Toyota PH launches 2018 Yaris with new face and features

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) is looking to welcome 2018 with a smile as the company launches the refreshed Yaris. The subcompact hatchback receives substantial updates inside and out.

Up front, the 2018 Yaris gets a smiling face — similar to that of the Wigo — but with a huge meshed lower grille. The sweptback headlamps are also new and fog lamps are now standard across its variant range. The top-of-the-line is differentiated with red accents on the grille, halogen projector headlights, side turning lights, LED taillights, and LED daytime running lights.

At the rear, the blacked out C-pillar is still there but the tail lamps take new form with the 2018 Yaris. The rear bumpers and tailgate are also revamped. TMP also throws in a new set of 15-inch alloy wheels and shark’s fin antenna to complete the look.

As for its size, the 2018 Yaris is a bit bigger — 30mm longer, 30mm wider, and 25mm taller. It's also available with a new exterior paint, the Citrus Mica Metallic.

The lot of updates is present inside the new Yaris as well. The dashboard layout is different, veering away from its sedan brother, the Vios. It looks more fluid now than before. It also gets silver accents and a 7-inch touchscreen display with voice control and Weblink for iOS/Android smartphones.

The range-topping 1.5 S variant gets a push-start button, paddle shifters, an automatic air conditioning system, and 6-speaker setup.

The 2018 Yaris doesn’t get much update under the hood. The Dual VVT-i gasoline power plant, which was introduced last year, still produces the same output: 84 hp and 121 Nm of torque for the 1.3L, while the 1.5L produces 106 hp and 141 Nm of torque. Both engines are paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with sequential shift. A 5-speed manual gearbox is also available for the 1.3 E variant, while the 1.5 S has Eco and Sport driving modes, as well as front and rear disc brakes.

Safety is also enhanced with the 2018 Yaris. All variants are equipped with 7 airbags, vehicle stability control, brake assist, anti-lock brake system (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD), and hill start assist. They also come standard with alarms but only the 1.5 S variant gets an immobilizer, keyless entry, and speed-sensing door locks.

The 2018 Toyota Yaris has the following sticker prices: 1.3 E MT and 1.3 E AT are at P825,000 and P877,000, respectively, while the 1.5 S AT gets bumped up at P1,006,000. These prices are expected to change by next year as the newly signed excise tax comes in.