Toyota Yaris review (25/01/2012)

THE Toyota Yaris was the sole occupant of the cute-as-a-button supermini segment. When it was launched, just before the turn of the century, the Yaris was the dawning of a new age of the small car.

It was cheeky to look at, the design was as fresh as a spring day and it was good to drive. It was a lauded winner of the European Car of the Year title and developed a reputation for reliability that was the envy of the automotive world.

The success of the Yaris was soon swamped by a phalanx of other superminis — led by the Mini — which left the Toyota struggling for market share as it grappled with a bunch of cars that quickly superseded it in terms of smartness and desirability.