The latest Toyota Yaris facelift leans harder into a younger, sportier identity than the model’s early reputation as a dependable runabout might suggest. Toyota markets the update around the tagline “Dare to Live,” aiming the car at buyers who want a compact hatchback that still looks the part. I spent the weekend with the range-topping 1.5G variant, in eye-catching Red Mica Metallic.
Styling changes are concentrated at the front and along the roofline. A two-tone black roof, black outer wing mirrors and a rear spoiler give the car a sportier silhouette, paired with LED headlamps, daytime running lights and fog lamps that carry through to the rear combination lamps. It rides on 16-inch alloy wheels with a stepped-spoke, machined-detail finish, wrapped in 195/50R16 tyres. An aerokit — a more aggressive front and side skirt treatment — is available as an optional accessory for buyers who want to push the sportier look further.
The car measures 4,140 mm long and 1,730 mm wide, with a 2,550 mm wheelbase, dimensions that keep it firmly in compact hatchback territory rather than stretching toward the C-segment. Buyers who prefer a more restrained look can opt out of the two-tone roof treatment; Toyota also offers the Yaris in Silver Metallic and Platinum White Pearl, in addition to the red tested here.
Step inside and the cabin gets a soft-leather, tilt-adjustable steering wheel and a leather-wrapped shift knob, alongside a 4.2-inch colour multi-information display presented in Toyota’s Optitron meter styling, showing speed, trip data and warnings ahead of the driver. It is a small but noticeable step up from the plainer instrument clusters found in the segment’s more budget-oriented offerings.
Comfort touches include an electrochromic rear-view mirror that dims automatically to cut down glare from following headlights, automatic air-conditioning, and a six-speaker audio system that fills the cabin adequately for a car this size. Practical storage carries the load too: a glovebox, cup holders, and 60:40 split-folding rear seats for extra cargo flexibility when carrying longer items. Front seats are trimmed in fabric rather than leather, which is a fair trade-off in Malaysia’s climate, since fabric breathes better under prolonged sun exposure than leather does.
On the tech side, the cabin is built around a 9-inch display audio unit with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a wireless charging pad — both introduced in a September 2023 update that also brought the current head unit to the range. Rear passengers get two USB-C charging ports at the centre console, useful for a household running multiple devices on a single trip, and the car comes fitted with an RFID tag for toll payments, saving drivers the trouble of managing a separate Touch ‘n Go tag.
Power comes from the familiar 2NR-FE engine: a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder Dual VVT-i unit producing 107 PS at 6,000 rpm and 140 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm, paired with a CVT gearbox that simulates seven gears through a Sport Sequential Shiftmatic mode. It is not a quick car by any measure, but the delivery is smooth and linear, which suits the kind of stop-start city driving the Yaris is most likely to see.
Paddle shifters behind the steering wheel allow for manual-style gear changes, useful when overtaking on single-carriageway roads outside the city, and a drive mode switch toggles between Sport and Eco settings, sharpening throttle response in the former and prioritising fuel efficiency in the latter. At 1,140 kg, the car is light enough that the CVT does not feel strained even with a full complement of passengers. Toyota lists a 42-litre fuel tank and a minimum turning radius of 5.1 metres for the model, the latter a useful figure for anyone doing three-point turns on narrower Klang Valley streets.
I took the Yaris G mostly through the old suburbs of SS1, SS2, SS3 and Seksyen 17 in Petaling Jaya over the weekend, routes that involve a fair amount of narrow, tightly parked residential roads, speed bumps, and the occasional badly-timed traffic light. The car negotiated all of it without issue. Its compact footprint, combined with light, well-weighted steering, made manoeuvring and parking notably easy — reversing into a tight roadside space along SS3’s commercial strip took one attempt rather than the usual back-and-forth.
Handling through the area’s tighter corners was composed, with body control that felt assured rather than sporty for its own sake. The suspension leans toward comfort, soaking up the uneven patches and speed bumps common on older Petaling Jaya roads without much fuss, though larger potholes do transmit some feedback into the cabin. Ride quality at low speeds, where most of this driving happened, was the car’s strongest suit — refinement that matters more in daily use than outright pace.
One caveat worth noting for taller drivers: at 178 cm, I was not able to settle into a fully comfortable driving position. The steering wheel offers tilt adjustment but no telescopic reach adjustment, which limited how far I could fine-tune the setup once the seat was positioned correctly for pedal reach. Drivers above roughly 165 cm may want to test the seating position for themselves before committing. That said, the car’s compact dimensions worked firmly in its favour elsewhere, making it genuinely effortless to thread through narrow roads and tight parking spots.
It is the kind of car that suits a first-time buyer well — a young female executive starting their first job, for instance, would likely find it an easy car to live with day to day, from navigating tight residential roads to parking with minimal effort, without the running costs or bulk of a larger sedan or SUV.
The Yaris G comes with seven SRS airbags, Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, and ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, along with a solid rear disc brake setup — a detail that matters more than it sounds, since drum brakes remain common at this price point in Malaysia.
Toyota Safety Sense features include a Pre-Collision System, Lane Departure Alert, a 3D Panoramic View Monitor, and Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, alongside Hill-start Assist Control, front and rear parking sensors, and a front digital video recorder. A rear DVR is available as an optional accessory. Toyota notes that the driver remains responsible for safe driving at all times regardless of these systems, and the Yaris carries a five-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating, a reassurance for buyers cross-shopping the segment on safety credentials alone.
At this price point, the 1.5G’s equipment list reads well ahead of what buyers typically expect in the segment: leather-trimmed touchpoints, a colour multi-information display, automatic air-conditioning, a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone mirroring, wireless charging, and a comprehensive active safety suite including front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree camera system. None of this reads as filler on a spec sheet; a fair amount of it, particularly the parking sensors and disc brakes, has a direct bearing on how the car behaves in daily situations rather than simply dressing up the cabin.
Combined with Toyota’s five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty and the brand’s widespread service network in Malaysia, the package positions the Yaris as a practical, well-equipped option for buyers who want a compact hatchback that covers daily driving and parking convenience without complication, and without the maintenance uncertainty that can come with less established nameplates in the same price bracket.
For more info, head over to https://www.toyota.com.my/en/models/yaris.html#overview
For many British and Commonwealth expatriates in Kuala Lumpur, Sid’s Pub is more than a place to enjoy a drink. It is a familiar meeting point, a taste of home and, for some regulars, a genuine neighbourhood institution.
Located at Plaza Damansara in the leafy and upscale suburb of Damansara Heights, Sid’s has long attracted a loyal mix of expatriates, local residents, sports fans and nearby business professionals. Its appeal is easy to understand: the pub offers the warmth and informality of a traditional British local, combined with hearty food, cold drinks and a welcoming atmosphere that encourages guests to stay awhile.
Founded by Geoffrey Siddle, Sid’s has established itself as a group of cosy neighbourhood pubs across Kuala Lumpur. The concept is refreshingly straightforward—good pub food, fresh drinks and friendly service, without unnecessary formality or pretension. At the Damansara Heights outlet, that formula has made Sid’s a popular choice for after-work drinks, weekend lunches, casual dinners and gatherings around major sporting events like the English Premier League, rugby and Formula One.
The menu is built around classic pub favourites, with enough variety to suit both light appetites and more substantial meals. Fish and chips, burgers, pies and thick-cut chips form the backbone of the offering, while the pork burger topped with bacon and cheese remains one of the pub’s best-known choices. Other popular items include the Scotch egg, pigs in blankets, roast beef bap, pork sausage roll and sausage bap.
Breakfast and Sunday lunch are also important parts of the Sid’s experience. The Great British Breakfast is available throughout the day, while the weekly Sunday Roast offers a choice of roast beef, pork, chicken, lamb or a combination of meats. Traditionally served with roast potatoes, vegetables, Yorkshire pudding, horseradish sauce and hot gravy, it provides a comforting weekend ritual for diners seeking a proper British-style meal in Kuala Lumpur.
On the drinks side, Sid’s Pub is particularly proud of its draught beer selection. The pub claims to serve “the freshest pints of Guinness and Kilkenny in town”—a line that will resonate with anyone who takes their stout or Irish red ale seriously. Guinness, Kilkenny, Tiger, Heineken and Strongbow cider are among the draught offerings reported at the outlet, with bottled beers, spirits and wines also available. (We at timchew.net strongly encourage everyone not to drive under the influence of any substances.)
The cocktail list adds a more contemporary touch, featuring creative drinks such as the Banofee Martini, Pat’s Peachy Long Island, Bailey’s Banana Colada and Sloe Down, alongside classics including sangria and the Paloma. Jameson whiskey also receives special attention, reflecting Sid’s strong connection to the British and Irish pub tradition.
Whether it is a perfectly poured pint, a plate of fish and chips, a Sunday roast or a lively evening watching sport, Sid’s Pub continues to occupy a distinctive place in Kuala Lumpur’s dining and drinking scene. For Damansara Heights residents, it is a dependable local. For British and Commonwealth expatriates, it can feel like a home away from home.
Sid’s Pub is located at 10, Jalan Medan Setia 2, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Phone: 012-234 7576
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidspubs/
Photos shot with the vivo X300 Pro.
timchew.net 