In these fuel-crunching times, it’s obvious that things are tough all over – even if the pumps advertise a buck fifty, automakers are pushing three letters: M, P and G. Almost every automaker offers a player in the subcompact niche, but few promise much excitement beyond a slow-moving gas gauge. Toyota promises that its new Yaris five-door hatch will bring a little much-needed zest to the world of econocars. Let’s find out if they’re right.

Toyota, the people who brought you the forgettable Echo, the Tercel, and even the Publica, are more on board than ever. Their Yaris lineup features sedans, as well as two and four door liftbacks that slide right in. (Heck, a Yaris could probably could fit inside the bed of a Tundra) Let’s examine the Yaris, and see if it is worthy of consideration in these trying times.

What is it?
The Yaris S five-door liftback that we tested features typical Toyota build quality in a subcompact that, while not the quickest thing on four wheels, still manages to supply a kick while driving. It most definitely fits into the category covered by the saying that “It’s more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow!” Build quality is relative, though. Don’t expect this sled to exhibit the same closing door “thunk” sound that you would find in a Lexus LS460 or a Toyota Avalon. It’s still built to a price.

The five-door is new for the United States market for 2009, supplementing traditional sedan and perky three-door hatchback models. The S designation makes the Yaris a little sportier – at least visually. Standard alloy wheels, leather around the steering wheel and a few more options make up the price difference. Oddly, the five-door S is the only Yaris not available with a manual transmission (a four-speed auto is the only way to shift gears) and S models don’t feature any suspension modificatinos.

What’s it up against?
The Yaris rises up in battle against Nissan’s Versa, Hyundai’s Accent, the Honda Fit, The Chevrolet Aveo5 and even its corporate cousin, the Scion xD. It seats four comfortably, although Toyota’s specs say it’s good for up to five passengers. We agree, as long as they are kidlet sized in the rear.

Any breakthroughs?
There really are no breakthroughs in the Yaris. That’s not to say that it lacks in anything; it’s just that the latest and greatest in high-tech gadgets have not trickled down to this model line yet. So don’t expect it to park itself like its corporate cousin, the Lexus LS 460. It is equal to the tasks that any of the other vehicles in its competitive set may be called upon to complete, namely urban commuting.

How does it look?
Featuring the contemporary curves of the day, the Yaris could be described in a word as cute. Looking like the offspring from a relationship involving a roller skate and a 1965 Fiat Abarth, it is quirky and fun to look at. Its city-car dimensions allow it to literally name its parking place. The headlights help to form the shape of eyes raising their brows in a facial look from the front view. A blacked-out portion of the grille below the bumper incorporates a lip spoiler that helps lend a more aggressive look to the car, and also offers housing for the S package’s fog lamps.

Further sportiness is enhanced through the addition of a backlight spoiler and the port-installed Enkei wheels on our Southeast Toyota Distributors-supplied press vehicle

Granted, the Yaris is no speed-demon. Like the neighborhood kid who puts a coffee can muffler on the rear of his four-door Honda Civic, the Yaris just tries to play the part.

And inside?
Contemporary drop side glass follows current trends at Toyota. The overall design of the Yaris is small on the outside, but with clever design, and surprisingly roomy on the inside. The use of scalloped seating makes for more room out back, giving the Yaris surprising space given its diminutive dimensions.

Hey, what happened to the gauges? In a phrase, the Yaris’s dashboard could be described as “all center stack.” The Yaris has adopted that unfortunate habit that has shown up in a couple of early Scions and Saturns where the gauges are now housed in a center pod.

Sure, it cleans up the lines of the dashboard, and might ease construction costs in right-hand drive markets, but it still causes you to divert your attention to the center stack every time you want to see how fast you are going, how much fuel remains, your mileage, or whatever. Below the gauges, you’ll find an AM/FM/CD/MP3 radio and a vertical set of climate control knobs.

But does it go?
Driving a slow car fast is fun in the Yaris. Powered by Toyota’s 1.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine with Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence (VVTi), it achieves 106-horsepower and 103 lb-ft. of torque.

Just get any ideas of breaking Land Speed Records right out of your head and the Yaris will meet your expectations.

With the four-speed automatic transmission to push the 2,340-pound S around, it’s good for 29 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. Vehicle noise is about average for cars in this niche, if a little on the high-pitched side.

Handling is pretty even-tempered at speed, giving a confident neutral feel through most twisty turns. Credit goes to the front MacPherson struts with power-assisted rack and pinion steering, coupled with the torsion beam rear assembly. Mind you, they are not the newest pieces available in the Toyota corporate parts bin, but at one point, they were the best you could get. We think handling could be improved – tightened up – through the use of a strut tower brace on top and a beefier stabilizer bar underneath. Ditto for the rear. With these parts available on the after-market, it would help move them out the dealership door faster if the cars were so equipped, and there was a cult-like undertone that had people talking about how fun the Yaris is to drive.

Don’t get us wrong here. The Yaris is by no means a poor riding and handling vehicle. It is a very capable city-style car that is at home around town as it is on the highway, where its mileage stats will really shine. It’s just that the enthusiast might want more of the go-cart ride that is present in a Mini-Cooper.

Why You Would Buy It?
With room for five, and a fun-to-drive quotient that comes close to pegging the needle, it is a car that actually outsmarts the Smart.

Why You Wouldn’t?
You prefer the bulk of your old Crown Vic – or you’ve seen the news that Nissan’s Versa has just priced in at $9,995 and Hyundai’s Accent is now just $9,970.

Leftlane’s bottom line
The Yaris S five-door liftback is a competent entry into the subcompact segment. Cute looks, good ride, and a roomy interior combined with an ability to sip fuel, equal a good player in the segment. The fact that it prices out just shy of $20,000 pushes it into a larger segment that has many interesting competitors just waiting to pounce. At $19,244 as-tested, this Yaris S was a mere $700 less than a similar Mazda Mazda3 hatchback. Or you could buy both a Hyundai Accent and Nissan Versa. Go easy on the options.

2009 Toyota Yaris S five-door hatchbackbase price, $15,125. As tested, $19,244.

Keyless entry, $230; Power package, $1,290; Floor mats, $225; Enkei 17-inch alloy wheels, $1,599; Destination, $775.

Words and photos by Mark Elias.
Second opinion:
Due to a scheduling snafu, I wound up spending some time in a very similar Yaris – a five-door base model that was a bit skimpier on the options than Mark’s Yaris S. Leather-wrapped interior goodies and 17-inch alloy wheels might be fun treats for window shoppers, but they hardly make sense on a price-conscious vehicle. My more sensibly optioned tester, still equipped with the power package, keyless entry and a few other goodies, stickered for $16,734.

My impressions? Let’s put it this way: There’s a reason Pam Beasley on “The Office” drives one of these. It befits her sensible secretary role way better than the Saab 9-3 her fiancé, Jim Halpert, drives or even the drop-top PT Cruiser piloted by boss Michael Scott. And nobody would cast her character into Dwight’s ’80s Firebird.

As an around-town commuter, the Yaris is one of the best on the market. It’s easy to swing into a parking spot, takes nasty roads in stride and gives you the impression that it will take your abuse without any fuss whatsoever. It might not be as fun as a used VW Golf or Mini Cooper, but there’s something to be said about its simplicity and impression of quality.

On the highway, the Yaris struggles more due to its vague steering and narrow tires than its weak performance. Don’t expect to race anything with dual tailpipes and you’ll find the Yaris to be quite satisfactory.

After spending some time in the Yaris, I found myself recommending it to a number of people who were interested in purchasing a well-built, roomy, simple car. It will not inspire enthusiasts. But it will get you from point A to point B without any fuss. And that’s just what many buyers are seeking.

-Andrew Ganz

    Print This Post