CTC Review: 2007 Yaris Sedan

[wing]

Day 1: Right out of the Honda Fit today and into the Toyota Yaris, couldn't ask for anything better in terms of a chance to compare two directly competing vehicles both at the top of the heap in quality and both newly introduced models.  Unfortunately the Yaris I am testing is not the hatchback version but the just released sedan.  The Yaris hatchback and sedan are very similar, same drive train, same suspension etc, so it certainly cannot be dismissed, some like hatchbacks some like the security of having a trunk to hide their purchases. More ....

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Day 2: Although I have not yet had the chance as of yet to get out onto the open highway I have driven the Yaris around town a bit and on B roads that run at 80km/h.  I have had enough time to get some initial impressions especially after hopping out of the Fit last week.  I will cut to the chase today and give some of my impressions of the differences and similarities between these two competing subcompacts. More ....

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Day 3: Went out for lunch today with a bunch of co-workers, of course having the new car I am the designated driver of choice of course I also volunteered, so I could get some miles under my belt behind the wheel of the Yaris.  It certainly seemed like the three co-workers that rode with me were fairly impressed with the quality of such a small car. The Yaris’ solid feel over bumps and its quietness were mentioned as redeeming qualities noticed immediately. More ....

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Day 4: I finally got a chance to get the Yaris out onto a highway to see how it cruises.  Gone are the days of econo-box styling, sloppy handling, horrible fit and finish, unbearable noise levels on the highway and tin can death traps on wheels.  The Yaris feels like a well built solid vehicle that I would have no hesitation taking out onto the highway on a long journey for a cross country trek.  Although cruise control would be required for such a journey unfortunately it is not available. More ....

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Day 5: Another great week for heading to the gas pumps after a week of city driving.  I was actually looking forward to finding out if the Yaris was any thriftier than the Fit I drove last week.  Acceleration and braking tests where fairly interesting considering both vehicles are equiped with 1.5L 4 cyl engines, both vehicles weight within 50lbs of each other and horsepower output of the Yaris and Fit are nearly identical. More ....

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[kf095]

I was passing by this car at Toyota Dealer parking lot. I'm not sedan man, but I really like this one exterior. The Echo Sedan was ugly bug compare to this one. It has the real trunk, and it will give extra space in case if rear ended. Because 5door Yaris needs 5th air bag at 5th door for common highway multi-cars collision.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Awesome!

One of my co-workers is stuck on the Yaris Sedan. I told her to have a look at the Fit too, which she said she would last time we spoke, but test drove the Yaris and loved it.

Will be interesting to see your evaluation of the two.

This model is not available with SABs, correct? The skirts sure improve the look one heckava lot though.

[AVToller]

Yes, they are available:

D Package
 
P185/60R15 Tires
All Season Tires
Antilock Braking System (ABS)
Air Conditioning
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)
Front Side Airbags
Front Head / Side Curtain Airbags
Power Windows
Rear Trunk Chrome Trim
Colour Keyed Mirrors
Front Splash Guards
Rear Splash Guards
Colour Keyed Door Handles
Blacked-out Side Window Frames
Power Remote Control Mirrors
Keyless Entry
Power Door Locks
 

[Giant Dwarf]

Yes, they are available:

D Package
 
P185/60R15 Tires
All Season Tires
Antilock Braking System (ABS)
Air Conditioning
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)
Front Side Airbags
Front Head / Side Curtain Airbags
Power Windows
Rear Trunk Chrome Trim
Colour Keyed Mirrors
Front Splash Guards
Rear Splash Guards
Colour Keyed Door Handles
Blacked-out Side Window Frames
Power Remote Control Mirrors
Keyless Entry
Power Door Locks
 

Which pushes the price to what... that of a Hyundai Sonata V6 GLS?  And of course the Toyota would be offered at the 'generous' 9.75% finance rate too.  Huzzah! 

[AVToller]

I don't think so:

4 Door
 
Manual Transmission
 $14,530
 
B Package
 $15,430
 
C Package
 $16,625
 
D Package
 $17,555
 
Aero Package
 $17,560
 
Automatic Transmission
 $15,530
 
B Package
 $16,430
 
C Package
 $17,625
 
D Package
 $18,555
 
Aero Package
 $18,560
 
Purchase interest rate is 5.9% up to and including 60 months.  Smarty! 

[wing]

The issue with the high price of my Tester is the Aero package, it does not come with air con as the D Package does, but it does come with Alloy wheels.  If you purchase the Aero package it is an extra grand for the Air con.  But then you do not get side air bags... but oh you get wheels!  

The D Package is the most logical choice IMO.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Right, with Aero you cannot get SABs, which was my issue. I don't really like the way it looks without the Aero kit in comparison to the hatches which look fine either way. Aero should have something optional.

My friend was looking at C Pkg. She was going to go B + Air, but that doesn't make much sense.

Rates are higher on Fit than Yaris, but regardless of MSRP the monthly payments on Fit or Yaris Sedan C/D pkg are comparable.

[Mr Meow]

Its Really nice look car, kind of like a mini Camry. looking foward to your review.
.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I like that side-by-side photo op. The Yaris looks more modern and bold, but there's something about the honest functional look of the Fit with the higher roofline that gets me at the same time.

[mwqa]

they make a cute couple

[AVToller]

I like that side-by-side photo op. The Yaris looks more modern and bold, but there's something about the honest functional look of the Fit with the higher roofline that gets me at the same time.

One of the things I don't like about the Yaris sedan is that it is so much lower than the Hatch - 56.7" vs 60". 

[keithb]

In response to AVToller and height of the sedan vs hatch -maybe that's why the sedan gets height adjustable seat (now take tongue out of cheek)

[Rupert]

Both cars have nice features. Why not include the Accent 4 door in there and make it a threesome.

[airbalancer]

Do you remember what S2000 is like?

Sun is shinning time to drop the top

[Mr Meow]

I still hate the dash. Still think its in a silly place. I tell you these 2 new Toyota that have just come out are going to make the corolla look old quick. I can\'t help wondering If the new corolla gonna be bigger. now that the yaris is the same size.
.

[safristi]

The pass thru in the Yaris looks quite small.....why is it compromised by those triangular "BOX" shapes in the trunk.....are there  gas tanks underneath,metal stiffeners or just wheel well encroachments.
                 The YARIS sedan is certainly the looker of the bunch...but i don't cotton onto that central dash..I'm sure anyone could get used to it but it like a TV or a picture in the wrong place to me..just nigglingly annoying.
                  Spun by the dealers this morning...quite a few YARI available...but a MatriX in white amongst them stood out...Yaris come in WHITE ?....
                  No Fits at the Honda place  ..........
      From your tests and pics I would pick the FIT if it was my $$$'s on the table...like the paddle shifter one in that pewter colour........

[davidm]

James,

Can you snap a pic of the front of the Yaris next to the front of a Mazda 3?  Saw two in a row last night and confused them for a split second.  The grills are remarkably similar.  Has a bit of the Fit vs Aveo discussion ...

[wing]

Hahaha, I would have to head to a Mazda dealer, but you can photochop that no?  I agree, we were commenting on this yesterday at lunch the grilll looks remarkably similar. 

[davidm]

Telling me there isn't a Mazda 3 parked outside right now?  Those things are everywhere, just head to any good sized parking lot ...