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The centered indicator display looks annoying.
Baggage space is still smaller than that of its rival.
From the design style point of view, Yaris is more attractive than the competitors (Jazz and Swift).
Engine power is sufficient (105 HP) and similar to that of Jazz.
Ground clearance is too high for a hatchback.
Handling is nice and still stable at high speed.
I like the back window design. It looks nice and modern.
The grille looks eye-catching combined with big headlamps.
Fuel efficiency is high.
What kind of mileage are you actually getting? Do you do your own oil changes? If so, how difficult is it to get to the oil filter?
Better looking than a Fit. Gauges not in front of the driver? My '87 Corolla FX-16 GTS has standard rear discs. No sunroof or cruise option on the Yaris liftback. Both are found on my Corolla. I'd hoped for a real alternative to the Mini. Thought I could at least 'option' my way there. Instead, Toyota serves up a stylish Echo redo.
The FX-16 and the Mini were/are purpose-built pocket rockets.
The Yaris is a purpose-built economy car.
But there is no reason for Toyota not to create a Yaris FX-16 type racer for the 21st century. All the good bits are there!
I test drove the Fit today, and am waiting for my local dealer to call me when the Yaris hatchback comes in so I can test drive and compare. I expected the Fit to be peppy and it was, to the extent that it surprised me. Instrument display has a nice clean look, as does the car. Only thing so far that bothers me about the Yaris is that I might not like the digital gauges, and their placement in the center of the dash, although I think the Yaris looks better overall. The many configurations of the seats in the Fit are awesome, really well thought out, I am anxious to see how the Yaris compares. The salesman claimed that he expected the Fit to easily perform ABOVE the gas mileage ratings, he claimed that all of the Civics are doing this. Maybe just a sales pitch, though. I may still opt for the Yaris though, being as there is roughly a $2000 difference between the base model Yaris and Fit. However, most reviews I have read so far have given the Fit a slight advantage overall, saying that it is more fun to drive, and that the benefits of the interior make it a better buy than Yaris. I hope to read more posts, preferably from OWNERS, as I am considering buying one of the two cars.
I have owned my 2006 yaris since november of last year (I live in canada). The model offered here differs slightly from the 2007 american model, but offers most of the same options. My Yaris is a mid model with power locks, a/c, Cd. I did not buy the 'top end' model because the price for the extra options didn't seem worth the while. I have customized my yaris with aftermarket parts and stereo equipment cheaper than the factory alternatives. Everything on my Yaris has worked well (as it should for 9000km). The guages are not the digital readout type, those wishing to get analog guages could probably swap them out with parts from canada. The gas mileage is exceptional while driving within the city and small jaunts accross semi flat country driving - I had averaged about 48mpg (it can be substantially less depending on driving habits and load). I just completed a 700km +/- trip on one full tank of gass on an extremely hilly freeway at 110 - 140kph average driving speed. Hilly driving is where youll find a lot of problems with the 105hp. Any similar vehicle with more torque/hp would be much better suited to this type of driving. Quite a few hills were spent in 4th gear at 4000rmp at just under the speed limit - foot to the floor.
All in all its been a great car, there are the usual squeaks and rattles inherent in low priced vehicles, but I was pleasantly surprised at the quality, comfort and performance.
To the poster above: Take with a grain of salt ANYthing a car salesperson tells you. I've driven a friend's Yaris, and the center mounted display is absolutely dangerous. The Fit seems much more ergonomically correct.
I drove a Scion xB with a center mounted display and there is NOTHING dangerous about it. Making such claims is ludicrous. It all comes down to personal preference, not whether the Yaris is going to kill you or not.
Center display is only distracting at first. My wife has the Prius and I'm thinking of getting the Yaris. The Prius displays were distracting at first, but after a day or two my eyes were back on the road 100%
I don't get it. I started to research some of these micro cars in light of our recent gas prices only to find these cars are getting no better MPG than my 2001 Cavalier... whats up with that?
To the last few comments. I LOVE the center mounted display because I hate having to look down to see my gauges. I like to watch my RPM's because I'm deaf and I drive a stick as a personal preferance. In addition, I like to cruise at exactly 23 miles per hour over the speed limit. Just enough to avoid a nasty reckless driving charge. I also like to clock how far things are using my trip odometer. Point in case: I LOVE the centered gauges because I don't have to take my eyes off the road ever.
To the person above. If your Cavalier is getting up to 50 MPG Highway I would love to know how your getting a 5 year old car to get that much mileage when it's original EPA estimate was like 35.
The original Austin/Morris Mini (1959) had a centre mount instrument cluster which was quite novel at the time and, very legible. These cars were conceived as basic econo boxes, but over time and with a little ingenuity the original Mini Copper "S" came into being and the rest is now history.
The Yaris reminds me of the original Mini and I'm sure that sooner or later, Toyota will offer a tuned version just like BMC (British Motor Corporation) did with their little pocket rocket. Then the Yaris will be a blast to drive just like the Mini was.
I purchased my 2006 Yaris in January. It's a 1.5 litre, 2-door with lift-back, 5-speed manual transmission and I haven't found anything that I don't like about this car. I live in Canada and I'm a 51 year-old female.
A lot of discussion seems to centre on the placement of the gauges. I found that I was able to adapt to the change within the first day. I tried to compare the two while I was driving (not the most scientific research, but it works) and I found that you can see more of the road when you glance to the centre of the dash than if you look down in front of you. I also find the 2 trip meters extremely useful especially if you use your vehicle for business. I like the speedo and tach dials and the dash/controls lighting is great. Love the gas gauge.
Although most of my driving is within 10 miles of my home my fuel efficiency (which I very carefully record) is just over 46 mpg (16+ k/litre). The car is fantastic on the highway - it seems to hug the road. I love the way I sit up in the seat - I don't feel like I'm lying down. There's lots of room for people, lots of storage hidden all over, the seats are comfortable and I don't have to remind my husband to put on his seat belt because the car does it. Are you getting the impression that I'm crazy about this car? You'd be right!
"I don't get it. I started to research some of these micro cars in light of our recent gas prices only to find these cars are getting no better MPG than my 2001 Cavalier... whats up with that?"
You can be assured your '01 Cavalier does in fact NOT get the same mileage as a Fit or Yaris. Sorry.
Granted, GM sold brick loads of Cavaliers over the years, but I doubt that any Cavalier could match the fuel efficiency of a Yaris. Posted fuel efficiency numbers are one thing, reality is an other.
Why is it that they post 34mpg in the city and 40 on the highway on the usa toyota site and 41-51 on the canada cause the cars only weigh about 35pounds different why are the oil companies screwing us again?