New Yaris exceeds expectations

Sheldon Williams, Staff Reporter

Let's face it - the Toyota Yaris has been all that fun for most of us, so I was not expecting much when I travelled to Toyota Jamaica's Spanish Town Road head office to test-drive the 2014 model. But in the end, I was so impressed that I immediately began checking on my finances - and I might just have conveniently forgotten the key to the test model was in my pocket.

At first glance, there are some exterior changes which give the Yaris a better look and more defined presence. The front is no longer pointy, but has distinctly flatter finish. The centre line grille below the licence plate appears broader and more robust.

The vehicle is aerodynamically built, evidenced by diffusers that are now built into the back lights and rear-view mirrors. The roof has also been redesigned to enhance the vehicle's aerodynamics.

As Mark Kettle, sales consultant and my co-pilot for the test drive, put it, "You won't have to fight the wind when you are driving on highways when the breeze is heavy. The feature allows the vehicle to push the wind away."

Another high point of the Yaris' revamped shape is that, with little or nearly no effort, it allows you visibility in what would normally be considered your blind spot. On entering the cabin, I was relieved to notice that the speedometer and instrument panel are now directly in front of the steering wheel. This is a much welcomed design change.

The steering wheel also felt lighter and made manoeuvring the Yaris effortless as I drove along Spanish Town Road, destined for a tougher testing ground. Bulges at two points of the steering wheel's inner section added to driving comfort. Navigating turns was as easy as ABC, steering and vehicle responding well.

The 2014 Yaris' seats are comfortable, and it was reassuring to learn that they have been designed to reduce the likelihood of whiplash during a crash. This is evidenced by the broader headrests. Tall persons (like me) who may have been misinformed about the Yaris' interior space need not worry. I fitted my six-foot frame inside without hassle, with a lot of room to spare.

New for 2014 is that the Yaris' seats can be elevated.

The Yaris is designed for optimal fuel consumption. Every time I came to a standstill an Eco Drive Indicator light appeared in the instrument panel, showing that the Yaris will help in fuel conservation. Call me corny, but that reminded me of the kind of car blonde actor David Hasselhoff had with his car during the American TV sitcom Knight Rider.

It's like the car has your best interest at heart.

The Yaris handled the hardest test of the day well, as I took it up the steep slopes of Forest Hill. I must admit it impressed. The vehicle ascended and descended without any glitches and, not being a four-wheel drive model, deserves a thumbs up for this.

The 2014 Yaris is available a Toyota Jamaica for $2,925,000.