2018 Toyota Yaris Hatchback

The base 2018 Toyota Yaris 3-Door L retails at $15,635 and yet offers standard Advanced Safety Features normally reserved for much pricier cars.There are plenty of other standard features as well including Bluetooth and power door locks. A sole 106 hp 1.5L I4 powers every Yaris but you do have two transmissions to choose from – a slick 5-speed manual or a primordial 4-speed automatic.

The 2018 Toyota Yaris hatchback comes in two body styles – a 3-door hatchback or a 5-door hatchback. The Toyota Yaris IA is a completely unrelated sedan. Even the base Yaris L 3dr ($15,635) gets standard Toyota Safety Sense C (TSS-C) bundled with advanced active safety features and driver assistance systems.

Trims	3-Door L	3-Door LE	5-Door L	5-Door LE	5-Door SE
MSRP	$15,635	$17,285	$16,760	$17,660	$18,260
Features	15-inch styled steel wheels Daytime Running Headlights (DRL) Bold Front Fascia and grille with Chrome Accent Entune audio Nine Airbags Tilt Steering Wheel Toyota Safety Sense C (TSS-C) 60/40 Split Fold-Down Rear Seats	Features Of 3-Door L Plus: 15-inch Machined Alloy wheels Remote Keyless Entry Color-keyed Power Outside Mirror Steering wheel audio control	Same as 3-Door L	Same as 3-Door LE	Features Of 5-Door LE Plus: 16-in. machined alloy wheels with P195/50R16 tires Power-assisted ventilated front disc brakes; rear disc brakes and Star Safety System™ Rear spoiler Sport fabric-trimmed front seats Leather-trimmed steering wheel Shift lever

Next in line is the LE trim with a price tag of $17,285. The Yaris SE 5dr ($18,260) tops the range and can be had with the 5-speed manual or the 4-speed automatic.

We Recommend

Although the base L trim is well equipped for the price, The SE trim gets plenty of upmarket features like the leather-wrapped shifter and steering wheel, better upholstery, larger wheels, and tires and most importantly – rear wheel disc brakes.

....it’s fine for just put-putting around town, and it’s likely the sensible types attracted to the Yaris will be more thrilled with the parking-lot maneuverability afforded by the little Toyota’s diminutive size.” – Kelley Blue Book

Although this Toyota Subcompact lacks pure grunt, the tractable naturally aspirated 1.5L I4 makes it feel peppy around town. While the 5-speed manual is decently smooth, we recommend against the archaic 4-speed Automatic. However, both of these transmission lacks a ratio high enough to make it feel relaxed on the open road. Out on the freeway, this little car seems out of its comfort zone.

Engine and Transmission

The Toyota Yaris comes with only a single engine option – a 1.5L naturally aspirated Inline-4 developing 106 hp and 103 pounds-feet of torque. Within city limits, you can punt around in this car effortlessly as the slick 5-speed manual easily shuffles the available power to the wheels.

Models	Toyota Yaris 5-Door L	Honda Fit LX	Nissan Versa Note S	Ford Fiesta S Hatch
MSRP	$16,760	$16,190	$15,600	$14,415
Engine	1.5-Liter 4-Cylinder DOHC 16-Valve VVT-i engine	1.5-Liter 16-Valve 4-Cylinder DOHC i-VTEC engine	1.6-liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine	1.6-Liter Ti-VCT I-4 Engine
Transmission	4-speed automatic	6-speed manual	CVT-automatic	5-speed manual
Power	106 hp	130 hp	109 hp	120 hp
Torque	103 lb.-ft.	114 lb.-ft.	107 lb.-ft.	112 lb.-ft.

However, out on the freeway, this little car seems out of its comfort zone. The engine struggles to accelerate with the faster traffic and the 5-speed manual simply lacks a higher ratio for a laid-back cruise. There is a 4-speed automatic on offer but we strongly advise you stay away from it.

“Yaris hatchback pairs its engine with an overwhelmed 4-speed automatic or an underwhelming 5-speed manual. We recommend the manual for hatchback models based on the wide spacing of the automatic’s gears and because the engine runs out of ideas quickly.” – thearconnection

Acceleration

The Yaris is a subcompact car with more focus on efficiency and less on gut-wrenching acceleration. Its 0-60 time of 10.2 seconds may seem yawningly slow but other competitors here are not much better either. The fastest competitor here is the Honda Fit with 0-60 time of 9.2 seconds – a result of its 130 hp engine that pulls its larger mass comparatively faster.

Models	Toyota Yaris 5-Door L	Honda Fit LX	Nissan Versa Note S	Ford Fiesta S Hatch
0-60 MPH	10.2 sec	9.1 sec	9.2 sec	9.7 sec
Quarter mile	17.0 sec @ 80.1 mph	16.8 sec @ 85.8 mph	17.8 sec @ 78.2 mph	17.2 sec @ 80.4 mph
Engine	1.5L	1.5L	1.6L	1.6L
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	5.5	5.7	5.2	5.8

Ride and Handling

The Yaris is a tiny subcompact and the concrete jungle is its natural habitat. The quick steering, diminutive dimensions, and excellent outward visibility mean you can annoy other drivers by scooching through spaces others thought were unusable.

Ride quality is more grown up though and the Yaris gobbles up rough road effortlessly. However, the steering does not provide much feedback and if you are looking for a real fun-to-drive car at this price range, check out the Ford Fiesta.

“Thanks to relatively soft springs, the Yaris isn’t thrown into a tizzy with bumps and imperfect roads. The Yaris SE adds a stiffer suspension that is an improvement, but not necessarily sportier.” – thearconnection

Braking

The Yaris is built to a price and hence all Yaris except the Yaris SE gets drum brakes at the rear wheels. Still, these brakes are enough to stop this 2335 pounds Toyota subcompact from 60 mph within 127 feet – average among the competition. What’s impressive is that the brakes do not fade even after repeated stops – something that cannot be said for other subcompacts.

Model	Toyota Yaris 5-Door L	Honda Fit LX	Nissan Versa Note S	Ford Fiesta S Hatch
Brake Front(in)	10	10.3	10	10.2
Brake Rear(in)	7.9	7.9	8	7.9
Curb weight(lbs)	2335	2522	2460	2537
60-0 MPH (ft.)	127	130	127	129

Owing to their feather-light curb weight and powertrain tuned more for efficiency than performance, the subcompacts are the most efficient automobiles this side of hybrids. With this in mind, Yaris MPG figures of 30 in city and 35 on the highway is not that impressive.

Model	Toyota Yaris 5-Door L	Honda Fit LX	Nissan Versa Note S	Ford Fiesta S Hatch
mpg city	30	29	31	27
mpg highway	35	36	39	35
mpg combined	32	31	34	30

If Toyota replaces the dated transmission with a transmission having higher ratios, the highway MPG will improve considerably. The Honda Fit when equipped with optional CVT produces 33 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway despite weighing 200 pounds more and having 25 hp more power.

“There are shortcomings. There’s no telescoping steering wheel available, making it hard to get comfortable. Rear-seat passengers are going to feel cramped, and that’s whether you pick the 3-door or 5-door Yaris.” – Kelley Blue Book

The interior of the Yaris has plenty of hard plastic and while it may seem obvious at this price, rivals offer better interior for roughly the same price. Front seats are roomy though and it’s perfectly fine for lone commuting. However, with a front passenger, things get cozy and the rear seats are even tighter.

Seating and Comfort

Although Toyota says the tiny Yaris can seat 5-people, be warned that it’s comfortable for no more than two adults whether you choose the 3-door Yaris or the 5-door Yaris. Also, tall people will find it difficult to find a good driving position as the steering wheel does not telescope. While alone, it’s perfectly usable but with a passenger in front, it gets intimate with minimal shoulder room.

Model	Toyota Yaris 5-Door L	Honda Fit LX	Nissan Versa Note S	Ford Fiesta S Hatch
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Passenger Volume(ft cube)	85.1	95.7	94.1	85.1
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.3/52.5/40.6	39.5/54.8/41.4	40.8/51.7/41.3	39.1/52.7/42.2
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	37.6/51.8/33.3	37.5/52.6/39.3	38/51.9/38.3	37.2/49/31.2

The rear seats are even tighter – a full 6-inch tighter than the rivals like Honda Fit and Versa Note. Outboard rear seats have LATCH connectors. Also, the middle rear seat gets more upper tether anchor that can be utilized along with the inner lower anchors from outboard seats.

Cargo Capacity

“While 15.6 cubic feet of cargo room might seem decent, much of that is vertical space. A single row of grocery bags essentially fills up the entire space from tailgate to back seat, from floor to tonneau cover. Small even for this segment.” – Edmunds

The Yaris offers 15.6 cubic feet of luggage space – that’s average for a subcompact car. However, you can’t fold the rear seats to liberate more space as in the competitors. If you need plenty of luggage capacity at this price point, consider the Versa Note with 18.8 cubic feet of luggage capacity.

Model	Toyota Yaris 5-Door L	Honda Fit LX	Nissan Versa Note S	Ford Fiesta S Hatch
Behind 2nd Row (ft.cube)	15.6	16.6	18.8	14.9
2nd Row Folded (ft.cube)	N/A	52.7	38.3	25.4

Infotainment System

The base Yaris L comes with a 6.1-inch touchscreen-equipped infotainment system, a six-speaker stereo audio system, Bluetooth and a rearview camera. However, no version of the Yaris gets Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

“While the car’s pinched nose and gaping-mouth grille carry over here, the 2018 L and LE feature a new front fascia that drops the upper grille and blends the new body-colored nose with the bumper and hood.” – Car and Driver

The 2018 Toyota Yaris has got some cosmetic revisions. Although the nose and gaping grille are same as the 2017 Yaris, the grille is now wrapped and the body colored nose is combined with the bumper. A wider tail light and refreshed bumper design complete the changes to the rear.

Dimension and Weight

The Yaris is small even among the subcompact competitors here with an overall length of just 155.5 inches. This combined with its lowest in class curb weight of 2335 pounds means it’s the most maneuverable car you can buy currently. Simply put, if you struggle with tight parking spaces and want a more manageable car within the city, the Yaris will impress you.

Model	Toyota Yaris 5-Door L	Honda Fit LX	Nissan Versa Note S	Ford Fiesta S Hatch
curb weight(lbs)	2335	2522	2460	2537
Length(in)	155.5	161.4	163.7	159.7
Width(in)	66.7	67	66.7	67.8
Height(in)	59.4	60	60.5	58.1
Ground clearance(in)	5.5	4.4	5.1	—-
Wheelbase(in)	98.8	99.6	102.4	98.0
Track width(in) F/R	58.5/57.9	58.3/58	58.3/58.5	57.7/57.7

Wheels

While the base Yaris L gets 15-inch steel wheels, the Yaris LE upgrades to 15-inch aluminum alloy wheels. However, the top-spec Yaris SE splurges to the larger 16-inch machined aluminum alloys with a larger tire that gives it a slightly sporty character.

Model	Toyota Yaris 5-Door L	Honda Fit LX	Nissan Versa Note S	Ford Fiesta S Hatch
Size F/R (in.)	15.5/15.5	15.5/15.5	15.5/15.5	15.6/15.6
Quality	Steel	Steel	Steel	Steel
Wheel type	w/o Alloy	w/o Alloy	w/o Alloy	w/o Alloy

Pre-collision system, Lane Departure Alert, and Automatic High Beam are the kind of safety system you do not expect in a Subcompact. Yet, all three are available in 2018 Toyota Yaris – bundled with Toyota Safety Sense – C as standard!

Safety Features

The following table lists safety features present in 2018 Toyota Yaris -

• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPcMS)
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)
• Driver and front passenger, front and side thorax airbag supplemental restraint system
• Side Curtain Protection head airbags, front, and rear
• Crash-optimized front end
• Front safety belts, height-adjustable, with pretensioners and load limiters
• Intelligent Crash Response System (ICRS)
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) child seat anchor points

Subcompacts do not score very well in crash tests but the 2018 Toyota Yaris manages to impress with its “Good” rating in most of IIHS crash criteria.

IIHS Rating

Crashworthiness
Small overlap front driver side	Marginal
Small overlap front passenger side	N/A
Moderate overlap front	Good
Side	Good
Roof strength	Good
Head restraints & seats	Good

NHTSA has not yet rated the 2018 Toyota Yaris.

Toyota Yaris Hatchback vs Honda Fit

The Honda Fit costs slightly more than the Yaris but it more than makes up for its higher asking price. Its spacious interior is unrivaled among the Subcompact cars with plenty of headroom and legroom in the front and rear seats. Moreover, the trunk is capacious and the flexibility of magic seats is unbeatable. Add to that impeccable fuel economy of CVT equipped Fit and you get a car that’s hard to go wrong with.

Toyota Yaris Hatchback vs Ford Fiesta

The Ford Fiesta is one of the best-selling subcompact cars and it’s the go-to car for driving enthusiasts in this price bracket. Although its base engine is not significantly better than the Yaris engine, the Focus ST brings the excellent 2.0L Ecoboost. However, its interior is even tighter than the Yaris and Yaris get plenty of high-end active safety features as standard.

Toyota Yaris Hatchback vs Nissan Versa Note

The Nissan Versa is one of the cheapest cars you can own currently with a starting price of $12000. However, it’s clearly built for a price and features bare basic interiors with low-grade materials. Still, if you hate capitalism and want maximum bang for the buck, the Versa offers expansive interiors for the price and it has capacious boot space as well. The CVT delivers excellent fuel economy.

Whether you are looking for your first car for lone commuting or are searching for a small city runabout to complement your large family car, the 2018 Toyota Yaris will impress you with its nimble character and good ride quality topped with Toyotas excellent reliability.

Moreover, the amount of features and advanced driver assistance technologies loaded in this tiny subcompact is unprecedented. That said, the tiny dimensions mean the interior can accommodate no more than two adults comfortably. Also, the rear seats are even tinier.

All in all, the Toyota Yaris is not a car to cart around 4 adults. If you are looking for a roomy and flexible subcompact car, spend little more and get the Honda Fit. It also brings exceptional fuel economy as a bonus. However, if you are a lone commuter and a Toyota Loyalist, you won’t go wrong with a Yaris. Buy one and enjoy years of worry-free no-nonsense motoring.