When Toyota launched the original Yaris in 1999 it quickly realised it had a hit on its hands. Winning the prestigious European Car of the Year award, it was light years ahead of the Starlet that it replaced and redefined standards in the supermini sector. Some seven years on and with a new Toyota Yaris just launched, canny used car buyers now have the opportunity to pick up one of the best second-hand superminis at an attractive price.

Initially available with just one engine option, a 1 litre 16-valve unit producing 67bhp, Toyota quickly added a 1.3 litre 85bhp unit to the range in October 1999, followed by a 1.4 litre 74bhp diesel engine in February 2002. All the engines are super-economical; expect 50mpg plus from the petrols and 60mpg plus from the diesel.

While the extra power of the 1.3 litre may seem appealing, in reality it feels barely brisker than the 1 litre and you will save yourself a few hundred pounds going for the smaller unit. The diesel sacrifices a little in terms of refinement for the greater fuel economy and particularly when warming up can be a little noisy.

On the road the Yaris offers excellent steering and good brakes, with only the 1 litre base model lacking power steering prior to its March 2003 facelift. Front seats are roomy, if lacking a little in lateral support, and the funky, centrally sited instrument panel gives the car a distinctly modern feel. At motorway speeds the petrol engines can become a little buzzy and the Yaris’s high roofline makes it prone to wind noise, but nothing more than you would expect in a car of this size.

Rear legroom is reasonable. Okay, it’s not quite a limo but it’s certainly comfortable enough for most journeys. Access to the rear is pretty good even on three-door models — one reason why they tended to be the biggest sellers — and to many eyes the car looks more balanced with an absence of rear doors.

Equipment levels aren’t bad with driver’s airbag, split-fold rear seats and a transponder immobiliser as standard across the range. Post-March 2001 cars get ABS as standard with the additional benefit of electric brake force distribution. Top specification Spirit models are the most sought after used buys, commanding an £800 premium over the T3 model thanks to air-conditioning, alloy wheels and a leather-bound steering wheel.

In 2003 Toyota started to offer the 1.3 petrol with multi-mode manual transmission. Strictly speaking it’s not a fully automatic gearbox but for most drivers it does the same job with the added option of sequential gearchanging using an automatic clutch.

Loyalty among Toyota Yaris drivers is high, so the majority of late, low mileage cars tend to find their way back to Toyota main dealers in part exchange. It’s worth checking the Toyota website (www.toyota.co.uk) to find examples of these, although you can buy with confidence from non-franchised dealers provided the car has a good service history.

The Toyota Yaris is the perfect example of how far modern cars have come. Thanks to clever packaging, excellent fuel economy and great reliability the ownership experience should be as near to trouble-free as you can get.


Brakes ABS with electric brake force distribution became standard after March 2001

Facelift New teardrop headlights, metallic radiator grille and body-coloured mouldings all part of the March 2003 facelift

Suspension Firm ride repays with sharp handling although tyre noise can become intrusive on some road surfaces

Front seats Swivel front seats available for people with disabilities from August 2003

Dashboard Lots of cubbyholes and small storage areas add to practicality although hard plastics can feel a little low-rent

Warranty New cars were covered by a three-year/60,000-mile warranty; servicing is due every 12 months or 10,000 miles Upholstery Standard cloth is hard wearing but look carefully for burns and stains, which can be expensive to repair or remove

Rear seat Sliding rear seat liberates extra boot space if needed and all models also have split-fold facility

Wheels Kerbed alloys and scuffed wheel trims are likely if the car has been subjected to lots of driving in town

VITAL STATISTICS

Model Toyota Yaris 1.0 VVT-i T Spirit
Engine 998cc, four cylinders
Power 67bhp
Transmission Five-speed manual
Fuel 50.4mpg (combined)
Acceleration 0-60mph: 14.1sec
Top speed 96mph

THE ONE TO BUY

Toyota Yaris 1.0 VVT-i T Spirit three-door 2003 03 with 30,000 miles. Pay £5,625 at a franchised dealer or £5,000 privately

OR, FOR THE SAME MONEY...

2003 52 Peugeot 206 1.4 LX
2003 03 Renault Clio 1.4i
2003 53 Nissan Micra 1.2 SE
2004 53 Citroën C2 1.1i SX
2004 04 Seat Ibiza 1.2i

VALUES