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:

• 

  Biggest little car! - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By Snowy - January 18 - 10:00 am

  This has been a great car and has exceeded my expectations. I wanted a plain old manual transmission with no other gadgets and amazingly found a used one for sale. I bought this car for gas mileage and was expecting it to be a compromise in other ways but IT IS NOT! I consistently get 29 to 32 MPG without trying to maximize fuel economy and have gotten 42 on one road trip. The size of this car is deceiving and there is plenty of room inside. With the backseat down I have been able to fit anything I need and I have even transported a medium sized desk with the hatch fully closed! Its fun, smooth, quiet and handles great! Ive had a bunch of cars but I couldnt be more pleased with it.

• 

  Yaris S Automatic Review - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Abby Roberts - January 15 - 10:30 am

  The car fits anywhere I want to park it, and its extremely eye-catching. Looks more expensive than it is! Smooth ride on the road, very good brakes - slows down quickly. A/C is great! I love the CD/MP3/WMA player. My parents bought the Yaris Sedan and suggested I get one. Then I got the S. I absolutely love it.

• 

  Best car I have ever owned - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By A_Jaramillo - January 15 - 3:10 am

  I have had the car for 4 months now and havent had any problems. My wife loves it! We bought the 4dr sedan and it has plenty of room for our family of 3. Large trunk for a small car. We drive around town a lot and have NEVER averaged less the 36 mpg! We took road trip and averaged 56 mpg hwy! Best deal for your dollar.

• 

  My little blue beast!! - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Meredith - January 11 - 3:16 pm

  i recently purchased my 07 yaris hatchback and i LOVE IT! it is extremely spacious on the inside and i love all of the available features, the armrest(very comfortable), the aux jack which is even better because it is accesible with i-pods, keyless entry, power windows, etc.. this car is a dream. Lots of pickup, this car really likes to go even though it only has 109 hp. The digital gauges are a fun new feature that i havent yet seen in a toyota(my family owns only toyotas).

• 

  Cant beat this car for the money - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By jaded541 - January 6 - 9:40 pm

  Even if this car were not the least expensive car on the market I would still think it was a great car and fun to drive. Edmunds should create a new ratings category called Joy per Dollar (JPD). If they did this car would come out on top.

• 

  Much better design then Echo - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By N9QGS - December 27 - 12:23 pm

  After looking at the Echo and the option packages, Im very pleased to say that I really like what the Yaris has brought, nice package options, safety curtain airbag option, gas mileage better then 36 mpg. and the car has a very nice ride longer wheel base then the echo, quiet interior for the price of the vehicle. Great commuter with toyota reliablility

• 

  I love my yaris - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By I LOVE MY YARIS - December 27 - 7:33 am

  Very affordable, Cute design and shape, very spacious. This Car is Hot!!!!!!!!!!!!

• 

  charlielishas Yaris - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By charlielisha - December 4 - 4:06 pm

  I love the car! Very fun to drive. We used to drive a Chevy Aveo, since I test drove a Yaris I traded in the Aveo right away. The Yaris is more stable, quiet, more hp and very fun to drive. The best is its fuel efficiency (40MPG).

• 

  I love my Yaris too! - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Andy K. - November 29 - 5:06 am

  The Yaris Liftback is the first car Ive owned (5th total) that I truly LOVE. It looks small, compact, and stylin from the outside, yet its literally HUGE on the inside. None of my passengers can believe how much room there is until theyve sat in it. The steering is silky smooth and responsive, the engine is surprisingly good for something quite small, and the interior design is amazing. Toyota did an amazing job with this design. Its main use for me is city life/city driving (5 people fit no problem), but weve also taken it on road trips and its been very nice (for 2 people) as the back seat folds down for a ton of added trunk space. Ive been getting almost 40 mpg on the highway. A+ !

• 

  This is a wonderful car! - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By Tim - November 25 - 11:20 am

  I love the body and interior style. This car really stands out with its cutting edge looks. This car is very solid and handles well for a small car. When on the highway I dont feel like im in a small car. The inside door and dash material does scuff too easy. I got the power package that includes ABS and a tachometer. The basic dash without the tach was too plain for my tastes. My backseat passengers have been suprised by how much room this car has. The trunk is good sized. Things are easy to get to in the engine compartment also.