Should I buy a Toyota Yaris hybrid mk4 (2020-present)?

Blank11

UncleZen said:

The hybrid or traction battery is under the rear seat.
The 12v battery is either in the boot or under the bonnet.
If your concerned about the 12v battery going flat leave the car in Ready mode for 30+ mins. If you can safely do this. Gears in P. AC & blower off. You can lock the car using the key whilst doing this. The engine may start for a few mins and engage the generator, or it may not, don't worry. You could also buy a Jump pack to jump start the 12v system, this is what I do, I don't have to be high capacity because it doesn't need to cold crank engine. 
If your unsure of all this you need to do more research before buying.
Then enjoy the yards it's a great car.

Yeah that does put my mind at ease. I’ve read other hybrid and EV(?) suffer similar issues so it seems to be more of a general issue? Kind of rubbish as I read keyless entry can drain the battery so you’d end up not really wanting to use that functionality. 

Alanp

If you like the car then buy it, you can always come back to the Toyota forum if you have any concerns, we do give lots of helpful advice..

WellKnownSid

Blank11 said:

UncleZen said:

The hybrid or traction battery is under the rear seat.
The 12v battery is either in the boot or under the bonnet.
If your concerned about the 12v battery going flat leave the car in Ready mode for 30+ mins. If you can safely do this. Gears in P. AC & blower off. You can lock the car using the key whilst doing this. The engine may start for a few mins and engage the generator, or it may not, don't worry. You could also buy a Jump pack to jump start the 12v system, this is what I do, I don't have to be high capacity because it doesn't need to cold crank engine. 
If your unsure of all this you need to do more research before buying.
Then enjoy the yards it's a great car.

Yeah that does put my mind at ease. I’ve read other hybrid and EV(?) suffer similar issues so it seems to be more of a general issue? Kind of rubbish as I read keyless entry can drain the battery so you’d end up not really wanting to use that functionality. 

You are spending FAR too much time reading forums and not enough time buying and enjoying your new car...

uss_tish

I have a yaris cross which is a year old and no battery issues. I drive most days but no more than 10-15 minute journey each time. Only gets a longer run perhaps every other month, no problems so far.

facade

Most "modern" non-hybrid cars will flatten the battery with low mileage & short trips, they have a "smart charge" system that is not suited for this type of use.

I have to "top up" the battery on my (non-hybrid) Suzuki every fortnight or so otherwise it goes flat in around 6 weeks.

The hybrids & full EVs show the problem quicker as the 12V battery is so tiny compared to one on a conventional car.

UncleZen

Keyless entry draining batteries to any noticeable effect is an urban myth, what you should do, is get a faraday box to put your keyfob in to prevent overnight relay theft.

Also as AlanP said, the Toyota owners club forum is very useful.

macman

All modern cars have some battery drain while parked and off: the alarm, the immobiliser, keyless entry, tracker/GPS...but then modern 12V batteries are probably of better quality than they used to be.

RULAST

ICE variants shouldn't be forgotten?

Goudy

Some dealers are recommending solar maintenance chargers for low use hybrids.

The hybrids traction battery isn't the issue really, particularly Toyota's, they last for hundreds of thousands of miles like the rest of the drive chain.

It's the normal 12v battery that suffers and goes flat if left alone too much.
They are very small compared to a normal petrol or diesel 12v battery as they aren't used for starting the engine, they just power the electronics.

The AA sells a solar trickle charger for around £40.
You just stick it to the inside of the windscreen on suckers and plug it into the OBD2 port under the dashboard when you aren't using the car. 
You obviously remove and disconnect it when you are using the car.

It won't charge up a flat battery but it will maintain a healthy battery from going flat if it gets enough light.

I've got one on my own petrol car at the moment as I've been using a works car for the last few months.
I've checked the voltage at the battery a few times and it's maintaining it at 12.5v to 12.6v no problem.

Missus_Hyde

We've got a Toyota Hybrid Yaris mk4 as above with a 21 plate, which we bought new, have had it for just under 3 years and we've never charged the battery.......we just put petrol in it like a "normal" petrol car and off we go!😉

We only do about 4000 miles a year and have not ( so far!) had to charge the battery or do anything to it at all ( apart from having the car serviced once a year.) I know very little about cars, so possibly may have missed something in this thread, but wouldn't have bought it if I had to spend hours charging it like a full blown electric car.

It's a good car, although I don't expect it to last like our other Yaris, which is 21 years old and still going strong!☺️