TOYOTA YARIS SC 1.5 Xs CVT

Having driven it in town for a few days I struggled to find fault with it. It's a perfectly sensible entry-level family car.

I had the opportunity to take it on a trip to the coast and started noticing a few chinks in it's armour. We packed the generous boot, loaded the cat in the back seat (which is enormous for a car in this segment) and set off. The cabin is nicely laid out and the materials used (mostly) feel quit nice to use and controls fall easily to hand.

This is when I realized that things are starting to not make sense...

I don't know why Toyota insist on using naturally aspirated engines, the feel prehistoric compared to newer, smaller, turbocharged engines. Couple that to the horrendous CVT gearbox (just give us a 6 speed automatic!) which constantly hunts through the revs regardless of what you're doing makes for a less than pleasurable driving experience.

Although the car has a new-tech infotainment system, the Android Auto function is quite rudimentary and really doesn't work well. The sound is relatively average and doesn't like to be used at anywhere more than half volume.

Although frugal (6l/100km) on the long road, it puts you in some tricky situations because of it's lack of power and useless gearbox.

I'm so confused as to how these cars have their their list of features chosen; I'd happily trade the car's keyless entry/go, android auto system and auto lights for basic, mush more useful things like climate control and (a key feature on any long journey) climate control.

A decent attempt but there are many other cars in this category I'd consider before a Yaris. Also, just look at it!