Our Cars: 2012 Toyota Yaris
We get our hands on UAE’s most popular runabout
By Shahzad Sheikh
We’re doing a long-term test of this range-topping Yaris from Al-Futtaim Toyota
Week 1: 5-12th January 2012
You may immediately surmise that I might not have been the happiest bunny on getting hold of a little 1.3-litre Yaris to drive around in for a while. Especially after it came an admittedly close second in our exclusive twin-test with the Sonic. But I’ve rather enjoyed bombing about Dubai for the first week of our long-term test with the Yaris so far.
Going back to that twin test, it may have lost out a little in showroom appeal, but both Imthishan and I agree that it was the more fun car to drive.
And this is being borne out through pounding the streets in this little blue terrier-type day-in day-out. It’s not the fastest car off the line, but it’s sprightly and willing. And once it gets its momentum up, it just seems to want to carry on going – odd that, in an 84bhp 1.3, I find myself having to make a conscious effort to stay within the speed limit at 120kph!
Must remember to keep the speed down
The steering is fidgety though, and you have to keep a firm hand on it and not get too lazy or you could find yourself flitting between lanes. It’s got a lively ride too at that speed, but nothing too arduous and more impressively, no squeaks, rattles, shimmies or any of the tells you associate with a cheap runabout.
In fact that’s one of the plus points of the Yaris that whilst the interior trim and style might not be the best out there, or feel particularly upmarket, the whole car itself, however, feels pretty solid and tight. You do start to believe you could run this car around the odometer clock and it would still be going strong – as befits a Toyota of course.
But it translate into nicely damped experience – there’s no clunk from the transmission, no suspension knock, and nothing feels like it will break off.
Love the colour
Of course it helps that our test car, in its fetching blue finish (this colour really wouldn’t look out of place on a Ford Mustang with white stripes), is a top of the range model worth about AED56,000 ($15,200).
And it’s got the works, 15-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, rear spoiler, powered (and body-coloured) door mirrors and that’s just on the outside.
As well as ABS with brake assist, it’s got front airbags, power central locking and electric windows, 60:40 split-folding rear seats and decent cloth upholstery.
Great sound, great connectivity, easy to use. Very impressive
There’s a genuinely terrific 6-speaker sound system with radio CD player and great Bluetooth connectivity, not only for your phone (quick and easy to setup) but also for audio streaming. And you then work it through the remote buttons on the steering wheel. Yep buttons on the wheel. In a Yaris. Imagine that!
Buttons on the steering wheel? In a Yaris? Yes!
So the sound system’s amazing, the A/C’s very good, you can nip through traffic efficiently once you’re up to speed and the handling is sorted too: well turn-in is a little hesitant on tight corners, but as the weight transfers to the back and it tightens its line significantly. In fact, I reckon this chassis could easily do with more power easily – Yaris VTI?
444km out of a tankful of hard city-charging. Filling cost? Just AED62
As well as being a light car, it’s light on the pocket too. I just did my first fill up having gotten over 450km out of a thankful, and it cost me AED62 (less than $17). Handily, UAE Toyota dealer, Al-Futtaim, which has lent me the car, has also stuck a Dubai-wide parking permit on the window, so that saves a further few coins!
Really useful parking permit on the Yaris – thanks Al-Futtaim (UAE Toyota dealers)
So the sound system’s amazing, the A/C’s very good, you can nip through traffic efficiently once you’re up to speed and the handling is sorted too: well turn-in is a little hesitant on tight corners, but as the weight transfers to the back and it tightens its line significantly. In fact, I reckon this chassis could easily do with more power easily – Yaris VTI?
Frankly speaking I’m enjoying Yaris ‘ownership’ a lot more than I thought I would. Check back in week two to find out if I still feel the same in seven days. And follow our near daily updates on our Facebook page.
Part 1 – week 1
Part 2 – week 2
Part 3 – week 3
Part 4 – week 4
Part 5 – week 5-6
Final Part 6 – week 7-8
Have you just bought a new Yaris? Let us know how you are getting on with it
