The all-new Yaris takes small car safety to an unprecedented level and has been equipped to be the safest model in its segment. Key strengths include a significant increase in body rigidity and a two-generation leap forward in Toyota Safety Sense systems. In addition, a number of new features are making their Toyota debut, reaffirming our commitment to ensuring the highest safety provisions are as widely available as possible.
Watch the video above as safety expert Tom Rycken, a manager at Toyota Europe, explains some of the challenges involved in making a small car a safe car.
Safety features
Building the all-new Yaris on the GA-B platform has increased the car’s torsional rigidity to a class-best standard. This added strength provides better impact absorption and helps to maintain the integrity of the passenger cabin in the event of a collision. But if an accident did occur, the Yaris is the first Toyota to be equipped with centre air bags. These are programmed to deploy in the event of a side impact to help prevent the driver and front seat passenger from colliding with each other.
The new Yaris is also equipped with some of the most advanced driver assistance systems. There are not only more features in its Toyota Safety Sense package than any other Toyota model, but more more electronic safety features than any other B-segment competitor. Some of the highlights of this package are listed below:
- Pre-Collision System: this integrated camera and radar set-up can detect and warn the driver about pedestrians and cyclists in the path of the car
- Intersection Turn Assistance: this system detects potential hazards approaching the car at junctions and can apply automatic emergency braking to avoid a potential collision
- Adaptive Cruise Control: when activated, this maintains a safe distance from the preceding vehicle and will bring the Yaris to a halt if that vehicle stops
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Control and Lane Trace Assist: these systems warn the driver if they are veering off a safe path and can also be set to automatically centre the Yaris in its lane or follow the path of the vehicle ahead if road markings are undetectable
- Emergency Steering Assist: this system provides additional steering torque if it is necessary for the driver to swerve to avoid a pedestrian or obstacle in the car’s traffic lane, yet it also supports the driver by maintaining vehicle stability
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Blind Spot Monitor: these systems detect potential impact hazards during reversing manoeuvres and will alert the driver to vehicles approaching from behind on the road
- Intelligent Clearance Sonar with automatic braking: ultrasonic sensors at the rear of the car will detect an object that is about to be hit, and will automatically apply the brakes if the driver fails to react to audible warnings
Equipment features
The all-new Yaris is generously equipped and features specifications that are more commonly found in cars from the class above. For example, it is the only car in its class to offer the option of a ten-inch colour head-up display, which allows the driver to project key information such as vehicle speed, safety warnings, navigation support and multimedia information on to the base of the windscreen.
Wireless smartphone integration comes via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and it is possible to specify an eight-speaker JBL premium audio system and ambient blue cabin lighting. Connected services can also be reached using the MyToyota app.
UK model grades and their outline specifications are listed in the table below but standard features include Toyota Safety Sense, automatic headlights and wipers, reversing camera, electronic parking brake and smartphone integration.
| GRADE | EQUIPMENT FEATURES | OPTION PACKS |
| Icon | Toyota Safety Sense, 16-inch alloy wheels, smartphone integration, Toyota Touch 2 seven-inch multimedia display, reversing camera, automatic headlights and wipers, electronic parking brake, driver’s arm rest, automatic air conditioning, front power windows, power-adjustable and heated door mirrors, eCall | N/A |
| Design | In addition to Icon: 16-inch machined-face alloy wheels, Toyota Touch 2 eight-inch multimedia display, binocular instrument display, LED headlights and rear lights, rear privacy glass, power rear windows, optional panoramic roof | N/A |
| Dynamic | In addition to Design: 17-inch machined-face alloy wheels, front sport seats, black part-synthetic leather upholstery, smart entry and push-button start, dual-zone air conditioning, JBL premium eight-speaker sound system, optional bi-tone paint finish | City Pack: front and rear parking sensors with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and auto-braking, auto-folding door mirrors, Blind Spot Monitor |
| Excel | In addition to Design: 17-inch machined-face alloy wheels, front sport seats, light-coloured part-synthetic leather upholstery, smart entry and push-button start, dual-zone air conditioning, six-speaker sound system, auto-folding door mirrors, Blind Spot Monitor, Intelligent Clearance Sonars with auto-braking, optional panoramic roof | Tech Pack: eight-speaker JBL premium sound system with eight-channel amplifier, ten-inch full-colour head-up display, auto-dimming rear-view mirror |
A special Launch Edition (pictured) has also been created to introduce the all-new Yaris to the UK market. This model maximises the specification and is presented in a Tokyo Fusion bi-tone pearlescent paint finish. Click here to learn more and review the specifications.
Learn more: Introducing the all-new Yaris
Learn more: Design features of the all-new Yaris
Learn more: Hybrid powertrain of the all-new Yaris
Learn more: Driving dynamics of the all-new Yaris
NB: Details were correct at the time and date of publication
Just picked up my Launch Edition. Whilst I read the specs, I clearly didn’t read the line regarding parking sensors. How can the top of the range car ‘not’ have front and rear parking sensors. It’s bizarre for a 2021 car. Parking sensors are pretty much standard on every top of the range car on the market – except the top of the range Yaris?
It’s also completely confusing as to ‘what’ connected services the 2021 Yaris is supposed to have? Can you clarify this as the website is misleading.
Hi Rob, thanks for your comment.
The Yaris Hybrid has connected services including warning lights, service and maintenance management, -View Vehicle History, find my car, battery guard and accident assistant. This is set up via the My Toyota portal and if you need a hand with this, our Connectivity Team will be more than happy to help. You can give them a call on 0344 701 6202 (option 1).
Thanks
I have a new Yaris Hybrid and love it, however I was disappointed that there is no sat nav and also no CD player, only a radio. I have read your answers to previous questions stating that people should use their phones but I don’t have a phone. Would be nice for people without phones to be able to have the option for a sat nav and CD.
Hi Mary,
Thanks for getting in touch with us. We’re so glad to hear that you’re enjoying your new Yaris!
We’ll make sure to pass your feedback on to our Product team.
You should be able to use an iPod or a USB flash drive with audio files in order to play music if you do not have a smartphone.
Thanks.
Hi,
I have a Toyota Yaris Hybrid Design model it is a 2021 model. I’ve noticed that the cruise control does not always start up. However, if I stop, turn the car off then back on, it will start up? Can anyone tell me why this might be? I am a driving instructor and this is my work vehicle and on a test a pupil would be asked to use the cruise control as part of their test/exam.
I have tried the cruise control on the same road and on some occasions it works and other occasions it doesn’t.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Hi Mark,
Thanks for your comment.
The Cruise Control should always come on without these inconsistencies.
We would recommend taking your Yaris to your nearest Toyota Centre, as they will be able to physically inspect your vehicle and provide the necessary recommendations.
Please let us know if you have any further questions.
Thanks.
I am seriously considering buying the new Yaris as my first generation model is still going strong. But the advanced parking features available in Japan don’t seem to be available in the UK. Automatic parallel parking in crowded UK streets could be a real game changer for this car.
Hi Mark,
Thanks for your comment. We’re very pleased to hear that your Yaris is serving you well.
We have passed on your feedback to our wider Product Team.
Thanks.
Just been told Toyota changing warranty from 5years to 3 years have brought at least 6 new Toyota vehicles now if this is true then this will be my last move to kia 7 years warranty no brainer
Hi Phil,
Thanks for your comment.
Although our manufacturer’s warranty has reduced from 5 to 3 years, on 1 June 2021, Toyota Relax was launched. This is a service-activated warranty that gives Toyota owners 12 months/10,000 miles’ cover for their vehicle each time they have it serviced at an official Toyota centre once the manufacturer’s warranty has expired. This can continue until the vehicle reaches 10 years or has covered 100,000 miles.
You can read more about this here – https://mag.toyota.co.uk/toyota-warranty-how-it-works/.
Thanks.
Does the new toyota yaris crossover have a alarm system
Hi Neal,
Thanks for your comment.
The Yaris Cross isn’t fitted with an alarm, however it is fitted with a Thatcham Approved Category 2 Immobiliser.
Thanks.
Be nice if you could spec the Excel with a black interior instead of grey OR allow the Dynamic to have HUD & the electrochromatic rear view mirror on the optional extra list.
A Dynamic spec with optional city pack, plus a hud & electrochromatic rear view mirror would be perfect.
Hi Lee,
Thank you for your comment.
We have passed on your feedback to our wider Product Team.
You can view the all-new Yaris here – https://fal.cn/3hqaM
Thanks.
Just had delivery of Yaris launch edition which is great
Does this edition have the RCTA and if so how do I activate this
Hi Patricia,
Congratulations on your new Yaris, thank you for choosing Toyota!
Please provide your vehicle registration so we can look into this for you.
Thanks.
Why do top specs only come with 17 inch wheels and hard suspension which spoil the ride? Also functions like the parking sensors display is between the steering wheel rather than somewhere easy to see without taking your eyes off the obstacle. Using the large 8 inch screen might have been an idea. Having purchased a Dynamic model I now realise the top specifications are to be avoided!!!! An otherwise great car is spoilt by poor specification decisions and poor attention to detail.
Hi Cormac,
Thank you for your feedback.
We have passed this on to our wider product team.
Thanks.
Love the 4th Gen Yaris. Well done Toyota.
I have a question about the Adaptive Cruise Control distance from vehicle ahead setting. Can it be set to remember your preferred distance selection? It always defaults back to the longest distance.
Hi Ben,
The distance always reverts to longest distance after ignition off. This is a safety function.
Thanks.
Hello, as the new owner of the New Yaris Hybrid (which is my first automatic car in 50 years of driving) I really like this car and can’t see myself ever going back to a manual driven car.
My tech question is, is it possible to have all the doors lock automatically after a few seconds of driving.
I had this feature on a car many years ago and thought it was a godsend.
Hi Robert,
Congratulations on your new Yaris, thank you for choosing Toyota.
It is not possible for the doors to be locked automatically.
However, there is a button on the right door console which allows you to lock the doors manually.
Please let us know if you have any further questions.
Thanks.