No more dash centered speedo
Another major interior change for 2012 is the instrument pod. It’s now in front of the driver, with large tach and speedometer sharing the space equally, while fuel and temp gauges take a lesser roll. The centre stack is now the home of the stereo and HVAC controls.
Stereo controls are a bit on the small side if you have gloves on, but the HVAC controls make up for it. The logic is that you probably are more interested in getting warmth into the car first and will play with the stereo after the car warms up on those cold winter days.
Improved ride
Some of the changes you can’t see are an increase in the use of high-strength steel as well as the way it is used. This results in a stronger overall chassis and is a good starting point for upgrading suspension components. Items such as suspension geometry as well recalibrated shocks all help improve ride comfort. The end product is a car that drives better and handles rough roads better.
Nimble is a good word to describe the new Yaris Hatchback. Its turning circle is 9.4 meters, which is noticeably better than most other cars of its size. If you are not careful, you might turn in at a corner quick enough to wind up driving down a sidewalk (ok, not really, it just feels that way). Out on the highway, lane changes are precise and the standard four-wheel disc brakes on the LE and SE make sure you get down to exit speeds easily.
In SE trim, which is sport-tuned with a quicker ratio in the electronic power steering, there can be a sense of nervousness in the way the car feels. After discussions with several people, I chalked this up to having spent several hours in the LE version first, and had a tendency to overcorrect until I got used to the new steering feel.
Proven powertrain
All 106 horsepower and 103 lb.-ft of torque come from Toyota’s proven 1.5-litre four. Standard is a five-speed manual, and for about $1,000, you can get a new four-speed automatic. The automatic makes the Yaris nearly ideal as an all-round car; it will do great in town, get good fuel economy, hold the family and everything you need for long trips while feeling comfortable doing it all.
Another major interior change for 2012 is the instrument pod. It’s now in front of the driver, with large tach and speedometer sharing the space equally, while fuel and temp gauges take a lesser roll. The centre stack is now the home of the stereo and HVAC controls.
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| Another major interior change for 2012 is the instrument pod. It’s now in front of the driver. (Photo: Charles Renny/Auto123.com) |
Stereo controls are a bit on the small side if you have gloves on, but the HVAC controls make up for it. The logic is that you probably are more interested in getting warmth into the car first and will play with the stereo after the car warms up on those cold winter days.
Improved ride
Some of the changes you can’t see are an increase in the use of high-strength steel as well as the way it is used. This results in a stronger overall chassis and is a good starting point for upgrading suspension components. Items such as suspension geometry as well recalibrated shocks all help improve ride comfort. The end product is a car that drives better and handles rough roads better.
Nimble is a good word to describe the new Yaris Hatchback. Its turning circle is 9.4 meters, which is noticeably better than most other cars of its size. If you are not careful, you might turn in at a corner quick enough to wind up driving down a sidewalk (ok, not really, it just feels that way). Out on the highway, lane changes are precise and the standard four-wheel disc brakes on the LE and SE make sure you get down to exit speeds easily.
In SE trim, which is sport-tuned with a quicker ratio in the electronic power steering, there can be a sense of nervousness in the way the car feels. After discussions with several people, I chalked this up to having spent several hours in the LE version first, and had a tendency to overcorrect until I got used to the new steering feel.
Proven powertrain
All 106 horsepower and 103 lb.-ft of torque come from Toyota’s proven 1.5-litre four. Standard is a five-speed manual, and for about $1,000, you can get a new four-speed automatic. The automatic makes the Yaris nearly ideal as an all-round car; it will do great in town, get good fuel economy, hold the family and everything you need for long trips while feeling comfortable doing it all.
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| All 106 horsepower and 103 lb.-ft of torque come from Toyota’s proven 1.5-litre four. (Photo: Toyota) |