2026 Toyota Yaris Sedan Detailed Review: Is This the Smartest Budget Buy of the Year?
The Yaris has long worn the “sensible shoes” badge of the car world. However, the 2026 Toyota Yaris Sedan, also known as the Toyota Vios in certain markets, is more than just a daily commute. With sharper styling, upgraded tech, and surprising refinement, this isn’t just a budget runabout anymore.
It’s Toyota’s quiet flex: an affordable sedan that feels smarter, smoother, and just a little more grown-up than it has any right to.
Launched in early 2025 by Al-Futtaim Motors in the UAE, the Toyota Yaris punches well above its weight. It’s the car no one wants but everyone needs in their life. It nearly ended the Honda City’s career. Seven months into 2025, Toyota has sold over 5,000 units of the Yaris Sedan in the UAE.
You thought it was just a rental car, a cheap daily? You’re partially correct. That’s because the 2026 Yaris Sedan is capable enough to be a rental, an affordable daily driver, and much more. Today, we will discuss every detail of the 2026 Toyota Yaris sedan and compare it to its competitors. But before we do that, let’s learn a thing or two about the Yaris’s history.
Toyota Yaris
Launched in 1999, the Toyota Yaris quickly gained a reputation for its reliability and value. It has been sold under different names worldwide. The Yaris won the 2021 European Car of the Year award. It has topped sales charts in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
In 2020, the Toyota model became the company’s best-selling model in Europe. The Yaris is also popular in motorsport through the GR Yaris. In the UAE, it is a top pick for private buyers and rental fleets. Its substantial resale value and low maintenance costs make it a favorite. The Yaris remains the leader in the compact sedan segment.
2026 Toyota Yaris Sedan Variants and Pricing in UAE
The 2026 Toyota Yaris Sedan is offered in two variants in the UAE:
- Toyota Yaris Sedan E
- Toyota Yaris Sedan G
The starting price of the Toyota Yaris Sedan E in the UAE is AED 64,900. The top variant, the Toyota Yaris Sedan G, costs around AED 74,900 in the UAE. What is the difference between the two variants? Read on to find out.
Boxy Exterior?
That’s what our initial thought was after seeing the Toyota Yaris for the first time. It seemed like Toyota took a box, added a bit of styling, and that’s it. The front fascia has been redesigned and now appears more refined. It used to look like a cockroach from the front before.
The DRLS appear to have been copied from the Lexus LX600. Taillights appear to be inspired by the Honda Accord. The overall silhouette of the Toyota Yaris isn’t sleek in any way; it’s boxy, as we mentioned. The side profile looks a bit premium despite having 16-inch wheels.
There are also indicators in the side mirrors. The front and rear bumpers have an aesthetically pleasing appearance. A minimalist black rear diffuser enhances the rear’s appeal. The car is based on Toyota’s flagship DNGA-B platform, which plays an integral role in its success. It’s a B-segment sedan, what more could you expect?
Cabin Comfort
The cabin feels more comfortable than it should for the price tag. As you enter the car, the first thing you’ll notice is the design on the door cards. The windows and central door locking controls are placed on a dark chrome trim on the doors. The seats are softer and more comfortable compared to the Honda City. Both the Yaris E and the Yaris G feature fabric seats.
The dashboard features leather padding, lending an overall premium feel to the interior. There is sufficient space under the front armrest, but it still looks small. You also get cupholders at the front and back. Front passengers have ample head and legroom, but rear passengers must compromise on headroom. Talking about the room, you have room for five passengers in the 2026 Yaris Sedan, but it only seats four comfortably. So, if you’re planning on seating 5 for a family trip, the rear passengers won’t be travelling with you again.
Cheap leather is what you’ll find on the steering wheel and the gear knob. But because of the leather padding on the sides of the centre console, you’re knees will thank you. That’s because one of the significant problems with the DNGA platform is that the right side of the centre console protrudes, causing discomfort for the driver.
Boot space has decreased from 500 liters to 475 liters. The rear seats can’t be folded down to fit long objects in the trunk, but this allows for a stiffer chassis and more comfortable seating.
Not the best in terms of Technology
Toyota has still not given wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in the 2026 Toyota Yaris Sedan. Wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are available on an 8” touch screen with minimal lag and vibrant colors. You also get a 7” TFT driver’s display, which is an upgrade from the previous analog speedo.
The Yaris comes with 64-bit ambient lighting, although it is only visible in pitch dark. Finally, Toyota has introduced dual-zone automatic climate control in the Yaris G, while the Yaris E only features manual dual-zone climate control. The Yaris G also offers an Electric Parking Brake.
While there is no vanity mirror for the passengers, the driver gets one, along with the auto-dimming rear-view mirror.
Performance POV
The performance of the 2026 Toyota Yaris Sedan is just right: neither too sluggish nor too fast. Initial acceleration may feel a bit sluggish, but it gets better as you climb up the revs. Here is a detailed breakdown of the Yaris’s performance statistics:
| Specs | Toyota Yaris Sedan E | Toyota Yaris Sedan G |
| Engine | Inline-4 | |
| Forced Induction | NA | |
| Displacement | 1500cc | |
| Transmission | CVT | |
| Drivetrain | FWD | |
| Power | 105 hp | |
| Torque | 136 Nm | |
| 0-100 km/h | 11 seconds | |
| Fuel Economy | 20.5 km/l | |
| Weight | 1460 kg | |
The fuel economy this car offers is simply spectacular, and for an average person, this is the selling feature. 0-100 km/h in 11 seconds may seem slow, but this isn’t something built for NASCAR, so it’s understandable.
Safety and Driver Assistance Features
Toyota has finally given the Yaris Sedan a respectable safety suite. For a car in this class, that matters more than ever. Features like lane departure alert and adaptive cruise control bring it closer to modern expectations. Automatic emergency braking is available and functions effectively in city traffic.
Road sign assist feels more like a gimmick than a game-changer. The lack of blind spot monitoring is disappointing at this price point. The rear cross-traffic alert is also missing and would be helpful in tight parking lots in the UAE.
There are also 6 SRS airbags. Overall, it’s safer than before, but still not fully competitive.
2026 Toyota Yaris Sedan Competitors
Honda City
The City offers a more engaging drive and a slightly more premium interior finish.
Nissan Sunny
The Sunny undercuts both in price but feels bare once you step inside.
Conclusion
The 2026 Toyota Yaris Sedan is not thrilling, and it does not pretend to be. It focuses on what matters for daily life. Easy to drive, cheap to run, and solidly built, it plays the long game. The cabin is simple but never feels fragile. Safety tech is finally on par with rivals, even if it still misses a few helpful touches.
Is this the smartest budget buy of the year? If your priority is reliability over flash, then yes — it absolutely is. Thanks for reading till the end. Let us know if you’d prefer this over its competitors in the comments below. Keep following the Arabwheels Blog for more content like this.