What is the Toyota Yaris?
The Yaris is Toyota’s small hatchback, built for everyday journeys where compact dimensions and easy manoeuvring matter. It sits near the entry point of Toyota’s passenger-car range. Across its history, different body styles and powertrains have broadened the line-up while its small-car role has remained consistent.
The Yaris has a long-standing connection to Europe, where Toyota has built the car at its Valenciennes plant in France. Hybrid power joined the European range in 2012, bringing Toyota’s hybrid technology to a small hatchback.
Yaris generations
The first generation (1999–2005) established the Yaris as a small hatchback. The second generation (2006–2011) brought a new design and more room. The third generation (2011–2020 in Europe and the UK; 2012–2018 in the United States and Canada) added a hybrid version in Europe. In the US and Canada, Toyota also sold a Mazda2-based Yaris in 2019–2020.
The fourth generation (2020–today in Europe and the UK) adopted Toyota’s GA-B platform for small cars. Over time, hybrid power became a central part of the Yaris range in Europe.
Engines, power and fuel consumption
EU registrations cover engines from 1.0 L to 1.8 L and power from 51 kW (69 PS) to 156 kW (212 PS). The UK figures span 1.0 L to 1.5 L and 51 kW (69 PS) to 130 kW (177 PS); French figures cover 1.0 L to 1.5 L and 51 kW (69 PS) to 92 kW (125 PS). Petrol, diesel and hybrid versions appear in these markets, along with other fuel types in EU registrations.
The lowest listed conventional Yaris consumption is 3.9 L/100 km on the EU WLTP test. The lowest listed EU plug-in hybrid figure is 2.9 L/100 km WLTP, a weighted result that assumes some driving is electric. UK and French listings reach 3.3 L/100 km on NEDC. These test procedures differ, so figures from different markets are not directly equivalent.
In the United States, the EPA combined rating reaches 35 MPG, with a lowest listed consumption of 6.7 L/100 km. Canada’s lowest listed figure is 6.4 L/100 km on the NRCan 5-cycle test. The US EPA and Canadian 5-cycle procedures differ from European WLTP and NEDC tests.
Where was the Yaris sold?
The Yaris has been sold in Europe, the UK, France, the United States and Canada, with engines and powertrains varying by market. US and Canadian listings cover petrol 1.5 L models, while European markets include hybrids and a broader range of engine sizes and fuels. EU registrations total 4,714,903 for 2010–2025.
Questions and answers
When did the Toyota Yaris first go on sale?
The first generation began in 1999. In Europe and the UK, the fourth generation has been listed from 2020 to today.
Was the Toyota Yaris available as a hybrid?
Yes. The third-generation European Yaris added a hybrid powertrain in 2012, and hybrid versions appear in EU, UK and French figures.
What is the lowest official Yaris fuel consumption listed?
The lowest conventional figure in the EU listings is 3.9 L/100 km on WLTP. The plug-in hybrid’s weighted figure is 2.9 L/100 km WLTP and assumes some electric driving.
How do Yaris fuel economy figures differ between Europe and North America?
European figures use WLTP or NEDC, the US uses EPA, and Canada uses its 5-cycle test. The procedures differ, so results are best read within their own market.
