Review Toyota Yaris Hybrid 130 (2025)

Introduction

When the current generation Toyota Yaris launched in 2020, the Japanese brand made a bold break with the past. The dusty image of this B-segment hatchback was replaced by a dynamic, trendier design, with an economical hybrid powertrain as its trump card. We were already impressed by its efficiency back then. For the 2024 model year, Toyota updated the Yaris: the hybrid technology under the skin was refined, resulting in the new Hybrid 130. At the same time, the model received several technological upgrades. It’s time for a fresh introduction.

Video: Toyota Yaris Hybrid 130 in detail

Watch our video of the Toyota Yaris Hybrid 130 here. We showcase the exterior and interior of our test car and take you on a full POV driving experience so you can discover for yourself how this car looks and drives.

Exterior

Visually, almost nothing changed with the facelift. The basic shape remains, with short overhangs and a pronounced wedge profile that give the Yaris a sporty stance. Our test car is the Premiere Edition in striking Neptune Blue with a black roof—a bi-tone paint now reserved for the Style trim at no extra cost. We also spot the newly designed 17-inch black wheels. The design remains fresh and distinctive in its segment.

Interior

Inside, the differences are more pronounced. Our Style trim features a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster with a screen that stays legible even in bright sunlight—an issue in our previous test. Entry-level versions make do with a smaller 7-inch screen.

A newcomer is the Toyota Smart Connect multimedia system, housed behind a 10.5-inch touchscreen in our test car. The interface is clearly improved—faster and more intuitive. Navigation runs via the cloud with real-time traffic updates. Over-the-air updates keep everything up to date, including Toyota Safety Sense’s safety features. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available wirelessly, making the system very user-friendly in practice.

The dashboard is made of hard plastic, but smart design details and contrasting blue stitching give it a refined look. The front seats have been redesigned with a new pattern and offer good support. The driver’s seat isn’t electrically adjustable, but that’s acceptable in this segment. The panoramic roof is a nice extra (though it costs €2,600 as part of the “Comfort Pack + Pano Roof” option package).

In the rear, there’s enough space for adults, although the doors could open wider for easier access. Head- and legroom are just adequate, but rear passengers must forego central air vents and USB ports. The rear bench is nicely finished, with the same decorative stitching as up front. Boot volume is 286 litres, with a two-level adjustable floor and a relatively flat load floor when the seatback is folded. The 60/40 split allows up to 947 litres of cargo space.

Powertrain

The biggest upgrade is under the hood. The new Hybrid 130 still uses the same 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine as before but pairs it with a more powerful electric motor. System output rises from 116 to 130 hp, while torque jumps from 141 to 185 Nm—a gain of over 30%.

Drive is sent through an e-CVT automatic, smoothly channeling power to the front wheels. The bonnet still opens manually, with no gas struts.

Performance is noticeably improved over the previous hybrid: 0–100 km/h takes 9.2 seconds, and top speed is 175 km/h. Yet official WLTP consumption remains around 4.3 l/100 km, thanks to the efficient fifth-generation hybrid tech.

Driving Experience

During our test week—which included long motorway runs and several hard acceleration tests—we recorded an average consumption of 4.8 l/100 km. An excellent result, and the instrument cluster showed we spent roughly 40–45% of the time running on electric power.

The extra punch of the Hybrid 130 is truly noticeable. The Yaris pulls away briskly, and mid-range acceleration is stronger than in the 116 hp version. The three-cylinder does make its presence heard under heavy throttle—partly due to the e-CVT—but stays within acceptable limits.

Steering is light, direct, and free of any dead zone around center. That breeds confidence on the motorway, where you seldom need to correct your line. Unfortunately, the Yaris lags in sound insulation: a mix of engine and tyre noise becomes prominent above 100 km/h, hampering long conversations or relaxing to your favourite music.

The chassis feels well balanced—firm enough to feel dynamic, yet without compromising comfort. The seats also contribute significantly to overall ride comfort.

Controls remain largely physical buttons—climate controls and steering-wheel switches, for example. This not only aids usability but also enhances safety.

The reversing camera image is sufficiently sharp, but dynamic parking guidelines — like those on the Toyota RAV4 2025 GR Sport review — are absent. Likewise, the Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) isn’t optimal: you can’t mute its annoying beeps with a single button press. Toyota urgently needs to address this.

Pricing

The Yaris no longer comes in petrol-only form. You choose between the existing Hybrid 116 and this new Hybrid 130. The Hybrid 116 starts at €27,600. The Hybrid 130 is currently offered in two trims: Style from €33,670 and the sportier GR Sport from €35,520. Option packs include the “High Tech Pack” (€1,750), “Comfort Pack” (€1,950), and “Comfort Pack + Pano Roof” (€2,600). A well-equipped Yaris can quickly approach €37,000.