Toyota recently denied it was readying a smaller hybrid model to compete with Honda ’s upcoming Fit hybrid, but the latest reports out of Japan indicate Toyota’s plans for a Yaris-based hybrid are still on. The Yaris-based hybrid would likely be sold in Japan, Europe and the United States.
According to Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper, the Yaris hybrid will undercut the Toyota Prius in both size and price. Expected to list from about $15,600, the Yaris-based hybrid would undercut the Prius’ price tag by about $5,000.
Thanks to its smaller size, the Yaris hybrid will also be more fuel efficient that the third-generation Prius. The Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper claims the Yaris hybrid will achieve 94 mpg in the Japanese mileage cycle, narrowly edging out the new Prius at 89 mpg. No direct conversion is available for the U.S. cycle, but the Yaris hybrid would easily score better than 50 mpg.
The Yaris hybrid – although that name could change before production – is expected to hit the market in 2011. Honda ’s Fit hybrid will bow in the fall of 2010 with a list price of about $15,800.
