Vehicle Overview The Yaris is Toyota’s least-expensive model, and it’s available in sedan as well as two-door and (new for this year) four-door hatchback styles. Model trims include base and upper-level S variants. Similarly sized compacts include the Chevrolet Aveo, Honda Fit and Hyundai Accent.
New for 2009 A new four-door hatchback joins the lineup for 2009. All Yaris models get standard antilock brakes, side-impact and side curtain airbags. Satellite radio is now available.
Exterior The sedan is more conservative-looking than the hatchbacks; it features the Camry’s snub-nosed front end. Both feature a forward-cab design with short overhangs. The Yaris S includes body-colored rear spoilers, side skirts and a rear air dam.
The Yaris sedan is nearly as big as the Corolla, at 169.3 inches long and 66.5 inches wide. That’s roughly the same size as the biggest entry in this segment, the Aveo. The two- and four-door hatchbacks have the same dimensions; at 150.6 inches long, they’re about 20 inches shorter than the sedan. The Yaris is the smallest hatch in its class.
Available 14- or 15-inch wheels
Standard body-colored mirrors and door handles
Optional rear defroster (standard on S)
Optional rear window wipers on hatchback (standard on S)
Optional fog lamps (standard on S sedan)
Optional power mirrors
Interior The interior has an unusual design, though it mostly remains functional. The sedan and hatch have slightly different layouts, with the sedan being the more conservative of the two. All models get a center-mounted instrument cluster, and the sedan’s center stack is reminiscent of the Camry’s. The hatch’s climate-control knobs are placed vertically in the center control panel below the stereo, as opposed to side-by-side as in most cars.
There’s an available 60/40-split rear seat that can recline and slide fore and aft. S models feature different seat fabric and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. The sedan’s 87.1 cubic feet of interior volume makes it one of the smallest in the segment, while its 12.9 cubic feet of trunk space is average. The hatch has 84.1 cubic feet of interior volume, which again is tighter than the rest of the segment.
Standard air conditioning
Optional CD player with auxiliary jack (standard on S)
Optional cruise control
Optional remote keyless entry and power windows/locks
Optional 60/40 folding rear seat (standard on S)
Under the Hood The Yaris has a remarkably tight 32.6-foot turning circle for the sedan and 30.8-foot for the hatchback.
106-horsepower, 1.5-liter four-cylinder with 103 pounds-feet of torque
Available five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission
Safety Safety features include:
Standard side-impact airbags
Standard side curtain airbags
Standard antilock brakes with electronic brake force distribution
Optional daytime running lamps (only on hatchback)
Optional security key that immobilizes engine in cases of ignition tampering
