Toyota Yaris

Toyota Yaris: Which Version Should You Buy?

The Toyota Yaris choice depends on whether you prioritize fuel use, straightforward performance, or maximum speed. Among the listed versions, the fourth-generation 1.5 Hybrid with 116 hp combines 3.7 L/100 km with 0–100 km/h in 9.7 seconds, while the 1.5 MT offers 125 hp and a quicker 9.0-second time at 5.6 L/100 km.

The Toyota Yaris choice depends on whether you prioritize fuel use, straightforward performance, or maximum speed. Among the listed versions, the fourth-generation 1.5 Hybrid with 116 hp combines 3.7 L/100 km with 0–100 km/h in 9.7 seconds, while the 1.5 MT offers 125 hp and a quicker 9.0-second time at 5.6 L/100 km. At the opposite extreme, the fourth-generation GR 1.6 AT produces 280 hp, uses AWD, and reaches 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds. Buyers considering older cars should compare exact specifications carefully: identical Yaris version names can represent different outputs, transmissions, consumption figures, and even body types.

Toyota Yaris generations: what changed?

The first generation, produced from 1999 to February 2003, is represented as a Mini 5-doors body with 7 versions. Its range includes 1.0 AT, 1.0 MT, 1.3 AT, 1.3 MT, 1.4 AT, 1.4 MT, and 1.5 MT. Outputs extend from 68 hp in the 1.0 versions to 106 hp in the 1.5 MT. The latter is substantially quicker than the basic engine: 9.0 rather than 13.8 seconds to 100 km/h.

The first-generation restyling ran from March 2003 through December 2006 in Mini 5-doors form and contains 8 versions. It retained the 1.0 AT, 1.0 MT, 1.3 AT, 1.3 MT, 1.4 AT, 1.4 MT, and 1.5 MT names, while adding another 1.5 MT rated at 150 hp. This turbo version reaches 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds and 205 km/h, compared with 9.0 seconds and 190 km/h for the 106 hp 1.5 MT.

The second generation covers 2007–2008 and is listed as a Sedan with 16 versions, of which 12 are detailed in the supplied data. The listed choices include 1.0 MT, 1.0 AT, two 1.3 MT specifications, two 1.3 AT specifications, 1.3 TFT, two 1.5 MT specifications, two 1.5 AT specifications, 1.4 MT, and 1.4 TFT. The range therefore spans Gasoline and Diesel engines plus Manual, Automatic, and Robotic gearboxes.

The second-generation restyling covers 2009–2010, again as a Sedan, with 17 versions and 12 detailed here. Its listed selection includes 1.0 MT, 1.0 AT, 1.3 MT, 1.3 AT, two 1.3 TFT specifications, two 1.5 MT specifications, two 1.5 AT specifications, 1.4 MT, and 1.4 TFT. Buyers comparing it with the earlier second generation will find several repeated version names and many closely matched figures, making the exact output essential for identification.

The third generation ran from December 2010 through June 2014 as a Mini 5-doors model. The data records 13 versions and details 12: two 1.0 MT specifications, three 1.3 MT specifications, two 1.3 CVT specifications, two 1.5 MT specifications, 1.5 AT, two 1.5 CVT specifications, and 1.4 MT. This generation introduced a listed Hybrid 1.5 CVT alongside Gasoline and Diesel choices.

The third-generation restyling ran from July 2014 through June 2017 as a Mini 5-doors model with 11 versions. These comprise two 1.0 MT specifications, three 1.3 MT specifications, 1.3 CVT, 1.4 MT, two 1.5 MT specifications, 1.5 AT, and the Hybrid 1.5 CVT. The second restyling, from July 2017 through January 2021, reduced the range to 4 versions: 1.0 MT, 1.5 MT, 1.5 CVT 2NR-FKE, and 1.5 CVT 1NZ-FXE.

The fourth generation began in 2020 and has no stop date in the data. It is listed as Mini 3-doors with 8 versions: 1.0 MT, 1.5 MT, 1.5 CVT, two 1.5 Hybrid specifications, two GR 1.6 MT specifications, and GR 1.6 AT. Its range extends from 72 hp and FWD to 280 hp and AWD.

Toyota Yaris engine specs

The table retains every exact version name. Repeated names are distinguished by generation and power.

Performance and fuel economy

For maximum acceleration, the fourth-generation GR 1.6 AT is the clear choice: 280 hp, 397 Nm, 0–100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, and a 230 km/h top speed. The 280 hp GR 1.6 MT takes 5.5 seconds and reaches the same top speed; consumption for both is not measured. The 261 hp GR 1.6 MT also takes 5.5 seconds and reaches 230 km/h, while its combined consumption is 8.2 L/100 km.

Among non-GR fourth-generation choices, the 1.5 MT reaches 100 km/h in 9.0 seconds and 180 km/h, using 5.6 L/100 km combined. The 1.5 CVT takes 10.2 seconds, also reaches 180 km/h, and records 6.4 L/100 km urban, 4.1 L/100 km highway, and 4.7 L/100 km combined. The 116 hp 1.5 Hybrid takes 9.7 seconds, reaches 175 km/h, and uses 3.7 L/100 km combined; separate urban and highway figures are not measured. The 130 hp 1.5 Hybrid takes 9.2 seconds and reaches 175 km/h, but its 5.1 L/100 km combined figure is 1.4 L/100 km higher. The 1.0 MT is slowest at 14.6 seconds and 160 km/h, with 5.9 L/100 km combined.

The lowest listed combined consumption belongs to third-generation Hybrid 1.5 CVT versions at 3.5 L/100 km. Their urban and highway figures are 3.5 and 3.1 L/100 km, respectively. The later 1.5 CVT 1NZ-FXE records 3.7 L/100 km combined, 3.5 urban, and 3.4 highway, together with 12.0-second acceleration and a 165 km/h maximum.

For an older performance-focused car, the first-generation-restyling 1.5 MT with 150 hp is the standout at 7.9 seconds and 205 km/h. Consumption is not measured. The naturally aspirated 106 hp 1.5 MT takes 9.0 seconds and reaches 190 km/h, making the turbo version 1.1 seconds quicker and 15 km/h faster.

Toyota Yaris dimensions, weight, tank, and wheels

The fourth-generation 1.5 CVT weighs 990 kg kerb and 1,295 kg gross, with 145 mm clearance; tank capacity is not measured. The 116 hp 1.5 Hybrid weighs 1,060 kg kerb and 1,335 kg gross with the same clearance. The 1.5 MT weighs 1,040 kg kerb and 1,555 kg gross, has 145 mm clearance, and a 42 L tank. The 1.0 MT weighs 960 kg kerb and 1,470 kg gross, with 140 mm clearance and a 42 L tank.

The fourth-generation GR 1.6 MT versions weigh 1,280 kg kerb and 1,645 kg gross. The GR 1.6 AT weighs 1,300 kg kerb and 1,665 kg gross. All three have 145 mm clearance, while tank capacity is not measured. Every fourth-generation version lists 175/70 R14, 175/65 R15, and 195/50 R16 wheel sizes.

Earlier first-generation and restyled cars use a 45 L tank, while the listed second- and third-generation versions use 42 L. Ground clearance ranges from 120 mm in many first- and second-generation specifications to 155 mm for one third-generation-restyling 1.0 MT. The latter lists 175/65 R14 and 185/60 R15 wheels. Wheel sizes for the other earlier versions are not measured.

Which Toyota Yaris version should you buy?

Choose the fourth-generation 1.5 Hybrid with 116 hp when combined fuel consumption is the priority without accepting the slowest acceleration. It uses 3.7 L/100 km and takes 9.7 seconds to reach 100 km/h. Compared with the fourth-generation 1.5 MT, it saves 1.9 L/100 km but is 0.7 seconds slower. Its 1060 kg kerb weight gives 9.1 kg per horsepower.

Choose the fourth-generation 1.5 MT when you want the strongest balance of non-GR speed and a conventional Manual gearbox. Its 125 hp from 1,490 cc equals about 83.9 hp per litre. At 1,040 kg, it carries 8.3 kg per horsepower and accelerates 1.2 seconds quicker than the 1.5 CVT. The 1.5 CVT suits buyers who prefer a Variable gearbox, although it uses 0.9 L/100 km more combined and weighs 50 kg less.

Choose the 280 hp GR 1.6 MT when power density and AWD matter: its 1,618 cc engine produces about 173.1 hp per litre, and its kerb-weight ratio is about 4.6 kg per horsepower. The GR 1.6 AT has the same 280 hp and 397 Nm, weighs 20 kg more, but reaches 100 km/h 0.3 seconds sooner through its Automatic, 8 gearbox. The 261 hp GR 1.6 MT gives up 19 hp and 37 Nm to the 280 hp Manual version while matching its listed 5.5-second acceleration and 230 km/h top speed.

For a third-generation car, choose the Hybrid 1.5 CVT when consumption takes precedence: its 3.5 L/100 km combined figure is 3.6 L/100 km lower than the 7.1 L/100 km recorded by some 1.5 MT versions. Choose the later 1.5 MT with 112 hp if acceleration matters more; at 11.0 seconds, it is 0.2 seconds quicker than the 1.5 CVT 2NR-FKE and 1.0 second quicker than the 1.5 CVT 1NZ-FXE.

For the first-generation restyling, the 150 hp 1.5 MT delivers about 100.2 hp per litre and 7.4 kg per horsepower. The 106 hp 1.5 MT manages about 70.8 hp per litre and 9.6 kg per horsepower. Those calculations make the difference explicit: the turbo 1.5 MT provides 44 hp more from the same listed 1,497 cc displacement, while cutting the 0–100 km/h time by 1.1 seconds.

The supplied data contains no prices, sale listings, maintenance records, problems, or reliability measurements. Those factors cannot be used to rank the versions here. The defensible purchase decision is therefore specification-led: 1.5 Hybrid with 116 hp for the lowest-consumption fourth-generation choice, 1.5 MT for the non-GR performance balance, GR 1.6 AT for maximum acceleration, or the 150 hp first-generation-restyling 1.5 MT for the quickest listed early Yaris.