By: Mike Blake
Toyota, the company that markets the luxury Lexus, the youth-oriented Scion and the dependable, sporty and diverse Toyota lineup, is a manufacturer that truly pays attention to the economic climate. It may have forecast the current marketplace as one in need of an entry-level liftback that appeals to the younger audience when it created the all-new Yaris subcompact, the most affordable passenger car in the Toyota model lineup.
The Yaris, offered as both a four-door sedan and three-door liftback, replaces the Echo in the Toyota lineup. In Japan, it is known as the Vitz. Yaris or Vitz, it fits the need for a roomy, economical, fuel-conscious car with "cute" appeal.
My test vehicle was built in the three-door liftback configuration. It has youth appeal and even the austere interior isn’t so Spartan that it is a complete no-frills affair.
Under the hood, you get an efficient 1.5-liter inline-4, 18-valve engine mated to a five-speed manual overdrive transmission. The 106 horses and 103 pounds-feet of torque the small plant puts out is enough to propel the light 2,293-pound car from zero to 60 mph in 10.5 seconds. The biggest plus is the fuel economy. The set-up is EPA rated at 34 mpg in city driving and 40 mpg on the highway. During my seven days behind the wheel of the Yaris, I filled it with 87-octane fuel and managed to get about 38 mpg during tests that put me on the interstates about 75 percent of the time.
Those driving tests showed that the light vehicle does get buffeted a bit in the wind at high speed, but performance and stability were better than average thanks to independent MacPherson strut front suspension, torsion beam rear suspension, electronic power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering and electronic throttle control system with intelligence. You aren’t going to set any autocross records, but it is a comfortable drive that takes to the roadways well, while it might not be the s-curve conqueror you might desire.
Stopping power is more than adequate with front ventilated disc brakes, rear drum brakes and 14-inch steel wheels. A temporary spare is standard with the vehicle.
In the cabin, you get the basics and a blank canvas for those who think tuners or flipped whips. The central focus inside is the center-mounted instrument and gauge cluster that gives you even more room inside. It helps Yaris provide a roomy 39.4 inches of front headroom, 40.3 inches of front legroom and 51.4 inches of front shoulder room. Rear room measures 37.5, 33.8 and 48.3, making it one very comfortable subcompact. The center-mount system is something you either like or dislike. It is thinking outside the box for those who are used to speedometers and info just past and above the steering wheel, and it is an avant-garde approach to the cockpit.
Other interior amenities include air conditioning, cloth front bucket and rear seats with adjustable headrests, tilt steering wheel, intermittent wipers, passenger dual glove box, driver and front passenger vanity mirrors, front and rear cupholders, folding rear seat, liftback luggage cover and audio prep package with four speakers. The first thing most of today’s entry-level car buyers might do to upgrade this sweet little ride is to install a premium sound system as the Yaris’ price is extremely low, enriched electronics becomes an easy buy.
How low a price? Yaris is aggressively marketed with a base sticker of $10,950. My test car bottom-lined at $13,890. Options on my test vehicle included the power package that includes 15-inch alloy wheels, power door locks, mirrors and windows, 60/40 split, reclining, sliding and fold-flat rear seat, AM/FM/CD with MP3, playback capability, auxiliary audio jack, rear wiper, rear defroster for $1,680.
Another option that dismays me because it should be standard, is anti-lock disc brakes for $300, but always purchase all the safety options. It is an easy amortizement over the life of the car loan and you never want to short-change your safety.
The remote keyless entry adds another $230 and carpeted floor mats and cargo mats were $150. Delivery, processing and handling fees popped another $580 on the sticker to end with $13,890.
Even at that low price, Toyota’s attention to safety was apparent. Yaris helps protect its occupants with a reinforced cabin that integrates front and rear crumple zones and energy-absorbing materials on the roof and doors. Driver front airbags, front passenger airbag with advanced airbag system, side impact door beams and a center high mount stop lamp are all standard in Yaris.
On the outside, Yaris captures looks from high school students and college-age drivers who see it as a ride they or their parents can afford, with enough coolness and "cuteness" to be accepted in today’s peer-pressure society Color-keyed bumpers, door handles and outside mirrors, aerodynamic halogen projector headlamps and roof-mounted antenna accentuate the rounded features and gentle lines of the Yaris.
Yaris or Vitz, it fits budgets and fits the young lifestyle. It is entry level at a time that entry level needs to be closer to $10,000 than $20,000. It looks like Toyota has done its homework again and has gotten it right.
Visit www.carlisleevents.com
for more on the automotive hobby. Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine,
joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He’s been a "car
guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.
