Skip advert
Advertisement

Toyota Yaris SR

Toyota's warm hatch outsider the Yaris SR faces stiff competition from Fiat Panda 100HP and Renault Clio 138

Evo rating
RRP
from £12,995
  • Low cost hot hatch driving
  • Low thrills hot hatch driving

If evo had been around in the mid-’80s, you’d be looking at Vauxhall’s Nova SR. You’d learn how it bridged the gap between the borrowed-it-from-mum basic models and the forthcoming can’t-afford-the-insurance GTE. Wind the clock forward to 2007 and nothing’s changed, except the SR in question is now a Yaris rather than a Nova.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Despite the T Sport name earning a reputation for pocket-sized thrills with the old Yaris, it’s been phased out for the new car. No matter, with its new 1.8-litre engine delivering a modest 131bhp, the SR is clearly made of similar warm-hatch stuff.

With Dual VVT-i varying both intake and exhaust valve timing to produce optimum performance and economy, the engine is everything you would expect from Toyota. Unfortunately, that isn’t necessarily a good thing for the SR. In any gear, the four-cylinder unit drones with all the enthusiasm of an Avensis, needing to be pushed hard to get the best from it. Lacking in low-down torque, performance is only really worthy above 4000rpm.

Chuck the Yaris into a corner and it responds obediently, tucking in as you lift off and pushing wide as you apply more throttle. Stiffer anti-roll bars have been fitted, while dampers have been sharpened and 8mm shaved off the ride height. Yet, strangely, the SR offers the kind of handling you would expect from a standard Yaris; a performance model really should raise the bar further. It’s also a shame that Toyota has engineered the SR’s stability control to play such an active role, especially as it can’t be switched off.

At £12,995 the Toyota isn’t attempting to compete with the likes of the Clio 197, but it’s still got tough budget competition in the shape of the Suzuki Swift Sport, Fiat Panda 100HP and the recently introduced Clio 138 (see right). Certainly, the SR is a capable and affordable all-rounder, but what we really need is a Yaris GTE…

Specifications

EngineIn-line 4-cyl, 1798cc, 16v
Max power131bhp @ 6000rpm
Max torque128lb ft 4400rpm
0-609.3sec (claimed)
Top speed121mph (claimed)
On saleApril 2007
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Porsche 963 RSP 2025 review – driving the ultimate one-off Le Mans racer for the road
Porsche 963 RSP review front
Reviews

Porsche 963 RSP 2025 review – driving the ultimate one-off Le Mans racer for the road

That the 963 RSP even exists is absurd. Driving it felt like a fever dream
13 Jul 2025
£15k off Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio super SUV
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
News

£15k off Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio super SUV

If you have to have an SUV, a Stelvio QV is acceptable. Now it's being heavily discounted.
8 Jul 2025
Save £30k on a new Range Rover and buy a Renault 5 with the savings!
Range Rover
News

Save £30k on a new Range Rover and buy a Renault 5 with the savings!

Discounts on new Range Rovers are so big you could buy a new Renault 5 with the money you save…
15 Jul 2025