2007 Toyota Yaris Review

Specifications

A Fly In the Ointment

Somethings gone awry with our Yaris! OK, nothing serious has gone awry, but, over the past couple of days, managing editor Justin Couture noticed that one of the three large knobs controlling the HVAC system, the fresh-air/recirculation knob, was getting a bit springy. He described it as being unable to engage the fresh-air mode, which meant that cabin air was being recycled. In dry weather this isnt much of a bother, however, as its been raining a fair bit around here lately it became a major problem. The humid cabin air, against the colder exterior climate kept causing the glass to fog up. In the process of trying to defog, he gave the first knob a firm twist, causing something inside - judging by the sound of it, a spring he reckons, to snap, leaving the knob with no resistance in recirculation mode.

Normally, this sort of thing wouldnt bother us here, unless something very upfront and noticeable results - something like a flat tire, sunroof that wont close or a stereo with a blown speaker - but fogged up windows was something that we all felt needed to be addressed right away due to being a safety issue. It was a bit of a pain having to wipe the glass down with our sleeves every couple of minutes; it was either that, or driving with the windows down and getting a makeshift shower. So, the Monday after the weekend incident, PR reps were called and the car was briefly returned to Toyotas head office to be serviced. In the meantime, we were kindly given a courtesy car to keep us on the move, which we will get into detail shortly.

Within three days, the Toyota PR rep called back, bearing good news: everything was sorted out. The dealer had sourced and fixed the problem, which was rooted to the installation of the dealer-installed air conditioning system, an incident independent of the factory. Happy that nothing serious had occurred and it was just a minor mix-up, we gladly took our long-term car back. The only other surprise pertaining to the Yaris in this two week period, aside from this incident, was that when Justin went to get the car on Thursday night, he found that it had been washed and had its interior detailed. Overall, the car was as fresh and as clean as when it had rolled out of the factory, with all the contents papers, parking stubs, etc., neatly arrange in a big, plastic zip-up bag. Thanks guys!

Right. Now, its time to visit the logbook:

Odometer: 1,164 miles (FJ Cruiser: 48 miles)

Justin: Having the Yaris as a day-to-day buddy means that Ive become accustomed to it. Now that Ive just handed the keys over, its almost as if my best pals been gone. I say almost, because everythings on pause for our courtesy car: a brand spankin new 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser! At the point of drop-off, I had a choice between the new Yaris “with a trunk” Sedan, the very nice new Camry, or the FJ. Being somewhat of an automobile adventurist, and having driven none of these cars, take a guess at what I went for…

This thing is the opposite of the Yaris in every way, shape and form. Where the Yaris is tiny and somewhat effeminate, the FJ is machismo, eye catching and just outright bold. Even in Titanium Silver, what might be the most bland color that its offered in, it just screams for attention, with huge tires, retro styling and a tubular roof rack. Nothing in the off-road world grabs as much attention as this thing does… not since the Hummer H2 did, at least.

Its hard to hold back a grin when scaling up into the cabin. Its funky, its chunky, and all the materials used are weather-proof, wipe down or hose-out. Yet, despite all of this, the FJ is remarkably refined, and whats more, an incredible amount of fun to drive. In first, the engine sounds a bit like an industrial-sized bathroom extraction fan, but the amount of pull, and the smoothness had me thinking that it was a V6. On the highway the big six lazily turns well below 2,000 rpm, and the ride is firm, but not at all bouncy.

By far, this is the absolute coolest courtesy car Ive ever had.
 
Odometer: 1,164 miles (FJ Cruiser 346 miles)

Jonathan: “No, Justin, I dont want the Yaris long-term tester right now. You know its seats kill my back…”

Long pause…

“Wait, what did you say? You want me to drop it off and pick up an FJ Cruiser loaner while they fix an HVAC knob? Why didnt you say so?”

Then when I show up to drop off the Yaris, Justin beat me to the car and picked up the FJ before I got there - only telling me when I was halfway to Toyotas headquarters. The nerve of that kid! Then when he gets back from his joy ride, we fought to decide who gets the FJ and who gets the Jag. After I sucker punched him and grabbed the keys, the matter was pretty much settled, but then I had an attack of guilt and went back to help him clean up his bloody nose; after all, I didnt want to leave a bloody mess on Toyotas doorstep. I packed him into the cargo bay of his Jag X-Type and went on my merry way with the FJ.

Why did I want the FJ so much? Well, after reading Trevors review about fun in the mud, I was dying to get one dirty, and while having one for a couple of days while the Yaris was “in the shop” normally wouldnt make for much of a party, I planned to make the most of it.

One thing I wasnt prepared for was the amount of attention I would get. This thing was responsible for dozens of wrenched necks and possibly a pile up or two even though it was in its stealthiest color, silver, in which you can barely see the two-tone roof and D-pillar. Despite the fact that web-savvy car fans have seen a lot of this vehicle, there are a whole lot of people that have never seen one, and likely have never seen anything like it. The only thing my mom thought it might compare to is a Hummer, and I said: “This is nothing like a Hummer, this thing is hard core.”

To prove my point, I had my sister and her boyfriend guide me to some dirt paths about two hours north of home base. Glorified tractor paths, plenty potholed, but nothing to really challenge the FJ Cruisers 4-Lo despite gaping potholes and muddy pools that spotted the route. Sadly, despite the beckoning calls of the trails that branched off the main path, we couldnt experience its full capabilities owing to a setting sun and, more importantly, no buddy. Without a buddy in another 4×4, preferably with a winch, its just dumb to try anything that might hang you up or bog you down. I decided not to be dumb - theres plenty of summer left for that - its a long walk back to town. While it wasnt enough to test the FJs significant mettle, it was enough of a sample for me to know that I want more…. You hear me Toyota, “More, More, More!!!”

The second thing that really impressed me was what a complete package this truck delivers. The ride is extremely smooth when the road wasnt hole-riddled gravel. Its one of the smoothest highway cruisers I have driven. One of its great advantages was its long, tall, even grande sixth gear that settled in nicely around 2,000 rpm even beyond highway speed limits. That sixth gear is part of the manual shifter that comes standard, and its an amazing package paired to the gobs of power from the big, brutish V6 (brutish in size and power, not refinement). Throw in the automatic all-wheel drive and grip is never a problem during the daily grind. Its one-of-a-kind looks could only have improved with its signature blue paint, which would have attracted even more looks, but more importantly, it got plenty of loving looks from me, and even when I was away from it, it put a huge smile on my face just thinking about its awesome power, cheerful personality and fun-loving character. Once again, Im smiling just thinking about it. What could possibly be better than that?

Eventually I did return the FJ to Justin and Im sure he will have his own thoughts to share about it, so Ill leave him a bit of room.

Odometer: 1,164 miles (FJ Cruiser: 421 miles)

Justin: OK, I know that FJ Cruiser comments should be restricted considering this is a report on the Yaris, but, Im just in love with this thing. So much so that Ive forgiven Jon for that earlier scrap. Its now back in my hands, complete with a nice coat of mud splashed on the fenders, some of which is starting to cake dry. I feel much better about driving it around in suburbia; it makes me look as if Ive got a life, and feel far less silly. An FJ without mud looks naked; should be thoroughly dirty, all of the time.

Bright and early the next morning after its return, I had to drive right to downtown in morning rush hour, which meant a one-hour journey of stop and go traffic. Surprisingly, the FJ wasnt as bad as other separate-chassis off-roading behemoths Ive driven. Turning radius was tight, and the big, vertical mirrors gave good visibility on both sides, thereby preventing any accidental monster truck, hood-crushing action. The only negative I can think about is the alarmingly quick rate at which the V6 slurps down premium unleaded. A third of a its big tank in less than 60 miles? Ouch. That makes me really miss the Yaris.

Odometer: 1,178 miles

Justin: Well, Ive just gotten back the Yaris. Im not quite sure what about the “New Car” smell I really like, but the Yaris definitely smells of it, and that makes me happy. Mind you, I cant quite tell if my state is chemically induced, or the fact that Im really glad to be back with the Yaris, but Im happy, so well leave it at that. Its also looking cleaner than it has in the past two weeks, as its been taken care of inside and out. Heck, theres even tire gloss on the sidewalls. Talk about first-rate treatment.