Acceleration

Base hatch, manual	Base sedan, automatic	S sedan, automatic	Class Average
4	4	4	3

More than spry enough for commuter duty. Yaris is liveliest with manual transmission. Adequate around-town go with the automatic, but these versions feel overmatched in fast-moving traffic and hilly terrain. A Base sedan with automatic transmission did 0-60 mph in 9.8 seconds in our test, which was more than 1 second quicker than rivals Honda Fit and Hyundai Accent.

Fuel Economy

Base hatch, manual	Base sedan, automatic	S sedan, automatic	Class Average
9	9	9	8.2

In Consumer Guide testing, Base sedans with automatic transmission averaged 30.6 mpg in mostly city driving, 36.6 in mostly highway driving, and 28.6 including gas-eating acceleration runs. Test base hatchbacks averaged 34.8 mpg with manual transmission, 31.6 with automatic. Yaris uses regular-grade gas.

Ride Quality

Base hatch, manual	Base sedan, automatic	S sedan, automatic	Class Average
5	5	5	4.7

Yaris absorbs bumps and rougher pavement impressively well, better than most rivals, including Honda Fit. Generally stable at highway speeds, too, but big dips prompt some float and wallow.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Base hatch, manual	Base sedan, automatic	S sedan, automatic	Class Average
5	5	5	5.1

Responsive and secure, even fun, if not quite as sporty as Fit. Grip in turns is limited by narrow tires. The steering is nicely weighted. A tidy turning radius aids in tight maneuvers. Some testers detected wander in gusty crosswinds. All models tested had ABS and showed good pedal feel.

Quietness

Base hatch, manual	Base sedan, automatic	S sedan, automatic	Class Average
4	4	4	4.1

Slightly more isolated than Fit. Some wind rush is evident from the base of the windshield. Engine noise intrudes at all times, and road noise is prominent at highway speeds.

Controls

Base hatch, manual	Base sedan, automatic	S sedan, automatic	Class Average
4	4	4	5.6

The instrument cluster is mounted in the center of the dashboard rather than in front of the driver. It isn't canted toward the driver, and some testers find its location diverts attention from the road. Climate controls are easy to use, but have flimsy movement. Upgraded audio system displays settings on a screen some testers find hard to read.

Details

Base hatch, manual	Base sedan, automatic	S sedan, automatic	Class Average
5	5	5	4.6

Yaris's upholstery is oddly synthetic, and most interior panels are made of hollow plastic. Nothing looks cheap, though, lending an air of impressive substance at this price level.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Base hatch, manual	Base sedan, automatic	S sedan, automatic	Class Average
6	6	6	5.5

Hatchback has nearly 1 inch more headroom than sedan, but both body styles have plenty of clearance for all but the very tall. Sedans have seats that adjust for height, for a slight advantage in driver positioning. Long-legged drivers may want more rearward seat travel, and some testers say the steering wheel is mounted too far away, with the pedals being too close for best comfort. The seats are not generously sized but provide good support.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Base hatch, manual	Base sedan, automatic	S sedan, automatic	Class Average
3	4	4	3.1

Spacious for the car's compact exterior dimensions, though taller riders will want more headroom and legroom. Three people will fit in the back, but the cabin is too narrow for long trips. Hatchbacks are available with a sliding and reclining rear seat. That's a versatility bonus, though the hatchback's 2-door body style taxes entry and exit.

Cargo Room

Base hatch, manual	Base sedan, automatic	S sedan, automatic	Class Average
5	3	3	4.5

The sedan's trunk is relatively roomy, has low liftover, and added storage in the spare-tire well. The lid opens wide, but its hinges intrude and its opening is too small to easily accept bulky items. Hatchback has more useful cargo space, helped by fold-flat rear seatbacks. Plenty of small-item storage throughout cabin, though open, unpadded cubbies can cause loose items to slide around and fall out at times.

Value within Class

Base hatch, manual	Base sedan, automatic	S sedan, automatic	Class Average
6	6	5	6.8

Shop elsewhere if you want lively acceleration at highway speeds, but Yaris is a relatively refined subcompact with a driving position high enough that you won't feel dwarfed by surrounding traffic. Base prices are tempting, but add optional amenities and stickers climb to the level of larger, more powerful cars that come with safety and convenience features that cost extra on the Yaris.

Total Score

Base hatch, manual	Base sedan, automatic	S sedan, automatic	Class Average
56	55	54	55.2

Scores for all Subcompact Cars

Low Score		42
Average Score		55
High Score		63