Toyota Yaris Z Expert Review

Toyota Yaris has never been the sort of car that needs a moustache and a loud exhaust to announce its arrival. The latest Yaris Z takes a compact hatchback shape and gives it considerably more visual attitude than the basic grades. The short overhangs, wide stance and sharply shaped front end make the car look planted rather than merely economical. The latest grille treatment gives the nose a more sophisticated appearance, while the LED lighting helps the Yaris look considerably more expensive at night.

The Z grade is where the Yaris begins to feel properly dressed. Depending on specification, it gets larger wheels, sportier exterior detailing, LED lighting and a rear spoiler. The five-door body is compact enough to be genuinely useful in Dhaka, where squeezing into a parking space can sometimes resemble a military operation.

The dimensions are one of its greatest strengths. At 3,950 mm long and 1,695 mm wide, it is small without feeling like a toy. The 2,550 mm wheelbase also gives the Yaris reasonable cabin space for its footprint.

Yaris Z is a much more serious machine than the word “small hatchback” might suggest. Toyota has kept the dashboard relatively clean instead of covering it with enough buttons to operate a nuclear submarine. The driving position is natural, the steering wheel feels appropriately sized and the controls are generally easy to understand.

The Z grade brings a more premium atmosphere, with synthetic leather and tweed-style fabric upholstery in the current Japanese specification. The digital instrumentation also gives the cabin a modern feel, while the steering wheel and central controls are positioned sensibly for everyday driving.

The front seats are where the Yaris feels strongest. There is enough room for normal adults, the driving position is easy to adjust and the compact dashboard makes the cabin feel open from the driver's seat. Rear passengers, however, get a less generous deal. Two adults are perfectly manageable, but three adults across the rear will remind everyone that this is a compact hatchback.

Storage is adequate rather than spectacular. The rear seats fold to increase practicality, but the boot is only around 286 litres. That is fine for groceries, backpacks and everyday luggage, but less impressive if you regularly travel with several large bags.

Yaris Z is where Toyota stops being stingy with equipment. The package includes automatic climate control, power windows, keyless access, push-button starting, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, digital instrumentation and modern infotainment depending on market specification.

The hybrid system itself is also a feature worth mentioning. Unlike a conventional petrol hatchback, the Yaris can use electric assistance during low-speed driving and recover energy during braking. In Dhaka traffic, that matters far more than a ridiculous top-speed figure ever will.

The safety technology is another highlight. Toyota Safety Sense brings functions such as Pre-Collision Safety, Lane Departure Alert, Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist and radar cruise control. Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and panoramic-view equipment can be specified depending on configuration.

The optional panoramic-view monitor is especially useful in Bangladesh. Tight parking areas, narrow lanes and motorcycles appearing from improbable directions are exactly where a 360-degree camera becomes useful.

What could be better? Some connected services and higher-end convenience functions vary by market, and the Yaris is not loaded with luxury equipment such as ventilated seats, powered front seats or a panoramic sunroof.

Yaris Z takes safety considerably more seriously than the small-car stereotype might suggest. Standard passive safety equipment includes front, side and curtain airbags, ABS, Brake Assist, EBD, traction control and electronic stability control. ISOFIX child-seat mounting points also make the car more useful for families.

Then comes Toyota Safety Sense. The current Yaris incorporates advanced systems designed to assist with collision avoidance, lane departure, lane tracking, road-sign recognition and adaptive cruise control. Toyota has also expanded the detection capability of its latest systems for certain intersection situations.

In real Bangladesh driving, these systems are useful but should be treated as assistance rather than magic. Lane markings in Dhaka can disappear with the enthusiasm of a government road project, motorcycles can appear from every conceivable angle and heavy rain can reduce camera visibility. Driver attention remains essential.

The available Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert can be particularly valuable because small hatchbacks have limited rear visibility compared with larger vehicles. The optional panoramic-view monitor is another worthwhile addition for crowded parking areas.

The braking system uses ventilated discs at the front and drums at the rear, supported by ABS, Brake Assist and EBD. It is conventional rather than exotic, which is precisely what you want from a daily-use car.

Drive the Yaris Z around Dhaka and the car immediately makes sense. The hybrid system is smooth, the e-CVT is effortless and the electric motor gives the car a useful shove when pulling away from traffic lights. There is no drama, no gear-change theatre and no need to constantly work the transmission. It simply moves.

The 116 PS hybrid system is not designed to turn the Yaris into a hot hatch, but approximately 9.7 seconds to 100 km/h is respectable for an economical compact hatchback. More importantly, the immediate electric response makes the car feel lively at urban speeds.

The steering is light enough for parking but not completely devoid of feedback. The compact body makes U-turns, lane changes and narrow streets much easier than with a large sedan or SUV. The 5.1-metre turning radius is useful when navigating crowded Bangladeshi roads.

Ride quality is generally comfortable, although the low ground clearance means you need to treat large speed breakers with respect. On highways, the Yaris feels stable enough for normal cruising, although it does not have the isolation or long-wheelbase calm of a larger sedan.

The real star is fuel economy. In Bangladesh, approximately 22–27 km/L in city conditions is realistic depending on traffic and driving style.