MOST of today's cars are very reliable in a way that could not have been believed 20 or 30 years ago.

But Toyotas have always had that reliability, from the massive Land Cruiser down to the little Yaris supermini.

The Yaris is agile, safe and fun, with good handling and excellent road holding while retaining a better ride than some other smaller cars.

All have a pretty bulletproof reliability record ever since but for this appraisal I'll concentrate on the model built from 2011, which with revisions is basically the same now.

Petrol engines are 1.0-litre 68bhp, 1.33-litre 99bhp, 1.5-litre 111bhp and 1.5 petrol/electric hybrid with 98bhp.

A 1.4-litre diesel with 90bhp was also available until recently but it was dropped in favour of the better selling efficient petrol models.

The 1.5-litre replaced the 1.33-litre from earlier this year but it is still no great performer, taking over ten seconds for the 0 to 62 miles an hour sprint.

The 1.5-litre hybrid uses the same system as the Prius, so it drives through a CVT automatic gearbox.

If it comes with the smaller wheels, real economy is likely to be around 60-plus miles per gallon, with careful driving, and emissions are down to around 75g/km.

However, the cheaper petrol and diesel models have a better ride because of the extra weight of the hybrid's batteries.

The diesel is very economical too, and capable of 60-plus mpg, but even the 1.0-litre petrol can do 52mpg and, of course, it is much more numerous secondhand and cheaper to buy and insure.

Despite a slow 0 to 60mph time this smallest engine doesn't feel particularly slow, with a peppy, free revving nature when pushed. It's also capable of longer journeys fairly easily and in good comfort.

Along with the demise of the diesel engine, the three-door body also disappeared because the five doors sell much better.

The Yaris is one of the safest cars in the supermini class thanks to standard driver, passenger, side, curtain and driver's knee airbags.

It also has stability control and anti-lock brakes that combine with emergency brake assist to apply full pressure on the brakes in critical conditions.

Standard from the 2017 facelift and optional before is the Toyota Safety Sense package, which brings automatic dipping headlights,traffic sign recognition,lane-departure warningand a collision prevention system withautomatic emergency braking.

There is a bewildering range of models and special editions to choose from, so make sure you get all the kit you want.

All have audio remote control, height adjust driver's seat, reach and height adjust column, lumbar support, front electric windows, remote locking and traction control.

Mid-range Sport models also have alloys, electric mirrors and parking sensors but aircon is an extra on many models.

Pay about £3,650 for a 2012 12-reg 1.0-litre five door T2 or £5,700 for a '15 64-reg TR.