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2010 Toyota Yaris Review

November 9, 2009

STYLING | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

looked understatedly playful
Edmunds

a face only a mother could love
Car and Driver

4-door Yaris sedan looks like the little brother of the Corolla
Road & Track

The Yaris still manages to look quite stylish compared to most other models in its class—especially as a hatchback—even though it's been three years since its U.S. introduction. The two body styles of this model clearly cater to two different classes. While the sedan is slightly more conservative in its trims and interior treatment, the three- and five-door Liftback models are more flamboyant, with a more aerodynamic look, European design influences, and a rear roof spoiler atop the hatch.

"The two-door hatch's funky styling was born in Toyota's European design studio," notes Automobile Magazine, while Road & Track proposes that the four-door Yaris sedan "looks like the little brother of the Corolla." Autoblog thinks "the design is deliberately weird enough" to be sold under Toyota's youth-oriented Scion brand instead. "Indeed," continues the Autoblog reviewer, "Toyota's supposedly hipper sub-brand offers the xD, a five-door on the same architecture as the three and four-door Yaris models." Car and Driver stands apart from most other reviewers and actively dislikes the styling, saying that it "shouts bland and inexpensive" and "has a face only a mother could love."

A Sport Package adds sport seats, larger wheels, a mild body kit, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, all resulting in a different look for this econocar. Autobytel reports, "Outside, the S body kit and 15-inch wheels worked wonders on our tester, at least implying some sport if not actually delivering it." Road & Track also points out that "Yaris owners can up the ante with TRD accessories including suspension modifications, sport exhaust and 18-in. alloy wheels."

Inside, the Yaris has a very unconventional look, with a center-mounted gauge cluster and Liftback models offering large storage areas behind a slim center stack of controls. The interior is a contrast of elements good and bad, desirable and tacky, as Toyota obviously is trying to make a fashionable cabin while watching its price very carefully. Regarding the unusual location of the speedometer, Automobile Magazine says, "Toyota insists that drivers eventually get used to the unconventional location—yeah, and convicts eventually get used to cell block D." But Road & Track sees more humor in the center-mounted gauges, quipping, "Now everybody in the car can see how fast you're going, or how much fuel you have left." But as controversial as it might be, the layout "lends the Yaris a bigger feel inside," notes Autoblog.

Conclusion

The 2009 Toyota Yaris proves that small economy cars don't have to look dull, even if the more daring styling stirs controversy in some areas.

STYLING | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:looked understatedly playfulEdmundsa face only a mother could loveCar and Driver4-door Yaris sedan looks like the little brother of the CorollaRoad & Track The Yaris still manages to look quite stylish compared to most other models in its class—especially as a hatchback—even though it's been three years since its U.S. introduction. The two body styles of this model clearly cater to two different classes. While the sedan is slightly more conservative in its trims and interior treatment, the three- and five-door Liftback models are more flamboyant, with a more aerodynamic look, European design influences, and a rear roof spoiler atop the hatch. "The two-door hatch's funky styling was born in Toyota's European design studio," notes Automobile Magazine, while Road & Track proposes that the four-door Yaris sedan "looks like the little brother of the Corolla." Autoblog thinks "the design is deliberately weird enough" to be sold under Toyota's youth-oriented Scion brand instead. "Indeed," continues the Autoblog reviewer, "Toyota's supposedly hipper sub-brand offers the xD, a five-door on the same architecture as the three and four-door Yaris models." Car and Driver stands apart from most other reviewers and actively dislikes the styling, saying that it "shouts bland and inexpensive" and "has a face only a mother could love." A Sport Package adds sport seats, larger wheels, a mild body kit, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, all resulting in a different look for this econocar. Autobytel reports, "Outside, the S body kit and 15-inch wheels worked wonders on our tester, at least implying some sport if not actually delivering it." Road & Track also points out that "Yaris owners can up the ante with TRD accessories including suspension modifications, sport exhaust and 18-in. alloy wheels." Inside, the Yaris has a very unconventional look, with a center-mounted gauge cluster and Liftback models offering large storage areas behind a slim center stack of controls. The interior is a contrast of elements good and bad, desirable and tacky, as Toyota obviously is trying to make a fashionable cabin while watching its price very carefully. Regarding the unusual location of the speedometer, Automobile Magazine says, "Toyota insists that drivers eventually get used to the unconventional location—yeah, and convicts eventually get used to cell block D." But Road & Track sees more humor in the center-mounted gauges, quipping, "Now everybody in the car can see how fast you're going, or how much fuel you have left." But as controversial as it might be, the layout "lends the Yaris a bigger feel inside," notes Autoblog. ConclusionThe 2009 Toyota Yaris proves that small economy cars don't have to look dull, even if the more daring styling stirs controversy in some areas. 2010 TOYOTA YARIS STYLING | [7 out of 10] Edmunds: "looked understatedly playful" Car and Driver: "a face only a mother could love" Road & Track: "4-door Yaris sedan looks like the little brother of the Corolla " The Yaris still manages to look quite stylish compared to most ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The most appealing vehicle in this crowd is the Honda Fit; although it's quite a bit more expensive, the Fit is safer, more expansive inside—thanks to the wonderful Magic Seat design—and more fun to drive. The redesign that the Fit got for 2009 made it pretty much untouchable in this category. But Toyota has upped the Yaris' safety features for 2010, which eliminates some of our previous reservations. Otherwise, the Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio are probably the most direct competitors to the Toyota Yaris. Both models come as a sedan, but the Accent is available as a three-door hatchback model and the Rio as a five-door hatchback (Rio5). They both feel a little heftier on the road, even if they don't weigh a lot more, and their real-world fuel economy isn't as good based on the experience of TheCarConnection.com. The Kia Rio5 is more fun to drive than all but the Honda Fit. The Chevrolet Aveo, made in South Korea by GM Daewoo, is another model worth looking at, but it doesn't perform as well as these other models in most respects.

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See the Toyota Yaris in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

Comments (1 total)

  1. By christian #1, Posted: 11/13/2009

    I bought a 2 door hatchback exactly a month ago. I was quite concerned with what some of the reviews had to say, especially the comment about the odd driving position, and the austere cabin appointment, and the center mounted instrument panel.
    I am 6'3" and after test driving a Yaris, I could not figure out what the reviewers were complaining about. I thought I would hate the center mounted instrument panel, but I found I am very comfortable with it, and it is not at all distracting for me to glance at it. I found the interior to be clean and classy looking.
    The car I bought has manual 5 speed, no power doors or windows, and great radio/CD player. I love the ease of entry into the car, and the way it handles in traffic and zips through town. I love the visibility it gives me, and the rear window wiper is wonderful.
    The only thing I miss is that it does not have day running lights, I swear by them, and thus turn on my parking lights whenever I am driving.
    Go for a test drive, and judge for yourself!!!

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