While the styling isn’t apt to raise anyone’s pulse rate, my Yaris is a fairly neat little package in Lagoon Blue Mica. Available only as a hatchback, the Yaris offers three trim levels: the base CE 3-door, the mid-range LE 5-door, and the top-spec SE 5-door. My LE tester features standard 15-inch steel wheels, power windows, keyless entry, cruise control and six-way adjustable driver’s seat.
The interior, while decidedly no-frills, is a nice example of using creativity to make the most of budget materials. Sure, there are a lot of hard plastics. But they’re moulded into a fairly clean and uncluttered design in a two-tone colour scheme. The centre stack is plain, featuring simple round knobs that complement the round air vents and gauge binnacle hood. There is what passes for a stereo, and that’s all I’m going to say about that.
  2013 Toyota Yaris Hatchback 5-Door LE. Click image to enlarge |
There’s no centre console storage (okay, maybe you could call that one cavity a pencil tray; capacity: two pencils), but there are a few small odds & ends cubbies and cupholders for every seat.
The seats are upholstered in two-tone grey cloth, and while they don’t have a lot of bolstering, they’re quite comfortable for daily driving. The steering wheel, while formed of hard plastic, made me smile. Thick, grippy, and perfectly indented to encourage correct hand position, it also featured a sporty little flat bottom. Wrap it in leather and it’s the kind of wheel you’d expect to find in a zippy little sports car. However, it doesn’t telescope and it’s connected to electric power steering that’s a bit on the light side.
Two people can fit fairly comfortably in the back, but adding a third is definitely pushing it. The 60/40 split rear seats fold flat providing up to 286 L of cargo space – which is better than the Mazda2 or Ford Fiesta, but not as good as the Honda Fit or Chevrolet Sonic.
   2013 Toyota Yaris Hatchback 5-Door LE. Click image to enlarge |
Under the Yaris’s snub little hood is a 1.5L four-cylinder engine that puts out 106 hp and 103 lb-ft of torque. The four-speed automatic transmission is primitive by current standards, and such a small engine would probably perform better matched to a six-speed or continuously variable transmission like those in its competitors. Nonetheless, while the 1.5L is a bit buzzy during acceleration, it’s sufficiently powerful enough to propel the Yaris around quite cheerfully. I found it quite maneuverable, and easy to get around congested traffic. I averaged a quite respectable 7.3 L/100 km in fuel consumption during a week of mixed driving.
The handling is more taut than I’d expected, and although a bit firm over rough pavement, the Yaris is nicely composed while executing passing moves or negotiating tight curves.
As far as safety features go, the Yaris has standard traction and stability control, active front head restraints, nine airbags and received high ratings for front and side impact and roof strength protection tests.
While decidedly an econobox, the Yaris is durable and economical with a reputation for low maintenance costs. It’s one of those rare little vehicles that I like to call an “honest” car, one that I’d feel happy recommending to a friend.
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Pricing: 2013 Toyota Yaris Hatchback LE
Base price (5-door LE): $14,890
Options: 4-Speed Automatic Transmission ($1,000), Convenience Package ($1,100)
Freight: $1,425
A/C Tax: $100
Price as tested: $18,550
Competitors:
Chevrolet Sonic
Ford Fiesta
Honda Fit
Hyundai Accent
Kia Rio5
Mazda2
Nissan Versa
Crash test results
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
