The Euro/Japan Yaris’ full hybrid powertrain now offers a choice between two powertrains. Both sporting a displacement of 1.5 liters and three cylinders, the “base” model still offers a combined 116 horsepower. Meanwhile, the new “Hybrid 130” option hikes up the power by 12 percent to 130 horsepower. Together with a more powerful electric motor (MG2), the peak 185 Nm helps it sprint to 100 km/h in 9.2 seconds—faster than the Subaru Outback (9.6 seconds), Forester (10.3 seconds), or XV (10.4 seconds). Meanwhile, its 80 to 120 km/h time is just 7.5 seconds.

Along with the more powerful engine, the Yaris promises a more digital user experience. This is courtesy of new displays—seven or 12.3-inch for the gauge cluster, nine or 10.5-inch for the multimedia screen. In addition, these are capable of Over-The-Air updates. Out of the box, however, they come with voice recognition, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and even a smartphone-based digital key.

In terms of styling, the refreshed Yaris offers new wheels, colors, and a new trim: the Yaris Premiere Edition. This variant has the striking Neptune Blue bi-tone paintjob with contrasting black roof and pillars. The same blue motif is found in the interior.

As for safety, the Yaris adopts enhancements to its Toyota Safety Sense system with quicker object recognition and a new Emergency Driving Stop System. If the system detects the driver has made no inputs – steering, braking, accelerating – for a certain amount of time, it will sound a warning. If there is no reaction from the driver, it will bring the car to a gentle stop, activate the hazard lights, and unlock the doors.