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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  Great little big car - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Yaris Fan - March 31 - 4:53 am

  Have had Yaris for 1900 miles or 2 1/2 weeks. Trip to Maine and 103 miles per day work. Its ride is very good for its size. Handles on highway much better than I thought, hugs the road and can change lane in a flash when needed. Gas mileage is way better than EPA states. I have averaged 42 plus miles per gallon since first day. 42 the lowest going to Maine averaged 78 MPH A/C on and I got 42.18 MPG. Best so far 43.50 MPG. That is combination city and highway. I dont race or see if I can beat everyone to the stop sign or light. I get there 1/2 second later and about $3.00 cheaper. If you want a car that is great on MPG then Yaris can not be beat for the money.

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  Love this car - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Robert Moore - March 28 - 10:33 am

  The Yaris handles great and has lot of room on the interior. The motor responds perfectly. There is more road noise than what I am used to. I love this car and plan to customize it into a pimped ride.

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  Go Get One - 2009 Toyota Yaris
  By Coach Rob - March 25 - 9:33 am

  So far so Good! Very impressive pep for such a small car. Runs smooth at 80 or at 18mph. Also this little car turns on a dime! Really fun to drive! Reasonably quiet ride on decent road surfaces. A tiny bit more roady and harsh on bumps but what do you expect on a small wheel base car. Love the center dash display (except) the fuel gauge, odometer and accessory lights such as engine temp and light on indicators. Should be enlarged by at least one font size. It would be a bad thing if your engine over heat light comes on but the darn indicator bulb is so tiny that you never see it. Love the over-all appearance of the Yaris over anything else out their in this same size class of car.

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  Premature review ! - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Dale A. Drottar - March 23 - 10:53 pm

  I write a review earlier, immediately after buying the car. Having owned it for a month, the only obvious fault I have experienced with it is the quality of the front part of the seat back on the drivers seat. The polyester cloth has worn/frayed where I enter/exit the vehicle. Apparently my belt and belt loop has worn the cloth on the lower left of the drivers seat. I tried to contact Toyota through the computer help line with no results. The seat was worn with less than 500 miles on the car. I am thin and in good shape, my weigh has nothing to do with the poor quality material being used. Dealership will try and help me, I hope. Rain always drips in the windows, rain shields a must.

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  Love It! - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Deborah - March 7 - 5:26 am

  This is the most fun car I have ever had. I love everything about it. True- it does not have all of the fancy bells and whistles, but that is where I save money. Now as we are looking to replace our second car, we coming back to how much we love our Yaris and are talking about getting another. The only way to improve it is to make it a hybrid.

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  Harmonizing - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By Ron Bunn - March 4 - 5:50 am

  My idea of a good vehicle is one you can harmonize with. The Yaris does a pretty good job of that for me providing close to ideal basic transportation. Gets you there fast and does it comfortably at a respectable fuel consumption rate. My biggest disappointment has been no place to hang a couple of clean shirts and pair of slacks. A fairly easy problem to fix but a real annoyance the dealership should have made sure was looked after. Seat belts work better than most cars but you need to make sure they are in place before you begin moving. Ive had mine for 6 months and have 23,000 kilometers on it. Nothing has broken and no rattles.

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  Better Choices in Sub-Compact Market - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By xoquixxoqafxo - March 3 - 12:40 pm

  Bought this car in March 2007 to get something more fuel efficient, I regret it today because I should have went with a 2007 Honda Civic LX which i looked at but choose this because it was 14,500 out the door and the civic was 17,000 out the door. I should have spend the extra 2500 because I am considering selling it and getting a Civic LX-S right now. Gas Mileage is the only strong point, average around 32 MPG combined, have gotten 40 on the hwy but its difficult because the 4 SPD Auto allows the engine to buzz away at 3k at 60 mph. Has crummy handling and unresponsive steering. Honda fit was way more fun to drive with the utility of a hatchback. Its been reliable but thats it.

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  Love my new Yaris - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Florence Hanlon - March 2 - 9:56 pm

  I absolutely love my new Yaris. It has given me great mileage, actually going more than the promised 39mpg, closer to 41 or 42. I have had it about a month to the day, and have only had to fill it up twice, have put more than 400 miles on it. I would like to know however if the safety tests have been done yet on it. I bought it because I had such good success with my first car, a Toyota Celica, and so I trust Toyota, and so far, have found nothing to complain about. I especially like that the "hump" in the dashboard is in the middle, rather than on the drivers side, obstructing my view. Would still like to know safety rating.

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  Two years now 20000 miles - 2009 Toyota Yaris
  By dadinfo - March 1 - 6:58 pm

  It performs great for most of our driving. Mom drives it mostly and is in love, head over heels. OVER 40 MPG ! ! !

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  Nice car - 2009 Toyota Yaris
  By Catman - March 1 - 2:53 am

  Traded in a 95 van that got 13 MPG on a good day and wanted a green vehicle. So far I really like my car. In the summer I average 36-38 MPG. In the winners its more like 33-34. I travel about 60/40 (highway/city) in a hilly area. On a flat highway I get 42+ mpg. The Yaris is not a luxury car but it has a decent ride and plenty of pep. In fact its more comfortable to drive than my LeSabre because the seats are high, and you dont feel like youre sitting on the ground like you do in a Corvette or Firebird. The center console takes some getting use to but at night you dont have any distractions and its easier to see. Good air and heat. Its a very fine economical car