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2011 Toyota Yaris 3-Door Liftback review: The full report

First Look:

The 2011 Yaris is the lowest priced model in the Toyota lineup and offers the best value in the way of good, reliable, fuel efficient transportation for Denver drivers. It offers more than just basic transportation with its stylish looks, peppy performance, and sporty demeanor. The Yaris is the only vehicle in this segment to offer buyers three different models and body styles. The 2011 Yaris gets one significant change for…Read More.

Interior Features:

The 2011 Yaris 3-Door Liftback does a great job of utilizing interior space and the long wheelbase in the Liftback makes the Yaris cockpit feel quite spacious. The Yaris features a center-mounted instrument panel that can be a little distracting as it causes the driver to glance away from the road in order to read them. The gauges are not angled toward the driver and can also further hinder the driver’s ability to…Read More.

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Options and Features:

There is only one trim level available on the Yaris and comes standard with an array of standard features like On the inside, standard features include things like a tilt steering wheel, rear window defogger, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Power Package ($1,525) adds 60/40-split rear seats (slide/recline for the hatchbacks), 15-inch wheels, a rear-window wiper for hatchback models and a CD/MP3 player with…Read More.

Mechanical Features:

The 2011 Toyota Yaris is powered by a 1.5-liter inline-4 engine and produces 106 hp and 103 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, with a four-speed Electronically Controlled automatic (ECT) available as an option. The outstanding fuel economy is the strong point of the Toyota Yaris. The Yaris with the manual transmission gets an EPA estimated…Read More.

Driving Performance:

On the open road, the Yaris feels solid, and the economical 1.5-liter engine has more than enough power to keep up with the traffic. Its 106 horsepower doesn’t seem like much on paper, but the Yaris weighs just 2,300 pounds so acceleration is good for its size. The optional 15-inch tires sharpen handling and steering and make the car breeze through the corners. There's still some body roll in tight corners, but the...Read More.

Weekly Summary:

The 2011 Toyota Yaris remains basically the same as the previous year except for a new sunvisor extension for the hatchbacks. It may seem like a small item, but it was needed because of the expansive glass area. The Yaris doesn’t offer anything fancy, but Denver economy car shoppers are looking for a choice that's frugal to operate and easy to live with. The Yaris delivers on both points and…Read More.

, Denver Commuter Examiner

Denis is a Denver native and has a passion for automobiles. His extensive automotive background includes racing, 13 years in automotive technology sales, and 7 years in automotive media, test driving vehicles for the manufactures.His web site is denverautosolutions.com.

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