Yaris

Vehicle: 2012 Toyota Yaris SE automatic
Price as tested: CDN$19990

Performance: When Toyota introduced the Echo in 2000, it revolutionized the whole subcompact scene. Will Toyota able to do the same all over again with the new Yaris?

Unfortunately, while the rest of the industry have advanced the source of directly fuel injection. Yaris still stuck with the same powertrain combination as a decade ago. That’s the same old, same old 1.5 liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder with VVT-i. It has a decent 106 ponies with an acceptable 103 lb/ft of torque at driver’s disposal. Mesh the light throttle, Yaris takes off quite easily. Although this is a proven powertrain which is downright reliable, its no longer the hallmark when it comes to refinement. During the initial launch of the Yaris in low rpm, it feels relatively smooth. However, it feels rather buzzy when pushing this engine to the max. The biggest problem has to be its 4-speed automatic. Just when the rest of the segment has moved from 4-speed to dual-clutch gearbox to 5-speed variety, Toyota is still stubborn to this aged combination. This aging combination of powertrain has made Yaris revved at a high 3000 rpm while driving at 110 km/h, which is buzzy on a highway ride. If Toyota is able to put a CVT or even 1 more gear in the gearbox, the highway ride would be more relaxing.

Take a look at the competitions:
Honda Fit has 117hp, 106 lb/ft of torque and 5-speed A/T
Mazda2 has 100hp, 98 lb/ft of torque and 4-speed A/T
Ford Fiesta has 120hp, 120 lb/ft of torque and 6-speed dual clutch gearbox
Hyundai Accent has 138hp, 123 lb/ft of torque and 6-speed A/T
Kia Rio has 138hp, 123 lb/ft of torque and 6-speed A/T

Except for Mazda2, all of Yaris’s competitions have moved from 4-speed into more advanced gearbox technologies for superior refinement and gearchanging efficiency.

Handling: The single biggest difference between our SE tester vs LE is the stiffer shocks and springs. The result is a Yaris which handles much better than before. While the standard suspension on the LE feels rather softly sprung, SE feels sharper and more responsive. However, it doesn’t mean Yaris handles like a hot hatch. In fact, it still handles like a Toyota appliance. It all begins with a rather solid, if detached, chassis. Then add a responsive if darty and vague electric power steering to the mix. Ride quality is comfortable while absorbing all the bumps and roughness with ease. There are plenty of body rolls, even if body motions are well-controlled. Terminal understeer is kinda expected in a subcompact appliance. ESC is standard on with Toyota’s “Star Safety System”, which is a godsent in any cases.

Brakes: Front discs, rear drums and standard ABS; Yaris’s stopping distance is more than acceptable. Pedal feels solid and reassurring, while ABS has stepped in at the right time at the right place.

Interior: The single biggest improvement to Yaris’s interior design is the instrumentation gauges. I have never been fans of Yaris’s center instrumentation gauges. Toyota has smartly placed it in front of the driver instead of center positioning. Another improvement is the use of plastic materials, which feel classier and less plasticky. Those velour seats are comfortable with the right support. The rest of the interior has been very well layout with stereo placed on top of the HVAC, except for the bland looks.

Open the Yaris’s hatch, it has a low liftover with minimal side instrusions. However, the fold down rear seats are able to go completely flat with the luggage space is a neat design.

Conclusion: “Its just a car” is the tagline for 2012 Yaris. Toyota is right on the money. That’s because Yaris is really “just a car” for what its worth. Just like every other Toyota products, its doing everything well but nothing outstandingly. While its not exactly a poorly executed product, it isn’t exactly a stealler one neither. Pity. As for the question I asked at the top. Toyota no longer revolutionize the subcompact with the new Yaris. Instead, its resting on its laurels, while watching peers raced past them.

Competitions:
Chevrolet Sonic
Ford Fiesta
Mazda2
Hyundai Accent
Kia Rio
Honda Fit

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2012 Toyota Yaris SE
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Performance: 2/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 2.5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 2.5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5
Value-for-money: 3/5

Overall rating: 3/5

Vehicle: 2007 Toyota Yaris sedan with 4-speed automatic and Aero Package
Price as tested: CDN$18560

Performance: Just like its hatch silibing, Yaris sedan is powered by identical 1.5L DOHC VVT-i that is good for 106 hp and 103 lb/ft of torque. With maximum torque of 103 lb/ft available as low as 4200 rpm, with our tester’s optional 4-speed automatic. This little motor is no sloush. There are plenty of get-up-and-go in the bottom end. As one would expect from an economy car, the engine becomes noisy once pushed through the high rpm. On the other hand, engine refinement and NVH remain as one of the top helm of the class. However, I highly recommend to go with 5-speed stick shift if you are going to get one of these 1.5L economy car. The stick shift gears a lot better out of this little mill.

Handling: One of the biggest shortcomings of previous Echo sedan was its handicapped dynamics. While Yaris sedan doesn’t have the sharpness of its hatchback silibing, it handles much superior than its predecessor. Gone are the floaty chassis and terrible handling/ride compromise. In with the much more comfortable ride quality. On the other hand, its suspension hangs on to those corners with ease even with 15″ tires. As one expected from Toyota, its electric power steering is devoid of driver feedback despite it got more than acceptable response. Body rolls remain significant but understeer is more tamed than before.

Brakes: The biggest surprise of Yaris sedan in relative to its hatch sibling is the standard ABS. In the hatchback, you have to go up above LE in order to get it as an option. In the sedan, ABS is the standard fare even in base 14k version. That’s unfair to those who are buying a hatch with similar option. Despite that, Yaris’s brake pedal feels more than capable for daily driving. The stopping distance and modulation are up to the task. Even with 15″ wheels, ABS won’t intervene until absolutely necessary.

Interior: Interior is another area with huge improvement in Yaris sedan in relative to Echo sedan. Echo sedan was notoriously for its poor use of materials with decent finish. Yaris sedan finally got the materials worthy of the Toyota name. Although you still find plenty of hard plastic as one expected from econocar, those are of high-quality without hallow sound. Another worthy improvement is it finally got the space it needed. Just like its predecessor, center instrumentation has to get used to. The center console is very well laid-out with excellent ergonomics and lots of storage space.

For an econocar, Yaris sedan’s cargo space is more than acceptable. Although the liftover is high with instrusive trunk hinges to save costs; its 40/60 split fold-down gives some extra versatility.

Conclusion: Sedan is a welcome addition to popular Yaris range. It not only looks far better than its Echo predecessor, it also solved many of its shortcomings.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2007 TOYOTA YARIS SEDAN
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Performance: 4/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 3/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 3/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5
Value-for-money: 3/5

Overall rating: 3.5/5

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