Toyota Yaris review

The fourth-generation Yaris is the most grown-up version yet (in the sense of it being mature and sophisticated, rather than the old sense where it was driven mostly by old people and driving instructors). It has a modern design, easy-to-use climate control buttons (real ones) and an optional 10-inch HUD which keeps your eyes on the road.

Is it roomy? 

There’s a reasonable amount of space up front: the Yaris is comfortable enough for long journeys as long as you make careful use of the cruise control to avoid too much revving.

In the back, the usual supermini rule applies – two’s company, three’s a crowd. It’s definitely fine for kids, but the lack of rear headroom is a slight issue for adults and would make things claustrophobic on a longer journey for anyone who’s much over average height.

What about practicality? 

There is some storage around the cabin of the Yaris, but there’s not a lot and it’s far from the innovation of the first generation of the car. Though we’d probably still take the better quality and fancier tech of this latest one to be fair. If you want an interior that’s really been thought through nicely, have a look at the Skoda Fabia...

The 286-litre boot is slightly down on most rivals, but compares reasonably well with that of a hybrid Clio. To be honest, it’s a little car with a boot that can cope with daily duties, and if you don't ask more of it than that you'll be golden.

What’s not so good?

The plastics on the centre console and lower dash are a bit cheap, plus the digital dials aren’t the easiest to look at. It can be difficult to get the right combination of information on display, too. The entry Icon models get analogue speedos, while the next trim up (Design) makes do with a 7.0in display before the car alights on its final boss 12.3in digital dashboard in the two upper trims.