What’s New in the Toyota Yaris Hybrid

Gareth J. Hargreaves • August 11, 2026 11:16

If you’re one of the 10,000+ people following our Instagram account, you’ll almost certainly have heard us talking about the new Toyota Yaris Hybrid - the only B-segment supermini that comes with a hybrid option. That choice matters: in Portugal, more than 30% of Toyota Yaris sales are already hybrid-powered, and Toyota’s target is to push that figure up to 50% in the near future. So what’s different on this new Toyota Yaris Hybrid?

Design

A quick glance might suggest the Toyota Yaris hasn’t changed at all, but that isn’t the case. Even though the exterior tweaks are deliberately subtle, they are there. Toyota spent 90 million euros refreshing the Yaris and fitted 900 new parts to the model.

Exterior

Both the front and rear have been thoroughly reworked, giving the car a more up-to-date look. Up front, Toyota says the new face takes inspiration from catamarans; the headline change is the redesigned headlamp units, which can now be specified with optional LED daytime running lights. The front grille has also been revised.

At the back, the updates are just as noticeable. Alongside a new bumper, the rear lamps have been reshaped and - like the front lights - they now feature LED technology. The result is a new rear light signature for the Toyota Yaris. The boot lid has also been replaced, a necessary change given the alterations made to the rear light clusters.

Two fresh paint options are offered as well (Nebula Blue, shown in the photos, and Tokyo Red), plus new 15- and 16-inch alloy wheel designs.

Interior

Overall, the cabin hasn’t been dramatically changed (since 2011 it has remained almost untouched, receiving only updates rather than a full rethink), but there is now a stronger focus on personalisation, with new colours and upholstery trims. The most significant upgrades are found in the instrument panel, which gains a 4.2-inch colour TFT display (standard on the Comfort trim), and the infotainment system, now running Toyota Touch 2 software with a higher-resolution screen. From Comfort trim upwards, the steering wheel also gets Piano Black inserts.

When it comes to gadgets, the Toyota Yaris is in a good place: the technology on offer feels adequate for everyday use. However, Toyota Touch 2 is not compatible with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and that is clearly something Toyota needs to address in future.

The overall atmosphere on board is pleasant in both the front and rear seats, with the Toyota Yaris presenting itself as a roomy, practical option. The seats have been revised (with new head restraints), and smaller details have been refreshed too, such as the ventilation air vents.

Safety

Toyota Safety Sense as standard

Fitted as standard on the Toyota Yaris, Toyota Safety Sense includes a Pre-Collision Safety system with Autonomous Emergency Braking, Automatic High Beam, Lane Departure Alert and - when equipped with the new 4.2-inch TFT multi-information display - Road Sign Assist.

Hybrid version has been improved

Here, the priority was lowering noise and vibration levels, which had previously been a weak point of the Toyota Yaris Hybrid. Click the interactive image to see the key changes.

The Toyota Yaris Hybrid in numbers

Announced combined fuel consumption of 3,3 l/100 km
CO2 emissions from 75 g/ km.
Engine capacity: 1497 cm3
Combined output (electric and combustion): 100 hp
Maximum torque: 111 Nm
Top speed: 165 km/h
0–100 km/h: 11,8 seconds

And what’s it like to drive?

From behind the wheel, the new Toyota Yaris Hybrid behaves exactly as you’d expect a hybrid to - and for drivers who enjoy that style of powertrain, there’s no stronger argument against its rivals. Smoothness and ease of use are its standout strengths, especially around town, where the CVT gearbox and hybrid system really come into their own. It always pulls away in electric mode; reverse is electric too, and you can drive on electric power up to 50 km/h.

Leave the city behind and head out towards the countryside and the Toyota Yaris Hybrid still copes effortlessly with whatever is asked of it, proving itself dynamically capable. On the motorway, there’s little to criticise: it remains refined, calm and quiet.

You can debate whether the engine note when you press on is a good thing or a bad thing - and the CVT gearbox probably isn’t the best partner if you’re taking a “pro-soundtrack for the Toyota Yaris Hybrid” stance.

Even so, the acoustic improvements Toyota has carried out (have you seen the interactive image?) have significantly reduced the discomfort in moments when you need stronger acceleration (overtakes, showing off your driving talent, burning fuel because it’s the start of the month and you’re feeling flush… the usual).

A demonic sibling on the way

If this Toyota Yaris Hybrid is the eco-friendly choice, its 210 hp sibling that’s on the way promises to be a four-wheeled demon. You can read more about the Toyota Yaris GRMN here.