Yaris for long distance travel
Discussion
Starting to do some exploring in France as semi retired. Myself and wife. Would a Yaris automatic be a poor choice for road tripping into Europe because it’s a small car and I don’t know whether it would be suitable. We have an avensis right now which is a large car especially for just two of us. Any feedback greatly appreciated!
This guy drove his pretty much standard Yaris across Africa.
https://www.youtube.com/@charlesworldtravel/videos
It broke, but he got quite far considering.
https://www.youtube.com/@charlesworldtravel/videos
It broke, but he got quite far considering.
Sister in law and her partner did 178k miles in a Toyota IQ which is even smaller than a Yaris!
Did lots of European long distance trips including southern Spain and later on to Prague. I sold it for her when she moved to CZ - it was still going strong and a great little car.
Personally I'd rather do European trips in a bigger/more capable car. We have a diesel Cayenne that sits happily for hours on end at 130km/h on french Autoroutes. Previously we had a Volvo estate that again was great for relaxed long distances.
I'd just use your Avensis - the distances in France are far bigger than the UK and the Avensis will be able to do 130km/h happier than a Yaris which helps to cover them quicker.
Did lots of European long distance trips including southern Spain and later on to Prague. I sold it for her when she moved to CZ - it was still going strong and a great little car.
Personally I'd rather do European trips in a bigger/more capable car. We have a diesel Cayenne that sits happily for hours on end at 130km/h on french Autoroutes. Previously we had a Volvo estate that again was great for relaxed long distances.
I'd just use your Avensis - the distances in France are far bigger than the UK and the Avensis will be able to do 130km/h happier than a Yaris which helps to cover them quicker.
Edited by RustyNissanPrairie on Sunday 2nd November 14:24
Lordbenny said:
As long as it s not a GR .no lumbar!
Did a 350 mile round trip in a day in mine no problem.How did we get on all those years ago , I remember as a kid in early 70s family of 6 (2 adults 3 young kids and a baby )doing 250miles going on holiday to Devon in a 850 Mini lol.
The Yaris will be fine.
Edited by GT4P on Sunday 2nd November 14:46
Fairly elderly neighbours have an 09 plate one that is battered cosmetically, but they often disappear for a few days and when back say they've been touring the south coast, or Scotland etc (we're in the NW).
When I was on the road I particularly used to notice a lot of Jazz's on the motorway, but can't say I recall seeing lots of Yaris's.
When I was on the road I particularly used to notice a lot of Jazz's on the motorway, but can't say I recall seeing lots of Yaris's.
The car will be fine, but will you? A Yaris is not the most comfortable car in which to cover long distances - like all small cars, the seats are quite narrow and the driving position quite upright (for packaging reasons) which can make for some aches and pains after a few hours in the saddle.
I am fonder than I thought I would be of my daughter's old Yaris, which has won me over - it is willing, feels solid for what it is and has proved extremely reliable. But if it were me, I'd want something a bit larger with better seats and a more relaxed driving position for those kind of trips.
I am fonder than I thought I would be of my daughter's old Yaris, which has won me over - it is willing, feels solid for what it is and has proved extremely reliable. But if it were me, I'd want something a bit larger with better seats and a more relaxed driving position for those kind of trips.
Agree with the above, Corolla hybrid would fit the bill better assuming you've already decided its time to swap out the Avensis.
Estates obviously more luggage space but used (presumably looking at used?) are in demand as taxis so considerably more expensive...look how many taxis are Toyota hybrids now, every taxi driver and his dog can't be wrong.
Estates obviously more luggage space but used (presumably looking at used?) are in demand as taxis so considerably more expensive...look how many taxis are Toyota hybrids now, every taxi driver and his dog can't be wrong.
As the owner of a Yaris 1.5 auto (petrol) I'd say yes, if you're thinking of downsizing anyway e.g. to get a newer car. We do a 1000km round trip to our summer holiday location (motorway + A-roads) without issues.
Not sure about the pre-facelift 1.3 litre though, as I rented one on holiday and it was noticeably slower
Not sure about the pre-facelift 1.3 litre though, as I rented one on holiday and it was noticeably slower
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