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:

• 

  Beautiful - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By yoyocheerio - June 10 - 11:20 am

  I absolutely love this car. I have owned a toyota before, a 1986 MR2, and was very pleased with it so when it came time to buy my first new car, I was definitely going to look at Toyota. Ive got a lot of expenses with my 2 kids and so I needed to keep the cost manageable. I was worried I wouldnt be able to get a decent car for my budget but I am thrilled to have discovered the Yaris. It is perfect for me - great gas mileage, fun to drive, great design inside and out, its a Toyota and on top of all that its affordable. Its too good to be true.

• 

  Peppy little car - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By RD - June 8 - 7:30 am

  I finally got the car with additional antilock brakes and curtain side air bag for added safety. Got 17 inch after market rims with wider tires for additional traction and stability. It looks great and is really fun to drive and very fuel efficient. Toyotas reliability has a proven tract. I currently own a Sequoia, a Camry, and an 07 LS 460. Im 6 ft 1 and I use this for my daily commute for obvoius practical reasons. I had my fair share of luxury European cars (I wont mention out of ethics) and my ownership experience were not good.

• 

  Yaris rocks - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By sarah2037 - May 31 - 10:20 am

  I went out just to look at the car and drove away in it. I couldnt resist it. The car is hip, stylish and gets great mileage. Dont be fooled by the size, it can still fit 4 comfortable and the back seats move so easily for extra storage.

• 

  I Love my Yaris - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Eric Krakowski - May 31 - 3:10 am

  The Yaris is definitely the best car I have ever purchased. Im very happy with its handling ability and fuel economy (especially the fuel economy). The gas meter doesnt even move when your driving on the highway, and the ride is soooo smooth for a little 4 cylinder car. I highly recommend this car for anyone who doesnt care about muscle, but cares about economy and class. Im very proud to own a Yaris.

• 

  Fun, Fun, Fun - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By dinhcara - May 20 - 7:50 pm

  This is my first Toyota, but not my first micro vehicle. Ive owned an 850 Fiat coupe, as well as a Renault 4CV. They were a blast to drive, and probably the reason that I was not intimidated by light-weight small cars. Those cars were much lighter than this one. Oh sure, it can be a little twitchy in the corners and on the hi-way when theres a big cross wind. And the engine, though very competent, is no Z-28 302. But for "Fun to Drive", this one is right up there. The electric power steering just feels right. It has the optional 15" tires, just to let you know. It has a secure feeling, probably due to the long wheelbase for its size. People sit up high -- nothing claustrophobic.

• 

  Love My Yaris! - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Karen - May 13 - 10:30 am

  I bought my Yaris about 2 months ago and so far it is meeting all my expectations. The dealer only had one lift-back and one sedan on the lot the day I was there. I chose the lift-back over the sedan because I didnt want a car that looked like every other car out there. This car is different - it draws a lot of attention. I love that this car is roomy and comfortable to drive. Compared to my last 2-dr this car is easy to get in and out of the back seat. I am getting around 35 mpg and hope for better as I continue to break her in - but even if 35 is the best I get it beats my last car by 10 mpg so Ill take it! Its a lot of car for the size and the price. Very satisfied.

• 

  I get it - its an economy car. But cmon! - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Brian Knapp - May 5 - 10:17 pm

  Its an okay car. You buy it because it delivers reliability, economy, and excellent fuel mileage. I understand this car is an economy car and its no Lexus - much less a Camry. Im not comparing this car to a nicer car brand - its entry level and I understand that. However, its still not a car that I would buy again after having driven one - even if I was in the market for an economy car. Pros: Economy - between the infrequent repairs (hasnt had any issues in nine years of ownership), the fuel economy, and the MSRP, its possibly one of the cheapest to buy and undisputedly cheapest to run used cars out on the market today. It would make an excellent first car or a car for someone who just doesnt like driving and needs something easy to commute to work in. Reliability - In 9 1/2 years of ownership (we bought this car in April 2006), we have had zero issues with it. Nada. Nothing. It is a solid little car - thats expected of most Toyotas or Hondas however. Cons: Driving Dynamics - This car is scary on the highway. Trying to accelerate on a freeway entrance ramp is extremely difficult and downright dangerous. Its pretty peppy around the city, but trying to pass someone in this car is not for the faint at heart. Additionally, this car is from an era when electric assisted power steering was not quite as refined as it is today, so the steering feels pretty loose and a little "off" compared to older cars with hydraulic power steering. This gives the steering a "numb" feeling. I know this is a pretty subjective word to use, but the car just feels weird to drive. Its almost like driving a toy car or a golf cart. With an antiquated four speed automatic transmission, the engine gets pretty buzzy and it doesnt shift very smoothly. Interior - Because of the starting price, I forgive the fact that there is hard plastics virtually everywhere, even on most places where your elbows rest. However, the interior is a bit too "Scion" in my opinion and not in a good way. Perhaps one of the biggest design flaws is the center mounted speedometer. Everyone in my family who has driven this car has had a few speeding tickets because its easy to ignore the speedometer. I understand Toyota removed this in the newer generation of Yaris - thank goodness. Still - the center mounted speedometer is something that is hard to forgive and offers no benefit over a traditional steering wheel mounted speedometer. Its a classic example of form over function. Also, the seats are EXTREMELY uncomfortable - I often find myself hunching over the steering wheel with upper back pain because the seats are not very plush. The cloth is not soft and just feels really thin and not durable. The sound system is absolutely awful. Again - I get this is an economy car, but even my 2008 Toyota Corolla has a much better sounding stereo than the Yaris. The interior quality starts to show its age. We barely drive the car, but the plastics still rattle like crazy. The engine is extremely buzzy and there is a great deal of road noise in the cabin. The visibility is not terrible, but the exterior design gives it a pretty tall rear end, making the rear window a bit small. It also has EXTREMELY thick A-pillars which unfortunately block your view of pedestrians in the crosswalk. Overall, the interior of the Yaris is one of its most pitiful downfalls. Safety - this car seems like the perfect fit for your teenage daughter or God forbid your son (dont get him a Yaris). However - just look at the side impact crash test scores. The Yaris did NOT come with side impact airbags standard. This car is a death trap in a T-bone accident, which is the deadliest form of accident. Not to mention, a lot of these Yarisi have virtually NO anti-theft protection. This car doesnt even have a chipped key - so anyone with a screwdriver can start the car. Toyotas tend to be one of the most frequently stolen car brand, so the fact that Toyota didnt put this basic safety feature in the car is shameful. Even my 2000 Ford Taurus had a chipped key and thats approaching 16 years old! I wouldnt recommend this car if you live in an area with high car theft rates. IF you do, consider investing in a steering wheel club and/or an aftermarket alarm system. Honestly - you can get that trademark Toyota reliability with just about any Toyota model out there. Consider investing in a 2000s era Camry instead (especially the 02-06 generation) or a Toyota Corolla. Youll give up a few MPGs, but youll get a safer, more comfortable car to commute in.

• 

  It was simply the best car for the money - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By maximapitko - May 5 - 12:33 am

  My wife and I were on the market for a new vehicle for over a month. A long story short - we bought the Yaris and although my wife says she had a little buyers remorse, I had NONE. My impressions so far: it was sluggish at first but 5000 miles later its a different car. The mpgs are between 37 and 43. It seems like the AC doesnt affect the fuel consumption at all. At first the car seems a little cheaply made but it grows on you tremendously. 1st, 3rd and 5th gear are EVIL! The only thing I would change is firm up the suspension and put slightly wider tires - the car doesnt like to take corners fast. Advice - always break in your new car (3000 rpm MAX for the first 5000 miles). Thks.

• 

  2007 Toyota Yaris - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By radu - May 4 - 5:26 pm

  This is a nice looking car, it looks somehow like a sports car. But don’t get misled. The Yaris driving is less inspired than many others. Driving position is simply wrong: the steering is too far for taller drivers compared with any other car on the market, therefore driving pleasure and feeling are much reduced. Good front visibility but dangerous blind spots on the sides. Excellent build quality, however the paint chips easily. Very poor clutch conception, hard to engage smoothly or quickly, automatic transmission it’s a must for this car. Gas mileage is less than expected, especially in city driving.

• 

  5 door - 2009 Toyota Yaris
  By aargos - May 3 - 6:59 pm

  Have had my 5 door for 3 years now. Gets good fuel economy as expected and so far no issues. Feels nimble and zippy around town. However, would not buy it again. For not so small 17+ k the car feels too cheap. It exudes cheapness/budget. Even at street speed open 1 window and you get greeted with such bad wind buffeting it gives me and my wife a headache. We have to open the window on other side to even it out. Maybe its the shape, I dont know but never experienced it in any other car. If youre looking for a good small car in this price range go with the Fit, there is a reason why it consistantly gets better rated. My wife and I certainly wish we did.