1.33 VVT-i 5 dr 2WD

A great economical compact alternative to a Yaris

After multiple ever increasingly German brand fast (and expensive) ‘hot’ hatches, a change in work location necessitated a cheaper to run, reliable car.
It had to be compact for city driving, a petrol was preferable, smallish engined with decent economy but c.100 bhp to handle the occasional motorway journey, and a reasonable boot for the dog!
My parents were avid Toyota fans and the little 1.3 Yaris SR my father ran years ago saw c.160 thousand on the clock before he finally sold it, and so uninspired by French and German offerings in this compact segment I kept coming back to Toyota, and test drove several Yaris’s but ideally wanted something a little more ‘individual’!
I’ve certainly got that when I purchased the UC.
The looks are not to everyone’s taste but for me that’s part of the appeal; it’s quirky but in a good way.
It’s five doors with great leg and headroom, clear ergonomics and decent spec with keyless entry, stop/start which can be deactivated each journey if preferred), air con, power folding mirrors and adjustable steering rake. The rear seats are 60/40 split and have two settings for uprightness, and all slide back and forth to increase/decrease cabin or boot load space as preferred.
The ride is firm and occasionally crashes through potholes but this is a small price to pay for the flexibility and economy of the engine, which can press on if you rev through the range or need to overtake etc. and I have consistently achieved mid 40’s MPG through mixed driving.
The upright good visibility and slightly higher driving position than the Yaris swung it for me, and I look forward to many years of trouble free motoring, who knows I may even exceed my fathers mileage in his since departed Yaris!

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