Used Toyota Yaris Hatchback 2003 - 2005 review

The Toyota Yaris made the competition look outdated when it was launched. Its perky styling was fresh and the interior offered the sort of space many associated with cars from a class above.

The front seats offer superb comfort, too, and the only problem is that getting in and out of the rear seat of a three-door model can be tricky.

The dash also sets the Yaris apart from the herd. The instruments are housed in a Ôfloating' binnacle in the centre of the dash with a digital display, and some people may find this hard to get used to.

They may also find it hard to cope with the firm ride - the price you pay for the sharp handling - and how hard you need to work the 1.0- and 1.3-litre petrol engines to keep pace with traffic. Alternatively, you could go for the T-Sport's 105bhp 1.5-litre engine, which turns the Yaris into a junior hot hatch, or the quiet and frugal 1.4 turbodiesel.