Toyota Yaris Hybrid 130 (2025): The hybrid city car that blends efficiency with simple pleasure

We spent a full week behind the wheel of the Toyota Yaris Hybrid 130 (2025), the most powerful version of Toyota’s best-selling city car. With its discreet yet effective facelift, a stronger hybrid system, and a more refined interior, the Yaris 130 aims to inject extra energy into a model already known for its reliability and efficiency.

Expressive design

At first glance, the Yaris Hybrid 130 stands out for its bold, athletic stance. It may be just 3.94 meters long, but its proportions give it a planted, confident look. The sculpted hood, wide grille, and sharply cut headlights convey determination, while the black strip connecting the rear lights emphasizes width and modernity — a Toyota design hallmark.

Our test model, finished in striking Neptune Blue with a contrasting black roof, drew plenty of attention without being flashy. The new 17-inch alloy wheels underline its sporty personality, while the dual-tone finish adds a touch of sophistication. On a daily basis, its compactness is a real asset: tight turning circle, effortless parking, and quick reflexes in traffic. The Yaris feels born for the city, yet ready to escape it.

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Smarter and more connected

Inside, Toyota has made thoughtful updates. The cabin feels clearer, more intuitive, and more in tune with modern expectations.
The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster provides sharp, customizable graphics, while the 10.5-inch Toyota Smart Connect touchscreen is fast and fluid. Cloud-based navigation, over-the-air updates, and wireless Apple CarPlay / Android Auto make life on board refreshingly simple.

Material quality is good overall: hard plastics are still present but offset by contrasting stitching, soft-touch surfaces, and a leather steering wheel. The black lacquered center console and neat layout give a more premium feel.

Rear space is acceptable for two adults, while the 286-liter boot — with a double floor — offers solid practicality for a compact hybrid. More importantly, the overall atmosphere inside is calm and mature, a welcome contrast to the car’s sporty exterior.

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Powertrain: the sweet spot of efficiency and punch

Under the hood, the Yaris Hybrid 130 combines Toyota’s 1.5-liter three-cylinder petrol engine with a more powerful electric motor than before. Together, they deliver 130 hp and 185 Nm of torque through the familiar e-CVT automatic transmission.

That added muscle changes everything: the car accelerates more decisively, overtaking feels easier, and the hybrid system seems more responsive. 0–100 km/h now takes just over 9 seconds, but it’s the mid-range boost that really stands out.

Despite the extra power, fuel efficiency remains exceptional. Toyota claims 4.2 to 4.3 L/100 km, and over our week-long test — with city, motorway, and countryside routes — we averaged 4.7 L/100 km. The handover between electric and petrol power is seamless, and around town, the Yaris can glide silently for up to 40–45% of the time in EV mode.

The e-CVT gearbox still lets the engine rev up under hard acceleration, producing a noticeable hum, but once you adapt your driving style, it rewards you with remarkable smoothness and calm.

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On the road: relaxed, agile, and reassuring

The Yaris Hybrid 130 feels at home in every setting. In town, it’s whisper-quiet, nimble, and easy to place. The electric motor’s instant torque makes low-speed driving effortless, while the compact footprint makes parking a breeze.

Out on winding roads, the Yaris surprises with its composure. The GA-B platform delivers stiffness and balance, giving the car a planted feel. Steering is light but precise, and the suspension finds an excellent balance — firm enough for control, soft enough for comfort.

On highways, the car stays stable and predictable, though the cabin insulation could still improve. Beyond 110 km/h, the three-cylinder and tire noise become noticeable. The Toyota Safety Sense suite works effectively, though the Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) system can feel overly insistent with its alerts.

That aside, the Yaris Hybrid 130 remains a car that encourages calm, fluid driving. It’s not about speed, but serenity — a companion that makes everyday driving stress-free.

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Our verdict: the best Yaris yet

After a week with it, we can say the Toyota Yaris Hybrid 130 is the most complete and well-rounded version of this city icon. The extra power makes it livelier without sacrificing its unbeatable efficiency. The upgraded multimedia system, refined ergonomics, and Toyota’s signature reliability all come together in a package that feels effortlessly right.

It’s not perfect — the engine gets noisy under load, and the interior plastics could be softer — but these are small flaws in a car that nails its mission.
In a segment full of flashy rivals chasing trends, the Yaris stands out for its clarity, composure, and consistency. It’s a car that doesn’t need to shout to prove its worth.

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Pros :

• Compact, stylish design with character

• Smooth and efficient in city driving

• Noticeably stronger performance than the 116 hp version

• User-friendly tech and improved connectivity

• Benchmark reliability and Toyota’s long warranty (up to 10 years)
  
  Cons : 

• Engine noise under strong acceleration

• Sound insulation still average

• Some hard plastics inside

• Speed warning system (ISA) can be intrusive

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In summary

The Toyota Yaris Hybrid 130 (2025) isn’t designed to thrill — it’s built to simplify and enrich everyday driving. It’s agile, efficient, and smarter than ever, with just the right dash of personality.
It might not raise your heartbeat, but it will lower your stress — and in today’s world, that’s worth even more.

http://www.toyota.be