
The 2016 Toyota Yaris comes only as a three- or five-door hatchback, meaning that competitors with hatchback and sedan models do better.
Most cars in the segment have more room inside, more cargo flexibility, better gas mileage, and/or more appealing driving characteristics.
The segment champ continues to be the Honda Fit, with the superb ‘Magic Seat’ layout that provides adult-size rear-seat space or a very low, flat seat-folding arrangement.
The fun-to-drive Ford Fiesta is among the smallest in the segment, and it's getting long in the tooth now, but Ford has continued to refine it—and its three-cylinder 1.0-liter engine delivers 37 mpg combined.
The Nissan Versa sedan and Note hatchback have unimpressive interior trims and a powertrain that can sound boomy and not very responsive (due its CVT tuning), but they're huge inside and ride smoothly.
If you're seeking comfort and refinement along with driving feel, the Chevrolet Sonic may be the pick of the litter, and its sticker price and EPA ratings remain competitive.
Finally, the Scion iA subcompact four-door sedan is the complement to the Yaris hatchback-only range, but because it's a new-generation Mazda 2 underneath, it's great fun to drive and gets superb fuel-economy ratings—37 mpg combined—that we expect it to deliver in real-world use.
We'd take it over the Yaris any day.
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Quick Specs | ||||
The 2016 Toyota Yaris is Toyota's least expensive model, but it doesn't stand out in any particular category. |
Despite its five years largely unchanged, the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic remains stylish and comfortable, and it scores big not only on safety ratings, but also driving fun. |
The 2016 Fiesta offers fun and features not expected at these prices, but it lacks interior space compared to top rivals. |
The 2016 Honda Fit isn't as entertaining to drive as it once was, but it's unmatched in safety and space, thanks to the Magic Seat. |
The 2016 Scion iA isn't fast or particularly roomy, but it delivers a great blend of features and performance for a remarkable subcompact price. |
MSRP From | ||||
$14,895 | $14,345 | $14,580 | $15,890 | $15,700 |
Gas Mileage | ||||
30 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy | 24 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy | 26 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy | 29 MPG City / 41 MPG Hwy | 31 MPG City / 42 MPG Hwy |
Engine | ||||
Regular Unleaded I-4 | Gas I4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 |
EPA Class | ||||
Compact Cars | Compact Cars | Subcompact Cars | Small Station Wagons | Subcompact Cars |
Style Name | ||||
3-Door Liftback Manual L (GS) | 4-Door Sedan Manual LS | 4-Door Sedan S | 5-Door HB Manual LX | 4-Door Sedan Manual (GS) |
Drivetrain | ||||
Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
Passenger Capacity | ||||
5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Passenger Doors | ||||
N/A | 4 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Body Style | ||||
Liftback | Sedan | Sedan | Hatchback | Sedan |
Transmission | ||||
Manual w/OD | Manual | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD |
Detailed Spec Comparison | ||||
2016 Toyota Yaris vs. 2016 Chevrolet Sonic | 2016 Toyota Yaris vs. 2016 Ford Fiesta | 2016 Toyota Yaris vs. 2016 Honda Fit | 2016 Toyota Yaris vs. 2016 Scion iA |