2009 Toyota Yaris: 5-Door Liftback Begins the Line-Up With Style

By Mike Blake, Carlisle Events

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Yaris has been Toyota’s answer to the econo-car segment since its arrival in 2007, the year it replaced the Echo as Toyota’s least-expensive vehicle in the line-up. What the Japanese manufacturer came up with was the perfect starter car or commuter car for high school students, college-age buyers, young marrieds and those families with small children. Along the way, Yaris has gained a reputation for being economical and dependable, and this year’s version of Yaris adds one more thing … style.

The renewed Yaris for 2009 is available in three body styles: a three-door liftback, a five-door liftback, and a four-door sedan. I tested the 5-door liftback.

The Yaris is one of those cars that younger buyers seem to love, but its shape is one of polarizing appeal. Many believe the design is cute and worthy of its econo-car status without being boxy, while some believe it is more mini-van or small sport-wagonesque in its scope. To gain a measure of sportiness, the ’09 Yaris liftback has added side rocker panels and a rear deck spoiler attached to the back of the roof.

Seeing it gives the impression that Yaris could be a perfect canvas for the Performance and Style crowd who wants to take a basic low-cost vehicle and tweak and mod the heck out of the interior and engine compartment, adding power, audio, video, leather, fur and perhaps some airbrushing, chrome and dubbed wheels to the exterior.

Outside and without the trick-outs, Yaris is economical in appearance with a wheelbase 96.9 inches in the liftback, 3.5 inches shorter than the sedan. Its length is 150.6 inches or 18.7 inches shorter than the sedan; width is 66.7 inches or .2 inches wider and height is 60.2 inches, or 3.5 inches higher than the sedan. Ground clearance is a scant 5.5 inches (0.3 less than the sedan). Its forward wedge fits the au currant look that most econo-cars have adopted.

The Yaris features a "T" face grille that emphasizes the Toyota identity. Eliminating outer moldings from the windshield and door glass helps to enhance aerodynamics and reduce wind noise. In the rear, the tail lamps frame a wide trunk opening. The trunk lid extends down to the bumper molding to provide a substantial appearance as well as easy trunk access.

Standard exterior features include color-keyed mirrors and door handles, roof mounted antenna, multi-reflector halogen headlamps, intermittent wipers, integrated fog lamps, sport “S” badge (on my “S” model), P175/65 R14 tires on steel wheels with full wheel covers and UV glass.

With a curb weight of only 2295 lbs., Yaris doesn’t need much power to move around the highway, and outfitted with a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that burbles out 106hp and 103 lbs-ft. of torque, you don’t get much brawn or speed, but you do get fuel economy. The engine provides slow response and thrust from a stop, and it also presents poor acceleration at speed on the highway, so drivers must strategize their moves. The power gets to the front wheels by way of 4-speed automatic transmission, and the set-up is EPA rated at 29mpg in city driving and 35mpg on the highway. A full week of testing in mixed scenarios garnered an average of 32.1mpg in my test ride.

Inside, Yaris employs a center stack of instruments to give one the perception of greater interior space. Even without the illusion Yaris measures comfortable seating for five with headroom of 39.4 inches up front and 37.9 behind; legroom of 40.3 and 33.8 and shoulder room of 51.4 in row one and 50.4 in row two.

The hip, but economic cabin is decidedly low-frills, but includes air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, four-way adjustable front seats, driver and front passenger vanity mirrors, front and rear cup holders, LCD fuel gauge display, digital clock, folding rear seat, rear personal lamps and multi-information display.

Safety-wise, Yaris was rated four stars out of five in rollover tests, and standard items include dual-stage driver and front passenger advanced airbags, front side airbags and side curtain airbags for both rows, child protector rear door locks, four-wheel Anti-lock Brake System, daytime running lights, head-impact protection structure and CRS lower LATCH and top tether anchor brackets.

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $15,125, and my test Yaris came with only a few upgrades. Remote keyless entry added $230, carpeted floor mats increased the total by $150, and a comparatively expensive power package added $1290, or about 8.5 percent to the base price. The power package includes power door locks, windows and outside mirrors, fold-flat rear seat, 15-inch alloy wheels and engine immobilizer. Delivery processing and handling fees of $720 is also high considering the price of the vehicle (you are charged the same $720 whether the car sells for $15,000 or $50,000, and that doesn’t quite fit right, so feel confident to negotiate that when a car buy is on the line). The final sticker price of $17,515 is aggressive, but the car can be had for even less with incentives, making it a solid buy for first-timers and college students.

Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

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