Yaris accomplishes what Toyota does best; squeeze and extend drops of fuel from a dependable, reliable four cylinder under-hood engine. This well-earned reputation should easily convince Toyota loyalists to give Yaris a test spin, but competition in this subcompact segment has heated up with worthy rivals from, of all places, domestic automakers Ford and General Motors.
For too long, the red-white-and-blue Big Two answered subcompact concerns by re-badging an existing Japanese model with an American brand name (Think Geo Metro, a thinly-veiled Suzuki Swift) and call it a day. Now, Chevrolet's Sonic and the Ford Fiesta bring new thinking, engineering and real competition to Toyota's Yaris, Nissan's Versa and Honda's Fit.
Yaris debuted in the 2007 calendar year with a Generation Two makeover in the 2012 model year which saw it grow slightly in length and jettisoned the four-door sedan body style. The Gen Deuce effort also shed a few pounds compared to its maiden voyage. As in the 2012 model year, 2013 includes two versatile body styles: a three door liftback or five-door liftback. Both propel forward solely with front-wheel-drive. The standard equipment list remains impressive for a subcompact (air conditioner, power locks, CD player) with an easy-to- dissect list of options.
One notable interior update from the first generation is the instrument cluster, now positioned in a more traditional spot directly in front of the driver. The first generation Yaris along with its predecessor, Toyota's Echo (2000-2005) located the speedometer up and to the right, basically atop the center dash skewed towards the driver. The multi-level, contoured dashboard incorporates a modern design with a hard outer shell.
Not much changes in 2013 from the previous year, save for a tech audio package (with standard USB port and iPod connectivity) once optional, is now standard. Returning in all models is a naturally-aspirated 1.5-liter, boisterous four cylinder generating 106 horses, typical, but slightly below what some rivals deliver fuel-wise in this petro-extending segment. Nissan's subcompact Versa (introducing a five-door hatchback in 2014) generates 109 horses while Honda's fit ups the ante to 117. Unlike some competitors including the subcompact Chevrolet Sonic, no turbo engine is offered.
The three-door body style is available in entry L and mid-level LE trims. The five-door Yaris adds a sport-tuned SE (larger 16-inch wheels).
Yaris continues with a rather old-school four-speed automatic transmission standard in LE and optional in L and SE trims. Many rivals now sport more advanced five or six-speed shifters. In Nissan's case, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is available in the subcompact Versa and Versa Note hatchback. Ford's Fiesta subcompact answers with an advanced dual clutch automatic helping boost fuel figures.
Our LE tester included a starting price of $15,995. Aftermarket extras included carpeted floor mats ($180), cargo net ($49), rear spoiler ($329) and first-aid kit ($29) for a bottom line of $17,337 with $795 destination charge. The lowest priced Yaris L starts at $14,370 with five-speed manual transmission.
Honda's Fit with five-speed automatic averages 28 mpg city and 35 highway. Our Yaris SE trim with four-speed automatic transmission ups the mileage estimates to 30 miles per gallon city and 35 highway. Add three more mpg highway with five-speed manual. Fuel estimates rank as average for the segment, but less than the Nissan Versa Note's ($13,900 starting price) 31 mpg city and 40 mpg highway with fuel-extending continuously variable transmission. Regular 87-octane unleaded fuel fills Yaris's smallish 11.1 gallon tank.
No gas-electric hybrid Yaris subcompact edition is available, but Toyota's compact Prius family of alternative-powered variants, including a plug-in model, continues to expand.
For a subcompact, headroom rates better than expected in front as well as back. Leg room, considering the size is also respectable. Maneuvering into the back row in our three-door tester was best accomplished from the passenger side which features a bucket seat manually sliding forward once the backrest tilts down (via a top-side pull square). A lever along the seat's bottom outboard side also allows forward momentum. The driver's side bucket only sports the bottom outboard lever for sliding purposes. Row two's 60-40-split back rests fold semi flat onto cushions once top-side pull tabs are yanked, creating more cargo-carrying options. The hatch opens tall enough for those six-feet tall to maneuver without a head bopping encounter.
No in-dash navigation is offered, but with high-tech portable electronics able to signal in real-time road conditions and maps, this extra isn't the car wonder it once was even just five years ago.
Three user-friendly, large-sized twist dials control single-zone ventilation functions. In fact, the simplicity and ease of use could serve as a template for many over-engineered interiors. Power outside mirrors monitor from a push panel on the dashboard's far left end. Power window and lock controls are found on both doors. Static rear side windows provide a visual escape to the outdoors, but don't power down. Sorry Fido. The manually tilting (no telescoping) three-spoke steering wheel is home to secondary volume and station preset controls (9 o'clock on the face) and a cruise control appendage jetting out at 5 o'clock. The ignition cylinder resides on the steering column's right side.
Body-colored, strap-like handles adorn both side doors which swing open with plenty of extra leg room girth. Side view mirrors deserve secondary blinker strips as most rivals now include.
Front buckets manually slide once under-seat grab bars are called to action. Seats, like many in Toyota's stable, tend to cushier, not firmer settings. Cloth fabrics come standard. Our tester had a two-tone (gray black) pattern shared with side doors and upfront dash. A digital clock is part of the instrument cluster, but inconveniently located for viewing by other riders. A move to the dashboard's middle would help.
One feature notable during dreary rainy fall days in Chicagoland is a single-arm windshield wiper up front which Toyota notes reduces weight and provides better performance than its duo-armed counterpart. Nine air bags include a driver's knee bag and front and rear curtain bags.
With its rather short wheelbase, ride quality is neither sporty nor luxurious, but 'economical' as bumps in the road transmit into passenger compartment.
Yaris satisfies strong basic needs of those seeking perks of an economy car. It's inexpensive to own and finance while Toyota's reputation for reliability and longevity are firmly intact. But the competition has finally caught up and in some instances passes Yaris when fuel economy numbers and engine performance get scrutinized.
2013 Toyota YarisPrice as tested: $17,337
Wheelbase: 98.8 inches
Length: 153.5 inches
Width: 66.7 inches
Engine: 1.5-liter four cylinder
Horsepower: 106
Curb weight: 2,315 pounds
Powertrain warranty: Five year/60,000-mile
City/Highway economy: 30 mpg city, 36 mpg highway