The Toyota brand needs no introduction. For over eight decades, the brand has produced a plethora of models – many of which hold iconic status in the auto industry. To date, Toyota remains one of the largest automobile manufacturers and continues to evolve with the usage of advanced technology.
Among the many models introduced by the brand, Toyota Yaris remains a noticeable name. The car has gained popularity among the masses ever since it first emerged on the scene. We will go through the Toyota Yaris history and see how the vehicle has evolved over the years.
Toyota Vehicles in the UAE
With strong adherence to quality and technology, the brand continues its legacy of producing quality vehicles. As per the non-luxury annual car market report 2022 UAE, Toyota emerged as the most popular make in the non-luxury segment.
From producing the first mass-produced hybrid car ‘Toyota Prius’ to making waves in the SUV segment with Toyota Land Cruiser, Prado and others, the Toyota brand is a dominant force in the automotive industry. The Toyota Yaris remains a recognisable name in Toyota’s prestigious lineup.
Toyota Yaris History
The Toyota Yaris’ name took inspiration from ‘Charis’ – a Greek mythology word meaning beauty and elegance. The model was released in different body types. All Toyota Yaris generations have made rounds around the globe. Let’s go through the detailed history of the Toyota Yaris and see how the vehicle has evolved over the years.
FIRST GENERATION – 1999 TO 2003
The first generation was introduced in 1999 as a successor of Toyota Tercel and Toyota Starlet – subcompact sedan and hatchback models from the 1970s. The hatchback variant went by the name ‘Vitz’ in the home market while Yaris was used in other parts of the world. The sedan version also went by the names of Echo, Platz and Yaris sedan in different countries.
The hatchback version was offered with 1.0, 1.3 and 1.5-litre engines and a standard wheelbase of 93.3 inches. All the versions had front-wheel drive and 5-speed manual transmission. The hatchback body type was Toyota’s entrance into the European market, dominated by German, French and Italian brands.
The hatchback version included oversized round headlights, a high roof, a low floor and a decent design. The seating capacity of 5 in the hatchback was the highlight of the Toyota Yaris.
FIRST GENERATION (FACELIFT) – 2003 TO 2005
As Corolla grew in size and entered the compact segment, Toyota needed a vehicle to fill the void and Yaris stepped in. The hatchback version also received a facelift. The Toyota Yaris was offered in three car body types – hatchback, sedan and coupe.
Teardrop headlights replaced the previous version on the car front. Additionally, the extra space allowed easy access to the driver and passengers. The additional interior space added more comfort to the hatchback while the LED display inside the instrument cluster provided a better information view to the driver.
SECOND GENERATION – 2005 TO 2008
Toyota Yaris history saw the introduction of the second generation in 2005. Toyota wanted to increase its dominance in the supermini segment and Yaris received several upgrades. The hatchback version was made available in a three or five-door configuration.
The vehicle was made to look more like a family-friendly car with a vertical pair of headlights and a round-shaped vertical drop on the tailgate. The 1.0 and 1.3-litre engines delivered 69 and 87 horsepower respectively. Another fuel-efficient 1.4-litre diesel engine was introduced for the hatchback.
The interior also received an upgrade with 3 storage spaces on the dashboard for the passengers and multiple for the driver. The centre-mounted cluster provided all occupants with a clear view of the speedometer. Moreover, the split-folding and sliding bench at the rear seat provided more legroom and trunk space.
The Yaris sedan came with a 1.5-litre inline-4 petrol engine and 4 and 5-speed automatic and manual transmissions. With a seating capacity of 5, a spacious interior and a 12.9 ft trunk volume, the model made its presence felt in the sedan segment.
SECOND GENERATION (FACELIFT) – 2008 TO 2013
The Toyota Yaris continued to make rounds for its fuel efficiency and features. In 2008, the Toyota Yaris history saw the vehicle receive another facelift. Along with the 4-door sedan and 3-door hatchback, Toyota introduced a 5-door liftback version of the Yaris.
The biggest update in the facelift was the introduction of the 1.33-litre DUAL VVT-i petrol engine which could deliver 132 NM torque and 101 horsepower. Additionally, the engine had the advanced ‘start and stop’ feature – enhancing the car’s performance.
The headlights and taillights got an upgrade. Moreover, Toyota Yaris was now available in 12 exterior colours. Analog dials replaced the digital readings and the infotainment system was also improved.
In 2011, the sedan also received a facelift. The base trim level had front-wheel drive and a 1.5-litre inline 4 petrol engine. Steering wheel adjustment, trunk light, cruise control and passenger vanity mirror, all added to the comfort and performance of the model.
THIRD GENERATION – 2013 – 2019
Among the Toyota Yaris models, the sedan remained a popular body type. In 2013, XP150 was introduced which was also known as ‘Vios’ in some countries. The third-generation sedan had a wheelbase of almost 100 inches.
The sedan was offered in 1.3 and 1.5-litre engines which can produce 98 and 106 horsepower respectively. In the later years, the sedan received an upgrade in the front fascia while the rear fascia remained similar to the previous models.
The sedan was available in three trim levels – X, LE and XLE. The X and LE trims were available with 6-speed automatic and manual transmissions while the XLE trim only had an automatic transmission. The Toyota Yaris remains among the popular used sedans by Toyota in the UAE.
FOURTH GENERATION – 2020 – PRESENT
The Toyota Yaris continued to grow better with a revised design and added features. The 2022 model with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine had a top speed of 175 kilometres per hour. Moreover, safety features like vehicle stability control, airbags, and anti-lock braking system among many others made the vehicle all more intriguing.
The Toyota Yaris 2023 has hit the market and the vehicle exceeds its predecessor in terms of aesthetics and performance. Moreover, the 2021 hatchback model was also introduced as a hybrid – making the vehicle more intriguing.
This was all about the Toyota Yaris history. The vehicle has made rounds ever since its introduction in 1999. The Toyota Yaris sedans, in particular, have remained a preferred choice in the segment. The newer models are ready to thrill the fans with more advanced specs and features.
That said, check out these upcoming Toyota cars in the UAE in 2023 to see what the brand is offering in the future. Moreover, you can also add the Toyota Yaris to your car collection.
Browse through these used Toyota Yaris for sale in the UAE and have your pick.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for famous cars’ histories and more.
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