

James Fossdyke
5 Days Ago
News Editor
The GR Yaris and Yaris Cross get a lot of attention, but the original-flavour hatchback risks getting a little lost in the shuffle.
The Toyota Yaris hatchback is unchanged for 2021 following its redesign late last year.
UPDATE, 27/07/21 –Toyota has confirmed the Ascent Sport manual has been axed and some pricing and specification adjustments have been made. We’ve updated this article and brought it forward.
That means prices still start around $7000 more than the base price of its predecessor.
The range is capped by the ZR Hybrid, priced at $32,200 before on-road costs. That’s pricier than a mid-spec Corolla Hybrid.
The range now opens at $23,740 before on-roads for the Ascent Sport auto, with the manual transmission option no longer available.
“We can confirm starting from May 2021 the manual transmission option has been removed from all grades of the Yaris hatch vehicles, due a low uptake of less than 4% since launch,” said a spokesperson from Toyota Australia.
That’s an even lower take rate than the Corolla, which lost its manual option earlier in 2021. It a manual take rate of less than five per cent.
Prices have increased by $100 or $110, depending on the model, but Toyota has added some more features.
The adaptive cruise control now works at all speeds, while all models feature rear grab handles and emergency steering assist.
Yaris sales through the end of March were down 45.3 per cent compared to the same period last year, with the hatchback range overtaken by the new Yaris Cross in sales (1614 vs. 2040).
The Yaris has forfeited its place as Australia’s best-selling light car as buyers instead flock to the MG 3 which, while considerably cheaper at $16,690 drive-away, doesn’t have anywhere near the level of safety equipment offered by the Toyota. Like the Yaris, it’s auto-only.
All prices exclude on-road costs.
The 2021 Toyota Yaris is powered by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine producing 88kW of power and 145Nm of torque.
It’s offered only with a continuously-variable transmission.
Optional on the SX and ZR is a hybrid powertrain, which combines a 1.5-litre 67kW/120Nm petrol three-cylinder engine and a 59kW/141Nm electric motor for a maximum combined power output of 85kW.
Toyota doesn’t quote a combined torque output for the hybrid.
The 2021 Toyota Yaris uses 4.9L/100km on the combined cycle and 3.3L/100km in hybrid guise.
Hybrid models have a 36L fuel tank and petrol models have a 40L tank, while all models run on 91RON regular unleaded fuel.
The 2021 Toyota Yaris measures 3940mm long, 1695mm wide and 1505mm tall, on a 2550mm wheelbase.
Boot space is 270L, and the rear seats fold 60/40. Under the boot floor is a space-saver spare.
The base Ascent Sport weighs between 1000kg and 1050kg (kerb), while the heaviest hybrid models tip the scales at 1130kg.
The 2021 Toyota Yaris is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. The first four services are capped at $195 each.
The Toyota Yaris has a five-star rating from ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2020.
It received an adult occupant protection score of 86 per cent, a child occupant protection score of 87 per cent, a vulnerable road user protection score of 78 per cent, and a safety assist score of 87 per cent.
All 2021 Toyota Yaris models come standard with the following safety equipment:
ZR models add blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
The Ascent Sport comes standard with the following equipment:
The Yaris SX adds:
The Yaris ZR adds:
MORE: Everything Toyota Yaris
Take advantage of Australia's BIGGEST new car website to find a great deal on a Toyota Yaris.
William Stopford is an automotive journalist based in Brisbane, Australia. William is a Business/Journalism graduate from the Queensland University of Technology who loves to travel, briefly lived in the US, and has a particular interest in the American car industry.
James Fossdyke
5 Days Ago
Gautam Sharma
4 Days Ago
Josh Nevett
3 Days Ago
William Stopford
2 Days Ago
James Wong
16 Hours Ago
William Stopford
14 Hours Ago