Toyota Yaris
Wikicars, a place to share your automotive knowledge
The Toyota Vitz, Toyota Echo hatchback, and Toyota Yaris hatchback are the current models of a small subcompact car in Japan launched by Toyota Motor Corporation in 1999.
- Vitz is the name used in Japan for 3 and 5 door hatchbacks.
- In Europe and the Americas, it is sold as the Yaris. (The vehicle was known as the Echo until 2005 in Canada and 2006 in the United States.)"
The name Vitz came from German word "witz", which means "wit," "witticism," or "gag" in English. The name Yaris comes from Greek Mythology. Coincidentally the chief designer for the Yaris is Greek.
Recent Changes
The Toyota Yaris has an appealing look to it. We never warmed to Toyota's previous subcompact, the Echo, which tried too hard to look different and ended up looking like a puppy.
Though they share platforms and powertrains, the Yaris Liftback and Yaris Sedan were developed under different chief engineers and design teams, providing the entry-level buyer with two distinctive choices in a small, economical subcompact. Toyota is one of the few automakers that can afford such luxury of manpower, and it was put to good use in the Yaris project.
The Liftback was designed around the theme of powerful simplicity," but our first impression was that it's cute as the proverbial bug. With its wedgy profile, large front halogen headlamp clusters, creased hood lines and "T-grille," it has all the character that its predecessor, the unloved Echo, never possessed. Virtually every exterior element is body-colored, but the Yaris avoids looking like a featureless blob due to strategic placement of black trim around the base of the A-pillar, on the B-pillar, on the two strips that run the length of the roof, the front grilles and foglamp surrounds at the base of the windshield.
The rear hatch opens down to the bumper line and raises just high enough to allow a six-foot-tall person to stand under it. Like everything else about the Yaris, the hatch's function feels just right. Opening of the hatch is well damped by two struts, and closing it takes no more than a gentle downward push.
The Yaris sedan's theme is "Simple is Cool", which is based on the Japanese art of flower arranging, where unnecessary decoration is shunned in place of a single, simple design. Its long, stretched cabin, arched beltline and short overhangs give it sporty proportions, and the multi-reflector halogen headlamps lend it a premium look. Longer and wider and riding on a much longer wheelbase than the Echo sedan it replaces, the Yaris sedan has proportions that work together to create a sportier car.
Despite their distinctive styling, both the Yaris Sedan and Yaris Liftback share a 0.29 coefficient of drag, excellent numbers that help quiet the ride and increase fuel economy at cruising speeds."
Styles and Major Options
Currently the Toyota Yaris comes in 3 trims:
- Liftback
- Sedan
- S Sedan
Pricing
|
Trim |
|||||||||
|
Liftback (Manual) |
Liftback (Automatic) |
Sedan (Manual) |
Sedan (Automatic) |
S Sedan (Manual) |
S Sedan (Automatic) |
||||
|
Price |
|||||||||
|
MSRP |
|||||||||
|
$10,950 |
$11,850 |
$11,825 |
$12,550 |
$13,325 |
$14,050 |
||||
|
Invoice |
|||||||||
|
$10,292 |
$11,140 |
$11,115 |
$11,840 |
$12,525 |
$13,340 |
||||
Today's actual prices on the 2007 Toyota Yaris by city can be found at CarsDirect.
Gas Mileage
|
Trim |
|||||||||
|
Liftback (Manual) |
Liftback (Automatic) |
Sedan (Manual) |
Sedan (Automatic) |
S Sedan (Manual) |
S Sedan (Automatic) |
||||
|
Gas Mileage |
|||||||||
|
City |
|||||||||
|
34 |
34 |
34 |
34 |
34 |
34 |
||||
|
Highway |
|||||||||
|
40 |
39 |
40 |
39 |
40 |
39 |
||||
Owners of the 1.5 liter North American spec models report gas mileage ranging from high twenties/low thirties to as high as 48-50; low to mid 30s with automatic and mid to high 30s with manual is typical.
Reliability
Safety
Photos
 Yaris S Sedan shown in Flint Mica with available fog lamps and 15-in. aluminum alloy wheels |
 Yaris S Sedan shown in Barcelona Red Metallic with available rear spoiler |
 Yaris Sedan interior shown in Dark Charcoal with available Power Package and accessory floor mats |
 Yaris Liftback interior shown in Dark Charcoal with available Power Package, TRD shift knob, accessory pedal covers and light kit |
 2008 Yaris SR |
 |
 |
 |
Colors
The Yaris Liftback and Yaris Sedan comes in the following variety of colors:
- Absolutely Red
- Barcelona Red Metallic
- Bayou Blue
- Black Sand Pearl
- Blazing Blue
- Flint Mica
- Jade Sea Metallic
- Meteorite Metallic
- Nautical Blue Metallic
- Olive Mist
- Pacific Blue Metallic
- Polar White
- Silver Streak Mica
Main Competitors
Hybrid Models
Currently, there are no hybrid models of the Toyota Yaris.
Unique Attributes
Resale Values
Sales of the Toyota Yaris began early 2006, and it is being sold as a 2007 year model in North America, replacing the "Not-So-Popular" Echo. Resale value of the Yaris will likley be quite high judging by the very respectable values that used Echos fetch. A visit to a local Toyota dealership shows 3 year old Echos going for $10,000+ USD. Respectfully, a new Yaris stickers for $12-15K depending on options package.
Criticisms
- Comsumers were not thrilled that the rear seats did not fold down smoothly. This created a rough transiton between the seats and the trunk.
- Though several found the interior of the Yaris spacious and roomy, there were complaints that there should have been a telespoic steering wheel for taller drivers.
Complete Comsumer Ratings on the Toyota Yaris can be found at Edmunds.com.
First Generation (1999-2005)
The Yaris went on sale in Europe early in 1999. After the freshening of the European Yaris hatchback in February 2003, a slightly modified version went on sale in Canada for the 2004 model year as the Echo hatchback, but the hatchback was not sold in the United States, where the Toyota Echo sedan was the lone model. The Yaris was voted European Car of the Year for 2000.
Instead of conventional instruments, the Yaris and Echo hatchbacks utilized digital instruments which were mounted in the center of the dashboard. The Canadian Echo (and the Yaris T Sport) had a conventional speedometer but it was still mounted in the center of the dashboard.
The European Yaris was initially available with two gasoline-powered 4-cylinder 1.0 L and 1.3 L engines with Toyota's VVT-i technology, with the "warm hatch" 1.5 L T Sport following in 2001. After the 2003 facelift, a 1.4 L D4-D diesel engine offering 75 hp was also included in the lineup. This diesel engine is also licensed to BMW for use in their MINI One D model, but was later replaced by PSA's 1.6 L HDI engine, also seen in the Peugeot 407, Ford Focus and Volvo S40.
The European Yaris T-Sport (Vitz RS in Japan) version was introduced in 2001 and was powered by a 1.5 L engine, which also powered the Echo and the Vios, as well as the Scion xA. The 1.5 L T Sport was marketed as more fun to drive than the base models because of a sportier suspension and extra power compared to the 1.3 L model.
An interesting addition to the Yaris range came in 2000 with the Yaris Verso, a small MPV which used the same running gear as the conventional hatchback, but was designed to have an even more practical interior. In Japan, the model bore the name of Fun Cargo. The model was discontinued in 2004.
The running gear is shared with the Toyota bB and Ist, sold in the United States as the Scion xA and xB, and with the Japan-only Toyota Will Vi. The same CP platform is the base for the Japanese-only Probox and Succeed wagons.
The Echo sold in very high volumes in Canada, where smaller cars are much more popular than in the US. Sales were so high that Toyota introduced the 3 and 5-door hatchback models to the Canadian Toyota lineup for the 2004 model year. They are sold as the Echo hatchback and look almost identical to the European Yaris, but with a larger bumper to meet Canadian safety standards.
Second Generation (2006-present)
Toyota released the second generation Vitz in Japan in 2004, while the Fun Cargo was replaced by the Ractis in October 2005.
The European, Australasian, Mexican and Canadian markets saw the second generation Yaris at the end of 2005. In the Australian and North American markets the car was sold as "Yaris" for the first time. The production North American 2007 Toyota Yaris was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006.
The 4-cylinder 1.0 VVT-i engine was replaced by the 3-cylinder engine which can also be found in the Toyota Aygo and Daihatsu Sirion. The 1.3 L was revised to offer slightly more power, and the 1.4 D-4D got a 15 hp boost to 90 hp. The Yaris became the first car in its sector to offer nine airbags.
The Canadian version of 2006 Toyota Yaris is available in 3 and 5 door models named Yaris Hatchback, running on 1.5 L 4 cylinder VVT-i engine rated 106 hp and 103 ft·lbf torque. 3-door CE and 5-door LE versions come with 14-inch wheels, while RS versions have 15-inch alloy wheels with stardard antilock brake and electronic brake force distribution (EBD).
The American version of 2007 Toyota Yaris is mostly the same as the Canadian version. The 3-door model is called the Yaris Liftback. The 5-door model is not sold in the United States, presumably to avoid internal competition with the xA and xB. CE, LE, RS packages in the Canadian hatchback cars are replaced by more modular convenience, power, all-weather guard packages. The Yaris Sedan is also available as the Yaris S, which has a standard convenience package. However, the power package on Yaris Sedan only offers alloy wheels as an option.
There is a completely removeable roof rack available from Toyota for the hatchback, but it's restricted to a maximum of 80 lbs and the instruction flyer recommends you do not leave it on the car full time. It's great for sporting gear, but not for Ikea trips.
2007 Hatchback: there are a multiplicity of compartments inside with two in front of the passenger, one in front of the driver (where the speedometer is in most cars), and another small to the left of that beside the steering wheel. In addition there are two pop-out deep cupholders that hold a Venti Starbucks without spilling, and a third stationary cupholder for rear passengers just behind the parking brake. The two front doors each have a water bottle holder that will accept commercial water bottles or either the white Nalgene (400ml) or their smallest Lexan bottle, but what's perfect is the tall Lexan OTG bottle (http://www.nalgene-outdoor.com/store/subcategory.asp?categorysubcategorycode=168).
If you like rain to bead on your car, get the commercial DiamondKote or equivalent, because the stock surface as delievered doesn't bead well.
Worldwide
- Worldwide, especially in the SouthEast Asian region, the Yaris sedan is known as the 2nd generation Toyota Vios. The Yaris hatchback, however, is unchanged.
Awards
The Toyota Yaris has not been on the road long enough to accumulate accolades.
See Also
External Links
- Official American site
- Official Canadian site
- Official Japanese site
- Official Australian site
- Official European site
- Toyota Yaris Verso at the official Toyota Europe website
- Toyota Yaris Photo
- Online Toyota Yaris ad from adverlicio.us online ad archive
- Toyota Echo/Yaris Sportivo
- Toyota Yaris and Vitz Enthusiast Website
- 2007 Toyota Yaris - Sedan and Hatchback
- Japanese Vitz Press Statement (English)
