New 2024 Toyota Yaris gets more powerful hybrid engine

The Toyota Yaris has been updated for 2024, with the best-selling supermini receiving a more powerful hybrid powertrain, as well as some improvements to its interior technology and safety systems. 

The big change is the new Hybrid 130 engine. It’s essentially the same 1.5-litre hybrid petrol set-up that the current, fourth-generation Yaris has used since it launched here in 2020, but power has increased from 114bhp to 129bhp and torque from 141Nm to 185Nm. 

As you’d expect, the Hybrid 130 offers better acceleration, taking 9.2 seconds to do the 0-62mph sprint compared to the existing Hybrid 115’s 9.7 seconds. CO2 emissions take a hit though, climbing up to 116g/km from 99g/km. 

The Yaris’ original Hybrid 115 powertrain will still be available, but the Hybrid 130 set-up will be made standard on top-spec GR Sport and Premium Edition models. 

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Inside, the Yaris will now feature either a seven or 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, and a nine or 10.5-inch central touchscreen, depending on which trim level you go for. The infotainment system itself has also been tweaked for ‘a more intuitive and reactive interface’, according to Toyota, with the new Yaris equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard too.

Safety has improved, with Toyota introducing a new camera and radar system that can scan further and wider than before. Lane keep assist has also been recalibrated for a more ‘neutral’ feeling and there’s a new ‘Overtake Prevention Support’ that stops unintentional undertaking manoeuvres. 

Toyota says the new Yaris line up will be open to order by September, with first customer deliveries expected by early 2024. From launch there will be a new ‘Premiere Edition’ of the Yaris, which will serve as the range-topping trim level. Premiere Edition adds a Neptune Blue two-tone paint finish, 17-inch alloy wheels, blue stitching for the seats, blue accents on the dash and door cards, and comes with the new Hybrid 130 powertrain.

The Premiere Edition also gets a new ‘smart digital key’, which can be linked to Toyota’s MyT smartphone app to enable keyless entry and go.

Now read the full in-depth review of the Toyota Yaris...