Toyota Yaris gains stability control as standard
October 1, 2009 by George Skentzos
Toyota has extended the safety of vehicle stability control and traction control to its 1.5-litre Yaris models as standard equipment.
The two linked systems have been specifically engineered for the 1.5-litre engine in the Australian market, providing an electronic safety net for the more affordable models in Toyota’s line-up.
These features are included along with the recently introduced MP3 and iPod compatibility and Bluetooth hands-free capability with audio streaming, also standard across the range.
“The addition of vehicle stability and traction control to the Yaris models fitted with the 1.5-litre engine can potentially reduce the number and severity of impacts. We will continue to add a variety of safety features to models across our range as the opportunity arises.” Toyota Australia senior executive director sales and marketing David Buttner said.
Fuel consumption for the 1.5-litre manual models is 6.1-litre per 100km with emissions of just 145 grams of Co2 per kilometre.
In line with the additional standard equipment, pricing for the 1.5-litre models has increased from between $300 and $650 depending on specification.
Print it: 
A worthy addition to the standard specification of Yaris but it doesn’t assist with the vehicles biggest problem it’s far too expensive.
August YTD the Yaris is down 27% and Getz is up 12%. Clearly Toyota feel that some response was required to address the slide in sales. And to be perfectly honest the Getz is a fantasic little car that is well spec’d and competitively priced…… can’t argue with that!
But Jun 2009 YTD figures are 39641 Yaris at 1st and 29813 Getz at 2nd position.
Yaris is still quite far ahead.
Together they are 33% of the “Light <$25K" market.
Catching up to the CHEAPER and better selling Getz which has it std. on ALL models
I agree, this car is far to expensive for what it is. Toyota has lost its way and should get back to what made it what it is, a company that made decent cars for affordable prices.
The Getz and even Swift are probably better choices if not alone they are far nicer looking cars if anything less expensive than the Yaris.
I believe if VW can get its distribution act together, the new VW Polo will beat the Yaris certainly on the performance and safety front but I bet on price as well. The new Polo will be a significant offer from VW in this segment with engines that are getting better fuel economy than hybrids like the uber-ugly Prius. The new Polo is really the new Golf as the current new Golf has gotten far to large.