2007 Toyota Yaris - Sedan and Hatchback

and the yaris sedan is now way bigger than the corolla was only a couple of generations ago. . . still, i like the hatchback: should make a welcome change from a neon at enterprise next time i rent.

I'm not quite sure what this is doing on tree hugger. Yes, it's relatively good on gas, and its emissions are quite low. But every car maker has models like these in their lines now, especially outside the USA. GM's GEO got 55mpg... Honda's early 80's version of the CRX got better mileage that ANY later Civic. The 1984 1.3 CRX was rated at 68mpg!!! Toyota is certainly to be praised for their efforts, but now you can buy a BMW sports car with 33mpg highway!!! Shouldn't tree hugger be focusing on truly green ground breaking design innovations?

Treehugger is focused on making things better, and there are many ways and many degrees to that.

The Yaris is the non-hybrid *modern* car (not much use talking about cars from 1984) that gets the best *real world* (AFAIK) fuel economy in the US right now (out of non-hybrids), and it is *quite affordable* (almost 10K below a hybrid), so that's certainly worth something. It is a step up from almost everything on the market there. The fact that it is small yet high-quality makes it almost unique in the US, and it is probably one of the first cars in the small car revival.

If we can help increase the mindshare of small cars in the US by writing about them here, that's certainly a good thing. We're aware that we're not helping the cause in Europe and Asia, but you can't always write for everybody.

Nice post, this might very well be my next car a year from now.

I get about 34 city/40hwy in my 2001 Honda Civic LX, FYI.

where is the 4 door hatchback? why is toyota afraid to let this model compete against the xA? xA is goofy.

I bought the '06 Can. Yaris 3 months ago, the most basic version possible. It's fun to drive, it's a ULEV, and I make a point of telling people how much I paid yesterday to fill the tank and how far I can drive 'til I fill up again. Very satisfying. But is is a very basic car.

Canada has the one-tonne challenge to reduce CO2 emissions, I wondered how I would do it 'cause I always shave the energy use - but I did figure out a way...

So at least it's treehugger enough for me to comment on your forum :)

I fell in love with this car as soon as i saw it. It will be my first car. It is beautiful, and yet i can acctually afford it. With gas prices today, you need a car like this.

I just bought the sedan yday. I am so excited about saving on the gas, that I went ahead and paid xtra for a few things in it! Very comfy in the seat; will take some time to get used to the speedometer though.

Thanks for writing, Jennifer.

Out of curiosity, what did you drive before?

While i think toyota yaris and honda fit are nice, with basic options/ air/auto/ pwr windows etc - can be looking at around 18500++ ! wow
After research i see 06 Kia Rio sedan gets 28/38, and fully loaded...can get just slightly used in Texas for around 11500 ! thats7k savings one could put in 401 or use some of it to donate to help planet and people :) and it has 100k warranty to boot : )
just an idea for earth friendly consumer :)

Dave, it is true that the korean small cars can usually be had for less money than the Japanese ones, but in your example you compare a new Yaris or Fit with a "slightly used" Kia. Not quite a fair comparison, especially since Kias will lose their resale value much faster than the Honda and Toyota.

I live in Mesa, Arizona and just purchased the 2007 Toyota Yaris "S" Sedan yesterday. So far, I love it. It's very sporty and surprisingly fast, even for a 4-cylindar. It is taking some "getting used to", considering I traded in a 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette (minivan) for the Yaris. I'm 5' 11", so I do feel a bit squashed. Overall, it's a very good car and the mpg is amazing!!

I owned a Daihatsu Charade Hatchback in 89. Driven by a little 3 cylinder, I got 55 at 70 highway and 43 around town regardless of how I drove. That spoiled me bigtime. I have a 2000 Echo bought new, and get only 46 highway at 65 and 36 around town. Copnsidering the Echos 1.5 litre 4 cyl. makes 50 more horsepower than the Daihatsu's 3, I guess that's not too bad. (It takes a full on muscle car to get by me when I hop on it.) The diesel Yaris would be ideal at 50 MPG plus, but for now only Europeans get the mileage I want. The problem is, we consumers get what we ask for...and most people want big cars and trucks that get crappy mileage. Pain at the pump may change all that.

I just recently bought the Yaris Sedan ... an amazing vehicle. I am getting close to 50 miles-per-gallon on the highway ... I have not yet calculated in-town milage.

I'm looking to buy a Yaris, and I'd love to know...

Is it safe?

Kat,

Yes, it's safe. I've never been bitten by a small car.

Had a Pontiac that took a chunk outta my thumb one time, though.

I just ordered a red "3-door" Yaris and can't wait for it to arrive. No, it's not a hybrid but it has ULEV2 and 39 mpg on the highway in the automatic version. Until hybrids are cheaper, this treehugger is ecstatic to pay just $14,109!

Were I not inundated with student loans, bills, and bill-induced credit card debt I would instantly trade my 3.8L 1994 mustang for the Yaris. Trading ego for social conscience isn't something we could get most people to do, but then I've always been an exception. As previously noted, size may be an issue. I'm 6'2" and have always feared that I'd be stuck in boats for want of space. I've heard the Yaris is surprisingly roomy, though, so maybe I'd have no problem. If I ever get the funds, I'll certainly find out.

I'm 6'1" and both my girlfriend and sister have previous-generation Yaris hatchbacks.

I find that I have more headroom in these cars than in the Camry and Accords I've tried (though the Accord had a sunroof), probably because it's a fairly tall car and the sitting position is different.

I don't think that at 6'2" you should have any problems.

Dev,

I'm 6'3", and I've worked as a valet, so I've sat in pretty much everything on the market. I found 'sporty' cars (like Mustangs) have less headroom than small econo-cars. You should be fine.

I've owned several small cars. My only complaint has been that some cars don't give you enough room to stretch out your legs. Do some tests.

As far as the cost of new, you can look at a used Echo, which was rated one of the most efficient and least polluting conventional cars on the market. The Yaris shares the same chassis as the Echo.

check it out... I can't get the consumer reports page to give much info.

Just bought a Yaris for my wife today. I'm 6'3" and I have no problem sitting in the front or the rear (4 door). It's a fun car. I really don't see how anyone can criticize this car. It's a needed choice for those that can't afford a hybrid. We will be saving over $150 in gas a month! That's more than half the car payment. Almost like a free car. ;)

Hi, I just bought a new Yaris sedan last Saturday and love it. However when driving on the highway my car seems to sway quite a bit ,almost so bad sometimes that its hard to keep in my own lane. Also my engine seems to idle/shake a bit when stopped for a few seconds. So much that it shakes the entire car. Has anyone else had any of these problems? Please let me know if you have. This is my first new car and I am a bit paranoid that there is something wrong with it. Thanks,Tyler

MGR - sorry it has been a month - before my Yaris (which I LOVE) I had a Mazda Millenia. The Mazda is still in the driveway with almost 200,000 miles on it - that was a great car and wish they had not discontinued the line (it is a '95). I do absolutely adore my Yaris Sedan and it only took about a day and a half to get used to the middle-set spedometer.

I have to agree with the others who lament the fuel efficiency champs of the 1980's. Mine was a 1987 Chev Sprint ER model. It got 60 mpg highway and 55 around town. Had a 1000 cc 3 cylinder engine. I kept it for 211K miles and 17 years. Now I have an Aveo, and was very disappointed not to find nowadays an inxpensive efficient car like the Sprint.

I want a car that will last past the final payment. I hear about Toyota owners getting over two hundred thousand miles on their cars and have never had a car for that long before something major went wrong with it. With the smaller size of the Yaris engine and automatic transmission and air conditioner in the heat of Las Vegas, is this a good bet for me? Are there any reliability ratings for how this car endures over the long haul?

All the information in your reviews has been great so far, but I'm concerned about the car's weight. You say it is built much like the Echo, so does that mean the Yaris is light as a feather like the Echo??? I live in an area with LOTS of snow and ice and have had experience with the Echo flying and slipping around on the ice--a problem I haven't had driving a heavier car like the Corolla.

So...is this car heavy or too light for long slippery winter driving???

--
editor note: From my experience living in Canada and driving small cars in the snow, what matters most is the car's tires, not the weight. Heavier cars actually have more inertia and will take longer to stop on slippery surfaces (remember, 4x4 helps to accelerate, but not to brake).

My experience with the Yaris in the snow has been fine, but as with all cars, driving style is a big factor.

i see the odometer is centered in the middle has that been an issue for anyone here.

--
editor note: From my experience, you get used to it really quickly and it's not an issue. Things are easy to see and since it's pretty high on the dash, you don't quite have to move your eyes down as much as you usually would. But that's just me.

Can you tell me where the Yaris Liftback that will be sold in the USA is built?

Is there a union workforce?

I ordered a red hatchback about a month ago, can't wait for it to get here. I see lots of comments about the center mounted speedometer. I kind of like the idea, it is like flying a helicopter (many of which have center mounted insturments) :o)

I bought a Yaris Sedan today from Right Toyota in Phx Az. I traded in my Isuzu Rodeo for it and so far I love it! Nice to not dump $40 every 2 daqys in gas.

I bought a 2007 Yaris liftback in the U.S. last month and I absolutely love it. I also have a Jeep Wrangler that gets about 12mpg but I wasn't sure I wanted to trade it in for the Yaris since I've never owned a practical economical car in my life and wasn't sure I'd be happy with just the Yaris. The Yaris gets about 35mpg and it is fun to drive. I am 6' and have no problem getting comfortable. The interior of the car is really young and hip and makes me feel like a younster. I'm saving about $250/mo in gas. Instead of spending $350/mo. in gas, why not just buy a second non-gas guzzling car?

"Can you tell me where the Yaris Liftback that will be sold in the USA is built?

Is there a union workforce?"

The Yaris is Japanese-built, as are all Toyotas that use the 1.5 liter motor. However, out of the 2.5 million cars Toyota sells in North America each year, over 1.5 million are built here.

Toyota's North American workers are free to organize, but most facilities choose not to.

I just bought the Yaris sedan. It is fully loaded and gets great gas mileage. I did notice the swaying problem at high speeds that another post mentioned but the car is silent while the engine idles and it certainly doesn't shake. I have only had the car for 2 days and I assume the swaying issue is more a matter of getting used to the responsive steering. My last car had more play in the wheel.

I am planning to buy a new car within next 10 days. I need a small or compact car and after some researches, I have come upto 4 cars that I want to buy. I will choose one of them. I appreciate any comment from you on those 4 to make my decision more effective. My requirements are -

1) The car must not be big. So small or compact size is good for me.
2) Must be 4 door.
3) Auto gear.
4) Good mileage.

The cars I liked -

1) Honda Civic Sedan LX 2006 Model - I like the dashboard and the look. But seems a little costly.

2) Toyota Corolla 2006 - Seems really good option for me.

3) Chevrollete Cobalt - I like its size and shape very much.

4) Toyota Yaris 2007 - I like this car though didn't go for a test drive yet. I want to know its difference and similaririty with Cobalt on size and shape. Its new and less expensive than others.

Comments please.

-- Ashik Uzzaman
Software Development Engineer
Philips Medical Systems
Milpitas, CA, USA

I just traded in my 2006 Checy Cobalt (that I had for 5 months) for a Toyota Yaris today and I absolutely love the Yaris. The four door is very comfortable, plenty of room, and thus far the gas mileage is great, if my calculations are correct I will be saving about $150 a month in gas alone, and at my dealership I get free oil changes, tires, batteries, and car washed for the entire time I own it. I would say a Yaris is a must have if you can't afford a Hybrid model, but are concerned about gas mileage.

Ashik-
I just bought a car, and I had the EXACT requirements as you. I was debating between the corolla, civic, and yaris. I heard the colbalt got the worst reliability rating of the year. The civic and corolla were great, but they were too expensive for me. That left the Yaris and I ADORE it. It has been great. If you have the money though, I think the civic and corolla are wonderful too.

cheers,
Courtney

In response to previous comments: I also have the swaying problem, but I think it will improve as I get used to the steering. I do not have any problems with my Yaris shaking though... I think this is a great choice for people who want to buy a car that is kind to the environment but can't aford a hybrid (me :)

Does anyone know if the Candadian Yaris build and mpg are different than the U.S. Yaris build and mpg? I thought the canadian yaris is a 3 cylinder and gets 50mpg+. And if so, if they can be imported into the u.s. without costly modifications?

--
editor note: The Canadian and American versions are the same (except that the 4-door hatchback isn't sold in the US). The difference in MPG is probably explained by the difference between the US and imperial gallons. 5 imperial gallons fit in 4 US ones, so 40 mpg in the US = 50 mpg in Canada.

I have driven the Yaris, both versions, and have to say that it amazed me. It is typical of Toyota; the construction is top notch and well above the class standard. Compare welds to Korean under hood welds and you'll see. I am 6'2" and love the spacious interior.

As for mileage, remember that today's engines are radically different than the 1980's gas misers were. Variable valve timing allows a much higher engine output (HP and torque) while providing livable fuel economy. Those 1980's cars had zero power and sounded like Briggs & Stratton engines at highway speeds...Not so with the Yaris. It's smooth and powerful for its size.

I do all of my maintenance and the Yaris will be a dream because everything is logically laid-out, except the novel dash, which I like because it adds personality.

I'm ordering a white or grey 3-dr with ABS and plan to incorporate an oil cooler, a less restrictive intake, and swap to synthetic oil and tranny fluid. I will hope to see 45 to 48 mpg on the highway and will work on it until it does. Like the other guy, I wish they had the diesel here...I'd buy two.

Good luck and enjoy life...

I just bought the US Yaris Sedan a couple months ago and although I settled for the basic (and I do mean BASIC) model, I am satisfied overall with its performance.

However....

A couple of people mentioned swaying and shaking and yes, I have BOTH when driving, especially when driving for long periods of time. I was also sad with the lack of options that come with the basic model but will more than likely upgrade next year.

I have also noticed that I am getting rather poor gas mileage, considering the 40mpg tag that has been so commercialized. I get about 30 mpg on a good day. Maybe switching up to synthetic oil would help? Any ideas?

Considering getting a 2 door hatchback Yaris but concerned about safety. Does anyone know how it tested in crash tests? I have a 4 year old and worry if I got rear ended if the car would be safe.

Hello Huggers,
I love the look of the Yaris, I also would like to know why they don't sell the 4 door lift-back in the States. I'm thinking of flying from CA (California) to CA(Canada) and driving one down. I should mention that I own the Mobil Oil shootout winner for best gas mileage in 1955, the Studebaker, Champion.:)

hi,
Unfortunately in Asia region we won't be able to get 4 doors Sedan because it will compete with Toyota Vios model, but we do only have the 4 doors hatch back model. As the engine lovers I kindly took a pity on the very limited space for maintenance because of the flat nose Yaris have.

I am planning to buy my 1st car. Yaris sedan is on top of the list. I saw a gray colored basic sedan yesterday and it was so nice. It was parked beside a BMW series 3 and the yaris looked bigger then the BMW. One thing I don't like about the yaris is the center mounted Console. It takes away the 'car rush' feel. also the basic model lacked so may convenience and power stuffs that when you want to put em... you'll spending like 2 grand below an 06 Civic LX (which has everything on it).

HEY EVERYONE!!!
Big Question out there, iS the Yaris Safe? Lots of PPL in the USA asking that because the Yaris is New. Look @ This, http://www.technadyne.com/reallydead.jpg

That WAS my Brand New yaris I got on 4/28 on 8/28 I was driving home from a client's house when I was coming off a curve @ 60mph (the posted limit) a deer ran out right in-front of me and I swerved to avoid it, my car did a great job HOWEVER, even though the ABS and the Vehicle Control was wokring, I already lost control on Gravel was spinning around in circles. . . I Hit a Tractor Discer , you know one of those BIG BIG BIG metal things with Discs that slice into the ground for Farming, well reguardless, Even though the Trunk was wiped off completely, I was totally safe and walked from the accident, and the entire cabin on the inside was in-tact even though the trunk was well, look http://www.technadyne.com/notrunk.jpg I thank God I am alive! . . . IM SO GETTING A NEW YARIS! 39mpg (even though I got more) ,extremely safe (look at the proof) and ULEV2 ..

Can I give this Car a Hug?

I just upgraded from a 2003 Echo to a Yaris Hatchback and I love it. The gas mileage has gone down just a tad, but I love the sportyness of the car, and I dont find the speedometer to be a problem in the center. It was that way in the Echo too and I really like it there.

Wayne, I'm glad you walked out of it just fine. I'm just curious... what's that blue pillow like thing hanging from the compartment? is that a side airbag or something?

Recently purchased 2007 Yaris sedan (CDN) very impressed with the build quality, economy and general handling. We looked at a number of compact cars, checked the usual suspects for info, auto mags, CR, internet and friends. Before buying we rented a Yaris hatchback for a weekend and put over 800 kms on it and we were more than satisfied with the Toyota's performance and mpg. This extended road trip/test convinced us Yaris was the vehicle for us. Guess this means our 92 Toyota Tercel with over 320K-kms will be put out to pasture.

Hi all,
I am really excited that i just found out about the yaris. i'm looking to buy my first car and i have one question about the liftback design as i have yet to see one in person...

do both rear seats fold down, or just one? i'm asking because i want to figure out if there's any chance the back with the seats folded down might accomodate a night's sleep in the back...i'm guessing no but i thought it's worth a shot! maybe if you sleep diagonal? heh

ps i'm 5'5''

Hi Elise,

I'm not sure if the Yaris has a 60/40 backseat or not, but either way you should be able to fold both down.

My girlfriend has an Echo Hatchback (how the 1st generation Yaris was called in Canada) and it is surprisingly roomy. I'm 6'1" and I have more headroom in it than in the Corollas and Camrys (previous generation) I've tried.

It's very good on gas too.

Great cars. I have driven the Echo Hatch, Echo Sedan, Yaris and Yaris sedan as well as the Geo Metro and such. Small Cars are GREAT. And - Great in the snow too.

Someone mentioned that they were concerned that it was light and therefore would not be good in the snow. Against many peoples belief, light cars are actually MUCH better at driving in adverse conditions - you just need the right tires. They stop faster, corner better without sliding and gain much more traction then any SUV under most driving circumstances. Get some narrow-ish snow tires on it and you will be running laps around Joe Driver in his Canyonaro SUV. The Geo Metro I drove for 4 years was a testimant to this... I live at the bottom of a hill where many cars could not get up. Including a 2wd Explorer, F150, Honda Accord, Chevy Safari etc. The Geo made it every time.

Now i drive the ultimate car (in my mind) - a 04 Prius. But if i had to get another car, the 06-07 Yaris Sedan would be on the list.

The Yaris your getting is simlar (almst exact)to the Yaris made and sold here in Thailand as the hatchback model and the Vios from here looks quite similar to the sedan except for having a different grill. Both cars as amrketed here in Thaialnd have the 1.5 VVT-i engine. There is even a factory turbo on the Vios.

I bought a very basic 4 door Yaris almost 3 months ago and I am very happy overall with it. The engine has plenty of power for normal driving and overall gas mileage has been consistently between 37 and 38 MPG in a mix of driving conditions. Though a long drive at 80 MPH the whole way dropped our gas mileage down a little to 32 MPG. All said and done this car is excellent for the price and I expect to own my Yaris for many years and well over 200K miles.

I can't hardly wait, for my Yaris hatchback 07 , 4 DOORS!!
I live in Costa Rica and our toyota dealer sells the 4 door here.
Is made in japan.

JT

I own a 2001 Echo Sedan w/ over 110k miles and drive 80 miles per day earning my opinion of subcompacts. Overall the Echo is a good car, but honestly, my 1985 CRX "HF" did way better on gas AND gave a better overall ride and performance than anything on the market today, including my Echo. I am somewhat dissapointed to see the excitement generated over a $15k plus car that doesn't even get 50 mpg. To me this is not economical considering you are buying nothing that wasn't available 20 years ago yet the price has tripled. My family bought one of the frist Honda CVCC's back in 1975 and that was an economic decision. While other motor vehicle segments of the market such as trucks, SUV's, sports cars, luxury sedans are making significant technological advances, subcompact really aren't. Isn't that one of the major points to buying a subcompact is that it will be at the very least significantly cheaper and better on gas?? I'll keep my Echo because it is the best thing going for the money i didn't have to pay for it and the better gas mileage it gets than my commuting bretheren, but really folks. Until the subcompact market in the USA gets serious, I have to call you all on this one. The Yaris/Echo/Vitz/Platz (all the same) has had a clean burning D-4D deisel motor in it for years in the UK and other countries, but here in the USA consumers aren't that discerning and manufactures gave us Hybrids instead (what a crock). The only thing that would make this car worth buying IMHO would be for a deisel version that rocked 60+ mpg, that is if the price for the deisel option didn't make it a $20k car.

I waited 3 months for my Yaris and it just arrived last week. I have been driving it since, and I absolutely love it. I have driven 250 miles and still have a half of a tank left! Its enormous on the inside with awesome space in the back and a huge trunk! Definitely worth the wait!

Well, My 3 year lease on my Toyota Matrix XR AWD ran out and I was loathed to pay for an AWD and get lousy mileage. So after 10 years with boring AWD cars I have gone back to basics FWD with my new cute "Bayou Blue" Yaris liftback.....just 5 days into it and I
1) Shift gears.
2) Have fun driving.
3) Name my car........"Ya Ya!"
4) Get smiles from other drivers!!!
5)Tried it out in the first snow of the season and it was excellent for a front wheel drive.
6) Have not had to watch the fuel level drop rapidly !
7)Have cruised at highway speeds effortlessly.
8) Have entered freeways at greater velocity than with my old Matrix....(Very heavy for a 123hp engine)
9) This car feels like an old girlfriend in new clothes......goddamit it is a car. It needs to move, be safe, carry 4 passengers at times, have cargo space, be fun, be economical and be very well made. I tried all the competition and it was down to the Suzuki SX4...( A nice AWD Car but with bad fold down rear seats or the much cheaper and more economical Yaris). The Yaris won! As I am originally from the UK my past fave cars were basic cars too i.e Citroen 2CV, Fiat 500, VW Beetle, BMC Mini Van. This car has me feeling like a driver again already. I got sucked into Automatics from my Wife and family and now I want to get back to my roots. I love small cars and this has got to be the best small car I have ever driven. I feel a driving orgasm coming on!!!!! Next spring me and Ya Ya are going on a road trip!!!!!

Hi, I have owned my 2007 Yaris Sedan since August 15th 2006 and I like it alot. Being my first new car, I have noticed some things of concern. When I put it in reverse, the dash and every other surface rattles. I'm sure that's due to the normal sub-compact style of interior. Also, after the car has warmed up, if I put it in drive or reverse, i can hear the bottom end of the motor rattle, which is of concern. The seats are comfy, but the material is cheap. I realize that they have to cut costs to keep the price down, but I've had the dealer repalce all of the seat covers twice now. And the last thing is the MPG. I know Lindsay posted a comment of the same nature. I have the basic sedan with automatic. I get about 250 miles before I have to fill up. At almost ten gallons, that's only around 25mpg. We drive light on the pedal, do almost no hill climbing and use it both on the highway as well as in town. I have a few quarrels with my new Yaris, but all in all I am happy with it. My only regret is we didn't opt for the power windows or locks for fear of an expensive repair down the road, and now I wish we had gotten them. I love the room it has. I am 6'3", and 280 pounds, and I fit in there just fine, as well as my wife, two children and our baby. We fill up that car, but we all fit just fine. Considering I traded in my 1999 Ford Windstar and went down to a sub, I feel like I traded up. Our next car after this one is paid off will either be another Yaris or a Corolla, so we'll both have nice cars, and I can get rid of my 95 Geo Metro death trap on wheels. For anyone considering the so-called competition of the Haundi Accent or Kia Rio, remember this, Haundai had a reputation for poor reliability and poor resale. As for Kia same deal there. Those 100K warranties aren't what they say they are. There are so many exemptions, that all you get is the same as you would with Toyota. Remember you can wrap a turd as pretty as you want, but it's still a turd, or Kia, or Haundai. You get the idea.

i like to know if yaris will drive good on a snow day

"i like to know if yaris will drive good on a snow day"

My girlfriend has a 2005 Echo Hatchback (how the Yaris was called in Canada) and it drives fine in snow.

Something that most people don't know: Small cars with narrow wheels often drive better in snow than cars with wider tires, because these can kind of "float" on top of snow .

I just bought a Yaris sedan two weeks ago and have been very pleased with the gas mileage (40 mpg is very attainable) and the high quality. It is quiet, has a great sound system and rides nice. It's make a good choice if a hybrid is too pricey for you.

Is any one else but me interested in the diesel version of the yaris? To me it would ideal to run on biodiesel. The closest I can get to this car is Citroen version of Aygo and thats in south america. Might be worth the trip.

I've been driving a 2003 ECHO for 3 full years without a problem and I loved it. The advantage for my back was that I stepped "up" into the car rather than down.
A huge tow truck hit me from behind last week and I came out unscathed. When I went to find a used ECHO (there were none), I discovered the Yaris, ECHO's replacement. The Yaris' headroom is slightly shorter and the step "up" is slightly lower, however is feels more solid.
While new in the US, the Yaris has been in Europe since 1999 so it is not really "new". As someone posted earilier, my ideal car would be a diesel Yaris so that I could use vegetable oil and/or biodiesel. Seems to make so much sense!

I love the Yaris! I just bought one last week and it's pretty good. I test drove all three models (S, Base and the Liftback). The S model and the Base were pretty much the same, except for cost and some features that I didn't care about. I liked the liftback version, but it was a bit noisier on the highway for me and I felt the road more than I did with the other two. The base model comes with a lot of options and rides great! I find the seats are the most comfortable I ever sat in - firm, supportive and ergnomic, at least for me. Anyway, being a guy I thought the Base sedan was better choice ;)

I have the auto transmission...and I have no problems with it. Engine smaller than my last car, but the car is not heavy and is coupled well with the engine. I can take off and zoom around just as well as with my last car.

As for gas mileage...I still haven't filled up the car yet. So far it is performing better than EPA estimates. If you care about the environment and saving money on gas, definitely a car worth considering. Also test drove Honda Fit and Nissan Versa...Yaris road better and was a better price too.

My parents bought this car when it came out in Europe (they live there). I drove it several time. I love it!! THey love it too. It never has problems. THis summer I have to buy a car, and I will buy a Yaris Hatchback like my parents. No headache.

what i like most about he yaris hatchback are the headrests. they make long drives less painfull on your neck and they make whiplashes safer too!!! i also like the front visibility! great cars. i am buying the RS model!.

I have an 87 Turbo Sprint. 40 MPG plus. Cost me $2150 in 1992 w/ 107k. I bike most of the time, and have accumulated now up to 188k on the Sprint with about a total of $2500 in repairs and maintenance on the car since I bought it.

You would think, that by now, cars woudl more efficient than the affordable cars of the 80's that got the same or better fuel numbers.

They are just overpriced, and overally complicated.

When the motor goes south on this car (at 300k plus) i will be happy to either go completely car free (maybe get a scooter for PT use if need/want be), or repace the engine and various parts for THOUSANDS less than a new Hybrid.

Oh yeah...I can sell the Sprint for what I paid for or more TODAY. I can avoid the incredible loss of depreciation of a new car.

Is normal that a new yaris 0 mile standar version 4 door run with motor forced?

thanks

I love my yaris, besides some vibration noise just above idle or on colder days in reverse, I am happy to report I just got 42.9 MPG on my last tank, I have gotten as low as 34 to 36, but when driven right I average 38, high on highway trips, usually 41 to 42. I have 22,893 miles on my Yaris had it for just about 10 months now.

hi all, i can't wait to get my ps so i can finally buy my brand new toyota YARIS Sedan- the sporty one ofcourse!! But, i hav concerns with the speedo being in the middle?! i know many ppl have said it only takes a wk to adjust to it.. but i dunno wouldnt it distract u while you drive? Comment plss! But yeh i hav no other concerns- its seems fuel efficient, small yet not too small and comfy! Can't wait!! heheh i love it already! Post me a comment ne1. Cya x0

I recently purchased a 2007 Yaris Hatchback, and it is a great little car. Purhased it with exactly 11 miles on the odometer, and haven't bought any gas yet, so I can't validate the claim of 34 city/40 highway yet. The cupholders and pockets on the 2 seats are a plus.

One quirk with the car: when driving the manual transmission in reverse, it makes a funny sound. Salesman said that all 2007 Yaris with the 5-speed manual have this issue.

Also, the center mounted gauges are a little weird , but nothing I can't get used to.

Overall, this car offers more than most sub-compacts.

New Yaris is a welcome addition to US car scene,but for now Corolla is the better deal.In May 08 when new 09 Corolla comes out, many people will no longer be able to afford a Corolla.Yaris will make sense then.07 corolla CE can be bought for $14,000 because of incentives(I just bought one for that.)which is a smidge more than a base Yaris,but offers better crash protection,better power,a more comfortable and quiet interior,more space,higher weight(stops highway wind affects and helps in snow)and similar gas mileage(I get 36 ave.)I drove an automatic Yaris and found the Corolla auto smoother and quieter.Perhaps with a stick the Yaris would shine.I think people wil see better gas mileage with Yaris,especially with a stick(the difference between 30 and 34 city EPA is significant so the Yaris may be more economical in the long run but I found the Corolla package more enticing.

34/40 mpg is only "acceptable". The same car in Europe, sold with a 1.4 liter diesel engine, gets around 70 mpg and has the pulling power of a horse at low to mid speeds due to the massive torque. Loaded with 4 people, I was astonished to see how easilly the diesel Yaris was able to scoot around and still give an average of around 60 mpg. Toyota USA has failed the American public and the US auto industry will soon fail if drastic measures are not taken to bring the best mpg cars to the US. I for one will never buy a car again which doesn't get at least 50 mpg on the freeway, even if it means I have to buy a used 10 year old car to do it. At 20 mpg and $3.50 gasoline, each mile we drive in an average car costs about 18 cents. Now let's go on a light 10 mile trip to the store and back, and this now costs us $1.80 ! Wake up people, we are being doused in our own stupidity and allowing the auto industry to force feed us with their 20 year old, gas guzzling technology. I will post a site where the Yaris diesel can be seen from Toyota in english. Thanks. JJ

I just purchased a Yaris today - so all of your comments have been interesting to read. Especially I came across this site after finalizing the sale.

The only difference I had issues with between the Yaris and the Honda Fit was the location of the speedometer on the Yaris - and that was fine with me once I was able to actually sit in the car at the dealership and turn the key in the ignition and see it in action. I felt more comfortable with the setup once seeing it in person.

Thank you all for your feedback and thank you to Treehugger for this site. I look forward to posting my impressions of my car after I've taken possession of it next week.

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I just bought a Yaris today after test driving it, and I agree with a lot of what people are saying here. The center mounted speedometer took me a sec to get used to. But what left the biggest impressions on me was how roomy it was inside. The look on the interior is much more modern than a lot of other cars I've driven in. I can't wait to pick it up on Thursday. I'm looking forward to the fuel efficiency.

I love this car. I got one last Friday after test driving a couple of models... Gotta love the mileage! :D

I've had a Yaris since February. In terms of mpg, I get over the EPA estimates. City/highway combined which is about 80 percent of my driving I get between 37 and 40 mpg. Highway driving, I see between 40-50mpg depending on how fast I'm going, road conditions, etc. Definitely glad that I made this purchase. Smaller more fuel efficient cars are the wave of the future. I think it is time for Americans to wake up and realize that fancy cup holders and other doo-hickies do nothing for you at the pump. Let's throw our economic weight behind these smaller cars and let these automakers know that we won't be buying their gas guzzlers anymore.

funny... we were just getting ready to buy a yaris. after learning of the diesel... and how we can't buy one here in canada... i think we'll wait.... or look elsewhere.

i just called toyota to ask why? they told me that people in north america don't want a car that get better milage. wake up toyota!

who killed the electric car? big oil.

American buyer...I got a 2007 Toyota Yaris Liftback at the end of May/beginning of June of 2007. It is the 5-speed and I love it. I have an SUV that I use to transport my dogs and other things, but I couldn't believe the cost to fill it up and it doesn't last long. So, I went out and got me the Yaris and I lease it. The price of the payment is less then what I would be paying for gas for a month in my SUV driving back and forth to work.

There are a lot of small cars like this one where I live. Not all American's are concerned with the big gas guzzling autos. At least not where I am from, in Pennsylvania. Please don't put us all down. :-)

My gas mileage is about 32 combo of city/highway. However, it is still new and I am still breaking MYSELF in with driving it. I am working on my driving habits to improve the gas mileage. However, 32 mpg that I get in an average of 2 weeks is a whole lot better then only getting about 16 mpg in 1 week with the SUV.

scion has just released a new option for yaris shoppers,it"s the XD it uses the yaris chassis and the corolla 1.8 vvti engine it bases at $15,100 which includes side air bags and power locks and windows.still, the corolla is a bargain as i have seen dealers advertising 08 CEs for $15,000.another option is to wait for the 2010 yaris as i think it will be a new model because the current one has been available in europe since 2005.it should have the new 1.6 dual vvti engine which sports 126 hp(20 % more than current 1.5)while maintaining the E.P.A.ratings.check the specs on this new engine at toyota es.com(it's in spanish but you can use your translator function)the engine is currently being sold in the new corollas in germany and spain.i do hope we get the diesel option soon.don't give up on the gas engines completely though they do run quieter and start in super sub zero temps better than diesels and there are many projects starting around the world to make biofuels for gas engines.one is the partnership between tyson and midland oil to make biofuels from chicken fat.you can see many of these stories on greencarcongress.com

i just got a 2007 toyota yaris hatchback on july 20. i absolutely love this car. i am a single mom to a wonderful 2 year old and it is so easy to have her climb in and out and to buckle her up even though it is only 2 doors. it amazes me as to how much room is in it. i got a 27 inch tv to fit in the bac with a car seat. i sopend alot of time in my car. the car i had before was old and very uncomfortable. the only things i would add to this car are
1. keyless entry and
2. cruise control for those long trips to fayetteville.

i brag to everyone at work about how few times i have to stop and fill up my gas tank. and how cheap it is.

basically i am absolutely in lovew with my car. i find it funny that i have to explain to people what it is but it fits me perfectly.

The Yaris is a very safe little car. I was hit in the drivers door by a small truck (with grill guard) that was going about 40 mph. I walked away without a scratch.

Bought a 2007 Yaris hatchback. I was recently in an accident and the seatbelt did not engage. I have driven Toyota vehicles for years and have never had this problem. I called Toyota to report this and they don't seem to care. No one has returned my call. I think I need to hire a lawyer. Have never sued anyone, but this is very serious. Have your seatbelts checked!!! Will sell my yaris and buy something else!

I've had the 4 door sedan for about a year now. 5 speed Manual transmission. Very pleased with it so far, and have been returning on average 42 mpg, 2/3rds highway and 1/3rd city. This car is really nimble and fun to drive, my first manual so I had to learn on it. The only thing I would change is the "drive by wire" accelerator pedal. I would rather have the pedal mechanically connected to the throttle, as I think this would give a better feel/response, but as this is not a sports car, that is beyond the scope of having a practical gas-saving car. If I had to do it all over, I would still have bought this car. They do need to get better body styles though. The sedan is the least ugly of the two. I miss the styling of the older mid-90s Corollas.

My husband and I bought "his" and "her's" Yaris's last July (or as we like to call them the yari) Whoever has the kids takes the sedan, and whoever is off to work (the onlytime we're w/out kids) takes the hatchback. I traded in my SUV and my husband traded in his P.O.S. Kia Sephia. We knew we needed one car, but when looking at the fuel savings, we figured out that in lower insurance costs, and deep sixing the SUV, we would save money buying two! (we were still paying on the SUV) I LOVE both of them! I will never complain about my gas milage again!!! IMy first car was a 95 Tercel, and I traded it in with 280,000 miles on it and it was still running well!!

We drive a 2003 Echo Sedan and love it love it love it!!! Really good on gas, cheap to maintain and is almost not loosing any value!
The new Yaris has the same engine, only the outside was changed. I would absolutely recommend this car to anyone looking for a "normal" car with a "better" fuel efficiency then a smart car! We are getting around 50miles a gallon in mixed traffic.

Cheers,

I was the proud driver of a $500 1988 CRX HF which got close to 50 mpg on the highway and 35-40 city depending on how I drove it and road conditions. I don't really think many people are getting the 80s EPA mpg with these little guys as their efficiency depreciates over time. I've talked to numerous people with these cars (which tends to happen when you run into another 80s honda owner eager to romanticize about the car) and that was pretty much across the board, though maybe there are exceptions. My car weighed in at 1800 lbs, no airbags or really any safety equipment, and would literally have been run over if I had gotten rear-ended by an SUV or truck. Also had to put lots of repair work into it though it didn't matter as I was not paying for the labor. It's broken down now, but should be back up and running quite soon.

I purchased a red 08 Yaris liftback for $10,700 about a month ago. Looking at pictures and reviews online, I was not that impressed with the car but it was a great deal on a Toyota with good mileage so I went to test drive it. I was unprepared for how much I liked the car! Steering is extremely easy (almost got into a few city accidents in the CRX as driving without power steering in a power steering world can be sluggish) and the Yaris' responsiveness was impressive. I have airbags, I can accelerate with traffic and stop with traffic on the highway, and I've been getting equal or better mileage to the CRX because I drive to maximize mpg. (If you pop the Yaris into any gear, for example third, and then take your foot off the throttle, the engine cuts off the fuel supply and you are not using ANY gas. There are many ways to maximize mileage in this car and websites that will tell you how to do it.) This car weighs 500 lbs more than my CRX but gets the same mileage plus all the modern (manual) accouterments of a new car. My mechanic barely believed there was an engine in the car when he first saw it and after checking it out told me the design was very intuitive and smart. A lot of thought went into the design of the interior space as well and I like the dash (even though it took a little getting used to). I keep finding surprising little places to stow things.

Cons? The car is very loud and you can feel the road underneath you, but it feels like I'm in a car and not a go-cart. The gears are tall, I'm typically in third if I'm at 25 mph so there is a ton of shifting if you're primarily a city driver (which I am). The shifter is mushy, but that will improve with age or else I'll get used to it. Back windows don't open, which would be a big issue on a hot day with kids or a pet in the back seat (though maybe you can upgrade to windows that open). Don't like the plastic hub caps or grill.

I also would have loved a diesel. But US consumers generally say no. Boo!

I live in Houston, Tx. I own the 08' Yaris hatch, my husband was a bit reluctant at first because the prior year we purchased the FJ Cruiser. We have 3 kids and roominess was a concern. But because of the gas crisis we brought it home anyway. The car was to be mainly used for the commute back and forth to work , but let me tell you. On the money we save on gas alone the car is paying for itself, the kids have more than enough room in the back. Our cruiser has a new home .. in the garage, awaiting a camping trip. But the most important thing I want to share about this fabulous little car... last month we had to put the car to the ultimate test. As we packed up our most cherished belongings and began to run from HURRICANE IKE, the decision was simple ... take the Yaris. 2 adults 3 kids and a small dog , we loaded in and headed for San Antonio. 200 miles, 7 grooling hours and only 1/2 a tank later we were far from Ike's destructive path and at our destination, San Antonio, Texas. In our Cruiser it would have taken us probably 2 tanks of gas and probably another 3 hours waiting in line for gas. This is by far the smartest and best investment I have made to date. And even my husband agrees. In a year or so, I plan to pass this little Yaris down to my daughter and and begin the hunt for the new 4 door hatch.

I am set to trade my 2001 Pontiac Firebird in for a 2007 Toyota Yaris Sedan TOMMOROW. I am very excited. I've heard nothing but the best about this car. I live in Georgia, so I know this is the best choice of vehicle designed for the long haul commute lifestyle. I love how healthy it is for the environment too. My Fire"baby" was nice to look at and remained faithful about 3 years into our relationship, however that's just not good enough for me. I need a car that's not afraid to COMMIT....awww the pain... Whelp! Im over it. See you tommorow Yaris my darling..LoL

This is an old news but a worthy one. What is this info doing in treehugger? And by the way I can say that toyota is almost the number choice of all car buyers. It is because of their price and also their auto parts price.

what i like most about he yaris hatchback are the headrests. they make long drives less painfull on your neck and they make whiplashes safer too!!! i also like the front visibility! great cars. i am buying the RS model!.Bought a 2007 Yaris hatchback. I was recently in an accident and the seatbelt did not engage. I have driven Toyota vehicles for years and have never had this problem

what i like most about he yaris hatchback are the headrests. they make long drives less painfull on your neck and they make whiplashes safer too!!! i also like the front visibility! great cars. i am buying the RS model!.Bought a 2007 Yaris hatchback. I was recently in an accident and the seatbelt did not engage. I have driven Toyota vehicles for years and have never had this problem
where is the 4 door hatchback? why is toyota afraid to let this model compete against the xA? xA is goofy.