Toyota Yaris

Richard Fisher, General Manager,

Peugeot Launceston

"The 2017 Toyota Yaris 1.5 Hybrid CVT in Excel specification is a masterclass in everything that makes Japanese cars so enduringly popular: thoughtful engineering, fuss-free motoring, and bulletproof reliability. Toyota has long led the charge in hybrid technology, and in the Yaris, they've distilled that expertise into a compact package that's ideal for urban life, efficient, refined, and built to last. Under the bonnet, the 1.5-litre petrol engine works in harmony with a smooth electric motor and Toyota's tried-and-tested CVT gearbox. The result? Near-silent low-speed driving, seamless transitions between power sources, and fuel economy figures that shame many diesel rivals, especially around town, where this hybrid truly shines. It's a car designed to slip through traffic with minimal drama and maximum efficiency. Inside, the Excel trim elevates the Yaris from simple runabout to something a little more grown-up. There's a full suite of tech including sat nav, keyless entry, cruise control, and a reversing camera, all wrapped in a cabin that, while not flashy, feels well put together and pleasantly intuitive. Add in Toyota's legendary reliability and low running costs, and it's easy to see why so many Yaris owners become lifelong converts. No, it's not the most exciting drive on the market, but that's hardly the point. The 2017 Yaris Hybrid is about quiet competence, the kind that makes ownership effortless. For those who value dependability, economy, and real-world usability, this little Toyota hits the mark with laser precision. It's a car you trust, and in today's world, that's worth its weight in gold."