Despite all the hullabaloo over the all-new Toyota Vios, there’s one Toyota subcompact that still has life left in it.

Toyota Motor Thailand Co. Ltd. unveiled a facelifted version of the Toyota Yaris hatchback on March 9, 2023. This updated model is still based on the XP150 platform shared with its sibling, the previous-generation Toyota Vios.

“Toyota has introduced the Yaris, which has sold more than 418,000 units in Thailand since its launch in 2005 and is still popular with the number one sales in the market,” said company executive vice president Supakorn Rattanawaraha.

Perhaps the most striking change to the 2023 Yaris is the addition of the “Hammerhead Design,” which is exemplified by the disappearance of the front grill and the inclusion of C-shaped headlights.

The rear end has also been updated with a “diffuser style” rear bumper, while the cabin gets new colors like “Orchid Brown.”

Standard active safety

The 2023 Yaris also features the Toyota Safety Sense active-safety suite.

This includes Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) and a round-view camera for higher variants, along with increasing the size of the touchscreen infotainment system to 9 inches.

The Thai-market Yaris also comes with an exclusive 1.2-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine to make it qualify under the country’s Eco Car program. It produces 92 PS and 109 Nm of torque.

In comparison, the pre-facelift Yaris in the Philippines is available with a 1.3-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine that pumps out 99 PS and 123 Nm of torque.

There’s also a 1.5-liter inline-4 with 107 PS and 140 Nm of torque. Both engines are paired with a continuously variable transmission.

Special accessory packages 

The refreshed Yaris comes in four variants:

• Sport (LED projector headlamps and 15-inch alloy wheels) – 559,000 baht (around ₱880,000)

• Smart (Push Start & Smart Entry and an 8-inch touch screen) – 619,000 baht (around ₱975,000)

• Premium (9-inch touchscreen, BSM, RCTA and round-view camera) – 679,000 baht (around ₱1,070,000)

• Premium S (two-tone red-and-black interior, additional exterior decorative materials) – 694,000 baht (around ₱1,093,000)

The Thai market can also get three accessory packages for the 2023 Yaris:

• Chiaro (Elegant) – 9,690 baht (around ₱15,260)

• Presto (Sporty) – 16,500 baht (around ₱26,000)

• Lusso (Premium) – 19,990 baht (around ₱31,490)

What do you think of the facelifted, Thai-spec Toyota Yaris?

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