If you're worried abut the battery issue then maybe get one of the last non-hybrid Yaris?

Not sure how much of a problem the batteries is, on the web one tends to only hear of problem cases.

The 12V battery on the hybrid runs the ancillaries and is smaller than a conventional car battery. If you don't drive often enough, it will not get charged sufficiently to work properly. It's easily solved by using a smart charger say once a month to keep it topped up. You can fit a permanent connection lead to the battery for convenience with the wire tucked away (or get the dealer to do this), so that when you need to charge it, you just plug the charger into the socket on the other end of the lead.

Considering that the rest of the car is very reliable, it's not really a big issue. You just have to decide whether your useage suits a hybrid, otherwise go for a conventional model as mentioned.

We took delivery of a new Yaris 2 1/2 weeks ago and at the time of order I was fully aware of the potential issue with the 12V battery. But having read the website and the on-line handbook it was clear that the solution was simple enough but you could argue that in 2024 it should not be necessary to do this.

Wife's cousin is on her 2nd Mk4 Yaris Hybrid and uses the car very day most short trips, never had an issue in 4 years.

As for ours its never likely to be used every day and some weeks it may not get used at all. We have a modern smart battery charger and we intend to use it every 2 weeks to give the car a boost. Did it on Thursday for the first time, it was simple. Whilst the battery is inaccessible Toyota kindly provide a live in the fuse box and a suggested earth on a engine mount and we used those, took about 5 hours charging at 4 amps for it to show "FUL" (obviously the manufacturer is not in this country), simple. For belt and braces I bought a battery booster from Aldi (on offer for £40) which will be kept in the car, it connects to the same points you use to charge, simple again.

In the handbook Toyota detail "ready" mode which can be used to charge the battery and they recommend owners to use it weekly if the car is not in regular use. Simply turn car on to "ready" mode with the car in park and leave it for approx. an hour, engine will run when needed and turn off when its not, no need to sit in the car. But how on earth is it possible for owners without secure parking to use this feature, if you park on the road surely its illegal and how likely is it the car will still be there an hour later.

As for the car itself its very good. The Fabia was always going to be hard act to follow but so far I think this is a perfect replacement. The CVT is without doubt the best I have used, its actually superior to any TC auto I have driven and better than a DSG in any none PHEV application (a DSG in a mild hybrid Golf was better than others as well). Even in "enthusiastic" use its not screamed at me yet but as it gest miles on and I get more "enthusiastic" it may show its true colours. Simple fact is in normal use its near perfect. But have to say the 6 speed DSG in the Superb PHEV is still better, just like the fact it actually changes gear.