AZCentral.com's view

Toyota Yaris is one of a trio of new Japanese subcompacts that come to our shores at an opportune time, when high gasoline prices are steering consumers toward smaller cars.

Along with Honda Fit and Nissan Versa, Yaris demonstrates how minimalistic economy cars are not so minimalistic anymore. Though tiny, Yaris has an overall feel of substance and refinement, and it’s certainly a stylistic improvement over the awkward Echo that it replaces for 2007 on the bottom rung of the Toyota lineup.

The two-door hatchback I tested, a little blue egg of a car, was fun for scooting around town and highly maneuverable in tight places. It rode well enough on the highway, although with noisy accompaniment from the engine and tires. And a gust of wind or a blast of turbulence from a passing truck pushes this tall, light car all over the road.

Besides Fit and Versa, several other contenders are among the budget bunch, including Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio and Chevrolet Aveo. All of them show the evolution of little cars from dowdy econoboxes to enjoyable transportation.

Yaris would make a fine commuter car, with enough comfort and economy for the rush-hour crawl. It also should appeal to young drivers, many of whom have become attuned to Toyota because of its youth-oriented Scion brand.

As a primary vehicle, though, the bigger Toyota Corolla seems like a more practical choice than Yaris at just a slightly higher price, similar fuel mileage and greater capability.

PERFORMANCE: The numbers seem small, but the 1.5-liter engine provides decent, even sporty, power for this tiny craft. With double-overhead cams and four valves per cylinder with variable timing, the little workhorse accelerates nicely and cruises well. The engine is noisy, though, with a reverberation that gets annoying. As expected, fuel mileage is excellent. Shifting is smooth and easy with well-spaced gears, but the shifter feels rubbery and numb.

DRIVABILITY: Yaris is a kick for dicing through traffic or zipping along a back road. Despite its tall, vanlike cabin, cornering is nimble with an acceptable amount of body sway. Highway driving is not as much fun, with intrusive road noise and too much buffeting by crosswinds and traffic turbulence. The steering and brakes are responsive but feel too remote and disconnected. Anti-lock brakes and side air bags cost extra.

STYLING: The pleasingly rounded shape is so much better than Echo’s slab-sided, stubby aerodynamics. Yaris looks cute but purposeful, the kind of little car that people name and treat like a pet. The short front even has a little nose bump, sort of like a Disney character.

INTERIOR: The interior is surprisingly roomy for front-seat driver and passenger, the upright seating position and high ceiling providing space for even extra-tall drivers. Once inside, it’s easy to forget Yaris’ small dimensions. The interior quality and style have been upgraded from Echo, but too many surfaces are made of hard plastic. The center-mounted cyclops of a gauge cluster takes some getting used to, and only a few gauges help you out. Where’s the tachometer? That’s should be a necessity in a small stick-shift car. How about a temperature gauge?

BOTTOM LINE: An inexpensive little car that works well, mainly for urban driving. Toyota’s own little Scion xA or tC coupe offer more substance and drivability for the money. Not to mention Corolla.

TOYOTA YARIS

Vehicle type: Five-passenger, two-door subcompact hatchback, front-wheel drive. Engine: 1.5-liter inline 4,106 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, 103 pound-feet torque at 4,200 rpm. Transmission: Five-speed manual. Wheelbase: 96.9 inches. Overall length: 150 inches. Curb weight: 2,293 pounds. EPA rating: 34 city, 40 highway.

HIGHS: Economical, roomy interior, decent performance. LOWS: Noisy, sparse gauges, rubbery steering.

Pricing

Base price: $10,950. Price as tested: $14,450.

OPTIONS

* Power package, with 15-inch alloy wheels; power locks, windows and mirrors; reclining, sliding and fold-flat rear seat; and audio with MP3/WMA capability, $1,680. * Side and side-curtain air bags, $650. * Anti-lock brakes, $300. * Remote keyless entry, $230. * Carpet floor and cargo mats, $150. * Shipping, $580.