Toyota Yaris could get a facelift overseas

• International-spec Yaris hatchback is based on the Yaris sedan on sale in India

• Patent images show new front-end styling  

• New design cues could be part of India-spec Toyota Yaris facelift later

New patent images of the Toyota Yaris hatchback have surfaced online, indicating that a midlife facelift is in the works. This version of the Yaris is on sale in global markets and is based on the same platform as the Yaris/Vios on sale in ASEAN markets and in India. Reports suggest that the Yaris facelift will be revealed in 2021.

What are design changes on the Yaris facelift?

The images show that the 2021 Yaris sports a sharper design. There’s a new front bumper, a considerably larger grille just below the Toyota logo, and a line that stretches from the central logo to the slimmer LED headlight units on either side. The fog light mounts are slightly different too and seem to be inspired by the Euro-spec Yaris.

At the sides and the rear, however, there appear to be no changes at all. Even the alloy wheel designs are the same as the model that’s currently on sale. However, that could change in the coming months.

Why should India care about a Yaris facelift for overseas markets?

The Yaris hatchback sold abroad and the midsize sedan that Toyota has on sale in India are close cousins. They share the platform with the 2013 Yaris that originated ASEAN markets and which was given a facelift later in 2017. The Yaris sedan was introduced in India in 2018, around the same time the Yaris hatchback was launched in certain markets like Latin America.

This implies that the models for most markets are expected to have similar lifecycles. Around four years after the cars have made their debuts, there may be a midlife update for both.

Against the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Hyundai Verna, Honda City, Volkswagen Vento and Skoda Rapid, the Toyota Yaris hasn’t made the sort of impact that the Japanese brand hoped for. Toyota India has said that there is a renewed focus on the Yaris and that a taxi-spec model is also in the works.

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