Toyota Yaris Hybrid - MPG, running costs & CO2
Aside from pure electric rivals, there will be few superminis that are cheaper to run
Toyota has spearheaded the push towards hybrid cars since the launch of the original Prius. One advantage of the technology is the small battery pack compared with pure electric rivals like the Peugeot e-208, which is not only much lighter but also keeps costs down.
Toyota Yaris MPG & CO2
The Yaris Hybrid's latest powertrain is based around a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor, a combo which Toyota claims can see the Yaris run on electricity for up to 80% of the time around town. This gives it official fuel economy figures of 58mpg to 68.8mpg depending on the trim level and wheels fitted. On our mixed test route, we saw an average of 65mpg, and unlike most non-hybrid cars, the figure rose around town.
CO2 emissions span from 92g/km to 112g/km. That's not low enough to qualify it for free VED (road tax) – which is charged at a slightly reduced rate – or exemption from the London Congestion Charge, but it does make it cheaper to run than an equivalent diesel supermini. Company-car drivers will also have smaller tax bills thanks to a reasonably low Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) band.
Repair bills shouldn't be a big concern either, thanks to Toyota's 'Relax' warranty. This can last for up to 10 years/100,000 miles, but only if the car is serviced at a franchised Toyota service centre. There's no extra cost for the warranty, making it the most generous in the industry, pipping Kia's seven years of cover and the five years offered by Hyundai and Renault.
Insurance groups
The previous Yaris hybrid started in group eight; about the same as a Ford Fiesta or SEAT Ibiza with a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine. The Yaris hybrid spans from group 13-14 out of 50, which is slightly higher, so could be more costly for some drivers.
Warranty
The Yaris previously came with a five-year warranty, but Toyota has now moved to cover that can last for up to 10 years or 100,000 miles. The only hitch is that you'll need to service your car at a main Toyota dealer to keep extending the cover period, but it is longer than any rival.
Servicing
While not as simple as an all-electric model, the Toyota Yaris should require less maintenance than most petrol or diesel models. There's no clutch for a start, and regenerative braking tends to extend the life of brake pads and discs. Toyota also offers fixed-price servicing plans for owners looking to spread the cost of regular maintenance.
