Always remember, the alternative to a Hybrid car is either an ICE or EV. Downside of ICE is pollution, which is main reason getting away from ICE. Downside of EV is low mileage travel between charges, main reason I kept away from an EV within my budget.
An Hybrid is a compromise. It is self charging, so no need to worry where nearest charge points are, it has an engine to keep me going in all situations except running out of fuel - and I would only do that if I was stupid, it gives good mpg and less pollution of the atmosphere due to running on petrol less. On that last point, my on board computer shows I running on battery in the summer 57% of the time,and in winter 43% of the time.
Battery technology is getting better all the time, smaller, lighter, more powerful. Until the lower priced EV can do 300 miles on a single charge,and can be “refilled” to the top within 20-30 minutes, and charging stations are more common, personally I think an Hybrid is brilliant.
Until then, life is a compromise, and Toyota, IMO, has got it right in bringing to the market now for 20 years Hybrid vehicles. You can be sure though they will have EV’s being developed and tested right now, but what’s the point on bringing out a Leaf or Zoe that can only do 100 or so miles between charges (first editions). And what cost and how frequent is a battery replacement that’s being used all the time.?
I don’t know about the Yaris Hybrid, but the my Prius and the Wife’s Auris hybrids have a 10 year HV battery warranty so long as they are checked annually (free as part of a service, £40 otherwise). My Prius Gen4 was doing just over 80mpg summer and just over 70mpg winter. And I can drive past urban schools with playground full of kids knowing full well most times I can be running on battery, so less pollution then petrol/diesel.
I have watched a lot of YouTube videos on how to drive a hybrid car to get full advantage of high mpg. I had to make changes as to how I drove, but always making sure I don’t hinder or road users. I read recently someone in a Toyota hybrid saying it’s painfully slow trying to get from traffic lights stop to 30mph in a reasonable time, using battery, without annoying others. I don’t even try. Sure, I use the battery to get the 1.5 ton car moving (thus save a lot of money) but once moving I use the petrol engine to get me up to a reasonable speed in a reasonable time - you can’t run forever on battery 1) it’s not got the power to accelerate quickly, 2) I am mindful the system is self charging and so accept there are times it needs to run on petrol. I choose the times to my advantage when I can.
Battery cars seem to be the future, maybe hydrogen cars will rule (and Toyota market an hydrogen car), but until the day batteries have a good capacity, taking up less space, weigh less, are cheaper, can be charged quicker and more fill up places, Hybrid is the way to go.