First Drive: 2007 Toyota Yaris
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Originally Posted by fhumphrey04
Nothing bothers me more than center positioned gauges!
I agree................they s**k. The Yaris is not the only car with this nonsense. Center-mount speedos and gauges are shared by the Toyota Echo, Scion xA and xB, Saturn Ion, Nissan Quest, the non-John Works Mini Coopers and even the Panoz supercars. About the only interior features I like even less is BMW's I-Drive, the similiar MMI from Audi, and the Infiniti central control ****.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,410
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Originally Posted by bitkahuna
It's because it's a CHEAP way to make the cars 'global' (can run with left or right hand drive).
Lexus Fanatic
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Originally Posted by bitkahuna
Right but to some 'true believers' Toyota/Lexus make nothing that's bad looking. 
That Yaris sedan even with kit, looks like an inflated blow fish.
That Yaris sedan even with kit, looks like an inflated blow fish.
as to the centre mounted gauges, Toyota puts them now on a lot of small cars, including ones only made for Japan. They say that it is safer to use them, by their own research (probably put out 3-4 papers about it in past 4-5 years). They cant save that much though, since dash is still different for LHD and RHD. For example Prius with its dash can save more money than Yaris with its, since you can reuse big plastic piece of dash.
You get used to it though, nowhere near as annoying as it looks. It is actually more natural position for your eye, it sees more of the road with periphal vision when looking there.
Originally Posted by bitkahuna
It's because it's a CHEAP way to make the cars 'global' (can run with left or right hand drive).
Lexus Connoisseur
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From: USA
They're in the Nissan Quest. The safe part? Not too sure about that.
I still like the styling of the Yaris regardless of what one person in the world has to say about the styling of it. Agree to disagree, alot of people that have posted have expressed their likings. Majority rules.
I still like the styling of the Yaris regardless of what one person in the world has to say about the styling of it. Agree to disagree, alot of people that have posted have expressed their likings. Majority rules.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,410
Likes: 249
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Where are they going to pull the wrappers off of it, flip....Detroit or L.A.? I didn't see it on the list for Detroit....but that list is still being updated. ( see my thread on the upcoming shows ). It is unlikely, though possible, they will debut it here in DC....but I wouldn't bet on it. Usually it is Detroit.
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: NC
USA Today Review
Yaris Pleasant Enough 2 Ride
ATLANTA — Yaris is a small, economy car that will replace the unloved Echo in Toyota's U.S. lineup this spring, and while it is pleasant enough behind the wheel, Yaris seems to fall short of Toyota's promise of a premium vehicle at a bargain price.
Two body styles of Toyota’s Yaris are offered in the USA, a four-door sedan and a “liftback.”
Final judgment must wait for specific pricing, which Toyota won't announce until closer to Yaris' March or April on-sale date. But $12,000 to start is a fair guess, and for that price you won't get a radio, possibly not a tachometer, definitely not anti-lock brakes. (Photos/audio: Toyota Yaris with Healey's comments)
Most of the desirable features are available, for a price. If that strategy bumps Yaris up to, say, $14,000 outfitted as most Americans like, then it will be within a few hundred dollars of bigger, more refined cars such as Honda Civic and Toyota's own Corolla. Not incidentally, Corolla's fuel-economy rating is better than Yaris', and Civic's is nearly as good, even though both are bigger, heavier and have more-powerful engines.
The industry axiom is "small cars, small profits," and it's often true. So why bother introducing a subcompact into the size- and space- and power-loving American market? Because 45% of small-car owners — the most of any segment — eventually trade up to pricier, more-profitable models known as premium compacts, such as Civic and Corolla, according to the Power Information Network. And within that group, a significant number — 30%-plus is common — stay with the same brand, PIN data show.
In other words, buyers captured by small cars don't require as much expensive persuading to get them to move up through the same car company's more-profitable models.
Hoping to leverage Yaris' appeal, Toyota says it put two separate engineering teams to work on two versions of Yaris — a four-door sedan and a two-door hatchback — and kept them apart to encourage independent design.
Toyota calls the hatchback a "liftback," sensing that "hatchback" remains a pejorative term in the U.S. market.
The sedan is the bigger car, outside and in. The rear seat in the hatchback slides fore-aft to maximize either legroom or cargo space. With the rear seat all the way back, there is plenty of adult legroom. That's remarkable in such a small vehicle.
The main test vehicle was a two-door hatchback equipped with a five-speed manual transmission.
Impressions from zipping around this burgeoning metropolis and environs:
• Steering. Good. It's Toyota's new electric system that saves fuel because the engine doesn't have to turn a belt that drives a hydraulic power-steering pump. It's hard to get an electric setup tuned just right; too darty or uneven. But Yaris' seems on target. On-center feel was good. The car stayed pointed straight ahead without the fussy little steering wheel motions required by some machines. And turning feel was smooth and responsive.
• Shifting. The manual gearbox operated smoothly with little of the rubberiness associated with inexpensive cars. The light-touch clutch made start-stop traffic pretty easy.
• Handling. Crisp enough in corners to be interesting and entertaining. But your Mini-driving friends won't be jealous.
• Comfort. Adequate, especially by the low standards of economy cars. Seats feel good, not always a given in low-price cars. Relationship among steering wheel, pedals and controls is about right, not a given even in expensive cars.
• Quirks. The gauges aren't all illuminated with the same color. Some gauges are digital readouts while others are conventional analog designs. Seems a visually messy hodgepodge. Main gauges are on top of the dashboard in the center, instead of directly in front of the driver. That's getting common, and automakers say it allows the driver to glance at the gauges without shifting focus from the road ahead. It's not a look or an approach that everybody will like.
Yaris is Toyota's best seller in Europe, where competent handling and a satisfying driving feel are more important than lavish appointments.
But the U.S. market, which doesn't much like small cars in the first place, might be slower to embrace one that feels good to drive but lacks expected features.
The biggest threat to Yaris, though, could be two other small, Japanese cars hitting the market at about the same time: Honda Fit and Nissan Versa. They should be priced similarly to Yaris and might offer more for the money.
Versa, for example, has more passenger and cargo space, will be available as a four-door hatchback instead of just a two-door hatch, has a more powerful engine yet appears to be as fuel-efficient as Yaris. Nissan says its testing shows Versa with automatic transmission is good for 38 miles per gallon in combined city-highway use. Yaris with an automatic has a government rating of 39 mpg in combined driving. Less is known about Honda's Fit, but the point is, wait for all three to be in showrooms before deciding.
2007 Toyota Yaris
• What is it? Small, front-wheel-drive, economy car replacing the Echo in Toyota's U.S. lineup. Available as a four-door sedan or a hatchback, which Toyota calls liftback. The two versions are different cars, developed by different engineers. Manufactured in Japan.
• How soon? On sale in March or April.
• How much? Exact pricing isn't set. Toyota says starting price will be "well under $13,000."
• Who'll buy? Mainstream younger buyers (well, younger by Toyota's fogey-ish standards) who want economy cars but think that those offered by Toyota's Scion youth brand are too radical. Toyota expects Yaris buyers to be 35 to 45 years old, 45% of them single, 45% college-educated. Median annual household income should be $45,000 to $65,000.
• How many? 70,000 a year.
• What's the drivetrain? Same as in a Scion xA or xB: 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine rated 106 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, 103 pounds-feet of torque at 4,200 rpm; five-speed manual transmission (standard); four-speed automatic (optional).
• What's the safety gear? Basic belts and front air bags. You have to pay extra for front-seat, side-impact bags; front- and back-seat head-curtain air bags; anti-lock brakes.
• What's the rest? Standard features include air conditioning; power steering; tilt-adjustable steering column; interval wipers; P175/65-14 tires on steel wheels. Many common features such as stereo; cruise control; power locks, windows, mirrors cost extra.
• How big? Sedan and hatchback differ considerably. Sedan is 169.3 inches long, 66.5 inches wide, 56.7 inches tall on a 100.4-inch wheelbase. Hatchback is 150 inches long, 66.7 inches wide, 60 inches tall on a 96.9-inch wheelbase.
Passenger space is listed as 87.1 cubic feet in the sedan, 84.1 cubic feet in the hatchback. Cargo space is listed as 12.9 cubic feet in the sedan's trunk, 12.8 cubic feet in the hatchback's cargo area behind the back seat. All versions weigh about 2,300 pounds.
• How thirsty? Manual transmission models are rated 34 miles per gallon in the city, 40 on the highway, 37 in combined driving. Automatic transmission models are rated 34/39/36. Regular-grade (87 octane) fuel is specified.
• Overall: Reasonably pleasant to drive and relatively roomy, but unimpressive fuel economy for the small size and poorly equipped unless you spend extra.
ATLANTA — Yaris is a small, economy car that will replace the unloved Echo in Toyota's U.S. lineup this spring, and while it is pleasant enough behind the wheel, Yaris seems to fall short of Toyota's promise of a premium vehicle at a bargain price.
Two body styles of Toyota’s Yaris are offered in the USA, a four-door sedan and a “liftback.”
Final judgment must wait for specific pricing, which Toyota won't announce until closer to Yaris' March or April on-sale date. But $12,000 to start is a fair guess, and for that price you won't get a radio, possibly not a tachometer, definitely not anti-lock brakes. (Photos/audio: Toyota Yaris with Healey's comments)
Most of the desirable features are available, for a price. If that strategy bumps Yaris up to, say, $14,000 outfitted as most Americans like, then it will be within a few hundred dollars of bigger, more refined cars such as Honda Civic and Toyota's own Corolla. Not incidentally, Corolla's fuel-economy rating is better than Yaris', and Civic's is nearly as good, even though both are bigger, heavier and have more-powerful engines.
The industry axiom is "small cars, small profits," and it's often true. So why bother introducing a subcompact into the size- and space- and power-loving American market? Because 45% of small-car owners — the most of any segment — eventually trade up to pricier, more-profitable models known as premium compacts, such as Civic and Corolla, according to the Power Information Network. And within that group, a significant number — 30%-plus is common — stay with the same brand, PIN data show.
In other words, buyers captured by small cars don't require as much expensive persuading to get them to move up through the same car company's more-profitable models.
Hoping to leverage Yaris' appeal, Toyota says it put two separate engineering teams to work on two versions of Yaris — a four-door sedan and a two-door hatchback — and kept them apart to encourage independent design.
Toyota calls the hatchback a "liftback," sensing that "hatchback" remains a pejorative term in the U.S. market.
The sedan is the bigger car, outside and in. The rear seat in the hatchback slides fore-aft to maximize either legroom or cargo space. With the rear seat all the way back, there is plenty of adult legroom. That's remarkable in such a small vehicle.
The main test vehicle was a two-door hatchback equipped with a five-speed manual transmission.
Impressions from zipping around this burgeoning metropolis and environs:
• Steering. Good. It's Toyota's new electric system that saves fuel because the engine doesn't have to turn a belt that drives a hydraulic power-steering pump. It's hard to get an electric setup tuned just right; too darty or uneven. But Yaris' seems on target. On-center feel was good. The car stayed pointed straight ahead without the fussy little steering wheel motions required by some machines. And turning feel was smooth and responsive.
• Shifting. The manual gearbox operated smoothly with little of the rubberiness associated with inexpensive cars. The light-touch clutch made start-stop traffic pretty easy.
• Handling. Crisp enough in corners to be interesting and entertaining. But your Mini-driving friends won't be jealous.
• Comfort. Adequate, especially by the low standards of economy cars. Seats feel good, not always a given in low-price cars. Relationship among steering wheel, pedals and controls is about right, not a given even in expensive cars.
• Quirks. The gauges aren't all illuminated with the same color. Some gauges are digital readouts while others are conventional analog designs. Seems a visually messy hodgepodge. Main gauges are on top of the dashboard in the center, instead of directly in front of the driver. That's getting common, and automakers say it allows the driver to glance at the gauges without shifting focus from the road ahead. It's not a look or an approach that everybody will like.
Yaris is Toyota's best seller in Europe, where competent handling and a satisfying driving feel are more important than lavish appointments.
But the U.S. market, which doesn't much like small cars in the first place, might be slower to embrace one that feels good to drive but lacks expected features.
The biggest threat to Yaris, though, could be two other small, Japanese cars hitting the market at about the same time: Honda Fit and Nissan Versa. They should be priced similarly to Yaris and might offer more for the money.
Versa, for example, has more passenger and cargo space, will be available as a four-door hatchback instead of just a two-door hatch, has a more powerful engine yet appears to be as fuel-efficient as Yaris. Nissan says its testing shows Versa with automatic transmission is good for 38 miles per gallon in combined city-highway use. Yaris with an automatic has a government rating of 39 mpg in combined driving. Less is known about Honda's Fit, but the point is, wait for all three to be in showrooms before deciding.
2007 Toyota Yaris
• What is it? Small, front-wheel-drive, economy car replacing the Echo in Toyota's U.S. lineup. Available as a four-door sedan or a hatchback, which Toyota calls liftback. The two versions are different cars, developed by different engineers. Manufactured in Japan.
• How soon? On sale in March or April.
• How much? Exact pricing isn't set. Toyota says starting price will be "well under $13,000."
• Who'll buy? Mainstream younger buyers (well, younger by Toyota's fogey-ish standards) who want economy cars but think that those offered by Toyota's Scion youth brand are too radical. Toyota expects Yaris buyers to be 35 to 45 years old, 45% of them single, 45% college-educated. Median annual household income should be $45,000 to $65,000.
• How many? 70,000 a year.
• What's the drivetrain? Same as in a Scion xA or xB: 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine rated 106 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, 103 pounds-feet of torque at 4,200 rpm; five-speed manual transmission (standard); four-speed automatic (optional).
• What's the safety gear? Basic belts and front air bags. You have to pay extra for front-seat, side-impact bags; front- and back-seat head-curtain air bags; anti-lock brakes.
• What's the rest? Standard features include air conditioning; power steering; tilt-adjustable steering column; interval wipers; P175/65-14 tires on steel wheels. Many common features such as stereo; cruise control; power locks, windows, mirrors cost extra.
• How big? Sedan and hatchback differ considerably. Sedan is 169.3 inches long, 66.5 inches wide, 56.7 inches tall on a 100.4-inch wheelbase. Hatchback is 150 inches long, 66.7 inches wide, 60 inches tall on a 96.9-inch wheelbase.
Passenger space is listed as 87.1 cubic feet in the sedan, 84.1 cubic feet in the hatchback. Cargo space is listed as 12.9 cubic feet in the sedan's trunk, 12.8 cubic feet in the hatchback's cargo area behind the back seat. All versions weigh about 2,300 pounds.
• How thirsty? Manual transmission models are rated 34 miles per gallon in the city, 40 on the highway, 37 in combined driving. Automatic transmission models are rated 34/39/36. Regular-grade (87 octane) fuel is specified.
• Overall: Reasonably pleasant to drive and relatively roomy, but unimpressive fuel economy for the small size and poorly equipped unless you spend extra.
EV ftw!!!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,030
Likes: 600
From: Lake Ontario
I absolutely love the Yaris!!! 
As a matter of fact if my job situation had been a longer contract than the 5 months, I would have leased one for the winter instead of the ****box Neon I was forced to buy.
And I wear glasses too Bit.
Anyway, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think it looks amazing even without lowering and bigger wheels. It is just so cute and small - just imagine how easy it would be toss that baby fast into corners. It's low weight, 106 HP engine and stick shift make for one very - "fun car to drive! " Can you say slot car?
As a matter of fact if my job situation had been a longer contract than the 5 months, I would have leased one for the winter instead of the ****box Neon I was forced to buy.
And I wear glasses too Bit.
Anyway, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think it looks amazing even without lowering and bigger wheels. It is just so cute and small - just imagine how easy it would be toss that baby fast into corners. It's low weight, 106 HP engine and stick shift make for one very - "fun car to drive! " Can you say slot car?
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,237
Likes: 274
unimpressive economy... dont you love it when same journalists write home & garden column as well as auto one? :-). Yaris will have best in class economy (better than xA, which always gets best economy under tests, and it does a LOT better than Daewoo Aveo). Under the EPA testing, small engines can not get better mpg than larger ones. However, real life, Civic or Corolla cant get anywhere close to advertised MPG.
aditionally, CVT Versa will be priced above 15k with abs, and fully equipped about 20k... hardly Yaris competition.
aditionally, CVT Versa will be priced above 15k with abs, and fully equipped about 20k... hardly Yaris competition.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,237
Likes: 274
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When Yaris goes on sale in the spring it will be positioned as Toyota's most affordable vehicle. The Yaris Liftback will carry a base price of $10,950 for models with a manual transmission and $11,850 for models with an automatic. The Yaris sedan with a manual transmission will be priced at $11,825 while models with an automatic will carry a base MSRP of $12,550. The sporty S sedan will carry a base price of $13,325 for models with a manual transmission and $14,050 for models with an automatic.
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With standard a/c, Yaris pricing will undercut 2007 Accent pricing... :-). With this kind of Toyota pricing, GM has no chance of staying in the #1 spot.
When Yaris goes on sale in the spring it will be positioned as Toyota's most affordable vehicle. The Yaris Liftback will carry a base price of $10,950 for models with a manual transmission and $11,850 for models with an automatic. The Yaris sedan with a manual transmission will be priced at $11,825 while models with an automatic will carry a base MSRP of $12,550. The sporty S sedan will carry a base price of $13,325 for models with a manual transmission and $14,050 for models with an automatic.
--
With standard a/c, Yaris pricing will undercut 2007 Accent pricing... :-). With this kind of Toyota pricing, GM has no chance of staying in the #1 spot.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,410
Likes: 249
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Originally Posted by fhumphrey04
Nothing bothers me more than center positioned gauges!
besides that I like the styling
besides that I like the styling
Originally Posted by flipside909
They're in the Nissan Quest.
I still like the styling of the Yaris regardless of what one person in the world has to say about the styling of it. Agree to disagree, alot of people that have posted have expressed their likings. Majority rules.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 0
From: None
I don't like the styling, so make that 2 people in the world.
The center gauges suck. It's one of the reasons why the Nissan Quest interior sucked and why the 2007 Quest interior is getting totally revamped at a cost of millions.
I doubt that the Yaris will be cheaper than a similarly equipped Accent.
The center gauges suck. It's one of the reasons why the Nissan Quest interior sucked and why the 2007 Quest interior is getting totally revamped at a cost of millions.
I doubt that the Yaris will be cheaper than a similarly equipped Accent.
Last edited by jrock65; Jan 5, 2006 at 07:04 AM.