2007 Toyota Yaris Review

Specifications

The cold. It finds its way into every nook and cranny, through gloves andsocks. It sinks into each pore of the body, chilling not only bones, but numbing the soul. The cold doesn’t just go after you or I, it’s also the killer of cars. On days where mercury is so weighted it can’t rise from its bulb, cars fail to start, their batteries robbed of their electrical livelihood. Any trace of moisture will freeze fuel lines, putting a car into a coma until its lifelines are thawed again. For the ones that do start, the acoustics are agonizing and uncertain. Imagine, the pistons, valvetrain and all other components sitting unbathed, firing into action. The oil that fights friction and temperature is viscous. Some make it, some don’t. It’s just a reality of life in most of the Northern States.

And yet, the cold is no problem for the Yaris. Twice since the last update, managing editor Justin Couture left for travel, leaving the Yaris dormant a couple of days at a time. Both times the Yaris started instantly - no dimmed headlamps, no hesitation - as if temperature was not a factor to thecar’s operation at all. Several other vehicles were on hand during that period, sitting for the same amount of time, under the same conditions. All were bigger and more expensive than the Yaris. A Ford Focus tester cranked for what seemed like an eternity before clattering to life. Our other long term car, a VW Passat, had similar results.

It’s on days like these that Toyota’s reputation for reliability makes itself known, and impressions are cast. The fact of the matter is that our Mid-West office isn’t exactly located in one of the coldest parts of the world. Other parts of the northern States, Alaska, the Atlantic States and most of Canada, not to mention the Prairies get (much) colder. Thankfully we’re not there. Of course, those in our Western office will be snickering right about now, as other than this freakish year it barely snows there at all. But then again, they don’t have access to our wonderfully dependable long-term Yaris unless visiting, so it’s not all winter rose blossoms for them, now is it?

For the rest of us who can’t relate to flowers in February, here are some winter-related entries to the logbook:

Odometer: 2,658 miles

Justin: After unseasonably warm weather that had me seriously contemplatingthe effects of global warming (OK, I shouldn’t joke about something so important), winter has finally arrived. Last night’s forecast called for wet snow, which led to this morning’s efforts to not only brush the snow off the car, but spend a good deal of time scraping a thick layer of ice off the windows. And herein lies the point of a car that’s got all the basics covered effectively. I’ve gotta say that the Yaris’ rear defroster is quite powerful. After making my way through the front windshield, it had already began to work. It took a few more minutes to get through the side windows, and by that time, a hole had already been melted through the ice on the glass. That’s efficient!

The Yaris doesn’t seem to mind the cold too much. With no fluid to congeal in its electrical power steering system, it doesn’t convey a sense of dissatisfaction at when cranking the wheel right after start up. It’s light as a feather, so light, that it can be twirled with just an index finger. And what’s more is that the steering is as crisp as the winter air outside.

Odometer: 2,687 miles

Justin: Now that there’s snow actually covering the ground, I can report on the state of the tires. The Yaris is pretty darn good in the snow. I know what you’re thinking - it’s a little car with very little weight over anyof its wheels so it’ll slip and slide about like a puppy on a freshly waxed floor. Not so. The Bridgestone Blizzak tires that were fitted to the car work best in these colder temperatures, the compound staying soft where aggressive Pirelli rubber would otherwise begin to harden up. This gives the Yaris bite where our Passat’s 210 Sottozero performance tires are left spinning before gaining traction. As for noise, yes, the winter tires are more audible than the standard all seasons, but the added gain is just about drowned out by the sound of 25 mph gusts battering the car to either side, a frequent occurrence over the past couple of days.

Another thing I’m so very thankful for are the ABS brakes, an option that I recommend all potential Yaris buyers go for. I find that the Yaris’ ABS is a bit quick to react under light pressure as compared to other cars, but I like to think of it this way - without it, I’d be locking up the brakes and unable to steer.

Odometer: 2,821 milies

Justin: With our previous Yaris long term hatchback, I recall writing an entry in the logbook about the engine being reluctant to shift, and the reason why. It all makes sense now. The gearbox intentionally keeps the revs up by sticking to a lower gear in order to bring the engine temperature up to prime operating conditions faster. The engine also powers the car’s heater, which means that the heater gets to producing heat faster. Thus the higher engine revs equate to a toastier cabin in less time. In a car where heated seats are unavailable, this is the kind of engineering that makes sub-zero days less painful.

Not that there’s any risk in overheating (not in these temperatures, at the very least) but it would be good to have a full temperature gauge. The Yaris’ condensed instrument cluster only has the tach and the speedo, with a little rectangular LCD display that shows the odometer, and the fuel gauge. Instead of the temperature gauge, there are two warning lights; a green one that lights up when the engine’s cold, and a red one when it overheats. Something a little more substantial would be nice.

On that note, I’m also reminded of my Aunt’s antique, rusting 1981 Toyota Tercel, a long deceased relative of the Yaris Sedan. It too never had any difficulties starting, and its low traction tires and light curb weight made it fun to play around with in the snow, mind you its weak heater and vinyl seats were no fun at all until the car warmed up. I’m so glad that times have changed.