Toyota axes Yaris three-door

Toyota has announced its facelifted Yaris hatchback, first seen in leaked pictures last month, will only be available in five-door hatchback form when it goes on sale in Australia from September.

And while the Yaris three-door -- which is currently Toyota Australia’s cheapest model, priced from $14,990 – will be axed, the four-door Yaris sedan continues on sale despite dating back more than eight years to March 2006.

It remains to be seen whether Toyota will reduce its current Yaris five-door starting price ($15,690 for the entry-level 1.3-litre YR) to compete with an influx of fresh light-car rivals led by the all-new Mazda2 also due on sale here in September.

The Yaris, which replaced the Echo as Toyota Australia’s smallest model in November 2005, before the second generation arrived in October 2011, was a long-time light-car sales leader before the Mazda2 outsold it in 2013.

Apart from the redesigned Mazda2, the Yaris will face more stiff competition from Volkswagen’s facelifted Polo, which launches in Europe later this month, and Hyundai’s second-generation i20, which will be unveiled in Paris in October before arriving here early next year.

The once-dominant Yaris also faces continued pressure from cheaper city-cars like the Ford Fiesta, Holden Barina, Hinda Jazz, Kia Rio, Nissan Micra and Suzuki Swift, as well as pricier Euros like the Skoda Fabia, Peugeot 208 and Renault Clio.

Nevertheless, the Yaris is Toyota’s fourth highest selling passenger car ever sold in Australia (following the Corolla, Camry and Corona) with more than 181,000 sold in the past eight and a half years.

Toyota says its decision not develop a facelifted Yaris three-door (and presumably a new Yaris sedan, to date) is due to the lack of demand for three- and four-door light-car globally.

“Five-door hatches have gained in popularity and now contribute close to 90 per cent of total sales in the light-car segment,” said Toyota Australia Executive Director Sales and Marketing, Tony Cramb.

“Customers are telling our dealers they love the compact size of Yaris while also wanting the flexibility of having two extra doors. Easier access to the back seat is important for owners who regularly carry more than one passenger -- particularly families with children.

“It also offers greater convenience for young singles, couples and empty-nesters who are often joined by their friends.

“This strong customer preference has resulted in a significant shift in the market with three-door sales in this segment falling from around one-quarter of total demand in 2008 to single digits last year.

"During the same period, sales of five-door hatches have grown from two-thirds of total demand and now represent almost nine out of every 10 sales.”

Similarly, Mazda’s new 2 will not be produced in three-door form and is unlikely to be available here in sedan guise.

Today’s first official image of Australia’s facelifted Yaris five-door (pictured in red; European model in white) reveals a new “keen look” design language consistent with the latest Corolla hatch and sedan, and the new AYGO micro not sold here.

Distinguished by new sheetmetal forward of the A-pillar, new triangular headlights, a full-width grille and huge trapezoidal lower grille – all key elements of Toyota's "under priority" styling theme -- the more sporting front-end design aims to offer more emotional appeal.

Toyota says Australia’s upgraded Yaris will also bring new wheel designs, revised tail-lights, a higher-quality interior and the availability of the Toyota Link multimedia information system, which debuted in the Corolla sedan and is also offered in the new Kluger.

No other local details have yet been announced, but images of the Asian-market version (dubbed the Vitz) also reveal a revised dashboard design dominated by what appears to be a larger central touch-screen, while the European Yaris comes with LED tail-lights.

The facelifted Yaris goes on sale next month in Europe, where fuel-sipping Hybrid, hot-shoe RS, 1.0- and 1.3-litre petrol and 1.4-litre diesel versions will again be available. Australia’s current Yaris is offered only with 1.3- and 1.5-litre engines.