Toyota Yaris HSD, test drive (Engine, performance and fuel consumption)

This week at Highmotor we took the wheel of the new Toyota Yaris HSD, the Japanese giant’s latest bet on hybrid vehicles. It is the smallest model in the brand to feature a mixed propulsion system, allowing customers to enjoy modern, advanced technology at a relatively low price.

In this first part of the test we will talk about its mechanics, its behaviour and its consumption. This last point is the strongest aspect of this small city car from Japan, where it will have no rival, especially on urban journeys.

Under the bonnet, the Toyota Yaris HSD has two engines, one petrol and one electric. The first, a 1.5-litre four-cylinder, is naturally aspirated and produces 75 CV of power. Second, we find the most technological and eco-friendly part of the city car: the electric motor. It delivers 61 CV to the front wheels thanks to the energy supplied by nickel batteries located under the rear seats.

Together, the Yaris HSD produces a total of 100 CV of power, which is transmitted to an E-CVT gearbox. As a result, combined with a weight of 1,160 kg, it completes the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 11.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 161 km/h.

Next to the handbrake, there are two buttons that modify the behaviour of the vehicle’s mechanics. The first, called ECO Mode, aims to reduce consumption as much as possible. According to the manufacturer, it can reduce it by up to 10%. The second is the EV button. When used, and provided the batteries have sufficient charge, it forces the electric motor to operate. In theory, it can cover two kilometres without needing the help of the petrol engine, but in practice it is hard to exceed 700 metres. You must be very gentle with the accelerator pedal and never exceed 50 km/h. It is the ideal mode for pulling away from traffic lights and for parking manoeuvres.

In the normal position or ECO Mode, the control unit is constantly switching both engines on and off to optimise fuel consumption. The petrol engine starting up while moving is imperceptible unless you look at the instrument cluster or listen very carefully.

The gearbox is very smooth. The old CVTs (continuously variable transmissions) would suddenly rev the engine when the accelerator was floored. This one has improved smoothness, raising the revs gradually without strong jolts.

When we demand maximum power, the electric motor and petrol engine work together to meet our needs. At no point does its acceleration press you into the seat, but it does allow safe overtaking and sustaining relatively high cruising speeds. The acceleration you request from the car is not linked to the revs of the petrol engine, as it can accelerate independently to recharge the batteries.

Driving a hybrid vehicle requires no adaptation whatsoever compared with another car with a single combustion engine and an automatic gearbox. You adjust the seat, steering wheel and mirrors, and all that’s left is to press the brake pedal, hold the Power button for a few seconds and select D with the large gear lever.

The first thing you notice is that the driving position is high. It is not a car designed for speed, and this shows in every detail. The same goes for the steering. It is electric and, although smooth, it does not convey what is happening on the road. It is very filtered.

The suspension is tuned to suit those seeking comfort without the car rolling much through corners. Grip is high for the class of vehicle it is, mainly due to the good weight distribution thanks to the batteries being located under the rear seats.

The tyres, measuring 195/50 R16 on the Advance trim, also contribute to that grip. It is difficult to knock the vehicle off its line. Braking capacity, without having measured the distance it takes to stop, could be better, and hybrids also have a different feel to the brake pedal.

When parking the Toyota Yaris HSD several manoeuvres are required due to its limited steering lock.

On paper, the Toyota Yaris HSD is a car that consumes little both in town and on the open road. It is true that its consumption is low, but to achieve it you must drive carefully, mainly in urban areas, where the electric motor is most prominent and we can push its operation even further.

On the open road, on a round trip with light traffic at an average speed above 120 km/h and driving carefree with ECO mode activated, it recorded 5.7 litres/100 km. Although this car’s ideal habitat is not the motorway but the country road, where it can achieve consumption close to 4.5 litres, or the city.

In town, making full use of the electric motor and trying to regenerate as much energy as possible under braking, it can easily drop below 5 litres/100 km, something rivals such as the SEAT Ibiza 1.6 TDI cannot achieve in any circumstances.

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackToyota Yaris9 versions · from 24,550 €