The smallest hatchback in the family is not available in the US anymore. The 2024 Toyota Yaris is still in production, but for many other markets. It is not coming to the United States. The Japanese company, but also other carmakers, is giving up on such vehicles because of their slow sales. So, it has sense. Still, the Yaris will be missed because of its performance in urban areas. Maneuvering and parking made life way easier with a small hatchback. Now, there is a lot of assistance for driver aid services, but those are sometimes not good enough to cover all the things we already had with Yaris.
The hatchback was the base form, but you could also find a lot of sedans. As a small vehicle, it wouldn’t offer too much room inside the cabin. Nevertheless, engineers covered that up with excellent maneuvering and easy handling. Of course, the hatch didn’t offer plenty of power. But, for its weight, a four-cylinder unit with 105 hp was enough. With the gas mileage of 33/40 mpg, the Yaris was a bargain.
Toyota discontinued the nameplate in the US after the 2020 season. The fourth generation debuted in other markets as the 2022 YM. So, the 2024 Toyota Yaris will come without big changes. Besides the hatch and sedan, now we also have a crossover, Yaris Cross. Furthermore, the car now offers hybrid drivetrain. And that is not all – in some market you will find the GR Yaris as the top-of-the-range version.
No Big Changes, Hybrid Engine Might be More Efficient
So, as the new model for the 2022 season, we don’t expect some significant changes on the 2024 Toyota Yaris. There are a hybrid engine, GR model, so there is not too many potential upgrades in the mix. Of course, Toyota can always surprise fans with special package or advanced driver aid features. But, such things are usually reserved for big SUVs and flagship models. Yaris is still very popular around the globe, but SUVs are overtaking its buyers.
The new generation is bigger than the previous. And we mean – significantly bigger. For example, overall length gains 2 inches, which allows many changes inside the cabin. One of the first thing previous owners will spot is the seating position. The driver’s bucket is just a bit lower than before, but also moved back for 2.5 inches. It provides more room and comfort, especially for taller drivers and longer trips. What’s more, reports about driving experiences are very positive. People love the new suspension setup, and the performance on highways.
2024 Toyota Yaris Specs, Hybrid
Different markets will offer different engines. Let’s say that two main setups are a 1.0-liter and 1.5-liter inline-3 units. The other one is more popular since it is more powerful. Yaris 1.0 can do only 68 hp and the number of markets where it is available is pretty limited. A 1.5-liter engine can do 118-125 horsepower, depending on the configuration you pick. It is an upgrade compared to the 1.0 displacement and the previous version.
Still, the most attention draws the 2024 Toyota Yaris hybrid. It uses the same 1.5-liter petrol engine and upgrades it with a pack of electric batteries. It is a small block, so the mild-hybrid setup is not bursting too much power or torque. Combined, petrol engine and electric motor can do 114 hp and 89-lb-ft of torque. An eCVT gearbox is something new, not only for the Yaris. The first results show that the transmission took its part in improving the gas mileage.
2024 Toyota Yaris GR
You can see many new Toyota vehicles with the Gazoo Racing treatment recently. One of them is a small hatchback. The 2024 Toyota Yaris GR comes with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine that produces 260 horsepower. Interesting, it is also an inline-3 model, but with exceptional capabilities. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, for an old-school driving experience. Yaris GR needs just 5.5 seconds to accelerate 0-60 mph. Of course, it cost significantly more than other versions. Check out with your local Toyota dealer. Different markets have different offers and discounts.
Competition and Final Thoughts
By upgrading the Yaris with a hybrid and GR version, the Japanese company did a good job to make the hatch one of the best such vehicles in the market. We still would like to see it in the US, but it is not going to happen. Toyota is not the only company that drops small cars. Buyers seek for versatility, and crossovers and SUVs are way better options.
We can add reliability and resale value of Toyota vehicles to the Yaris’ case. But, not all buyers are fans of Japanese manufacturer. In Europe, the competition in the small hatchback world is pretty huge. Renault Clio, Ford Fiesta, Opel Corsa, and Citroen C3 are just some of the competitors. If you want a premium car, then look for German luxury brands – Mercedes, BMW, and Audi.