Follow-up test: 2010 Toyota Yaris hatchback
Vehicle: 2010 Toyota Yaris 5-doors LE hatchback automatic with Enhanced Convenience Package
Price as tested:CDN$18485
When the original hatchback unveiled back in 2004, it was considered as a benchmark in the subcompact class. Fast forward 6 years later, Yaris is no longer considered as a class standard in this fiercely-competitive segment.
While the little 1.5 liter 4-cylinder engine is bumping out 106 horses and 103 lb/ft of torque, with the usual refinement and revving quality one expects from Toyota. The optional 4-speed automatic is crying out for an extra gear. No matter how tall Toyota engineers have set the 4th gear as overdrive, it still won’t beaten out a 5th gear on the highway. That’s also benefitting fuel economy as a whole. On the other hand, 5-speed manual has long throw while the shifter feels notchy. Despite that, row through your own gears is a better alternative than slushmatic in Yaris’s case.
Handling wise, its fairly confidence-inspiring when pushed through the corners. The electric power steering provides surprising road feel considered its a Toyota. Ride comfort is also on par with the class standard.
While the center instrumentation looked quite trendy during the Echo days, it feels rather annoying these days. One really have to get used to look at the center instead of what in front of the dashboard for information. The dashboard plastic and velour material aren’t up to Toyota’s usual standard. As there are tons of hard plastic while velour feels flimsy, even on our loaded LE version.
But its the average of 6.8 liters per 100km that got most of Yaris sold these days. Plus the Toyota cachet and hatchback practicality. If Toyota wants to take the crown from Honda, they have to work on the interior materials, layout, transmission choice and even cargo configuration.
Likes:
Fuel economy
Nice ride quality
Exterior styling
Dislikes:
Interior styling, materials and dash layout
4-speed automatic gearbox
Rear seat no fold flat into the floor