2007 Toyota Yaris Review

Specifications

Upping the Subcompact Ante

I wasnt particularly surprised after first driving Toyotas new Yaris hatchback late last year. Not that it wasnt extremely good, at least for its subcompact class, but Ive just grown to expect entry-level Toyotas to be a cut above the rest, I suppose. I first saw the four-door version while attending a dinner as part of the media launch of the RAV4, but this time I must admit to being a bit taken aback, if only because I expected the sedan to be nothing more than a five-door with a trunk replacing the hatch. Was I ever wrong.

My guess is that colleagues that witnessed the B-segment Yaris sedan debut in Detroit felt the same way. I was there, although I have to admit to not giving the car the attention it probably deserves, having poked around inside it prior to this event. As for Detroit, it was too difficult to get near anyway, as the subcompact segment is so hot right now, that the Yaris was major news. News of the Yaris was made more poignant, mind you, because its predecessor, the Echo was dropped after 2005 model-year examples ran out, due to slow sales.

The new Yaris, which launched in Canada late last year, the first market in the world to get the car thanks to its love-affair with subcompacts, will be available on this side of the Ambassador Bridge (or the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel) this coming fall, which, once again, shows a shift in purchasing priorities towards smaller cars here at home.

While the Yaris is currently sold in both three- and five-door configurations in other markets, not every American likes hatchbacks. For these, the tiny Toyotas fun-loving attitude will be available with four doors and a trunk as well as a hatchback at the same time the sedan debuts in Canada. The Yaris family will only include a three-door liftback in our market though. Does TMSUSA believe that Americans dont like five-door hatchbacks? While such a decision seems odd, no doubt concerns about a five-door Yaris doing battle against the Scion xA have something to do with it. And the companys product development specialists arent exactly neophytes, so for now we should believe they know what theyre doing, and after all, the new four-door is pretty impressive and therefore will do a much better job of wooing buyers that never warmed up to the oddball Echo sedan.

The Yaris, in its new three-box duds, is actually styled quite differently than the liftback model, and Im not just referring to the addition of a trunk tacked onto its rear end. No, both models incorporate unique front end designs, with the new four-door featuring a “smiling” grille embellished with a thick body-color slat stretching from side to side, just above a distinct lower fascia sporting a larger, wider engine vent and special fog lamp cutouts. The cars new nose also gets unique lower profile headlight clusters, horizontal in aspect and pointing towards the center of the car, rather than the liftback models vertical head lamps that point downward.

On the way rearward, past where there should be a side marker but isnt on the sedan, the windshield and front doors appear the same as those on the liftback-equipped Yaris, but with the rear doors looking a lot like those on the five-door. Of course, everything in back is totally unique. The four-doors taillights are attractively shaped, their topmost edges designed to follow the cars shoulder line downward to match the trunk opening and meet up with the bumper cutout. A sporty deck lid spoiler can be had, while an aerodynamically shaped rear valance finishes off the tail end neatly. Overall its a nice looking package, much more conservatively penned than the outgoing Echo four-door, which should be warmly welcomed by Toyotas loyal customers.

Inside, there is much that is the same as in the hatchback but, just like the Yaris sedans exterior, a fair bit that has changed. The most noticeable is its center stack, wider than the liftback and featuring its three rotating HVAC dials positioned in a triangle rather than atop one another. The audio system, just above, is fully integrated into the panel, which should appeal to four-door buyers who probably wont be looking to upgrade to an aftermarket system - the hatchback audio interface, large, square and appearing easily removable, looks to be ideal for modification. Just above, the vents are black plastic instead of colored in aluminum-like silver, a more subtle approach.

Atop the dash is a revised set of gauges, classier with its silver-finished dial faces. Yes, faces, as in plural gauges, the new model doubling its instruments to include a tachometer beside the speedometer, an upgrade over the black-faced speedo-only hatchback.

Compartment lovers may experience loss when noticing that the sedan doesnt include the handy second glovebox, but the one to the left of the gauge cluster, in front of the driver remains. The rear seatbacks arent split like the liftbacks, at least not in base trim, but they fold forward nonetheless, expanding the trunks useful proportions if no rear passengers are aboard.

Other than this comprehensive list of changes, all things mechanical are identical.  The Yaris sedan moves forward via a 106-horsepower 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with four-valves per cylinder and dual overhead cams, sporting
103 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual comes standard with a
four-speed automatic being optional. While this package is more than adequate for most subcompact buyers, some may be lured by rival B-segment carmakers that offer engines featuring more power and torque, while the aforementioned new models from Honda and Nissan offer higher output levels and, in the case of the former, a five-speed automatic transmission, the first of its kind in this subcompact class.

While new competitors will no doubt cause a little chaos in the entry-level market, its great news for consumers who need to maximize every penny. Toyotas Yaris sedan should appeal to these needs-driven buyers, especially those factoring in long-term reliability and resale values, both expected to be good. Its price? Also good, starting at $11,825 with a five-speed manual and rising to $12,520 with its four-speed automatic.

The $750 Convenience Package (late availability) includes a four-speaker AM/FM/single-CD audio system with mp3 and WMA compatibility, a rear window defroster, 60/40 split rear seatbacks that also recline and incorporate adjustable headrests and a flip-down armrest, plus 15-inch steel wheels wrapped in 185/60R15 all-season tires.

For an additional $1,,425 (or $2,175 separately) the Yaris sedan also comes with a Power Package with Alloy Wheels, which, on top of the Convenience Package, adds alloy wheels, obviously, plus power door locks, power windows (with a selective locking/unlocking  power window lockout/override system included), cruise control, color-keyed power adjustable exterior mirrors, and four-wheel ABS. And if you dont need the alloy wheels you can save $390 and get everything else in the package less those fancy rims.

Interestingly, a $265 Cold Weather Package  (late availability)   can be chosen, featuring a heavy duty rear defroster, warning lights for low washer fluid, plus rear heating ducts (no mention of seat heaters), but it cant be had with the above mentioned packages. Dont worry, however, as a secondary Cold Weather Package can be had for only $70 extra, that doesnt include the heavy duty rear defroster (an item that must be included in a previous package, although the information I have doesnt say).

I really like the fact that Toyota offers ABS brakes as a standalone option, at a mere $300 no less, plus additional critical safety features such as  seat-mounted front-side airbags (late availability) and side head-curtain airbags at $650. An anti-theft engine immobilizer can be purchased for $60, front fog lights (late availability) for $110, a rear spoiler (late availability) for $435, and last but not least, a key fob that incorporates keyless entry functionality plus a panic alarm for $230 - well worth the money in my experience.

As for the driving experience, youll have to wait until spring to experience this for yourself, although you wont have to wait quite as long to find out about my impressions. Im scheduled to test one out in a few weeks time. Will it be as good as other subcompact sedans sold in this country? Im guessing yes, although the new Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio four-doors are very, very good. Chevy has a new Aveo coming too, and while failing its most recent crash tests, it is probably a serious contender in the making. Hondas Fit and Nissans Versa go up against the Yaris hatchback, so Ill leave them out of the four-door equation for the time being. And while were on the subject of B-segment rivals, the former is also being launched to the western media on the same day as the Yaris sedan, so I wont be able to let you know my thoughts on how well it measures up until sometime in the future. One of our West Coast staffers will be taking my place at Hondas event, mind you, therefore you wont be left wondering for long. So stay tuned for all the subcompact highlights, starting with what will probably become a segment leader. You guessed it, Toyotas Yaris.