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Overall: A relatively expensive but economical
subcompact car with the interior room of a larger vehicle.
Overall Rating: 6/10
Recommended: Yes
The Yaris replaces the
slow-selling Echo as Toyota's smallest car. Like the Echo, the Yaris gets
exceptional gas mileage, has a roomy interior for its exterior size, and costs
as much as or more than a number of larger vehicles. And ride, handling,
interior quality, and seat shape have all been improved over the Echo. As did
the Echo, the Yaris combines subcompact gas mileage with compact interior
space and price, to present an alternative to vehicles in both size classes.
And like the Echo, some flaws detract from a sound basic package.
Virtually the entire subcompact market class has
been redesigned recently, going off in different directions. Some cars, like
the Honda Fit, use interior quality and driving dynamics to shake the feel of
the traditional cramped, noisy, and un-fun subcompact, with some success.
Others, like the Hyundai Accent/Kia Rio, keep the basic subcompact feel with
some safety and refinement upgrades, at a low price. The Yaris doesn't feel
like a traditional subcompact, and it isn't cheap, but it isn't high-quality
or fun either.
The Yaris basically feels like a scaled-down
version of a base-model Toyota Corolla, or even Camry. It does virtually
everything at least adequately, though only its gas mileage is exceptional. It
isn't cheap, it has no steering feel, and isn't at all quick. But it's as
roomy and comfortable inside as one could possibly expect from a tiny sedan.
(Hatchback/wagons like the Honda Fit and Scion xB have more room to play with
as they sacrifice cargo area for rear seat room and versatility, while the
Yaris has a roomy traditional trunk.)
However, a few flaws detract from the basic
package of a basic car, even besides the rather high price. Some drivers will
be distracted by the center-mounted gauges, one of the Echo's weaker points
that survived into the new car. Crash test results without the optional side
airbags do not impress, even compared to other small cars. And the engine gets
quite harsh and noisy under acceleration.
But overall, the Yaris is a solid basic car,
with good interior space and excellent gas mileage, and no deal-killing flaws.
It's worth a look from economy-oriented consumers to whom driving enjoyment is
not a priority. Consumers simply looking for a lot of car for the money more
than gas mileage ought to look at alternatives like the Ford Focus, Hyundai
Elantra, and Kia Spectra, which are larger and less expensive than the Yaris,
drive better, and have done better in crash testing. Those simply looking for
the cheapest decent car possible would be best served by the Hyundai
Accent/Kia Rio. And those unafraid of hatchback styling should consider the
similar economy, lower price, and increased practicality of the Scion xA and
xB.
But anyone looking at a Honda Civic or Toyota
Corolla should strongly consider instead the Yaris for its relative value and
superior gas mileage. Toyota did not make a concerted effort to conceal what
you sacrifice with this car, but be certain that you need the extra power and
refinement before you spend the extra cash.
See Vehicle Overview
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