Toyota has finally entered the mid-size sedan space with the launch of the Yaris. To take on competition, the Japanese car maker has provided many segment first features in the Yaris. Hyundai was the first to take this approach and has been doing so ever since. Making Toyota’s approach different is that it has mainly focused on safety. Will it prove to be enough or will the Verna still be the best in class.
On the inside
The Yaris isn’t unusual on the inside; it has the typical Toyota layout. The way everything is positioned is smooth and the car has impressive silver and piano black trim panels. The 7.0-inch touchscreen unit sits right in the centre and looks aftermarket. However, it works well. The car also has cooled glovebox and features a large amount of cubby holes everywhere.
The seats at the front of the car are nice and have good comfort levels. Owing to the seat height adjustment, the car offers good room. Toyota is also offering electronic adjustability on the top two models. But, the armrest in this car is positioned awkwardly and not friendly to use.
When you get in the back of the Yaris, you will notice the tapering roof on which there are air-con vents. Furthermore, the car has a high window line giving it a cramped feel. The car has a good amount of headroom, that is, if you are below six feet.
The Verna, on the inside looks more modern. At the same time, the interior is simple as well. The black interiors look expensive and elegant. The car also nicer buttons and quality of materials, they look like a step up from the Toyota. Overall, the Hyundai has a luxury car feel to it. The front seats are large and comfortable; the cushioning however is a bit firm. The car also offers decent headroom and legroom.
Which one has more safety tech?
Toyota has equipped the Yaris quite well in terms of safety. Many of these features can be seen on the base variant as well. For starters, all the variants features seven airbags, ABS, EBD and brake assist. The Yaris also comes with three-point seat belts for all passengers. Other features include rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, automatic headlamps, ESP and front parking sensors.
The Verna is equipped with features like projector headlights with LED DRLs, sunroof, cruise control and cooled front seats. In terms of safety, the car gets Isofix tethers and six airbags on the top variant. Other features include an entertainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
How do they drive?
The Toyota comes equipped with a 1.5-litre petrol motor that makes 107hp while being paired to a seven-speed auto gearbox. In terms of refinement, the car starts off smoothly and sends no vibrations through the cabin. The car has pretty adequate power delivery and once you push the pedal it builds speed in a strong manner.
However, when you step on it, there is a whine from the CVT gearbox. To gain more control and speed, it is best to use the paddleshifters. The lack of power however, can be felt on the highway – where the Yaris takes time building speed.
The Verna uses a 1.6-litre motor that makes a segment-best 123hp. It is paired to a regular torque convertor but lacks the paddleshiter feature. In terms of refinement, the car offers better levels than the Yaris. It pulls hard and even at low revs delivers more. The Hyundai also manages to do 0-100kph around 2 seconds faster than the Yaris. The car is also considerably more silent than the Toyota, especially at higher revs. The Hyundai also features driving modes which significantly change the performance. Sport mode is the most responsive while Eco keeps the power down. Interestingly, the modes also affect the steering feel. Sport mode offers a heavy feel.
Which one should I buy?
The Toyota may be a late entrant, but it does come with some exclusive features. The inside is roomy and the rear seat is plush. But, it does have a few negatives. The Yaris isn’t exciting when it comes to styling or the way it handles. Then there is the fact that it is quite expensive – almost 1.5 lakh more than the Verna auto.
The Verna, on the other hand is styled like a larger car. It also feels like one. The interiors are also considerably nicer than the one in the Yaris. The car is also better to drive and overall offers a better deal. Overall, the Verna is the one that offers a better package and it still is the most complete petrol auto mid-size sedan in India.
