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Day 1: Right out of the Honda Fit today and into the Toyota Yaris, couldn’t ask for anything better in terms of a chance to compare two directly competing vehicles both at the top of the heap in quality and both newly introduced models. Unfortunately the Yaris I am testing is not the hatchback version but the just released sedan. The Yaris hatchback and sedan are very similar, same drive train, same suspension etc, so it certainly cannot be dismissed, some like hatchbacks some like the security of having a trunk to hide their purchases. |
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Standard features on the Yaris sedan of note include an AM/FM Cd with MP3/WMA Player with 4 speakers, 60/40 split rear folding seat and a 1.5 litre 106hp engine with an EPA rating of 7.0 L /100km city and 5.6 L/100Km highway.
This should be an interesting week with the Yaris after last week.
Toyota Yaris Sedan with Aero Package MSRP as tested: $19,710
For more information on Toyota and the Yaris visit Toyota Canada
Updated April 26th 2006
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Day 2:
Although I have not yet had the chance as of yet to get out onto the open highway I have driven the Yaris around town a bit and on B roads that run at 80km/h. I have had enough time to get some initial impressions especially after hopping out of the Fit last week. I will cut to the chase today and give some of my impressions of the differences and similarities between these two competing subcompacts. |
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Moving on to the interior the first thing everyone would notice is the unconventional center instrument cluster. This is accented by a silver trimmed center dash area popping out from the otherwise bleak grey plastic dash and steering wheel, pictures to follow this week.
Immediate differences notable are noises coming from the engine compartment and road noise. The Yaris is miles ahead of subcompacts of previous generations, namely the car it replaces the Echo, but the Fit bests it in perceived interior noises. The engine NVH (Noise Vibration Harshness) levels seem lower in the Honda Fit. When the vehicle is idling vibrations can be felt though the drivers seat, not that these are overly harsh, just more than the Fit. Wind noise on my test vehicle also seems to be harsher, although less pronounced than many other vehicles I have driven, including the well engineered Mini Cooper.
Surprisingly the Yaris feels very roomy inside and doesn’t necessarily feel like the small subcompact sedan that it replaces, as mentioned yesterday its length is very similar to the current generation Corolla, like most new vehicles the Yaris has grown in size and quality compared to the vehicle it replaced.
Updated April 27th 2006
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Day 3: Went out for lunch today with a bunch of co-workers, of course having the new car I am the designated driver of choice of course I also volunteered, so I could get some miles under my belt behind the wheel of the Yaris. It certainly seemed like the three co-workers that rode with me were fairly impressed with the quality of such a small car. The Yaris’ solid feel over bumps and its quietness were mentioned as redeeming qualities noticed immediately. |
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The first thing everyone noticed and commented on was the unconventional center mounted gauges. Having driven the car for a few days now it has grown on me, but to the average consumer this could be a draw back at first glance. You won’t know if you like it until you try it, kind of like fine cognac. Other comments were made on the seat materials and HVAC controls, consensus seemed to be that these were very well done and tastefully designed, as I screamed around a corner at 60km/h they were all glad of the handles available in each seat. |
The Yaris Sedan also has a height adjustable drivers seat which is a welcome change after stepping out of the Fit where finding a driving position that was truly comfortable was a little difficult. The driving position on the Yaris is much more comfortable. The 60 / 40 split seats are also designed properly in the Yaris with the 60 split being on the passenger side in order to provide as much width possible for longer items if need be. Although the seats do not fold completely flat, I was actually disappointed in how the seats folded in the sedan as there is a large difference in height between the back of the trunk and the back of the seats there is a lot of room available. The trunk in the Yaris Sedan is surprisingly large for a subcompact as you can see from the picture below.
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Updated April 28th 2006
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Day 4: I finally got a chance to get the Yaris out onto a highway to see how it cruises. Gone are the days of econo-box styling, sloppy handling, horrible fit and finish, unbearable noise levels on the highway and tin can death traps on wheels. The Yaris feels like a well built solid vehicle that I would have no hesitation taking out onto the highway on a long journey for a cross country trek. Although cruise control would be required for such a journey unfortunately it is not available. |
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The Yaris really is growing on me, the looks are stellar for the class of vehicle, although the packaging options from Toyota are a little odd. My tester has the Aero package which provides a wonderful looking skirt package but neglects the safety feature of side curtain air bags, for those you must go with D package and forgo the aluminum wheels and skirt package. Of course I’m sure the skirting and wheel package could be had from the dealer as an accessory item. The skirting really does add to the character of the car, although the front valence is rather low and with the front end difficult to see because of the slopping hood line it is a must to be extra cautious when parking near curbing stones.
I’m certainly looking forward to some more driving in the Yaris this weekend and getting it to the pumps to determine how thrifty this little car truly is, according to the gas gauge readout my current mileage is VERY exciting indeed.
Updated April 30th 2006
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Day 5: Another great week for heading to the gas pumps after a week of city driving. I was actually looking forward to finding out if the Yaris was any thriftier than the Fit I drove last week. Acceleration and braking tests where fairly interesting considering both vehicles are equiped with 1.5L 4 cyl engines, both vehicles weight within 50lbs of each other and horsepower output of the Yaris and Fit are nearly identical. |
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Toyota certainly has a worthy little sedan that achieves great fuel economy, has some great looks and is easy to drive, quiet and peppy. My 0-100km/h testing proved that the Yaris out accelerates the Fit by over 1 second to 100km/h this was an interesting result considering their similarities. Braking distance between the 2 cars were identical at 150ft, but the Yaris braking test was performed in the dry while the Fit had a slightly moist road during my test. I enjoyed my week in the Yaris and if I were shopping for an economical subcompact it would certainly be on my shortlist.
*Rating out of 5:
| Toyota Yaris Sedan | |
| Acceleration |  
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| Handling |
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| Comfort |
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| Gas Mileage |
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| 0 - 100km/h | 11.0 seconds |
| 100-0 km/h | 150 feet |
*Rating based on cars classification
Toyota Yaris Sedan with Aero Package MSRP as tested: $19,710
For more information on Toyota and the Yaris visit Toyota Canada
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April 27, 2006, 12:36:18 pm they make a cute couple
April 27, 2006, 12:56:40 pm
One of the things I don't like about the Yaris sedan is that it is so much lower than the Hatch - 56.7" vs 60".
April 27, 2006, 01:04:43 pm In response to AVToller and height of the sedan vs hatch -maybe that's why the sedan gets height adjustable seat (now take tongue out of cheek)
April 27, 2006, 06:02:40 pm Both cars have nice features. Why not include the Accent 4 door in there and make it a threesome.
April 27, 2006, 07:00:19 pm Do you remember what S2000 is like?
Sun is shinning time to drop the top
April 28, 2006, 10:01:09 am I still hate the dash. Still think its in a silly place. I tell you these 2 new Toyota that have just come out are going to make the corolla look old quick. I can\'t help wondering If the new corolla gonna be bigger. now that the yaris is the same size.
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April 28, 2006, 10:54:40 am The pass thru in the Yaris looks quite small.....why is it compromised by those triangular "BOX" shapes in the trunk.....are there gas tanks underneath,metal stiffeners or just wheel well encroachments.
The YARIS sedan is certainly the looker of the bunch...but i don't cotton onto that central dash..I'm sure anyone could get used to it but it like a TV or a picture in the wrong place to me..just nigglingly annoying.
Spun by the dealers this morning...quite a few YARI available...but a MatriX in white amongst them stood out...Yaris come in WHITE ?....
No Fits at the Honda place
From your tests and pics I would pick the FIT if it was my $$$'s on the table...like the paddle shifter one in that pewter colour........
April 28, 2006, 12:32:22 pm James,
Can you snap a pic of the front of the Yaris next to the front of a Mazda 3? Saw two in a row last night and confused them for a split second. The grills are remarkably similar. Has a bit of the Fit vs Aveo discussion ...
April 28, 2006, 12:33:19 pm Hahaha, I would have to head to a Mazda dealer, but you can photochop that no? I agree, we were commenting on this yesterday at lunch the grilll looks remarkably similar.
April 28, 2006, 12:34:34 pm Telling me there isn't a Mazda 3 parked outside right now? Those things are everywhere, just head to any good sized parking lot ...
April 28, 2006, 12:36:14 pm Yeah I can find one, I'd have to drive home to get my digi cam first though, otherwise I'd have done it
I'll make it my mission just for you this weekend.
April 28, 2006, 03:59:06 pm I feel so special ...
April 28, 2006, 04:03:41 pm I see a second act of the Avt /mystery woman.....repeating itself here!!!!!!!!!
April 28, 2006, 07:00:34 pm I don't do long distance relationships ...
April 28, 2006, 07:09:27 pm WELL at LEAST ya admit yer SHORT_COMINGS!!!!!!
April 28, 2006, 08:17:16 pm Here ya go David! (picture attached in forum)
April 29, 2006, 10:02:06 am Do think Wing you would like it as much, If it was a bare bones model. I find always when testers are given cars its always the top of the range model. I offen wonder If would be the same case with a Base. also Is this a better deal than a Corolla.
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April 29, 2006, 02:01:29 pm Interesting how they half-finished the inside of the trunk.
That photo with the Mazda3 Sport isn't so good b/c the 3 is black, and therefore the visual similarity in the grilles is harder to spot, but still, it's easy to see. Still, it's a good looking car.
April 29, 2006, 02:52:54 pm The Mazda has MORE prescence,aura,lightness,perspective,depth,contour,prescriptiveness,holographic dimensionalism....AND EATS ITS ARSE fer FUN and VALUE....woo hoo....eat it's dust yer Yari/FIT DWARFS......
April 29, 2006, 03:31:38 pm Mr. Meow, if I had a base model the only things that would annoy me would be no A/C and manual mirrors and windows. The driving dynamics would be similar and I would assume the ride quality and seats the same. SirAquaMan, yes the trunk is half finished I was surprised not even a handle to pull it close, the Fit was nicely finished off in that respect.
May 02, 2006, 10:16:11 am Slight nitpick:
The "ratings out of 5" box says Honda Fit. I checked that review and the data are not the same so it must be a typo.
May 02, 2006, 11:01:23 am Yes typo, thanks I copy and paste the boxes.
May 02, 2006, 11:33:13 am Wing: So if your only choice was either the Fit or Yaris. which one would you buy?
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May 02, 2006, 11:35:09 am Fit, because the Yaris does not come with Cruise Control
May 02, 2006, 12:14:39 pm
Thanks - yeah too bad it wasn't a red 3, but for sure looks like the designers were feeling the same "inspriation". Same goes for the new Camry as well. The "chevron" grill fins seems to be the new thing.