The Toyota Yaris 5-door is fuel-efficient but costs too much for what it is.
Just in time for gas prices to slip back below $2 per gallon, Toyota has expanded its already extensive line of economy cars to include a 5-door version of its Yaris.
They’d already had two versions of the Yaris – a sedan and a 3-door hatchback – plus the Corolla, Matrix, and Prius. Toyota dealerships also sell three more compact cars under the Scion brand. Is there room in this crowded lineup for this latest Yaris?
Yes.
European and Asian markets, where both space and gas are hard to come by, have long embraced the combination of economy and versatility of the small hatchback. Essentially, the 5-door Yaris is formed by lopping the trunk off the sedan, leading to a lighter weight and much shorter length, while making up for the lost space with the added versatility of a tall cargo hold. It is hard to criticize the addition of another subcompact 5-door to the American market.
The Yaris is Toyota’s least expensive product, and after the pricey Prius and Camry hybrids, its most fuel-efficient. This car certainly earns a place in the Toyota showroom for its relative gas mileage, price, and practicality.
But Toyota isn’t the only company selling economy cars. The Yaris needs to outdo a wide variety of competitors to justify its existence. Does it do that?
It depends on what you’re looking for, and even in the best case it doesn’t necessarily wow.
The Yaris’s greatest asset is clearly its gas mileage. It’s rated by the EPA at 29 miles per gallon in the city and 35 on the highway with the standard automatic transmission. These figures put the Yaris on the list of the ten most fuel-efficient new cars, and along with the pint-size two-seat Smart ForTwo it’s the only one that runs only on regular gasoline. (Strangely, the 5-door does not offer the manual transmission found in other Yaris versions, rare for an economy car. The manual lowers cost and fuel consumption and improves acceleration in other Yarises.)
But gas is back to being cheap, and the difference in fuel usage between two fuel-efficient cars tends to be small. So what else does the Yaris do?
The interior is roomy for passengers, at least. Four adults will fit comfortably on high, flat seats. The ride is also smooth for such a small car, and tight exterior dimensions and turning radius make for easy parking.
But the engine is one of the smallest in any current car, 1.5 liters and 106 horsepower. The Yaris is light enough that it can move quickly enough from a stop even with such a small engine, but it’s noisy and sounds strained at higher speeds, and is bound to run into problems if asked to shuttle four adults and their cargo.
.jpg)
Fortunately, at least from the powertrain standpoint, there won’t be much cargo. The hatchback bodystyle allows for good versatility in dealing with bulky items, but there isn’t a huge amount of space. There’s just a few inches of floor behind the rear seat, for a total measured capacity of 9.3 cubic feet. The rear seat adjusts fore-aft to let you choose between leg room and cargo room, but it leaves a well between the cargo floor and seatback when slid forward. The seat folds to offer 25.7 cubic feet total, which does not compare favorably to many competitors.But the Yaris’s bigger problem is that it feels like a very cheap car when it really isn’t especially inexpensive. Interior plastics and fabrics feel downscale. The engine is buzzy. Some may be put off by the speedometer that’s mounted at the center of the dash instead of behind the steering wheel.
And in general, the Yaris doesn’t offer any frills either in its available features or its engineering; the brochure advertises the comfort of the center armrest (optional), the rear seat adjusts fore-aft but doesn’t lie flat when folded, and there is nothing sophisticated about the way the car drives.
The Honda Fit was criticized in an earlier review here for not feeling like a very expensive car even at its relatively high price, which is within $20 of a comparably-equipped Yaris’s according to pricing site TrueDelta.com. And the Yaris is a step down from the Fit in many areas, though it does get better gas mileage, ride more comfortably, and cost less if you can forego such niceties as power windows and locks.
In general, the Yaris isn’t the downright unpleasant car that some have described it as. But as tested here, it ran a sticker of over $16,000 without even stepping up from the base to “S” version. For that price, you can get a nicer subcompact 5-door, like the Honda Fit, or a larger, more substantial car like the Nissan Versa or Hyundai Elantra. Within the Toyota Yaris line, the 5-door makes sense for its versatility and value. It seats four adults and gets great gas mileage. But other cars do the same, and do it while feeling less yet costing more like cheap cars.
So unless maximum gas mileage for the money trumps all other concerns, can you likely find something better than the Yaris?
Yes.
Vehicle tested: 2009 Toyota Yaris base 5-door liftback
Vehicle base price: $13,305
Vehicle price as tested: $16,345
Test vehicle provided by: Toyota of Waldorf of Waldorf, Md.
For more info:
http://www.toyota.com/yaris/index.html
http://www.toyota.com/yaris/index.html
Photos by Brady Holt.
Comments
Less appealing when gas is cheap, yes, sure... but will they stay this cheap for much longer? All the idiots who are rushing to buy SUVs now will have fun when the rollercoaster goes back up...
Anyone buying a car on the reasonable assumption that gas prices will be volatile can still get a nicer economy car than the Yaris that gets nearly its mileage.
Asia has the Yaris with a super cool body kit, I wonder why it is not here :-(
The minute I saw this car on the showroom floor I knew I had to have it. When the salesperson asked me "how can I help you" I said "you can sell me that white 5 door Yaris right over there". I love everything about it but what I love the most is the long lasting reliability I know will come with long term ownership. It's quiet on the highway, gets great gas milage, has very functional interior space, looks fantastic, is solid as a rock, and handles beautifully. Sure, it doesn't have all the bells and whistles but, it's outstanding transportation. It was a huge hit across the pond and mark my words "it will be here in the U.S. as well".
I currently have an '08 liftback 2 door 5-speed and have put 15K miles on it in 6 months. I drove everything in it's class and the '09 Fit rides like a Mini Cooper-hard. The Yaris has a superior ride to any of them and the handeling is excellent for such a small car-the Smart is not very stable at almost any speed-the narrow front tires cause this. I average 40-45mpg and no matter what the price of fuel I pay a lot less. The car is used for car pool with 4 people and they approved its use even though it's a 2 door since the back seat was so roomy. Cheap interior-well it looks just fine to me and I love that the matte like dash does not reflect in the windshield on sunny days unlike the Fit and Aveo. I wonder what reviews expect in a sub $15k car. What some reviewers seem to forget is that it is a "Toyota" with a great engine that has a timing chain-not a lousy, expensive to replace belt. This car is so easy to maintain I can't believe it sometimes. It has an excellent warranty (what's up Smart-you only trust it for 2 years-wow). There is no premium fuel required and it uses regular motor oil if so desired-not synthetic. I love that it is back to basics-I keep my cars a long time and usually the bells and whistles always start breaking after 100k miles. And, wow, do power stuff cost a lot to fix when it breaks. The 1.5 liter engine is just fine for a 2300lb. car. The electronic throttle takes some getting used to with the manual tranny, but the automatic is a no brainer to drive. And I only notice engine noise up above 70+MPH, otherwise it's quiet at 65 which achieves maximum fuel economy. I't a great car, but drive the others and judge for yourself-I did.
ok look you idiot...you cannot get a fit for under 15k...good luck with that one noob, i know because i tried to get one, and the yaris is much better thna the fit, so learn your you loser. The Yaris is an awesome car
YARIS RULES FIT SUCKS
You do not know jack about cars Brady. So keep quiet, and stop bashing this car. You probably dont know a spark plug from a muffler.
I bought a 2007 Toyota Yaris 3 door lift back. Best designed automobile I have ever owned or seen. I love how Toyota moved the speedometer to the center of the dash. I was able to install my aftermarket navigation system behind the steering wheel. I traded in a Escort wagon when I bought the new 2007 Yaris. I liked the Yaris so well I traded in a Ford Ranger to buy a second Yaris. Too many of the imported economy cars do not offer a automatic like the Yaris has and a disabled person like myself needs. Fully loaded to the roof with personal items, my Yaris got 35 mpg at interstate speeds of 70 mph.
The Yaris is the best selling subcompact in the United States. The people must like it.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!