Fun in two variants: The Toyota Yaris 1.5 S and 1.3 E

The Toyota Yaris was introduced in 1999, which makes it relatively new by the Japanese automaker’s standard, and back then it came in both sedan and hatchback form.

It went by the name Vitz, Platz, and Echo in certain markets in the beginning before Toyota standardized the Yaris nameplate for the global market upon the release of the second generation in 2005.

As its platform is used by Toyota to produce other models in certain markets like China, Latin America, and Caribbean, the Vios sedan that we know here comes badged as a Yaris.

It started out with a 1.0L 16-valve engine with VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence) mated to a five-speed manual transmission (MT) and even came with a 1.4L diesel engine.

Twenty-one years and four generations later, the Yaris can now be had with a small displacement engine ranging from 1.0L to 1.6L, some turbocharged and other naturally aspirated, and even as a hybrid with a 59kW motor in front and a 3.8kW motor in the rear.

If you want fun in a pint-sized package that’s reliable, durable, and comes with modern driver and passenger amenities, you can’t go wrong with Toyota subcompact hatchback, the Toyota Yaris.

We take a look at the two variants offered in the Philippines and the trims they come in to see which one first your budget and lifestyle.

The options Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) offers locally are the Yaris 1.5 S CVT (continuously variable transmission), Yaris 1.3 E CVT, and the Yaris 1.3 E MT. These are the third-generation model Yaris units.

Based on the trim, you can probably tell that there are two engine options for this nameplate, the 1.3L 1NR-FE gasoline engine and the 1.5L 2NR-FE gasoline engine. TMP has not (yet) brought in the fourth-generation model that comes with multiple engine options that include a 1.0L naturally-aspirated engine, the 1.5L Dynamic Force engine, the 1.6L turbocharged engine found in the GR (Gazoo Racing) Yaris, and the 1.5L gasoline hybrid engine.

The 1.3L 1NR-FE gasoline engine puts out 98hp and 123Nm of torque and comes with two gear box options, a five-speed MT or a CVT.

The 1.5L 2NR-FE gasoline engine has 105hp and 140Nm of torque and only comes with a CVT transmission.

Both come with VVT-i, electronic fuel injection, and a fuel tank capacity of 42 liters.

On the chassis is a MacPherson strut-type front suspension with stabilizer, a torsion beam-type rear suspension with stabilizer, ventilated front brakes, rear drum brakes, and 15-inch alloy wheels with 185/60 R15 tires.

Exclusive to the 1.5 S CVT are rear disc brakes.

Both use a rack and pinion steering system with tilt adjustment and electric power steering. The 1.5 S CVT uses a three-spoke leather steering wheel with audio controls and paddle shifter while the 1.3 E CVT and MT uses a three-spoke urethane steering wheel without a paddle shifter and audio controls.

The majority of the differences between the trims is noticeable on the body. The 1.3 E CVT and MT sport four-beam halogen headlamps, resin radiator grille, color-keyed outside rearview mirrors, grip-type and color-keyed outside door handles, and bulb-type rear combination lamps.

The 1.5 S CVT has halogen projector-type headlamps, daytime running lamps, sporty-type radiator grille with red accent, outside rearview mirrors with integrated turn signal lights, grip-type chrome outside door handles, and LED (light-emitting diode) with line guide rear combination lamps.

Standard to both bodies are front fog lamps, intermittent windshield wipers with time adjustment, black door belt molding, rear window defogger, rear roof shark fin antenna, and rear reflector.

All variants come with a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment display fabric seats, illuminated entry system, driver and passenger sliding, reclining seats but only the driver’s seat has vertical adjustment, 60:40 split-folding rear seats, three-piece rear headrests, an Optitron meter gauge with illumination control, a multi-information display, a digital clock, driver sun visor with mirror and ticket holder and a passenger sun visor with mirror, a rear console box with no lid, door trim, six cupholders, glove box, door pockets on the driver + passenger + rear doors, seatback pocket, front personal lamp, room lamp, front and rear one-touch up/down power windows with jam protection, power door locks, and luggage room.

The 1.5 S CVT has silver inside door handles, leather shift lever and knob, shift lock system, shift position indicator, a lamp-type Econo meter, a Push Start system, Eco drive mode, Sport drive mode, an automatic climate control system, power retractable and adjustable outside rearview mirror, six speakers, and a light control system with Follow-me-Home feature.

On the 1.3 E CVT and MT are plated inside door handles, urethane shift level and knob, rotary start system, manual climate control, power-adjustable outside rearview mirror, and four speakers.

Safety features are standard across all trims and these include driver + passenger + driver knee + side + curtain shield airbags, Vehicle Stability Control, Anti-lock Braking System with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist, two three-point ELR (Emergency Locking Retractor) seatbelts in front with pretensioner and force limiter, three three-point ELR seatbelts in the second row, adjustable seatbelt anchors, child protection locks, ISOFIX mounts, and an LED high mount stop lamp.

For security, the 1.5 S CVT comes with an alarm and immobilizer and smart entry with wireless and speed-sensing door locks.

The 1.3 E CVT and MT comes only with an alarm and wireless door locks.

It is available in seven colors, Citrus Mica Metallic, Freedom White, Thermalyte, Gray Metallic, Attitude Black, Red Mica Metallic, and Orange Metallic.

The Toyota Yaris 1.5 S CVT is priced at P1.065 million, the Yaris 1.3 E CVT comes in at P952,000 and the Yaris 1.3 E M/T goes for P900,000.

Photos (of the 1.5 S CVT trim) from Toyota Motor Philippines, Eric Tipan