6th Place: 2013 Toyota Yaris, by Peter Bleakney
    2013 Toyota Yaris. Click image to enlarge |
Despite its last place finish, the Toyota Yaris five-door hatchback is more than the sum of its parts. But there’s no disputing this little tyke is no great shakes on paper. 103 hp? Meh. A four-speed auto? Oy vey.
The Yaris’ interior does it no favours either. This was the cheapest looking cabin of the bunch by a wide margin, and the only thing you can say about the alleged audio system is that it sounds as bad as it looks.
So, we’re not off to a good start.
Yet once underway, the Yaris shows a signature dynamic cohesiveness and user-friendly disposition that goes a long way in explaining why Toyota sells a gajillion Yarises (though it leaves us scratching our heads as to how anyone would choose a Corolla over this little gem). It may have finished last, but we still think it a good value and a good little runabout. Most of us found the seats comfortable and supportive (although Señor Yarkony did not). Drivers sit upright and all-round visibility is good.
The back seat got the highest marks for two-person comfort, and while the cargo area doesn’t have the trick multi-level floor of the Chevy Sonic or the contortionist seats of the Honda Fit, it sports a flat load space when the back seat is folded and the hatch opening is wide – not restricted by taillights or shock towers.
The tilt-only steering wheel was a problem for some testers, but it is connected to a nicely linear rack. In fact, we were all surprised by how nicely the Yaris drove. It’s nimble, eager to change direction, and for this tester, provided the smoothest ride of the bunch.
Despite its modest power output, the Yaris wasn’t particularly outgunned by the others (save the hot-rod Sonic) and I didn’t really notice the dearth of cogs within the tranny until trying to pass at highway speeds. Kickdown to third gear had the little 1.5L four howling like a love-starved Yak (pure speculation on my part).
The Yaris may not have much pizazz (okay, it has no pizazz), but it gets most of the basics right. It is user-friendliness personified, yet ultimately let down by its interior and four-speed auto, which no doubt can be blamed for it posting the worst fuel economy here.
Oh, wait a sec. There is something cool about the Yaris: that huge single windshield wiper.
    2013 Toyota Yaris. Click image to enlarge |
Pricing: 2013 Toyota Yaris 5-Door LE
Base Price (5-Door LE): $14,890
Options: 4-speed Automatic transmission – $1,000; Convenience Package – $1,100
Freight & PDI: $1,425
A/C Tax: $100
Total: $18,515
Energuide estimated fuel consumption: 6.7/5.5 L/100 km
Observed fuel consumption: 8.9 L/100 km
