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Even the Corolla is flimsy, I think it's to keep the weight down, when I wash my car I have to remember not to press hard on the roof and bonnet just incase I put a dent in them. What you can see of the interior looks fine but when you open the boot it's terrible, thin boot floor and them 2 cheap plastic bits on either side of the floor to hold it in place.

Had my Yaris Cross a couple of weeks now. Initial observations are that the workings of the hybrid system are pretty impressive - average 83 mpg in a car with a not particularly aerodynamic body. However, I am surprised, bearing in mind the good reliability record, (apart from those 12v battery issues, which will impact on the record), that the build quality of the bodywork is so sloppy. One of the rear doors is out of alignment vertically and horizontally, with varying panel gaps around the door. The black plastic mouldings on the hatch look cheap and are also out of line. I looked at three other Crosses at the dealer and two of them had the same N/S rear door misaligned. Have they got one guy with a hangover fitting N/S rear doors? Also, the first time I opened the fuel filler I was shocked at the cheap flimsy construction of the flap. I have a biscuit tin with a better made lid. The other thing I've noticed, so far, is the silver paintwork, which looks thin and flat, compared to my Seat in the same shade, which has a deep gloss the Yaris can't match. I hope these issues are not indicative of future build quality issues with these French built cars. On a design rather than quality point, why did they not angle the touchscreen towards the driver? Is this a L/H - R/H drive dashboard compromise? The angle away from the drivers line of sight makes it harder to reach, and read, especially when it is smudged.

Coming from Landrovers and Volvo I really notice the difference in quality of materials used in my RAV4. Thing is they are not cheap cars to buy 🙂

Yeah, I mean it is literally the 2nd cheapest family of models the brand has. Given, still a decent bit more expensive than regular Yaris, but that's likely due to other things. The luggage cover is actually somewhat genius. It seems hilariously bad, but at the same time it's the only luggage cover you dont go "what in the world am i suppose to do with this now that I had to take it off?". You can literally fold in four and stash away anywhere and when you need it again it springs back into shape like it was never folded to begin with. It does it's job in covering the luggage from view but isnt in the way when you need to take it off. The floor really isnt awe inspiring either, but again, likely just cost cutting and also to keep it somewhat light as it was meant to be adjusted by the user. But yeah, it also crossed my mind whether it will snap in half when I put a some heavy music equipment back there 😄 My dad told me a good joke about the paint and metal on Japanese cars once: "The japanese will take a sheet of metal, paint it both sides, then take the sheet of metal away"

Have to agree with those comments, apart from the luggage cover. It's material so it's meant to be flimsy. I like the design, it'll flex with any tall luggage underneath and it easily stores away if you find you need to remove it. On the other hand, if it were one of those hardboard carpeted covers then it'd probably break, just like most of them do. Most are just awful - remove / fit them a few times and hinge mechanism breaks because it's just cheap plastic glued to hardboard. I see the YarisX solution a plus rather than a negative. Doors out of alignment? Must be careful what I say on a Toyota Yaris forum, but I can't think of many cheaper feeling rear doors than those on the YarisX. Unless they're made out of titanium, their strength has to be questionable. They feel as if they're made out of tin. They're probably aligned perfectly in the factory but open/close them a few times and... well that's the result. Said it many times before but build quality makes it feel more of a £15k rather than 30k car. Hate to say this but even Dacia does it better.

Fully agreed with all comments above, all correct and true. Weights savings are absolutely great for your fuel consumption, although they might be greater to the manufacturer as cost savings and increased profits. There are YouTube videos how these cars are built in factory and if you pay attention to the average age of the technicians you may answer your question about fit and finish. Now about the screen angle. It is made on purpose and counterintuitive but the reason why it’s angled opposite direction is to prevent a sun glare. For the boot covers, what can I say, I have no YX but in the dealer when I was seen the car I put my hand onto the boot cover and nearly broke it., what a joke I thought, what would it happen if I go Ikea?! And the parcel shelf it’s actually more flimsy than my sun blinds in my Auris. Interior materials definitely on the cheaper and more environmental side, recycled plastics everywhere. Except top of dashboard anything else feels like touching an old HP printer, but you know it’s a Yaris , small car and Toyota, we can’t really ask for more. If you look around others same size they will be very similar and many even worse. 👍

Half-donkey'd build quality does seem to be a stigma the french factory can't shake, but be glad it isn't a Mk2 - The panel gaps on that thing were hilarious There are a lot of minor things with them that marr what would otherwise be a perfect car, but you have to remember these are Yarisisisueies, i.e. econo-boxes, so the flimsy materials, thin metal etc. just comes with the territory. It's pretty much par for them since the Mk1; The plastics are chosen for resiliance rather than feel, the metals thinned to reduce weight and material cost etc. You can tell the lions share of the build cost has gone into the drivetrain, while almost everything else has been skimped on, but for me that's the way I'd want it rather than the other way around! (Which is more french car territory )

Also, what's going on with the luggage cover? Is it a joke? And the boot floor cover is so flimsy it feels like it will break in half.

Is it jost me or do you ate predackable taxt? The nomber of timms I have tried to corract the smelling mostakes and it stile doesn't snake any difference. Still I thank I will spand more tom roading watt I have wrottan in future. Tachnalagee isn't all its crocked up to bee. Thankfully this forum is very fogaving.😅

Tried reading it and lost the will to live. Eyes started to close.!!!!! Anyone out there able to put that lot into idiot English for me please?? regards Terry

Hello everyone. Just a quick update regarding this post. I booked the car in to my local Toyota dealer and it was looked at yesterday. The technician said he could not find any particular fault and thought the loud noise was due to a low gas problem. He refilled the system with the R134A refrigerant and ND-OIL 11. The air con is now nice and cool, plus the nasty buzzing sound has reduced. Some times, the buzzing stops completely (even whilst the air con is on) and then returns when the system has to work a little harder to keep things cool. He said in his experience, its quite usual to have some noise from the hybrid air con system, and not to worry about it. He also said, he did not think the system would throw an OBD code unless there was a catastrophic failure of the electric air con compressor, but was not sure of that To sum up, it would appear the car needed just a simple re-gas and the system is now running as it should. I was charged for this work, but it seemed to be at a reasonable cost and cheaper than some of the tyre fitting companies, I had prices from. Thanks to flash22 for his reply on 28th May 2023. I always appreciate his advice and thanks to all the other members who have made a contribution. I have attached another and much shorter video, featuring the sound of the air con, now it’s been re-gassed. Kind regards, Bob Sutton. 1447689209_2016ToyotaYarishybridair-conissuenocoldairandverynoisy(part2)-YouTube.webarchive

The "Lidar" sensor is behind the badge, but the badge allows for the beam to pass through it, therefore it is not just an ordinary badge. I would not do anything with the badge like painting it etc. The Corolla has the Cat up on the manifold, so difficult to steal, however, some scroats have been known to cut off the silencer thinking it's a Cat, you can't fix stupid with some of these feral idiots

I think he referenced the car being made in France for the most parts, where cheese and wine are a bigger thing than sake 😄

Hi all. I drove by the dealer today. And I had them check the oil. They assured me the overfilling was minor. And that it would never cause any harm. It was checked by 2 different mechanics. They showed me there oil equipment. And assured me that was the amount they filled on all Toyota's with that engine. So I will leave it for now. And know that it has bin mentioned. And that the car has 10 more years of Toyota Relax warranty. Thanks for all your replys.

Don’t think that the Japanese are much into wine drinking, but another much stronger liquid 🤣😂.

Don’t remember exactly but been discussed previously and someone have said that it’s been the case that if a customer check later the oil level and see its between min and max and not at the max can make a complain afterwards. Perhaps reassuring it has been at the max. Tiny bit over not a problem, 5mm or more it is a problem and should be taken out.

Harmless or otherwise, I told them very specifically NOT to overfill mine based on this advice. The particular point I'm referring to begins at 9:10 (he does wrap up by saying that the newer ones are less susceptible) :

I tried the boot floor in the higher position, and it fits. It's not strong enough to use as the split level board, but I'm thinking that I could use it as a template for a heavier carpeted board which could be used in either position.

Yes but the upscaled plastic crash barriers would help prevent that -

But you do of course realise that we'll all spin off on the corners 😁

Just waiting for Hornby to upscale Scalextric as an alternative system .........

And an even better one

I went to look at one of them, many years ago. I was intending to use it as an off-road car for trials and autotests. It had a sunroof and as I'm six foot, I barely fitted under it. I'd have got concussion over the bumps!

Pretty sure he'd be liable for selling it without a DPF, as a trader. What do you have as an analogue of the Citizen's Advice Bureau in Eire? Check with them or Trading Standards.

I'm told by a bodyshop man that many cars nowadays have panels so thin that you can cut them with a pair of scissors. On the plus side (if you can call it that) you can push out dents with a finger. I had a Volvo Amazon in the 70s, and the chrome rear bumper was such heavy gauge, and the mountings so strong, that the official tow ball mounting method was to drill and bolt it directly to the bumper! I dropped a hammer on to the front wing and it bounced off! Of course, the important thing is the strength of the body shell as a whole, with effective crumple zones and strengthening in the right places for crash safety, and those bendy bonnet panels are deliberate to reduce pedestrian injuries.

I think they need more badges! You have to confuse them! I was at the Enfield Car Pagaent last week (Sadly may be the last one thanks to KHAAAAN! ), and there are stalls selling all sorts of badges - I bet if it had Hybrid Turbo Diesel 16v 911 Kompressor AMG STI WRX D4D VVTi VTEC TTE TDI TSI TFSI TDCI SE LE XE on the back they'd be too confused to do anything to it

You can read the situation for yourself on github here ... assuming that you can understand it, of course. 😉 I definitely don't (claim to understand what is written) but I think that folk are looking at the possibility but definitely have implemented a solution yet ...

The statement comes from the people who are hacking ECUs for a living, so I would be surprised if not true. So far I personally haven't come across stolen PHEV or PRIME using this method and saw two unsuccessful attempts on Facebook groups. Facelifted 2023 RAV4 Hybrid most likely comes with singed CAN bus communication as well. Obviously access in 2023 PHEV or 2023 Hybrid via arch cover is still possible, but it's useless if the messages to open/start the car can't be spoofed due to invalid signature. ECU just drops them.

As far as I know there is still the same vulnerability. Near side wheel arch cover access to the front light socket.

It's a re-programme of the data communication module, it usually takes 30 mins or so, but can take longer, nothing to worry about

Seems ok on the new springs Tony thankyou. Mind you I haven't been very far yet,but handling and ride ok ,at lower speeds anyway. Going out for lunch on Sunday in the country side where higher speeds will give it a better try out.

Perhaps the newly announced Lexus version will address some of these issues? (no doubt at a substantial cost penalty!)

Hybrids AC uses different type of oil in the compressor and only this oil should be used. Important to ask if the garage has the machine that oil can be changed safely., some old machines can not and may contaminate your system. For the AC smell, always when ON or OFF a smell can happen because of condensation. There is a drain pipe that needs to checked for been unblocked and let water out. Not using the AC will not cause issues or gas loss., using it non stop in hot climates will and will require more often regas. Not using ac will also not cause a bacterial to build up. Using it in manual mode on and off by the driver without following important steps will cause moisture locking up and eventually bacteria forming and a bad smell. These are best treated with heat and few sprays of simple antibacterial spray into air intake and regular cabin filter changes. For many owners the best way is to use hvac in auto mode with ac on all year around. Doing so will minimise risks of bacteria. Remember using or not using ac every 3-4 years ac service is required to maintain longevity. , again it’s about planned maintenance. If you don’t like AC that’s fine, you can keep it off but the hvac fun should always be on, at least at speed 1 to allow ventilation of the system and cabin. If you use ac manually good idea to turn it off 5min before you switch off the car and has no plans of using it again after you start the car later on, this is to allow any moisture evaporate away from the ducts and core.

The only thing you need to worry about in London is an interfering Dutch busy body on a bike.

What engine oil are you using? Exact spec as per the book , viscosity, brand, and when was changed last time? What is the mileage of the car?

Never trust a dealer or estate agent. Always check the car after been in a garage for service or repair, any garage. Indeed many customers has no clue and the results are problems and unnecessary repairs in the future. Basically cars gets broken as a result of two major factors: lack of maintenance or improper maintenance. The slightly overfilled engine oil will not cause any damage immediately. Well overfilled oil in those particular engines can be burned out through pcv as these are located low behind the intake manifold. Overfilled by much can create a splash and oil starved the oil pump with all consequences that follow. This applies to transmission fluid too, and it’s even more sensitive than engine overfilled, remember you are better with slightly less oil in the transmission than slightly more. 👌 The car care nut it’s a golden man. I wish more mechanics are like him, sadly they are not. I can confirm all that he explained in his video regarding the engine oil it’s true, seen it in mine and other hybrids that I drive and I have been working on. 👍

If there are bad smells, the best things to do are cook them by turning the heat to max and getting the engine real hot, as @Rhymes with Paris suggests. The cold just stops the smell from vapourizing as much since the bacteria have been chilled, but it'll build up when it's off again. It may also be worth getting one of those 'air con bombs', where you set the car to recirculate and maximum cold and fan speed, then set it off and shut all the doors and leave it running for a while until all the smoke clears and hopefully all the stinky bacteria have been murdered. They come in a variety of scents! (The AC bombs, not the bacteria)

Hi lain, No offence taken at all mate, to be honest I was curious as to why it was necessary to check the oil after it had just been serviced. But it seems I have learnt something new today, it seems a common practice that the service dealer overfills with oil. It raises a couple of questions for me. Why do they do this in the first place and what have they said about why they do it when and if questioned. The second question is how the hell are you able to trust any of these dealers if you have to check everything that they are supposed to do on a service. Many people would not have a clue what to look for or know if a part has been changed. To be honest I have checked my oil level after a service but not for about a week later and the level was fine. This has now got me thinking do you have to mark every part so you know if it has been changed or not. If I have to do this then I might as well do the service myself. At least I would know it would be done. Well my service book wouldn't get stamped and the warranty would go out the window as well I suppose.👍

1. Cheaper. 2. Fixed within an hour. 3. Best solution to cat theft in my opinion. I only laugh when I think of thieves coming back. 4. No engine light. I installed original (ebay used) lambda sensor.

Have a look round other posts on A/C , get it hot enough to kill the bacteria, not on cold. Put everything on hot when engine hot ,full fan speed. That is if I remember properly.

If you have climate control it's best to leave it on and let the car cycle it on and off as it wants.

Might be worth checking that the passenger door switch (the one for the interior light etc) is not faulty. Could be that the passenger is slightly leaning on the door in right hand turns - and the movement is pressing on the door seal and switch is triggering. The car then thinks the door is open and switches on the light - and maybe sounds a warning as the car is moving. Lean on inside of the door the door without the car moving (but ignition is on) and see if it replicates.

Haha, I have some collection here, Auris hybrid, hsd, turbo, sport and original Auris gen 2 rear Toyota emblem with blue hybrid insert. This can be removed and only Toyota logo used or perhaps any wrap on. 👍

Pan roof - use it most of the time, best option available😎

Hey, I resemble that remark! Most of my Merc still works.😉

Looks like you are right Chris, tried it and seemed to cure it Thanks Mate

Alternatively, you could just open a window...😁 Alex

You can buy a syringe with 6mm tube and suck the excess oil out. This is common practice dealers service to overfill with oil. 1-2mm over not a big deal, more better to suck it out.

A GR Prius!! Who would have thought this would ever be a thing! What a world we live in!!!

It's marque snobbery or aspirational, oh look we have a Lexus, and SUV's are the must-have school run car, lots of Tesla Model 3's around here 90% surface wealth - Posh car on the drive, £800k+ house, bugger all in the fridge