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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  Watch out for rust - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Sarah - March 7 - 11:39 pm

  I owned this car for 2 1/2 years and put about 130K on it. It was a great little car but I had to get rid of it because the bottom completely rusted out. Engine was still in great shape after 200K miles. Peppy accelerating up hill- not like other small cars Ive owned (flooring it and creeping up the hill at 50 mph on the highway!) Definitely invest in some undercoating if you live up north like me.

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  One year in review... - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By arice - January 29 - 10:20 am

  After months of research last year between the Yaris, Versa, and Fit, I chose to get a Toyota Yaris, and I am so glad that I did. I am on the road a lot for work (both hwy and city), so when purchasing a car last year, my main concern was reliability and gas mileage. When I first purchased the Yaris, it got around 36 mpg, but now that it is broken in I have gotten up to 41 mpg. I am very pleased with my purchase, and would recommend the Yaris for anyone wanting an economical car to zip around town in.

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  Good and Not so good - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By EggOwner - January 26 - 1:16 am

  Bought this car used two months ago. Getting 40 mpg in suburban driving! Love the tight handling and nimbleness of it. However, perhaps because my legs are long and my torso short (Im 5-8 and have a 33 inch inseam), I cannot find a comfortable driving position. My thighs do not touch the seat which leads to leg cramps. Putting a pillow on the seat has fixed that, but in addition the steering wheel is too far away! The wheel only goes up and down, it does not telescope, so there is no way to fix it. Ride seems rough because you feel every bump, no matter how minor--even seams in the pavement! Mind you, I spent the last 14 years driving a palatial van, so Im obviously oversensitive!

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  Undecided - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By PhillyGirl - November 13 - 12:03 am

  I bought my 08 Yaris sedan in May after trading in my 01 Mustang. Going from a Mustang to a Yaris was a little scary. But the savings in insurance and gas balanced out the decision. Right now Im undecided on the Yaris. I love that its fun to drive and packs a good punch for a car with a 1.5L engine. However, in the month and a half Ive had it, its now been in the shop twice. When the car was 3 weeks old the keyless entry stopped working. Now, after the car shuttered violently, a bearing broke in the AC compressor, causing the AWFUL noise. I got it home, limping. The car was towed yesterday (how embarrassing for my brand new car!) and Im now waiting for it get done at the shop.. again.

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  Good, cheap fun - 2010 Toyota Yaris
  By Steve - November 1 - 10:00 am

  I bought the Yaris strictly as a commuter car, for a 100 mile a day round trip commute, on the basis of the fuel economy and the expectation that I wouldnt feel bad about putting so many miles on a cheap car. As it turns out, its actually fun to drive. With the five speed manual, this light car gives all of the acceleration I need in town and on the freeway. Im also impressed with the "feel" of the materials. The doors close with that "thud" that you expect from a luxury sedan, rather than flimsy feel of a traditional subcompact. With its smooth ride, I have difficulty keeping my speed down on the freeway. After getting my first ticket in 20 years, I installed aftermarket cruise control

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  Not a race car - 2010 Toyota Yaris
  By yoski - September 16 - 7:20 am

  The Yaris is definitely not a performance car. If you want to burn some rubber, look elsewhere. Highway miles going 60 - 70 I got 42 mpg while running AC. City only I got mid 30s with AC and driving conservatively. Comfortable and handles well. Had a Tercel before that was still running well @ 177K miles. Tercel gave me no headaches ever, hope this car will be as reliable. Stereo system is so-so but does the job. Radio reception is poor. Interior is roomy, seats are nice, instruments are clearly visible. Everything is manual (windows, locks), so theres less stuff to brake. If youre looking for a reliable economy car that gets great gas mileage and doesnt brake the bank look no further.

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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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  amazing car!!!!!! - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By stephanie - July 16 - 3:30 pm

  Ive had this car for 2 years now, and all Ive had to do is change the oil. Ive put 32k miles on it. I used it for delivery driving for a while. It was great. I pretty much love everything about this car. I do miss not getting the power package. I get usually 28-37 mpg on average. I love driving it around town!

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  I Like My Toyota Yaris - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Greg Warmoth - July 14 - 1:06 pm

  My Yaris is the 2 door hatchback, red with the 1.5 liter engine. It drives nice and smooth with little road noise. It seats 5 but more like 4. Dont expect to haul a lot of baggage but this is more for the commuters than hauling anything. Fuel economy is around 39 on the road, about what Toyota shows it at. The stereo is simple but works well. The gauges are in the middle of the dash so if anyone doesnt like the instruments being to their right to look at the speedometer than this wouldnt be the car for you. This is an economy car, no bells and whistles, but its reliable at a cheaper price. Price of the car and gas mileage.

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  More money left for beer and pizza! - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By The_Dude - July 7 - 10:43 am

  I recently replaced my 05 Saturn Vue with this car. I just like the idea of being able to travel more than 300+ mi. in 11 gallons of gas as opposed to +/- 300 mi. in 16 gallons of gas in my Vue. That is 5 gallons less and 100 more miles. My last fillup, I got 38 mi to a gallon. You cant beat that for a reliable, inexpensive non hybrid fuel efficient car. It drives pretty decent, acceleration from 0-60 is sub par (under 10 sec) but I bought it for its fuel efficiency in mind. Since I installed an SGII, I am more conscious about how I drive and how much fuel I use. It can be fun to drive with the manual but the automatic is not bad once you got it going.