High Marks for Toyota Yaris

Small cars are big these days as gas prices continue their budget-crushing climb. Toyota's latest-generation small car, the Yaris, is a formidable offering in this class that earns overall high marks in Green Car's book. This model was introduced in 2005 as a much needed replacement for the Echo and raised the bar considerably. Available as both a three door liftback and four door sedan, the Yaris is classified as a subcompact or "B" class car and is ideal for many daily missions. Its high fuel efficiency makes it of growing interest to a diverse crowd of new car buyers today.

Green Car editors recently tested a 2008 Yaris which, while small, clearly offers a very substantial feeling. It measures in at 66.5 inches wide and 169.3 inches in overall length, riding on a 100.4 inch wheelbase. Equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission, the Yaris sedan tips the scales at just 2326 pounds. Even with its smaller stature, the Yaris seldom feels too small as some subcompacts do ... and the Echo always did.

Both the Yaris liftback and sedan variants are powered by a 106 horsepower, 1.5-liter DOHC four cylinder engine with Toyota's Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVTi), a powerplant that achieves an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle-2 (ULEV-2) certification. Teamed with either a five speed manual or four speed automatic transmission, the Yaris offers great acceleration and passing ability for a subcompact. From a stop, 60 mph can be reached in just 8.5 seconds. Fuel economy is quite good with the EPA ratings for the sedan scoring 29 city/36 highway mpg for the manual and 29/35 mpg with the automatic.

Around town and in heavy traffic, the manageable size and easy-to-park dimensions are greatly appreciated. Yet out on the open road, Toyota's subcompact has the legs to cover great distances without undue driver and passenger fatigue. Its variable ratio rack-and-pinion, electrically assisted power steering offers reasonably good feel but it is not quite as precise as some of the sporty subcompacts in this segment.

Inside, the five passenger Yaris sedan offers comfortable accommodations for two up front, or three or four with adequate legroom in the rear. A unique center speedometer pod design offers an interesting look but takes some acclimation time since it's not directly in the driver's line of sight. Other than the uplevel S package, our test car was barebones with manual windows and door locks.

It's worth noting that driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags and front and rear side curtain air bags are not standard in the Yaris. If you want them, expect to pay a premium. This is one area where the Yaris falls short when compared to direct competitor Honda and its all-new 2009 Fit small car, which will come standard with dual stage, dual threshold front airbags, dual front side airbags, and side curtain airbags.

Overall, Toyota's Yaris is a great first car, an economical commuter, and an intelligent addition as a second or go-to mode of transportation. For such a small sedan Yaris provides quite a bit of fun on the road. Importantly, it offers a price that's approachable for all. The sporty S model test car we piloted adds an AM/FM/CD sound system with an MP3 jack, rear defroster, 15 inch wheels, and a 60/40 folding rear seat. Its $13,925 suggested retail price comes at a $1,500 premium over the base sedan's $12,425 sticker. The Liftback model's point of entry is an even more affordable $11,550 with the S model in this version going for $13,225. Those are welcome numbers for new car buyers seeking a high fuel efficiency option to provide relief during those now-aggravating weekly visits at the pump.