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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  Avoid stick shift with size 12 shoes - 2012 Toyota Yaris
  By 5cylvw - April 10 - 8:00 pm

  If you rest your shoe on the L models dead pedal, it constantly gets caught under the clutch pedal, and you end up having to hover that foot above the clutch when you anticipate a gear change soon. The gear shift feels very crude and notchy. Stick shift does yield more zoom-zoom over automatic, but the LE model with automatic shift and more creature comforts - such as power windows - will make your drive more enjoyable. I had an LE model in 2006 which easily survived being T-boned in the driver door by pickup truck, and I traded it for a VW Rabbit. My 2012 L stick easily yielded 32 mpg in short city drives, but after 5 months Im dumping it for a great Mazda3 iTouring hatch.

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  The reliable, lovable 2007 Yaris - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By nargrakhan - April 4 - 11:07 pm

  This was the first car Ive personally owned, bought for a flat 13k from the local Toyota dealer. Its been in my possession for exactly seven years, and currently just under 59k miles. I always got an oil change every 5000 miles. Changed tires and engine tune up at 50k. Let me state she NEVER fails me. Be it flooding downpours, heavy snowfalls or gusting hurricanes: the car always pulled through like a champion. Been hit twice at low speeds (once in the front and once in the rear), but after a quick trip to the bodyshop she runs perfect. Both incidents only caused cosmetic bumper damage, as the car itself is far more rugged than she looks. She has spunk. She has spirit. I love her!

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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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  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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  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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  Love - Hate relationship - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By love/haterealtionshp - February 10 - 9:53 am

  Ive had my Yaris for a little over a year and a half. Amazing gas mileage one of the things I love, its got quite a lot of oomph when you want it. I think its probably best as a tuner car. I dont recommend it as a family sedan though, unless you have snow tires on it, it slides everywhere in the winter, the cars too light for decent winter driving. Also Im expecting and am very afraid to put my child in the car, Ive seen them get totaled at 15 mph. As much as I do love this little car, I hate it at the same time, wish it was safer. As it stands with a little one on the way Im searching for something else. Itll make me sad to see it go, but I gotta do whats best for my family.

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  Would Buy Again Easily! - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By SB - January 28 - 2:56 am

  After over four years of ownership, this is a great car all around. Ive driven this car through mountains, snow and floods and still after 44,000 mi, the engine and everything else still runs like it did when it rolled off the showroom floor. Acceleration is nothing special, but its ample to get on the highway and keep up with traffic. I usually average about 34 mpg with mostly city driving, 42 mpg is the absolute most in my experience. Storage is never a problem even on long trips with a dog kennel in the back and being 62 I have plenty of headroom and legroom (maybe not so for rear passengers). If youre a no frills person looking for reliability and function, Yaris is a great choice.

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  Good car (just good, not great) - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By New york city gal - December 25 - 9:23 am

  So my last car was a Honda Accord. I know its not fair to judge this car based on my past vehicle but Im pretty sure that is why Im not wholly astounded. I find this car to be quite bumpy on the road (as expected from such a small lightweight car), & I truly hate the brakes. I feel like the car is almost out of control when braking. When driving on a bumpy road I feel like Im riding a bike on a cobblestone road. Maybe Im not used to it but Ive been driving it for 2 weeks already. Car sounds like a tank when accelerating, and really cant keep up with other cars. Overall, I expected better but its still not a bad car. And for the price & toyota name I really cant complain.

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  OK Car - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By TAMPA OWNER - November 20 - 5:46 am

  This car is fun to drive and handles well. I dont suggest pulling out in front of any cars, it does not have a lot of get up and go power. The look is good the ride is nice. I am only getting 30 mpg in city driving, would like to have seen a little better.

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  Only one complaint - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By ahviva - August 8 - 8:33 pm

  I was extremely excited to buy this car to replace my old Geo Metro. Although no fuel-driven car (and even many hybrids) comes close to Geo Metros fuel efficiency, Yaris record was good enough. Plus, I was looking to stay within the sub-compact category. I love it in every way except for two serious design flaws: 1. Theres only ONE cup holder in the whole car, and its positioned in a way that is utterly inconvenient. I have to reach quite far back, past the manual brake to be able to grab it. 2. If I adjust the seat so that I am comfortable reaching the pedals, I have to stretch my arms to reach the steering wheel. It makes it for a much less comfortable drive than Id like to.