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Toyota Yaris 2021 review

Hatchback Hybrid

Toyota Yaris 2021 — front three-quarter view

Overview

The fourth-generation Toyota Yaris arrived in the UK in 2020, and the 2021 cars were the ones that turned Toyota's supermini from worthy-but-dull into a genuine class contender. The big news was under the bonnet: in Britain the Yaris went hybrid-only (bar the limited-run GR Yaris hot hatch), with a 1.5-litre Atkinson-cycle three-cylinder petrol engine paired to a 59kW electric motor and a tiny 0.76kWh lithium-ion battery for a system total of 116bhp. Prices started at £19,910, with the range running through Icon, Design, Dynamic, Excel and Launch Edition trims.

Performance is brisk rather than rapid: 0-62mph in 9.7 seconds and a 109mph top speed, but the headline is economy — 68.9mpg on the WLTP combined cycle and just 92g/km of CO2. The e-CVT gearbox is the usual Toyota setup, yet sharper steering and a stiff new TNGA-B platform made this Yaris far more enjoyable to drive than its predecessor, and reviewers consistently ranked it among the best-handling superminis on sale.

Inside, the Yaris feels a class up on the old car. An 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was standard across the range, and Toyota Safety Sense 3 — adaptive cruise control, lane-trace assist and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection — came on every trim. The 286-litre boot is on the small side for the class and the rear seat is snug for taller adults, but build quality and material feel improved markedly, and Euro NCAP awarded five stars in 2020.

As a used buy the 2021 Yaris has a lot going for it: Toyota's service-activated warranty runs up to 10 years or 100,000 miles, the hybrid system is proven and cheap to run, and owners report low-50s mpg in real-world mixed driving. ULEZ-compliant, cheap to insure (groups 13-14) and holding its value well, it is one of the safest used supermini buys in Britain — a genuine used hero.

UK price from: £19,910

Related buying guides:
Best hybrid cars UK

Specifications

Engine	1.5L Atkinson 3-cyl petrol + hybrid
Power	116 bhp (system)
Torque	120 Nm (petrol engine)
0-62 mph	9.7 seconds
Top speed	109 mph
Transmission	e-CVT automatic
Drive	Front-wheel drive
Fuel economy	68.9 mpg (WLTP combined)
CO2 emissions	92 g/km
Boot space	286 litres
Kerb weight	1,090 kg
Warranty	3 yrs/60,000 mi (to 10 yrs/100,000 mi with servicing)

Features

1.5-litre Atkinson-cycle hybrid drivetrain (116bhp system output)
Toyota Safety Sense 3: adaptive cruise, lane-trace assist, pre-collision system — standard on all trims
e-CVT automatic gearbox with front-wheel drive
8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors
Head-up display (Excel trim and above)
Heated front seats and heated steering wheel (Excel and Launch Edition)

Common parts & prices

Part	Price (GBP)	Notes
Front brake pads (set)	£34.99	Pattern part; OEM specification
Oil filter	£9.99	0W-16 hybrid specification
Cabin pollen filter	£14.99
Front wiper blades (pair)	£19.99
12V auxiliary battery	£74.99
Hybrid battery intake air filter	£21.99	Genuine Toyota part

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

Pros

Outstanding fuel economy: 68.9mpg WLTP, low-50s in real use
Five-star Euro NCAP rating with the full safety suite standard
Toyota Relax warranty: up to 10 years/100,000 miles with annual servicing
Sharp handling for a hybrid — genuinely fun to drive

Cons

286-litre boot trails the Fiesta and Polo for luggage space
The e-CVT gearbox drones when worked hard
Tight rear legroom for taller passengers
RRP was higher than many rivals at launch

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Toyota Yaris hybrid-only in the UK?

Yes. Apart from the limited-run GR Yaris hot hatch, every Yaris sold new in Britain in 2021 used the 1.5-litre full-hybrid drivetrain. Toyota never offered a non-hybrid Yaris of this generation in the UK.

What mpg does the 2021 Yaris hybrid really do?

Officially 68.9mpg on the WLTP cycle. In real-world mixed driving, owners and reviewers typically report low-to-mid 50s — still among the best figures of any supermini.

How long is the hybrid battery warranty?

Toyota's Relax warranty covers the car — including the hybrid battery — for up to 10 years or 100,000 miles, provided it is serviced annually at a Toyota centre. Without that, the standard cover is 3 years or 60,000 miles.

Does the 2021 Yaris have Apple CarPlay?

Yes. An 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was fitted as standard across the 2021 UK range.

Is a used 2021 Yaris a good buy?

One of the safest used supermini buys in the UK: proven hybrid tech, cheap running costs, ULEZ-compliant, strong residual values and Toyota's reliability record. Just check the boot is big enough for your needs.