Used Toyota - The Toyota Yaris

The Toyota Yaris first came into production in 1999 and was designed as a decent, practical family hatchback. Later versions have only succeeded in being more practical.

There are several engine options available with the Toyota Yaris. The base engine is the same as the Aygo which for a bigger, weightier car is probably not enough power. It copes reasonably well but the best engine is the 1.3 litre option which goes from 0-62 mph in 11.5 seconds. This is fairly steady which is good - you want to feel safe in a family car not arrive in an unhappy rush. The 1.3 litre is also a good car to have because the smaller engine means it's more economical and the insurance is cheaper. This is good for newer drivers and yet also for families in the credit crunch.

It is the diesel engines that are fastest which is only a good thing. The cars may cost a bit more to buy in the first place but once you've bought it you get not only quick speed but good fuel economy and this is another thing that's good during the recession. All of the gearboxes are solid so you can't help but make a good choice there and the handling is also nimble. Steering-wise the car is really good, sharp and also tight. The car reacts really well too so you aren't afraid of it leering when going around corners. The ride is good, being both firm and controlled so driver and passengers will be comfortable.