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., the fourth-generation is getting a refresh for Europe, with an expanded hybrid lineup, improved safety features, and a revamped infotainment system.
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, while torque with the new motor goes from 141 Nm of torque to
185 Nm – 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 to 120 km/h. The 0–100 km/h has been reduced by half a
second, too, now standing at 9.2 seconds. 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. 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. 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. 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.
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.
