2007 Toyota Yaris Review
The Yaris debuts for the 2007 from Japan, by way of Europe. Replacing the unpopular Echo, the Yaris has been available in Europe since 1999, where it quickly became one of its most popular cars. The most affordable Toyota model, the Yaris is small and efficient. The Yaris was voted “European Car of the Year” in 2000.
The BuyingAdvice Team Says:
The Toyota Yaris is a well-designed vehicle for a very low price. It has plenty of storage compartments, and gets excellent gas mileage. However, it seriously lacks in creature comforts, offering only a few standard features. This is becoming a highly-competitive segment, and there are plenty of preferable alternatives. However, if your budget is super-tight, the Yaris is probably the best option you have for a new car.
What’s New For 2007:
What is the Predicted Reliability:
Since the Yaris is a brand-new model, there is no long-term reliability information yet available. J.D. Power’s initial reliability ratings are not yet available. However, Toyota has an outstanding reputation for reliability, second only to Honda. So far, driver opinions have been positive, with the main complaints being a noisy engine and mediocre interior materials. Expect above average reliability. The standard warranty lasts for three years or 30,000 miles.
Analysis Of Safety Ratings And Features:
The Yaris earned four stars in government frontal crash tests and three stars in side tests. It earned the IIHS’ best “Good” rating for frontal and side impacts, and “Moderate” for rear impacts. The Yaris comes with anti-lock brakes, front side airbags, and full-length head airbags. There are no recalls.
Pros and Cons:
Pros
+ Low, low price
+ Attractive sedan
+ Good fuel economy
Cons
– Hatchback resembles a golf cart
– Spare on standard features
– Tiny
Head-To-Head Competition:
The compact economy car segment has exploded recently, presenting a number of options for those with tight budgets. The Chevrolet Aveo is very similar, except that it gets about seven fewer miles to the gallon than the Yaris. You might also consider the Nissan Versa, which comes with an alarm system, six-speed manual, and a CD player. However, it costs $500 more than the Yaris and has inferior gas mileage. But if you want the real winner in this segment, the Honda Fit for about $1,800 more gives you an alarm, CD player, anti-lock brakes, full side airbags, and power accessories.
What Others Are Saying:
“The new Yaris is a simple car with pride of ownership as standard equipment. I fully expect it to be a good seller for Toyota with many people even stepping down from a more expensive car simply because they like the way this car looks. “ – The Family Car
“The 2007 Toyota Yaris is suitable for city errands and short commutes but few other applications. Good fuel economy is nice, but poor road conditions can easily upset this little car.” – C|Net
“Reasonably pleasant to drive and relatively roomy, but unimpressive fuel economy for the small size and poorly equipped unless you spend extra.” – USA Today
Read more about the 2007 Toyota Yaris at the Toyota manufacturer web site.
