Toyota Yaris

The 2013 model Yaris is 100mm larger than the previous model, giving better interior and luggage space and is a great improvement overall. The exterior is typical of the Toyota range and it is not a car that will stand out in the crowd against its rivals. However with the long list of extras that come as standard, this little car is sure to succeed. Some say that the list price is rather high, but at £10,895 - £17,495, the basic model is what you would expect, while the top-of-the-range surpasses expectations.

Included in the price is an extensive warranty and there is a range of very good petrol and diesel engines, starting with the 1.0 litre petrol up to the 1.4-litre diesel. There is also a great hybrid which gives an excellent 81 mpg. As it only omits 79g/km of CO2, it avoids UK road tax. The Yaris comes in six different specifications: the T2, the Edition, the TR and SR followed by the T-Spirit and the Trend.

The interior feels good and the quality is high. Apart from the T2, all models come with air-conditioning, alloy wheels, a touchscreen entertainment system and a reversing camera. The Sat-nav is extra, but at the price is a bargain. The sporty looking SR has the addition of a roof spoiler and a firmer suspension, but the T-Spirit has a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control and automatic headlights, which are a great asset.

Overall; a very nice car.