The fourth generation of the Toyota Yaris was unveiled simultaneously in Japan and Europe, signifying once more that its based on Toyota’s latest New Global Architecture (TNGA), developed with the demands of city dwellers around the world in mind.
Its predecessors were called Vitz on the Japanese market, but a downturn in sales prompted Toyota to rename it Yaris everywhere, including on its home market.

Using the GA-B platform for the first time has allowed the new Yaris to shrink in exterior size while offering more interior space. Unlike other rivals, Toyota has reduced the model’s length by 5 mm, while the wheelbase has been increased by 50 mm for more passenger space and better agility during city driving and parking. The much sportier design also benefits from a 40 mm reduction in the car’s height, with wider front and rear track widths complementing the tauter overall design. The fourth-generation Yaris is also 50 mm wider, generating more interior space for both front and rear passengers, who also sit lower in the cabin than before. Toyota’s fourth-generation hybrid technology also makes its debut in the Yaris 1.5 Hybrid, which uses a 1.5-liter three-cylinder Atkinson engine and a small electric motor. The nickel-metal hydride battery of its predecessor has been replaced by a lithium-ion one, which is 27 percent lighter.

In 2017, the Toyota Yaris hatchback received a refresh, coming with updated looks and more features.
The biggest visual change can be seen at the front, where the car got a large trapezoidal grille, a new bumper, slightly retouched headlights and hood. The interior has also been freshened with modern gloss black ornamentation. New Yaris hatches are well equipped, featuring cruise control, a display audio system with controls on the steering wheel spokes, a multi-information display, air-conditioning, electric power steering, power windows and mirrors and a 12-volt accessory socket.

Toyota did a midlife refresh to its third generation Yaris hatchback in 2014 adding more style and new features for another 2-year run.
On the outside, the most striking change is the front bumper which adopted a huge trapezoidal mouth, new headlamps with LED daytime running lights as well as a reshaped hood. The interior comes with a sportier dashboard, some slightly better materials and more premium seats. For the underpinnings, the new Yaris adopted a more rigid frame as well as a bit more sound proofing material. Engines remained the same and the hybrid powertrain still isn’t offered on the US market.

The third generation of the Toyota Yaris was introduced in 2011 and it came to reinforce the Japanese car-maker presence in the European B-Segment.
The big competition for the small segment was high in Europe. The European traditional car-makers such as the French, Italians and German companies were hard to beat on their home ground. The 2011 Yaris delivered an ingenious combination of benefits, with hi-tech on-board equipment and decent engine offers.

When compared to its predecessor, the 2011 Yaris grew with 100 mm (3.9”) and half of the increase was in the wheelbase. The bold frontal look identified the Yaris as the first vehicle to feature the new face of the Toyota family. The key frontal styling was the change in the proportions of the upper and lower grilles. The taillights were placed into an angled position, at the mid-section of the tailgate. The trunk was larger than on its predecessor by 25%. The three seats in the back are OK for adult passengers and the access was easy through the large rear doors.

Inside the vehicle, there were more than enough amenities for the B-segment car. A climate control, on-board computer, and a sound system. The latter could have been upgraded to a genuine infotainment unit that featured the Toyota Touch multimedia base unit. Using a compatible smartphone, via Bluetooth, the system offered on-board connectivity to Google Local Search function, Google Maps, Facebook and SMS text services. In the rear, there was room for three passengers with a limited legroom for the one in the middle.

For the engine compartment, there were options for gasoline and diesel units. In the U.S. a 1.5-liter unit was available. A 5-speed manual was standard, while an automatic with up to 7 speed was available depending on the engine.

Already praised for its low fuel consumption and great abilities around town, Toyota introduced the facelifted Yaris in 2008.
Besides the 3-door hatchback and the 4-door sedan, Toyota offered the refreshed 5-door liftback Yaris.

The 5-door Yaris came with a practical rear hatch, as well as versatile seat arrangement.

Regardless of the body style, the updates were especially focused on fuel economy and CO2 emissions, which had to fit into the Euro5 emission standards that were mandatory from January 2009.

Aesthetically, the main styling modifications concerned the refreshed headlights and taillights. The Yaris was now available with a choice of 12 exterior colors, with the new ash grey option.

Inside, besides mild retouches, the digital readings were replaced by analog dials with the redesigned instrument panel. It also improved the infotainment system. A new upholstery design “Ash Brown” was available, the fabric giving the Yaris a refreshing look.

New warm silver trim or titanium silver coating was added around the central stack, steering wheel, and gearshift.

The biggest advance available with the 2008 Toyota Yaris was the introduction of the new 1.33-liter DUAL VVT-i gasoline engine that featured a “Stop & Start” technology. The new unit produced 101 hp and 132 Nm@4,000 rpm, offering fuel consumption of around 5.1-liters/100 km (46.12 MPG-US) with both the manual and the MMT (automated) transmission.

The 1.0-liter VVT-i petrol, the 1.4-liter D-4D diesel, and the 1.8-liter dual VVT-i units were also reworked for better performance and lower fuel consumption.

Similar to the first generation of Yaris, the second generation was also available in three and five door hatchbacks, being available on multiple markets in the world.
And speaking of markets, the Japanese were the first ones who got the new Yaris, Toyota introducing it in the first months of 2005. The Europeans, the Canadians and the Australians received the new model at the end of the year while the Americans got it in 2007. Marketed as Yaris in the US for the first time in its history, the new model was presented by Toyota at the 2006 edition of the Los Angeles Auto Show held in January.

In 1999, Toyota introduced the Yaris/Vitz on the market as its leading contender in the small segment and offered it in three main versions: hatchback with three or five doors and a four-door sedan.
After Corolla grew in size and entered into the compact-segment, Toyota needed a smaller vehicle to fill the space left empty by its top-selling vehicle, and the Yaris was the answer. The Japanese carmaker used the Yaris for most of its markets, including the European continent. In 2003, the Yaris received a well-deserved facelift before being completely changed in 2006.

The design team tried to make the Yaris look like a happy vehicle, and the result was just right what they intended. Its front fascia revealed a pair of teardrop headlights that intruded into the front bumpers. In five-door shape, the little vehicle offered better access to the rear seats, especially for children.

Inside, the car’s bubble shape allowed a bigger interior room thanks to its high-mounted seats. A unique element for the Yaris 5-doors was the LED display installed inside the instrument cluster, which was placed on top of the dashboard and tilted toward the driver’s seat. Thus, it was difficult for anyone else to read the car’s speed while the driver had a better view of the road.

Under the hood, Toyota installed a choice of four engines, with the 1.4-liter turbo-diesel unit being the most fuel-efficient. Depending on the market and engine version, Toyota offered the Yaris with an automated 5-speed gearbox.

Officially introduced in Europe in 1999, the Toyota Yaris used multiple names depending on the market area, including Toyota Vitz and Toyota Echo.
But more important is that the Yaris was named the European Car of the Year in 2000, being followed by Fiat Multipla and Opel Zafira. The Yaris sold pretty well on the North American market where they were promoted as Toyota Echo Hatchback and came with almost the same technical specifications as the European flavor of the car. However, Toyota installed larger bumpers in order to comply with the safety regulations of the Canadian authorities.