-HR and the RAV4 and is designed to be practical and spacious for families.
The Corolla Cross will be the first Toyota model globally to benefit from the new fifth-generation hybrid system. It has more torque, more electrical power, greater efficiency and increased driving pleasure.
The transaxle has been re-engineered along with new lubrication and oil distribution systems that use low-viscosity oil. This contributes to efficiency and power improvements thanks to reduced electrical and mechanical losses.
New hybrid tech for Corolla Cross
The new battery pack system is more powerful and 40% lighter than before. Both motor and engine output have improved, resulting in a total system output increase of more than 8%.
The front wheel drive 2.0 litre hybrid powertrain generates 197hp, delivering 0-100km/h acceleration in 8.1 seconds. There will also be an all wheel drive variant.
Inside there is a European-specific dashboard layout, featuring an all-new, multi-configuration, 12.3-inch driver’s digital cockpit and a 10.5-inch central multimedia display.
More than 50 million Corollas have been sold around the world since its introduction in 1966. The new Corolla Cross will further strengthen Toyota’s presence in the C-segment. The Corolla is already one of the bestselling cars in Ireland.
Customer deliveries of the new Corolla Cross will start in Autumn 2022.
Toyota GR Yaris Hydrogen Concept Revealed!
Toyota has showcased an experimental Toyota GR Yaris with hydrogen-powered combustion engine technology.
The hydrogen fuel, fuel tanks and refuelling process of the experimental vehicle are the same as found in the Toyota Mirai, the Japanese brand's commercially available flagship hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle. But while the Mirai employs chemical reaction in the fuel cells to generate energy, the experimental GR Yaris features an internal combustion engine with hydrogen as the fuel.
While the hydrogen combustion engine technology is still in the early stages of conceptual development and experimentation, Toyota’s experimental hydrogen-powered Corolla Sport is already delivering high performance at motorsport events in Japan, with almost zero tailpipe emissions.
The hydrogen-powered experimental GR Yaris and the Corolla Sport both feature the same G16E-GTS, 1.6-litre, in-line 3-cylinder, turbocharged engine that is found already in the high performance Toyota GR Yaris, but with a modified fuel supply and injection system for use with hydrogen as fuel.
The experimental hydrogen-powered Corolla Sport has already been competing in the Super Taikyu race series in Japan since May this year under the ROOKIE Racing arm of Toyota GAZOO Racing where the team has taken on the challenge to test the experimental hydrogen combustion engine under the harsh environments of motorsport.
Hydrogen combusts at a faster rate than petrol, resulting in good responsiveness while delivering excellent environmental performance. Hydrogen combustion also has the potential to give a fun to drive experience with the acoustic and sensory sensations that characterise internal combustion engines.
Toyota GR Yaris Review
2021 saw the exciting arrival of the new Toyota GR Yaris to the Toyota range in Ireland. The high performance GR Yaris is just the second global GR model, following the Supra (GR stands for Gazoo Racing and is Toyota's motorsport division!)
The GR Yaris heritage is astounding at a time when hybrid and electric are taking over the world, even at Toyota, where the brand has been bringing hybrids to market for over 20 years.
You can't even really talk about the GR Yaris in the same sentence as the Yaris Hybrid for example because they share so little. The only things they have in common are the wing mirrors, the antenna on the roof and the front and rear lights. Everything else is new and well frankly mad for a Yaris!
The GR Yaris is a four wheel drive supermini putting out 261 hp from a three cylinder engine, the most powerful in the world. It retails in Ireland from €50,565.
What's so special about the Toyota GR Yaris?
When Toyota announced its return to the World Rally Championship in 2015, building a rally-inspired sports car for the road was part of the plan. For Toyota President Akio Toyoda, the creation of a sports car made purely by Toyota – the first in 20 years – was a personal ambition. Following on from winning the WRC manufacturers’ championship in 2018, he saw a winning car as being key to achieving global recognition as a true auto manufacturer.
From the beginning, the development team worked closely with Tommi Mäkinen Racing to bring the GR Yaris to the road. Professional rally drivers, including members of Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team, drove the prototype models and gave feedback.
WATCH A VIDEO!
The GR Yaris is built on a unique platform, combining Toyota’s new GA-B platform (which debuted on the new generation Yaris hatchback) and a rear section adapted from the GA-C platform used for the Corolla and C-HR. It's a little bit of a mutant Yaris. You will know by looking at it that something is up. A wide track and flared wheelarches give it a sporty and purposeful stance, shod with 18" black alloy wheels. The rally team emphasised the importance of light weight in the car's design so the doors and bonnet are made from aluminium, while the roof is forged carbon composite roof. The lower, tapering roof line has been designed specifically to direct wind flow onto the large rear rally car spoiler to generate extra downforce. As with a competition car, the shaping of the lower body efficiently channels airflow down the sides of the vehicle.
It's 3-door only but all the weight saving has not binned practicality. You do get back seats and a small but useful boot. The cabin is Yaris but with more salubrious materials and two mighty sports seats. It might not feel like the cabin of a €50k car but they never really do. It's a small compromise to be made in a car this exciting with such amazing pedigree. We will stop by saying the cabin is comfortable and well-made with the latest convenience features and infotainment compatible with your smartphone.
Driving the Toyota GR Yaris
To the really good stuff now. The GR Yaris has a kerb weight of just 1,280 kg. The engine is new, a 1.6-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged unit producing 261 hp and 360 Nm of torque. It complies with WRC2 technical regulations and can launch the GR Yaris from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.5 seconds, and on to an electronically limited top speed of 230 km/h. It has features derived directly from motorsport, including a ball bearing turbocharger, large-diameter exhaust valves and multi-jet oil piston cooling. That's cool, huh?
Engine power is harnessed through Toyota’s new GR-FOUR permanent, electronically controlled all-wheel drive system. Another competition-inspired feature, this provides three driving modes with different front/rear drive torque to suit the conditions – Normal, Track and Sport.
This is where we begin to extract the fun from the Toyota GR Yaris, as you like it. When you get into the car, the controls all feel heavy and tactile. There is a rumble from the rear of the car. Inside the engine note is bass but not as noisy as what you might think. However once you put your foot down in the GR Yaris, it's a completely different story. It feels fast with a magnificent roar for a three cylinder engine!
The Toyota GR Yaris also excels in the way it handles. Firstly, equipment. It's a manual by default with a delicious mechanical feel to the gear change. The gear shift lever has a high position on the centre console, raised by 50 mm and set close to the steering wheel, helping the driver make quick shifts. The action is light with short shift strokes, adding to the performance quality. The GR Yaris also has a mechanical hand-operated parking brake.
Did you like it?
Hell, yeah!
Driving modes also help extract more play from the GR Yaris, altering the torque distribution to the front and rear wheels. In Normal mode the ratio is 60:40 front rear, in track mode it's 50:50 and in Sport mode it's 30:70!
The grip is sensational. It doesn't matter what you throw at it, even the worst Irish asphalt - the GR Yaris is not thrown by bumps mid-corner. It stays absolutely stable throughout making it a true rally car for the road, designed for challenging roads. The ride is firm, but it's not comically firm. The only you will be laughing about is how good this car feels!
The GR Yaris feels gloriously simple and mechanical on the road, like all the best sports car. You have to really understand cars to enjoy this car.
It's in a different league to front wheel drive compact 'hot hatchbacks' like the Fiesta ST and the i20 N. It's about the way this one has been developed, the DNA and the heritage. It's about Toyota's passion for motor racing and willingness to gift the fans with an awesome rally car for the road.
Caroline Kidd
Model tested: Toyota GR Yaris with Luxury Pack
Price: €54,345
Engine: 1.6-litre turbo petrol
Power: 261 hp
Torque: 360 Nm
Top speed: 230 km/h
Acceleration (0-100 km/h): 5.5 seconds
CO2 emissions: 186 g/km
Motor Tax: €600 per year
Toyota Continues Development In Electrification
Toyota Motor Corporation has announced it is investing more than €11.6bn in research and development (R&D) of batteries, electric motors and power control units for electrified vehicles between now and 2030.
Toyota say that given that renewable energy is not yet widely available for the masses in many countries, hybrids still have a pivotal role to play in immediate CO2 reduction. The brand claims that without an abundant supply of renewable energy, BEVs cannot effectively capitalise on their promise to deliver zero emissions in a mass market scenario.
For hybrids Toyota's focus is on continuing to drive improvements in instantaneous power, and for plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) it is focusing on battery capacity and endurance. Toyota believes its multi-billion investment will make for safer, longer lasting, and more reliable high-performance batteries at a lower cost, paving the way for more affordable zero-emission BEVs.
Toyota said it will achieve battery cost reductions of more than 50% by 2030, while also achieving improved power consumption of 30%. Furthermore, its newly developed batteries will have a significantly higher capacity retention rate after 10 years compared to what has gone before, and for the forthcoming Toyota bZ4X BEV, Toyota has set a target of 90% endurance performance after 10 years of use, which is one of the highest in the world.
In regions where there is an abundant supply of renewable energy, Toyota believes the increased use of zero-emissions vehicles such as BEVs and FCEVs is crucial, and it intends to ramp up its development of these through its R&D investment. In terms of next-generation battery technology, Toyota is investing in the development and commercialisation of solid state batteries, which it believes will provide the best opportunity for mass market adoption of affordable BEVs, providing high output, significantly longer cruising range and shorter charging times.
Toyota is already road testing a solid state powered electric car and is continuing to invest in the refinement and improvement of the technology to ensure it delivers upon its three key measures of safety, security and reliability.
Toyota’s ongoing strategy is to increase the selection of affordable electrified vehicles it offers to customers to ensure the right solution is available depending on where a particular region is at on its renewable energy journey. As such, Toyota will continue to develop hybrid HEVs, BEVs, PHEVs as well as zero emission hydrogen fuel call vehicles.
Zoë Bradley, Head of Marketing Communications, Toyota Ireland:
“Through Toyota’s pragmatic and holistic approach to providing a mass market solution to zero emissions we aim to continue to lead the market to carbon neutrality by 2050. With the rapid expansion of electrified vehicles, Toyota is working to build a flexible system that can stably supply the required volume of batteries at the right time while meeting the needs of various customers in different regions around the world.”