CD Article: 2007 Toyota Yaris sedan

[CD_Editor]

You may discuss our cover story of the day in this thread....
Test Drive:

The sedan version of Toyota's cute-and-cuddly Yaris has a couple of things going for it compared to the Yaris hatch, reports Chris Chase. Having a trunk means "you get 365 litres of cargo space, compared to just 228 litres in the Yaris hatch (with the rear seats in place)," he says.  And the sedan rides on a wheelbase 90 mm longer than that of the hatchback, he reports. "That results in extra rear-seat legroom."     More...

[The Mighty Duck]

The Yaris sedan with the Aero package is a great looking car...  the hatch, maybe not so much. 

[a4_tom]

Already seen lots of Yaris sedans with rental stickers.

[Mr Meow]

I'm just started seeing saloons on the roads in and around the London ON area, lots and lots of hatches.....I'm not sure really.....I guess I grow and get to like the design. The Corolla looks dated beside Yaris. Even though I like the Corolla more.
.

[a4_tom]

Corolla has much better proportions and cleaner lines than Yaris sedan.

[Arthur Dent]

A hatch is 100% more practical in a vehicle that size. No need for the sedan IMO.

[Bullet Blue]

The echo sedan sold well, so I guess there would be no reason NOT to offer a sedan version of the Yaris. To me the Yaris sedan looks just as big as the corolla, which could hint at what the size of the next gen corolla could be like.

[Rupert1]

I think the 4 door subcompact sedan market is the one to watch. I like the look of the Yaris 4 door better than the hatch too. Especially with the spoilers which seem to enhance this model but make the Corolla look a bit weird. Quality of construction is first class in both of the current contenders in this 4 door sector. In the hatch versions though, the more conventional styling approach of the Hyundai may get the upper hand. It remains to be seen. They need a 5 door.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I don't find the aero kit goofy - I find it the best looking of the Yaris sedans. Brings the stance lower to the ground and makes the car look more substantial. But the fact you can't get it with other safety features is what would drive me away from the Yaris Sedan completely for a Fit or either of the Mazda3's.

[johngenx]

The big problem I have found with all the new small sedans is that the body-fashion is to have a very small deck lid, meaning that you have a mail-slot opening for the trunk.  Sure, there might be 350+ litres of capacity, but you can't get anything even kinda big inside.  The Audi A4 seemed to have started this, and now it's taken over.

It would keep me from buying a Mazda3 sedan.  The hatchback version is just so much more practical in terms of getting stuff in and out of the back end.  It means my list of <$25,000 cars would be...

(not in any order)

Subaru Impreza Wagon
Mazda 3 Sport
Honda Fit
Toyota Matrix
Toyota Yaris HB

and maybe even a Mazda 5.

Hey, not a bad list, but we could use a longer list of great hatches with interesting engine choices...

[AVToller]

  and an excellent list too. 

[grumbo]

I've been looking at the Yaris sedan, and the Civic DX-G as a vehicle to purchase as our second vehicle. I find the Yaris hatchback just to small. The Corolla is a nice vehicle, but am interested to see what the new version is going to look like.
As a review I found this one less than objective. If anything was "goofy" I think it was the author of the review. 

Cheers,
Grumbo

[Rupert]

Grumbo, Don't rule out the Accent 06 sedan. We have one as a second car and are delighted with it.

[grumbo]

Grumbo, Don't rule out the Accent 06 sedan. We have one as a second car and are delighted with it.

I did go to our local Hyundai dealer. I found the rear seating of the Accent too tight. (I have to admit tht was a while back we looked though). I am leary of resale with a Hyundai or Kia. Probably living in the dark ages in my opinions of the Kia and Hyundai. I do like the Sonata, but once again to get what I'd want in that I'm looking at big bucks for a second vehicle.
When I test drove the Yaris, it was reminiscent of my old 77 Corolla which I bought new. That car was a great vehicle. Trouble is when they put it up on the hoist for an oil change it had rusted through and almost came apart. 
Have to admit though I am leaning towards the Civic. We have an Odyssey as our first vehicle, and been happy with Honda. My wife and I have both owned Toyotas in the past and liked them too. At present I think the Civic is more bang for the buck, and better for our family than the Yaris, though I DID like its drive.

Cheers,
Grumbo

[jww]

The Yaris sedan with the Aero package is a great looking car...  the hatch, maybe not so much. 

I would disagree on this. I am on the side of the pond that doesn't get sub-compact sedans - i.e. North American buyers for some reason tend to buy fewer hatchbacks and more sedans. Sub compact sedans are a pain to get anything into, and while they may be longer vehicles, aren't necessarily any easier to get in and out of.

[Rupert]

   I think that the manufacturers have gone to some pains to make entry and exit easier in the sub-compact market. The sedan versions have a longer wheel base..yes but it is the increase in height that gives this sector improvement in this area. in fact the Accent is taller than the Crown Victoria by an inch I think. This being the case the important point is that the seat is higher off the ground and as L.Yapp pointed out the hip entry height is greater. This is the feature that makes entry and exit easier. I believe that this concept is general in the current offerings. Remember however, things like trunk lids are going to be smaller. You can't have it both ways. Everything is scaled down including engines and power. Occupant size and stuff you put in is not scaled down however. So are these vehicles going to have fantastic acceleration.. no. Be realistic. Acceptable is good. Decent trunk size is good. The trunk we have has accepted everything we have wanted to put in it to this point. What do you get...great gas milage and with the offerings today, good appointments and finish.
 
Regards

[safristi]

Yeah RUPE the NORF AMERICANS are SUCH GIANTS......watchin' too much Basketball and CNN OBESITY CRISES shows.....hell even Andre the Giant could get inna FIT/Yaris/Versa MOBILE........check out the headroom on summa come smally GM/FORD/CHRYSLER issues............

[Rupert]

Safi,
I did not mean any disrespect by that remark. I said that the average height of North Americans was IMO greater than most other countries. If this is the case this statistic has to have a bearing on the vehicle being purchased. Since you find this offensive I will remove it.
Regards.

[chrischasescars]

As a review I found this one less than objective. If anything was "goofy" I think it was the author of the review. 

Cheers,
Grumbo

Don't know where you're coming from with the less-than-objective thing, but the goofy part is spot-on.  Thanks for reading. 

[grumbo]

Don't know where you're coming from with the less-than-objective thing, but the goofy part is spot-on.  Thanks for reading. 

I enjoy reading all reviews.
The less than objective comment, is my subjective view of your less than objective article
As for the goofy comment, take it as a backhanded compliment. I'm described that way by many. Oft times my wife 

Cheers,
Grumbo