Top Hybrid: Toyota Yaris

Tuesday, 1 December 2020

The Stuff Top Hybrid for 2020 is the Toyota Yaris.

Hey lame-o, feeling sad because your Nan knows more about cars than you? Good, because her car just won the Top Compact/Small Car category and this Top Hybrid category.

It did so in fact very convincingly. With aplomb as they say, plain-sailing, easy AF. Well at least it did on my scorecards, but to be fair, I am very partial for a sherry and a lie down in the early afternoon.

And while the gravel-spitting GR all-wheel drive turbo variant doesn’t hurt the Yaris’ street cred, I’m here to tell you the smart money is on the Yaris Hybrid.

Hybrid frugality doesn’t need to be boring – a brightly-coloured Yaris ZR proves that comprehensively.

It has technology in spades, not least of which is that accomplished hybrid drive train. As Toyota has more experience in hybridisation than anyone, it’s proven to be bullet-proof.

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The Yaris Hybrid packs technology into a small car that was unheard of for less than $100k not all that long ago.

* Top Compact/Small Car: Toyota Yaris

* Top Medium SUV: Mercedes-Benz EQC 400

The cheaper GX Hybrid has slimmer seats, but the ZR’s look better.

* Top Sports/Performance SUV: Audi RS Q3

* Top Large SUV: Land Rover Defender

The Yaris Hybrid is stuffed to the gills with safety tech as well.

And although Hybrid technology is becoming more common in cheaper vehicles now (see Suzuki Swift Hybrid), it’s still deeply impressive to consider tech that, not so long ago, was science fiction is now readily available in a teeny $27,990 car. To package it in a teeny car that’s this engaging to drive as well; that’s a masterclass.

The Yaris Hybrid is simply effervescent. Despite its onboard battery pack there’s a lovely featherweight feel on the road, it pivots around itself on tight turns, like a dog chasing its tail and the 67kW (85kW with the electric motor’s boost combined) three-pot 1.5 litre engine’s eager growl amplifies the fun factor even further.

Oh, yeah – it’s ridiculously economical as well, with Toyota’s claim of 3.3L/100km combined consumption being laughably easy to achieve or even better in everyday driving.

It looks pretty tangy too, with violently seasick green and Powerade™ blue hues that are so hot right now, you can even opt for a two-tone black roof. Stop it.

Yes, it’s slightly vibrato at low speed, yes it’s plasticky and yes it’s snug for rear occupants (Top tip: if rear legroom is an everyday consideration, opt for the cheaper GX Hybrid, it’s front seats appear to be more slender than the range-topping ZR Hybrid).

But any compromises are quickly forgotten when inside. It’s ridiculously well-appointed with a vibrant and responsive touch interface and navigation system, nifty storage solutions everywhere and impressively, a pre-collision emergency braking system, dynamic cruise control, automatic high beam, lane tracing assist and road sign assist.

Much of that info is sharply displayed on a colour heads up display. Hybrid or not, there are many $100K cars on the market that lack that level of kit.

What else was in the running?

It depends on what you consider a ‘proper’ hybrid – we thoroughly enjoyed Mazda’s CX-30 this year, with its mild-hybrid assist, and the Land Rover Defender P400 also features a 48-volt mild hybrid system as well, but these are both very mild ‘assist’ systems, unlike the Yaris.

In terms of actual ‘proper’ hybrids, Subaru’s foray into hybrid vehicles this year was a good start and we look forward to seeing how they implement electrification in future models.

And while Suzuki’s Swift Hybrid is still a Swift, so by definition a very good car, it just isn’t a good enough hybrid to take on the excellent Yaris.

Essential details: 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol/electric hybrid with 85kW/120Nm, $27,990 to $33,490.

Safety: Impressive suite of active and passive safety features for this price point including Toyota Safety Sense driver assistance and 5-star ANCAP rating.

At a glance: Exceptionally well-equipped, a hoot to drive and playful design treatments everywhere you look, backed up by a features list to embarrass more-than-a-few premium vehicles.

Who should consider it: Fantastic value for money option from the showroom to the petrol-station forecourt and to the dealership service lane. For buyers who really don’t need anything larger, this doesn’t feel like you’re missing out on much.

Things to consider: Rear legroom is compromised especially in the ZR, but mainly because of its generously dimensioned and comfy front seats, the boot is small and the three cylinder is a bit coarse at low speeds. There’s a lot of new-fangled technology – which may actually be a daunting transition for those trading in an old Yaris, looking at you Nana.

What else could you buy?: No longer the reserve of corduroy and sandal enthusiasts, you really don’t have to look far to find a hybrid or plug-in hybrid option from most manufacturers now. And most applications in 2020 harness the tech well from Audi to Toyota. May as well get used to it now, it’s rapidly becoming the norm.