If this smartly-priced and spunky little B-segment player is any measure of Toyota's resurgence, the rest of the industry best take note. The 2012 Yaris actually appears ready to do battle in the increasingly fierce sub-compact arena, one swarming with fresh young talent.

The Yaris is a proper four-seater with class-leading rear knee room… and it feels more agile and refined thanks to extra sound insulation. You could do a lot worse than put your cash into this very good small car.

The handling is predictable and stable, with steering that feels natural. All in all, something for everyone - young and old alike.

In-car internet access is being offered on the new Toyota Yaris. This technology, once the preserve of upmarket models, has made the leap into the supermini as part of its Touch & Go touchscreen system.

The quality of the new Yaris also relies on every part used and required close collaboration with suppliers to make the requirements clear at an early stage… to deliver the high levels of quality consistently required in high volume production.

A sharper look, especially the eye-catching front and, in profile, the more prominent, steeply sloping belt-line… Toyota is loading features into the Yaris, well aware that older customers, the so-called third lifers free of children and financial worries, might want smaller cars but still desire all the goodies.

Despite going up in size, the new Yaris is 20kg lighter than the outgoing model, with thinner seats, aluminium suspension components, and a stiffer body shell all aiding the slimming process.

There’s loads of space in the front, and although rear head room is little more than adequate, rear knee room is impressive. The boot isn’t quite so generous, but at 286 litres it’s about par for the course.

A more driver-focussed approach sees the instruments moved behind the steering wheel from the central console, which is now finished with a sculpted, padded section. It helps make the cabin seem more spacious, while larger quarter-light windows allow more light in.

What really matters is that it costs just £30 a year to tax… a good package at the right price.

The new model is an equally bold style statement and sees the supermini get a more aggressive and grown-up appearance. You could do a lot worse than put your cash into this very good small car.

The new car does even better than its predecessor. There’s loads of space in the front and rear knee room is impressive.

Economical, comfortable and decently priced. The steering wheel is of high quality and the touch-screen Touch and Go system incorporating sat nav, music and telephone works very well.

We’ve always liked [the Yaris] for its no nonsense, does-what-it-says-on-the-tin approach, reliability and being easy to drive.

It’s not all about cosmetic tweaks, Toyota has worked on improving ride and handling by revising the Yaris’s suspension and electric power steering systems… Safety has been improved too, with all Yaris models now offered with seven airbags (front, side, curtain and driver’s knee), electronic stability control and brake assist.

The range of engines are carried over from previous models, where they proved to be highly reliable with no widely-known problems. The new Yaris is also likely to score highly in future crash tests as its predecessor scored the full five stars when tested in 2005.

Features a very attractive equipment list including Bluetooth, alloy wheels, ESP anti-skid control and a reversing camera on a large colour screen that, at launch, will also host sat nav as standard.

Exactly like the Time Lord’s travelling phone box, the Yaris appeared, from the outside, to promise very little in the way of standing or conference room… however, observers were astonished to discover the extent to which the car was blessed with space, and in a shape entirely unrelated, geometrically, to its exterior.

The boffins at Toyota are brilliant at creating interior space… The Yaris has now matured and grown up. It’s got a meaner stance, not so cute anymore, and the 1.3SR model I was driving came with front fog lamps and low front spoiler to add to the sporty look… It is one supermini that deserves to be called super.

The face is dominated by long, sleek headlights like piercing eyes and a sharp V-shaped chrome-backed grille and deep lower spoiler. Inside, the Yaris drops the curves of the old model for a more upmarket layout with a dash that wraps around the driver.