Toyota Yaris

2008 Toyota Yaris Base

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Shopping for a 2012 Toyota Yaris? MSRP: $14,115 - $17,200

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New to the U.S. for 2006, the Yaris replaced the homely Echo in Toyota's lineup and was almost immediately—especially in hatchback form—lauded for its more stylish, urban-chic appearance. Initially, the Yaris was offered either as a three-door hatchback or a four-door sedan, and it had two different sets of design details inside and out depending on which one. While the hatchback had more overtly styled instrument panel, with a thin center stack and central speedometer, the sedan came with a more conventional look. Likewise, the Yaris hatchback got different front-end details that made it look cuter, in the opinion of many, whereas the sedan's front end and proportions were closely cropped from the Camry and Corolla.

Both models came with the same engine—a 106-horsepower, 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, paired with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. In either version, this worked out to be plenty to move the lightweight Yaris quickly—though the automatic version was a little sluggish with a full load. The Yaris is sprightly and maneuverable around town—and capable of fitting into some of the tightest parking spaces—with light, responsive steering and compact dimensions, but its soft suspension calibration means that it won't feel sporty on a country road. Ride quality is soft and absorbent, with a bounciness that comes out on some road surfaces.

While the interior of the 2006-2011 Yaris is stylish, it makes clear concessions to cost in the materials and trims that are used. There are hard, scratch-prone plastics throughout, and upholstery feels bargain-basement. Sedans are more than a foot longer than hatchbacks; they don't have that much more legroom, but getting in is a lot easier, and they do have a surprisingly roomy trunk. For 2009, Toyota introduced a five-door hatchback body style, which some might find the best compromise between the hatchback's stylish appearance and the sedan's practicality.

Equipment on base-model Yaris hatchbacks is basic. Air conditioning and keyless entry are included in all models, but nearly all other commonly included features—like power windows—are optional and cruise control is only offered on top models. Safety hasn't been a strong point for the Yaris, with crash-test scores unimpressive and many cars leaving the factory without anti-lock brakes. ABS are now standard as well as electronic stability control for 2010.

The Yaris is closely related to the Scion xA and somewhat related to the Scion xD; the xD in particular has more appealing interior materials with a stronger 1.8-liter engine from the Corolla, but it isn't as good on gas. The Yaris has proven to be one of the most reliable vehicles on Consumer Reports' annual survey, has good resale value, and has been rated as being among the cheapest to own, considering aspects like insurance, maintenance, and depreciation.

For 2012, the Yaris was redesigned as a hatchback but carried over in sedan form as a fleet-only model (a new sedan is due for 2013). With all-new styling, the Yaris goes in a somewhat sporty but also somewhat more ubiquitous styling direction, losing some of the Euro-chic charm of the previous hatchback but gaining a few inches of length, for better cargo capacity especially. Engines and transmissions essentially carry over unchanged from the previous generation, but interior design and ergonomics are quite different, with gauges moved back directly in front of the driver and seats getting more generous bolstering.

Despite being one of the lightest vehicles in this class, at around 2,300 pounds, the Yaris' performance is underwhelming--although sporty SE models get a stiffer suspension for a more responsive feel (plus four-wheel discs). Engine noise remains an issue at highway cruising speeds, and we've found the current Yaris to be fuel-efficient in the city but no standout for mileage on the highway. The new Yaris is strong on safety, with nine standard airbags, but lacking options like heated seats and touch-screen navigation. Bluetooth hands-free features are delightfully simple, though, and USB ports and aux plugs are standard for all.

2009 Toyota Yaris

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