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Toyota Yaris 2016 review

Hatchback Hybrid

Toyota Yaris 2016 — front three-quarter view

Overview

The third-generation Yaris was the supermini that made hybrid power normal in Britain, and the 2016 car is the sweet spot: the Icon TSS trim added Toyota Safety Sense, the pack of pre-collision, lane-departure and auto-high-beam tech that defines the 2016 model year. The 1.5 Hybrid Icon TSS five-door cost £17,415 when new, sitting in the middle of a hybrid range that ran from £15,295 to £17,795.

Its 1,497cc 1NZ-FXE petrol engine works with an electric motor for a system output of 100 PS, with 111 Nm from the petrol engine, and it reaches 62 mph in 11.8 seconds. Official economy was 85.6 mpg combined on the old NEDC test, with 75 g/km of CO2 on 15-inch wheels, which meant Band A VED of £0 a year for cars registered before 1 April 2017, plus congestion-charge exemption in London at the time. The e-CVT automatic is the only gearbox on the hybrid, and drive goes to the front wheels.

Practicality is strong for the class. The boot holds 286 litres with the seats up and 768 litres with them folded, the hybrid is five-door only, and Icon TSS brings a reversing camera, Toyota Touch 2 with DAB and Bluetooth, 15-inch alloys and privacy glass. The car carries a five-star Euro NCAP rating from the 2017 test, and Toyota gave it a five-year, 100,000-mile warranty when new, with the hybrid battery covered for eight years or 100,000 miles.

As a used buy, the headline check is the small 12V auxiliary battery, not the hybrid traction battery. The 12V battery can go flat in seven to fourteen days if the car sits unused, so ask how the car was used and leave it in Ready mode for an hour a week if it stands. The traction battery is durable in practice, with meaningful degradation typically only after 150,000 to 200,000 km. Check recall R/2016/083 for rear seat-belt anchor plates, and note the 2017 facelift brought a new 1.5-litre petrol and Icon Tech trim, so a 2016 car is always the pre-facelift shape.

UK price from: £17,415

Specifications

Engine	1,497cc 1NZ-FXE hybrid petrol, 4-cylinder
Power	100 PS (99 bhp) system output
Torque	111 Nm (petrol engine)
0-62 mph	11.8 seconds
Top speed	103 mph
Fuel economy (NEDC combined)	85.6 mpg
CO2 emissions	75 g/km
VED band	Band A (£0 for cars registered before 1 April 2017)
Gearbox	e-CVT automatic
Boot space	286 litres (768 litres seats folded)
Kerb weight	1,150 kg
Fuel tank	36 litres
Insurance group	8
Euro NCAP	5 stars (2017 test)

Features

286-litre boot, 768 litres with rear seats folded
1.5 Hybrid with 85.6 mpg combined and 75 g/km CO2 (NEDC, 15-inch wheels)
Toyota Safety Sense as standard on Icon TSS
£0 VED (Band A) for cars registered before 1 April 2017
Five-year / 100,000-mile Toyota warranty when new
Reversing camera and Toyota Touch 2 with DAB
Five-star Euro NCAP safety rating (2017 test)

Common parts & prices

Part	Price (GBP)	Notes
Front brake pads (axle set)	£30	Typical UK pattern-part retail estimate, parts only excl. fitting, not catalogue-verified
Front brake discs (pair)	£70	Typical UK pattern-part retail estimate, parts only excl. fitting, not catalogue-verified
12V auxiliary battery	£95	Typical UK pattern-part retail estimate, parts only excl. fitting, not catalogue-verified
Wiper blades (front pair)	£18	Typical UK pattern-part retail estimate, parts only excl. fitting, not catalogue-verified
Oil filter	£8	Typical UK pattern-part retail estimate, parts only excl. fitting, not catalogue-verified
Hybrid inverter coolant pump	£180	Typical UK pattern-part retail estimate, parts only excl. fitting, not catalogue-verified

Prices are typical UK aftermarket/OEM guide prices and may vary by supplier.

Pros

Outstanding real-world economy for a petrol supermini
Free road tax on pre-April 2017 cars
Toyota reliability record and a long warranty
Easy, quiet town driving with the hybrid system
Roomy cabin for a small car with a 286-litre boot

Cons

Slow, with 11.8 seconds to 62 mph and a 103 mph top speed
The e-CVT drones under hard acceleration
Small 36-litre tank and modest motorway pace
The 12V battery can go flat if the car sits unused

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Toyota Yaris Hybrid reliable?

Yes, it is one of the most reliable superminis of its age, with WhatCar calling the generation very reliable. The main complaint is the small 12V auxiliary battery, not the hybrid system itself.

What is the 12V battery problem on the Yaris Hybrid?

The car draws current when locked and can flatten the small 12V battery in seven to fourteen days parked. Toyota advice is to leave the car in Ready mode for an hour a week if it is unused, and to favour cars that were driven regularly.

How long does the Yaris hybrid battery last?

The traction battery was covered for eight years or 100,000 miles when new, and meaningful degradation typically only appears after 150,000 to 200,000 km. A pre-purchase state-of-health check is sensible above around 80,000 miles.

Which recall affects the 2016 Yaris?

Recall R/2016/083 covers rear seat-belt anchor plates that could have a sharp edge and damage the belt. Check any car by VIN on the GOV.UK recall checker before buying.

Is the 2016 Yaris ULEZ compliant?

Yes. The Euro 6 hybrid is compliant with London ULEZ and clean air zones, and pre-April 2017 cars also paid £0 VED. Verify the individual car on the TfL checker by registration, as always.