The expansion of Toyota Safety Sense - which includes Pre-Crash System (PCS), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) and Automatic High Beam (AHB) - as standard equipment across the Yaris range represents added value for Toyota's most affordable car.

Starting from $21,890, the Yaris line up remains unchanged, offering the 1.3-litre petrol engine GX in a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission, and the 1.5-litre petrol engine for the mid-range SX and range-topping ZR -  both available with an automatic transmission.  

"With a more dynamic look, clean lines, and a simplified design the 2017 Yaris has a more stylish and refined front look," said Spencer Morris, Toyota New Zealand's General Manager of Product.

"The enhanced safety technology and levels of standard equipment on all grades will also improve its value to our customers."

Nearing 30,000 sales to the end of last year with both private and fleet customers, the Yaris is a consistent choice for young professional drivers through to those embarking on retirement.    

Although compact by nature, more direct lines and consideration to the horizontal proportions seen in the new grille, front bumper and headlights contribute to a greater on road presence and sense of refinement.

The refreshed 2017 look continues to a revised design at the rear, a new bumper design and new lower bumper garnish contributing to a visually lower centre of gravity, consistent with the exterior changes at the front. Adopting a broader, horizontal taillight achieves a higher-class look and cements the Yaris' wider impression when compared to the outgoing model.

Fresh wheel designs are donned across the range with a new wheel cover design for the GX, new 15" alloys for the mid-range SX and a new 17" alloy with a contrast finish for the ZR.

Major specification upgrades include the fitting of Satellite Navigation with SUNA traffic channel and voice recognition to the SX variant.

Reversing sensors are new additions to the SX and the top of the range ZR, which has also gained heated door mirrors.

An automatic headlights system has been added to GX models to make it standard across the range. The GX accounts for 74 percent of all Yaris sales.

The 2017 Yaris hatch regular retail price is:

Yaris GX 1.3 manual                    $21,890
Yaris GX 1.3 automatic              $23,890
Yaris SX 1.5 automatic               $25,490
Yaris ZR 1.5 automatic               $28,590            

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