2009 Toyota Yaris Adding Standard Side Airbags
Today, Toyota confirmed it would make side airbags standard for the 2009 model year Yaris. According to IIHS crash tests, the 2008 Yaris got top marks when equipped with the then-optional side airbags. Without them, it received the lowest side crash-test scores.
Toyota spokesman Bill Kwong said there’s no official word that the four-door Yaris hatchback — currently on sale in other markets — will go on sale in the U.S. when the rest of the 2009 lineup goes on sale this fall, but the four-door hatch was mentioned during a recent conference call with Toyota executives and the media.
With the current hunger for all things efficient and affordable here in the States, we’d think selling the four-door Yaris hatchback would be a smart move. Standard side airbags make the 2009 Yaris a much smarter choice regardless.
