And with good reason—the manufacturer builds cars for many different markets around the world, and for many different market segments, all the way from small Japanese domestic-market microcars to the stately Lexus luxury sedans that are giving Mercedes-Benz and BMW a run for their money. Add to this mix Toyota's reputation for building quality vehicles and for giving the customer value for their money, and it's no wonder that carbuyers flock to Toyota, Lexus, and Scion’s showrooms.
But can the same company that makes the refined and silky-smooth Lexus LS460 hit the ball out of the ballpark for all its vehicles? Not exactly. Here, for instance, is strike one: the 2007 Toyota Yaris.
Though some find its styling "cute," it has a kind of generic cuteness to it—there's nothing really bold or interesting about its looks. As for finding it cheap—there’' no quibbling about that. The base-price model, starting at $11,530, doesn't even include a radio, anti-lock brakes, or split-folding rear seats, not to mention a rear-window wiper and defogger—those are all extra-cost options. When Dan Neil of the Los Angeles Times (via Detroit News) reviewed this car recently, his test vehicle came with $3,210 worth of options just to get it decently outfitted—things like an upgraded sound system, ABS, front and side-curtain air bags, power windows, and alloy wheels. On a comparably-equipped subcompact, such as the Honda Fit or Nissan Versa, most of these things are standard. We'd give the value award to the Yaris competitors—and the no-squeaks award, too; the Yaris had some auditory vibrations coming from its parts, in comparison to the solidly-built feel and rattle-free mien of the Honda Fit.
The Yaris replaces the unlamented Echo in the Toyota lineup; it's based on a Japanese domestic model that's been stretched and widened a bit for the U.S. market. That may be, but it makes you wonder what the back seat was like in the original version—and why is the rear seat adjustable? Do you want even less legroom?
Stuffed under the hood is a 1.5 liter, 106 hp four-cylinder engine, available with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. The great thing about this powertrain is the fuel economy; because the car is in the flyweight class (it only weighs 2,290 lbs.), you can coax 40 mpg in highway driving (34 mpg city) out of the Yaris, if EPA figures are to be believed. With gas prices spiking ever upwards these days, that could be reason enough to consider the Yaris.
But you have to know what you're getting. Sure, the engine is solidly built (like most of Toyota’s powerplants), but the car simply doesn’t have the refined feel of a Camry, much less a Corolla. In fact, notes the Times' scribe, "The Yaris sounds so hollow and reverberant you wonder if it shouldn't have just kept the Echo name."
However, all is not bad with the Yaris—the build-quality is top-notch, and the interior is functional and well-put together (if you like acres of boring plastic, although the upholstery is fine). But aside from that, there are better B-class cars out there to consider. In fact, some of them can be found at your Toyota dealership, in the Scion section.