2007-2008 Toyota Yaris: Road Test

More than spry enough for commuter duty, the Yaris is liveliest with a manual transmission. Around-town performance is adequate with automatic, but Yaris feels overmatched in fast-moving traffic and hilly terrain. A test base-model sedan with automatic transmission took 9.8 seconds to reach 60 mph--a second quicker than the rival Honda Fit and Hyundai Accent.. Fuel economy is a notable plus. A test base sedan with automatic averaged 30.6 mpg in mostly city driving, 36.6 in mostly highway duty, and 28.6 mpg including gas-eating acceleration runs. A base hatchback averaged 34.8 mpg with manual transmission and 31.6 with automatic. Yaris absorbs bumps and rougher pavement impressively well--better than most rivals, including the Honda Fit. Although it's generally stable at highway speeds, big dips prompt some float and wallow. Responsive and secure on the road, even fun to drive, Yaris still isn't quite as sporty as Honda's Fit. Grip in turns is limited by narrow tires, but steering is nicely weighted. A tidy turning radius aids in tight maneuvers. Some testers detected wander in gusty crosswinds. Models tested have had good brake feel and delivered drama-free halts. Slightly more isolated than Honda's Fit, the Yaris is impressively quiet compared to some rivals. Some wind rush is evident from the windshield base. Engine noise intrudes at all times, and road noise is prominent at highway speeds. Not only is the instrument cluster mounted in the dashboard center rather than ahead of the driver, it isn't canted toward the left. Some test-drivers have found its location diverts attention from the road. Climate controls are easy to use, but have flimsy movement. If installed, the upgraded audio system displays settings on a screen that some testers found hard to read. Upholstery is oddly synthetic. Most interior materials are made of hollow plastic. Even so, nothing looks cheap, lending an aura of impressive substance for a car at this price level. Hatchbacks have nearly an inch more headroom than sedans, but both body styles offer plenty of front-seat clearance for all but the very tall. Seats are not generously sized, but provide good support. Sedan seats adjust for height for a slight advantage in driver positioning. Still, long-legged drivers may want more rearward seat travel. Some testers believe the steering wheel is mounted too far away, and pedals are too close for best comfort. The backseat is spacious compared to this car's compact exterior dimensions, though taller riders will want more headroom and legroom. Footwells are roomy. A flat floor facilitates three-abreast seating, but the cabin is too narrow for long trips. The hatchback's available sliding and reclining rear seat would be a versatility bonus, though the two-door body style inevitably impedes rear entry and exit. Sedan trunks are relatively roomy, with low liftover, plus additional storage space in the spare-tire well. Lids open wide, but hinges intrude and the opening is too small to easily accept bulky items. Hatchbacks have more useful cargo space, helped by fold-flat rear seatbacks. Plenty of small-item storage is available throughout the cabin.

Value for the Money
Shop elsewhere if you want lively high-speed acceleration. On the plus side, Yaris is a relatively refined subcompact with a driving position high enough, and a structure substantial enough, so you won't feel dwarfed by surrounding traffic. Base new-car prices have been tempting, but optional amenities could cause sticker prices to climb to the level of larger, more powerful cars that came with safety and convenience features that cost extra on the Yaris. Toyota's reputation for strong resale values extends to its smallest car, which means a Yaris won't be all that cheap on the used-car market.