Downsizing - looking at 2020/21 Toyota Yaris Dynamic

[anxious_ant]

I currently drive a Volvo S90 D5.
I used to do 80 miles/day, 5 days a week commute mainly motorway/A roads, but since the pandemic I am doing only 2 days.

Due to upcoming house move I am looking to downsize, as we have a Kodiaq (lovely car!) for family duties.
The Volvo is brilliant car, has all the toys in Inscription spec, but I feel that I could do with something smaller.

The new Yaris piqued my interest, especially in Dynamic trim as it has all the toys.
If I have the funds I would love the GR, but unfortunately the Dynamic spec Yaris is as much as I can stretch to.

My 3 main requirements are:

• Quiet inside (no squeaks/rattles and minimal road noise)
• Decent sound system (Not sure how good is the JBL?)
• Comfortable (not looking for anything sporty as most of the commute is stop-start or slow traffic)

Achieving 50mpg would be ideal too, but not too fussed as long as it's not too silly.

Anyone here own one can offer some insights please? Would I regret going for a small car for my commute?

[ZX10R NIN]

The Yaris is a good car you shouldn't have any squeaks or rattles but NVH will be higher, personally I'd go two segments up but if you only want to go one segment up then the Kia Rio in 1.0T First Edition spec (it even comes with a heated steering wheel) is a great option:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108065...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109067...

For the next size above I'd go for a Q30 Sport (basically an A220cdi Sport) you'll get a nice low mileage one with the Bose system for sensible money:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110078...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109097...

The 160 mile commute will keep any DPF issues in check, or you could go for the petrol version which will see you get a real world average of 40mpg:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110148...

Fiesta Vignale 140

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108166...

[anxious_ant]

ZX10R NIN said:

The Yaris is a good car you shouldn't have any squeaks or rattles but NVH will be higher, personally I'd go two segments up but if you only want to go one segment up then the Kia Rio in 1.0T First Edition spec (it even comes with a heated steering wheel) is a great option:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108065...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109067...

For the next size above I'd go for a Q30 Sport (basically an A220cdi Sport) you'll get a nice low mileage one with the Bose system for sensible money:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110078...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109097...

The 160 mile commute will keep any DPF issues in check, or you could go for the petrol version which will see you get a real world average of 40mpg:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110148...

Fiesta Vignale 140

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108166...

Brilliant recommendations as usual, thanks ZX10R NIN

Personally I wouldn't go for the 1L as I feel that it would be tad underpowered.
The Inifiti does look interesting though.

I am leaning towards newer petrol cars, hence why I am looking at the Yaris.
Automatic would be great, as I think it would be more relaxing in traffic. Seems that the eCVT system in the Yaris is very good, without the "rubber banding" issue most CVT suffers with.

So for something <2 years old, around £20k, economical and decent sound system, I am struggling to find anything other than the Yaris at the moment.
However, will give the Q30 a good think.

edit: Pretty impressive review, pretty feature packed for car that size : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtAs04FnBQw

Edited by anxious_ant on Saturday 6th November 19:51

[ZX10R NIN]

anxious_ant said:

Brilliant recommendations as usual, thanks ZX10R NIN

Personally I wouldn't go for the 1L as I feel that it would be tad underpowered.
The Inifiti does look interesting though.

I am leaning towards newer petrol cars, hence why I am looking at the Yaris.
Automatic would be great, as I think it would be more relaxing in traffic. Seems that the eCVT system in the Yaris is very good, without the "rubber banding" issue most CVT suffers with.

So for something <2 years old, around £20k, economical and decent sound system, I am struggling to find anything other than the Yaris at the moment.
However, will give the Q30 a good think.

Edited by anxious_ant on Saturday 6th November 19:46

The Q30 is a good pick & sensibly priced considering the mileage, here are some Auto options.

Kia Ceed GT Line Diesel Hybrid & you'll get one with 7 years warranty left:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110258...

1.4T Ceed First Edition 140

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110108...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110319...

2018 Infiniti Q30 Sport in Touch 210

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110158...

2017 Sport Tech 210

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110288...

2019 Sport diesel 170

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110198...

2018 V40 D4 R Design Pro 190

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109157...

[Mo28]

Have you considered the Corolla hybrid? Smart looking car and ticks a lot of your boxes.

We have both the Corolla and Yaris in our household, but the Yaris is the previous generation but both hybrids. The Yaris is perfectly adequate around town and for your daily duties but does struggle a little at motorway speeds, mainly when exiting the slip road or when trying to overtake other vehicles. Once you get used to the hybrid drivetrain you should be ok as you'll be able to anticipate when to make the manoeuvres.

My dad uses his Corolla hybrid for driving instructing so it goes through a fair bit of abuse. 30k miles and 18 months later he has had no issues whatsoever and has had an indicated average of 66.8 mpg over that time which is pretty impressive.

[anxious_ant]

Mo28 said:

Have you considered the Corolla hybrid? Smart looking car and ticks a lot of your boxes.

We have both the Corolla and Yaris in our household, but the Yaris is the previous generation but both hybrids. The Yaris is perfectly adequate around town and for your daily duties but does struggle a little at motorway speeds, mainly when exiting the slip road or when trying to overtake other vehicles. Once you get used to the hybrid drivetrain you should be ok as you'll be able to anticipate when to make the manoeuvres.

My dad uses his Corolla hybrid for driving instructing so it goes through a fair bit of abuse. 30k miles and 18 months later he has had no issues whatsoever and has had an indicated average of 66.8 mpg over that time which is pretty impressive.

Yes, I did have a look at the newer Corollas. Yes, they do look smart, and I do welcome the larger capacity ICE. but for some reason the spec is not as comparable to the Yaris. Cannot find any with JBL speakers, and cannot find a Dynamic level spec. Might have to do more research on the Corolla.

[anxious_ant]

ZX10R NIN said:

The Q30 is a good pick & sensibly priced considering the mileage, here are some Auto options.

Kia Ceed GT Line Diesel Hybrid & you'll get one with 7 years warranty left:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110258...

1.4T Ceed First Edition 140

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110108...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110319...

2018 Infiniti Q30 Sport in Touch 210

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110158...

2017 Sport Tech 210

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110288...

2019 Sport diesel 170

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110198...

2018 V40 D4 R Design Pro 190

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109157...

Apologies, but I don't really gel with the Ceed. Nothing against Korean cars as I do love the new Hyundai Tuscon N Line though, but at over 35k it's out of my budget.

The Infinity Q30 does float my boat, so will have a look.

If I do switch from my 17 S90 Inscription D5, it would be for something newer, more economical, and would hopefully last few years.

[clarki]

We've an older Yaris, 2013, so the previous model. Had it a couple of years now.

It's my daily driver and costs nothing, I mean nothing, to run. Passes MOTs for fun, everything works, easy to service, etc, etc

OK you wont impress anyone or win any races, but who really cares. The new car is a bit more swish but comes at a price.

I've had a few Toyotas over the years (also have a MK3 MR2) and if you just want a car that works and is stress free...

[LightningBlue]

I’d keep what you have, I think moving from the S90 Inscription to a Yaris will feel like a big comedown, likewise most other contenders at that budget. It seems the only thing the S90 is failing on is size but it ticks all the other boxes. Trading normally ends up costing a lot of money too.