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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  Buy one today!!! - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By SUNFUSIONFJ - December 19 - 6:23 pm

  This car is the total package. Excellent mpg (41 in the WV mountains), great visibility, great driver position, comfortable seats, well placed controls and gauges, plenty of torque, smooth ride, lots of rear seat room with the back seat slid back, and oh so cute. I am 64" and 280lbs and I have more leg, head, and hip room than I need. It hugs the curves so well that you will go much faster than you should. I have owned SUVs that cost triple and I didnt like them as much. You better buy one now before the price skyrockets.

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  Best Little Car Ever - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Doodoo - December 19 - 9:16 am

  This car replaces the Echo, which was a good car, just ugly. Now since the ugly is gone its perfect. My new Yaris is beautiful. The short shifter lets me sap up as much as the little 1.5 engine can be expected to provide. I get over 10 miles more than the Kia Rio per gallon out of the Yaris I feel good about saying that this is probably the best little car ever made.

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  Worth it. - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By Elaine - December 11 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car brand new and I must say I have not been disappointed. For $13,500 there is no way I could have gotten a better new car than this. It is fun to drive (had a 00 Volvo before this) and you get great gas mileage. Makes great U-turns and I can actually parallel park with this car. As far as built quality, well that is where it really could do better. Too much cheap plastic and the inside cloth on the drivers door is fading for some reason. As far as reliability goes, I see it lasting forever. Ive put 17K miles on it and have done only the oil changes.

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  Great, love it - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By jim - December 7 - 6:26 pm

  I just bought my Yaris 2dr to avoid the high gas prices and am thrilled to date. I have put 800 miles on the vehicle so far and have averaged 35+ mpg in mixed driving (25% city/75% hwy). I am 64", 280 and have more than enough room, actually pretty comfortable for a car in this class. As a matter of fact it is really roomy in front as a friend (my size) and I commuted around the DC area running errands and found it surpisingly comfortable for two guys our size. The Yaris does exactly what I asked of it, great mpg, more than adequate comfort; throw in snappy performance and easy driving and I am thrilled.

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  Love it - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By javi67 - November 25 - 10:03 am

  This was only the second new car Ive ever bought and I love it. I was one of the first people in LA to drive one and i loved the looks and the comments, most of them made while I was in the car. Great gas mileage. Love my iPod jack. I can fit all sizes of people in it. Its white and its been nicknamed the "tic-tac". Now I see them everywhere - dont you just hate that? ;-)

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  This is my 15 year car! - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Jason - November 23 - 3:43 am

  I have had this car for 2 days and love it. I am 6’2” tall, and I fit in the back seat fine, I own the car of course so drive in it. The car is zippy. I call it my little Buzz Buzz. No problem in corners, acceleration is nice (I have the 5 speed manual) and I do not think the price can be beat. It is everything the Echo should have been (and could have been since it shares the platform with the Echo and the Scion xA). For weighing less than 2300 lbs, it does not feel terribly light, but I have not driven it in a wind storm yet. I commute about 30 miles a day and no problems. The interior build quality is fantastic! Not to mention I get 3 glove boxes, a little waste bin, and 5 cup holders.

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  Awesome! - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Allison - November 21 - 7:16 pm

  I love love love my Yaris, it is my first brand new car, and the smartest decision Ive made in a while. Its super fun to drive, super cheap to fill up at the pump. I love that people will stop and check it out when Im out.

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  Great for the money - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By jonesmiddle - November 18 - 5:40 pm

  I drive mostly in the city, and I usually get around 36 mpg with the automatic transmission. The handling is adequate for the car, but it could be a bit better. The interior is nicley finished, but it would be better if the speedometer, etc., were in front of the driver by the steering wheel instead of to the side. The seats are pretty comfortable and there is plenty of room in the rear seats and in the trunk. It took me a while to find the ABS that I wanted though. Adding a turbocharged engine could help up performance while pushing fuel consumption even lower and improving performance.

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  Proved me wrong - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By Sidekick - November 9 - 9:53 pm

  I traded in my 04 mustang in for a Yaris at first I was unsure but due to gas prices it was a must. After owning driving this car it surprised me. This car packs a lot of PUNCH and gets good fuel economy. 3rd gear makes it fun to drive even more especially up hills. I thought this would be a boring car but it proved me wrong.

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  Great Purchase - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By Mike - November 5 - 9:56 am

  Considering the # of reviews I read before purchase, I feel it is my duty to pass on the word that Toyota has produced a real winner. Although, Im a very conservative driver, I am getting upwards of 800 kilometres on a single tank! The manual transmission is exceptionally smooth and seems to be a helpful tool during inclement weather. Exterior design is beautiful, perhaps a bit of a head turner, but the interior location of the centre mounted instrument cluster took some getting use to. I wish that cruise control was a factory option as I spend a lot of time on the highway. The car seemed so small when I took delivery, but now, vehicles like I use to drive, seem unnecessarily large.