Vehicle: 2006 Toyota Yaris 5-door RS with Pkg B
Price as tested: CDN$18815

Performance: Under Yaris’s hood lies an exceptional 1.5L DOHC 16-valver 4-cylinder with variable valve timing and intelligence control. This little mill is good for 106 hp and 103 lb/ft of torque. The response is brisk and responsive considered the engine size. Throttle response is quick and crisp. Given the small displacement, the overall refinement is up to Toyota’s usual high standard. Its surprisingly quiet at low speed while at higher speed, one still exhibits the kind of nosiness that expected in an economy car. Despite the noise, this engine is willing to rev through redline thanks to the advanced VVT-i technology. While the clutch is light and progressive, there is a pet peeve with the stick shift. It has nothing to do with its proper gear ratios, its more to do with its long throw through the gears. For a 1.5L econobox, the tachometer revs at 3100 rpm @ 100km/h is surprisingly low. It also improves its fuel economy thanks to its high final drive ratio.

Handling: The outgoing Echo HB had always been a capable econocar, the new Yaris is no exception. Yaris receives stiffer chassis, recalibrated suspension and spring rates that make a good thing even better. The result is an econocar that feels like a hot hatch. Its stiff, solid and flex free. Although Yaris is suspended with MacPherson struct in front and rear torsion beam, its dynamics is really top-notch even with its humble underpinnings. The turn-in is sharp and direct. There is a minimal body rolls with understeer when pushed hard into a corner. The level of nimbleness really amazed me when hustling through corners to corners. Thanks to Toyota engineers’ excellent calibrated spring rates, it also rides like a much more expensive ride. However, there is one pet peeve and it has to do with its electric power steering. The weight and feedback are lousy, it doesn’t have any driver feedback from the pavement to the driver’s hands. Toyota needs to rethink the software for Yaris’s electric power steering.

Brakes: With front discs and rear drums, Yaris’s brake pedal feel has to be one of the best in this segment. Its a pity ABS only available on loaded RS. The outgoing Echo HB had ABS standard across the board and got widely praised. Its unforgiving Toyota decontented the active safety feature in a vehicle that needs ABS most.

Interior: Inside the Yaris, its everything one expects from a Toyota. Start off with top-notch materials in a cabin. The cloth seats are comfortable and supportive. There are tons of storage spaces thoroughout the interior. The instrumentation gauges are clear and analog, although centered placed has not always been my cup of tea.

In the back, both the leg and headrooms are good enough to challenge some of the mid-sizers. You can also slide the back seat forth and aft for maximum interior space on a long trip. That’s an extra touch that lacks in other econocars in this price range.

The cargo space is another pleasant surprise. A flat loading floor with a 40/60 split fold-down rear seats that can completely fold flat to ensure maximum space. Its really a small thing that makes a big difference.

Conclusion: Toyota really has done a marvelous job with the new Yaris. It got plenty of power, handles extremely well, built as good as any Toyota products and very versatile. In short, Toyota has set the standards for the economical hatchback class that is very hard to surpassed.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2006 TOYOTA YARIS RS
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Performance: 5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 4.75/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4.75/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 5/5
Value-for-money: 3/5

Overall rating: 4.75/5