Overview & Reviews

Looking for an inexpensive, entry-level new car at a Toyota dealership? In years past, you would've likely walked right by the Yaris' oddly proportioned predecessor, the Echo, and opted to shop for one of its worthy subcompact competitors. Thankfully, the Toyota Yaris is a better vehicle in just about every way.

Still, the first-generation of the Yaris was passable at best in what has become an increasingly competitive subcompact segment, as rivals offered more refinement, greater utility and a more enjoyable drive. But the latest version of Toyota's entry-level car boasts improvements in those key areas that, although still not making it a class leader, at least put it in the hunt. Further bolstered by Toyota's solid reputation for low ownership costs and stellar long-term reliability, the latest Yaris should prove appealing to those looking for practical and economical transportation.

Current Toyota Yaris
Toyota offers the subcompact Yaris as either a two- or four-door hatchback. There is no sedan version. Base L and uplevel LE trims are offered in either body style, while a sporty SE trim is offered only on the four-door. Standard highlights on the L include power door locks, air-conditioning, four-way-adjustable front seats, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, a CD player, USB/iPod connectivity and satellite radio. The LE adds power windows, remote keyless entry, a six-way-adjustable driver seat, a 60/40-split fold-down rear seat and an upgraded sound system. The SE trim gets a sport-tuned suspension, 16-inch alloy wheels, four-wheel disc brakes, a unique grille, foglamps, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and upgraded cloth upholstery.

For power, the Yaris comes with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine good for 106 horsepower and 103 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard and a four-speed automatic is optional. Fuel economy, while not class-leading, is still very frugal.

In reviews, we've found the new Yaris easy to like. Although its four-speed automatic would seem to be a major downside alongside some rivals' six-speed units, it manages not to feel archaic. With its timely gearchanges it makes the most of the available power while merging onto fast-moving freeways or dicing with city traffic. Handling is also respectable, with a reassuringly composed demeanor when tackling a twisty road. The SE provides a sporty feel with its quicker steering and additional grip. However, its ride quality isn't as good, and its turning circle is noticeably wider as well.

Used Toyota Yaris Model
The current second-generation Toyota Yaris debuted in the 2012 model year. Compared to the first-generation model, the latest Yaris is about 3 inches longer, and that stretch has been utilized to provide more luggage space. With this Yaris you also get a restyled interior, improved driving feel and additional convenience and safety features. Since that 2012 debut, only minor changes to feature content have taken place.

The first-generation (U.S. market) Toyota Yaris was sold from 2007-'11. It came as a two-door hatchback, a four-door hatchback or a four-door sedan. Toyota made a serious effort to differentiate the sedan from the hatchbacks. As such, it features a different instrument panel, was almost 20 inches longer and has a longer wheelbase. This meant more room for rear passengers, though the hatchbacks did offer an optional adjustable rear seat, which slid fore and aft to increase passenger or cargo space as needed.

All these Yaris models were powered by a 1.5-liter, 106-hp four-cylinder engine that drove the front wheels through either a five-speed manual or an optional four-speed automatic. Either way, the Yaris delivered excellent fuel economy. Apart from air-conditioning, standard equipment was fairly sparse. Option highlights included a Sport package that added styling tweaks, 15-inch wheels, foglights, iPod integration and sport seats.

These Yaris models offered an adequate driving experience. The steering was light for easy parking maneuvers, and the turning circle was tight. The engine was peppy enough, though off-the-line acceleration can be sluggish with the automatic transmission.

Changes throughout the years were very minimal in terms of styling, features and powertrains. But anyone considering a used Yaris should note that models prior to '09 may not feature side curtain airbags and antilock brakes, as they were optional for the first two years. For 2010, stability control became standard and the S trim level was eliminated in favor of the optional Sport package.

User Reviews:

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  Smart - "For Two", Step Aside - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Nihilist - September 11 - 5:26 am

  I had been holding off purchasing a car until the arrival of the Smart, "For Two" into the US. No longer. I ordered my hatchback last month and it showed up yesterday. Fun is the best way to describe it. Clean, simple interior and cute exterior. The hatch is not a family car, but for me and my wife its perfect.

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  Great value - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Dani - September 4 - 11:50 am

  This vehicle has been great so far. I make many trips back and forth from Iowa to Chicago and it is much nicer not having to fill up 3 times during the trip, instead I only have to fill up once and I still have 1/2 tank left when I get back. The only complaint I have about the vehicle is that the cup holders in front are directly in front of the heating vents so the drink gets really hot even if you close the vents. The vehicle looks small on the outside, but it has a ton of room on the inside, you would never expect that my fiance, who is 6 4", fits very comfortably in the passengers seat! Overall, I definitely love the vehicle and I would recommend it to anyone!

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  Stylish, Reliable, Good Mpg, Bad on Snow - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Jill - September 2 - 11:13 pm

  I love everything about this car except the lack of power and maneuverability on snow - it likes to slip, slide, and get stuck in a couple inches of snow pretty easily (I live in Wisconsin). In non-snow and non-icy conditions, it drives smoothly and has plenty of pep for the size. I love the way it looks inside and out. It is roomier than it would appear from the outside. The cupholders are extremely handy - better placed than any other car I have owned. Best of all, I get excellent gas mileage - overall I get around 34-35 mpg, but on a long all-highway trip I am able to get 38. Thats hard to beat with a non-hybrid - and this car is comfortable! I would highly recommend this vehicle overall!

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  2008 Yaris - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By woodsie - August 28 - 4:36 pm

  After spending way too much at the fuel pump, I needed to change. After reading the reviews I went and looked at Toyota and liked what I saw, a few test drives later I was hooked. Its only been a few weeks since I purchased but still no compaints, the gas mileage is great, 35 mpg 80% highway 20% city. The interior is roomy and the ride is comfortable. I have mainly driven vehicles with manual transmisions but I really like the automatic in this car. Its fun to drive and easy to maneuver.

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  Love it but ... - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By Krystyna - August 12 - 8:10 pm

  My 2000 Honda Civic was stolen and completely stripped and I was forced to purchase a new vehicle. I looked at the Chevy Aveo, the Nissan Versa, the Honda Fit, and the Yaris. The Yaris was the most affordable and I was able to get the options I wanted (i.e. alarm, car starter, ABS, power package). I enjoy driving this car and it is very comfortable for me. The only thing is, this little car can be quite noisy when switching gears and the ABS feel a bit "mushy" for a lack of a better word. I have 1,300 miles on my car right now and I am concerned I need to have the brakes checked. People have said that I am just use to a Honda which is a much quieter car with smoother braking.

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  Great car - 2009 Toyota Yaris
  By John - August 9 - 10:43 am

  Ive been driving it around town and on the expressway. Its 100x better than the new Beetle I traded for it.

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  Fun to drive & great mileage too! - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By ToyotaFan - August 8 - 11:30 pm

  After having several new Toyotas of all sizes, the Yaris 2D Hatch is the most fun to drive. I road tested the competitors and none handled as well, or were rated as high in mileage. This car rides very comfortably and the small turning circle makes it a real pleasure to manuver around in town. Ive had mine 6 weeks and average 36 mpg in city only driving. A 300 mile trip on the freeway returned 42 mpg @ 70mph. The interior is very well thought out with lots of cup holders, 3 gloveboxes, & many small storage areas. Mine has the sport seats which have high grade material and are very supportive & comfortable. I could not be happier with my new 2008 Yaris.

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  I luv my Yaris ! - 2009 Toyota Yaris
  By Nilda Gutierrez - August 6 - 9:43 pm

  I love my new Yaris, 5 door, white hatchback, I absolutely love it, it looks like a cute little toy, it runs awesome, the storage inside the car is awesome, cup holders, the storage behind the steering wheel is great. The only thing I dont like is the lite on the dashboard, too loud. The room inside the vehicle is awesome, roomy for all, in the back is awesome two people fit awesome!

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  I love my Yaris - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By AT - August 3 - 1:16 pm

  I love this car. I just got the Yaris a week ago and Im loving it. I drive 122 miles a day, 5 days a week, total of 610 miles per week and I spent $40 on gas the first week on my commute in the Yaris, comparing to my 2004 Audi A6, which I was spending $50 every 2 days, I will probably save about $4,000 or more on gas this year because, last year I spent $6,900 on gas driving my A6 to work. Now that the A6 is parked in the garage I stand the chance of saving extra money on gas. Thanks Toyota.

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  What a Great Car! - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By KL - July 29 - 3:20 pm

  I just purchased my new car and I love it . I have always loved smaller cars vs big suvs. This car is so fun to drive it handles so well. It is comfortable and can comfortably seat four average size to five adults. Trunk space looks decieving on the outside of the car but was much bigger then my mitsubishi eclipse. This is just a great car I had drove 100 miles and my fuel gauge still hadnt moved off of full. You can not beat this car for the price. And it is friendly to the environment passing all emissions standards. I drive by big old suvs and truck at the gas station and realize this was such a great decision to buy this car. I have absolutely no regrets and would tell my family to buy it.