Toyota Yaris. Cheerful mood
Additional information was added about the new, fourth generation of the hatchback, released in 2020.
Toyota Yaris is a compact В-class hatchback, produced by Toyota since 1999. Is has been a sedan, a 3-door and a 5-door hatchback. Three generations of Toyota Yaris exist. The latest one, restyled in 2017, is offered on the Israeli market as a 5-door hatchback (as of 2021).
The name ‘Yaris’ originated from ‘Charis’, the name of a Hellenistic goddess of joy and gladness. In Japan, this car is called ‘Vitz’, this sounds the same as ‘Witz’, the German for ‘joke’. Both names show cheerful mood of Toyota Yaris.
First generation
The first-generation Toyota Yaris was produced 1999 to 2005 and restyled in 2003. 3- and 5-door FWD Vitz hatchbacks were first offered in Japan and later entered the European market. The first Yaris car has a 3.6 meters long body with flowing lines and great aerodynamics. Substantial wheelbase and heigth of the first-generation Yaris allowed it to accommodate either four 190 cm tall adults and a child or five adults of average body height! The interior of the first-generation Yaris had dashboard meters in the center of the panel. Another novelty was a shiftable row of rear seats. The first Toyota Yaris really killed it and eliminated superstitions of numerous haters of small cars. It received high rating from journalists and was declared the Car of the Year in EU and Japan.
Second generation
The name ‘Yaris’ originated from ‘Charis’, the name of a Hellenistic goddess of joy and gladness. In Japan, this car is called ‘Vitz’, this sounds the same as ‘Witz’, the German for ‘joke’. Both names show cheerful mood of Toyota Yaris.
The second-generation Toyota Yaris was produced between 2005 and 2010 and restyled in 2009. Its exterior was designed by the European Toyota ED studio. Toyota Yaris 2 has ‘grown’ in every dimention: it became taller, wider, and longer. Its body improved its rigidity using high-quality steel. Being shifted ahead and equipped with slim seat backs and flat foor, the exterior became roomier. The McPherson front suspension improved its geometry and received new shock absorbers and new spring arrangement.
Third generation
The third-generation Toyota Yaris has been produced since 2010 until now. It was restyled twice: in 2014 and in 2017. The third-generation Yaris is similar to its predecessor, however, it was built on another platform. One of special features of the new Yaris is an electronic display instead of conventional dashboard controls. In 2014, the new Toyota Yaris was unveiled to show its novel exterior, interior, and equipment.
The next upgrade was performed in 2017. This time, the Toyota Yaris received 900 novelties at once! The Toyota Yaris 2017 differs visually, has a better interior, a modernized powertrain line, and many brand new options. Fancy, dynamic, and even aggressive Toyota Yaris 2017 is likely to be popular in Israel for a long time.
Fourth generation
It has been produced since 2020 to the present (as of 2021). The third generation car was one of the ten bestsellers on the European market, so we hope that the new Yaris will also be interesting to Israeli buyers. The new generation was designed with due account for the preferences of Europeans. The hatchback has a lower center of gravity, wider wheel track and 30% stiffer body. Moreover, the body and the wheelbase of the compact Toyota have become wider by 50 mm, while the car has become 50 kg lighter than the previous one (the unladen weight of the basic version is 950 kg). The new interior is finished with better and softer materials. The basic trim level includes adaptive cruise control, automatic braking and lane departure warning systems.
The hybrid Yaris is equipped with a new power train: a 1.5 liter naturally aspirated engine and a 61 hp electric motor. The petrol versions are equipped with 1.5 liter naturally aspirated 3-cylinder engines and a Direct Shift-CVT transmission with a Launch gear and a V-belt mechanism for further movement. The vehicle is equipped with the well-known McPherson strut front suspension and semi-independent rear suspension. This model has a more energetic personality that Europeans like. Plus, it won the Car of the Year Award, repeating the success of the first generation car in 2000.
