New-look Toyota Yaris on sale now from $15,690

Toyota has announced the pricing and specifications of the new-look Toyota Yaris hatch. Featuring a bolder styling and higher equipment levels, the Yaris hatch is now exclusively a five-door range, with Toyota dropping the slow selling three-door from the new lineup.

Read ForceGT’s 2014 Toyota Yaris Review

The Corolla’s baby brother now shares its larger sibling’s front fascia and a more dynamic exterior design for a “family look”. Toyota has also revised the grade names to bring it in line with the Corolla.

The range kicks off with the 1.3-litre VVT-i four-cylinder petrol Ascent, now fitted with 15-inch steel wheels instead of 14-inch. It now features telescopic steering-column, emergency brake light, a 6.1-inch display audio screen that provides touch, drag and flick operations similar to smartphones. Toyota said the additional equipment fitted to the Ascent is valued at well over $2,000, but the company has kept the price unchanged at $15,690, plus on-roads.

The mid-level SX and range-topping ZR are both powered by a 1.5-litre VVT-i four-cylinder petrol engine. Priced at $17,790 ($400 more than its predecessor), the SX adds a reverse camera, fog lights, rear and side privacy glass and new wheel covers.

The range-topping ZR is now $1,300 more than the outgoing model at $22,690. However, it gets new auto-levelling LED headlamps, LED tail lamps, rear spoiler and diffuser, side skirts, satellite navigation, auto climate-control, and Toyota Link connected mobility. Toyota said the extra equipment are worth at least $2,000.

Ascent and SX buyers have a choice of five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission, while the ZR is auto only.

All variants incorporate a complete safety package: seven airbags (including driver’s knee), vehicle stability and traction control, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist.

The refreshed Yaris sits on an updated version of the outgoing model’s platform. It benefits from a stiffer body shell, retuned suspension components and better NVH.

The increased rigidity is achieved through additional spot welds, while the new suspension calibration is tuned for better ride comfort while maintaining a balanced body control.

Toyota Australia executive director sales and marketing Tony Cramb said the Japanese-built and European-styled Yaris hatch is pitched at customers wanting a flexible, spacious interior with the convenience of a compact exterior.

“The latest update to Yaris hatch will broaden its appeal, making it even more compelling as a stylish, affordable and economical car that promises to deliver a lot of fun to its owners,” Mr Cramb said.

“Standard reversing camera, cruise control and seven airbags emphasise the car’s inherent safety. Clever features such as innovative storage spaces, a large touch-screen audio display and available connected mobility make the new-look Yaris an even smarter choice for customers.”

The Yaris hatch palette of nine exterior colours includes a new Vivid Yellow that will further brighten the line-up. There are also two new blue hues – a cool Aura and a darker Tidal Blue.