CD Article: 2007 Toyota Yaris sedan

[CD_Editor]

You may discuss our cover story of the day in this thread....
First Drive:

Five months after the Toyota Yaris hatchback was introduced comes the Yaris four-door sedan.  The sedan is bigger than the hatchback, reports Editor Greg Wilson. "It's a full 475 mm (18.7 in.) longer overall than the hatchback," he reports, "and it does look, feel, and drive like a higher class of car," he insists.  Find out why!    More...

[Prius]

The thing about Toyota is that why do people who choose the sporty model always give up safety equipment? Why can't Yaris buyers get the Aero package and side/side curtain airbags? Why do 2003-2004 Corolla S buyers not have the option of ABS? and 05-06 buyers not have the option of side/side curtain airbags?

[Shnak]

The thing about Toyota is that why do people who choose the sporty model always give up safety equipment? Why can't Yaris buyers get the Aero package and side/side curtain airbags? Why do 2003-2004 Corolla S buyers not have the option of ABS? and 05-06 buyers not have the option of side/side curtain airbags?

Because Toyota is too close to its money... money first!

[Demosthenes X]

Good looking vehicle...  much nicer than the outgoing Echo sedan!  Looks very nice with the Aero package (not sure about that spoiler, though).  And decent value, until you start piling packages on...  Aero package plus package C plus air conditioning is $5000 above base price, and that's for what I would call basic conviences (well, except for the side skirts etc.).

[Shnak]

Nice to see that A/C is a standalone option available on all trims. IMO, they should have included the airbags in Package C and round it up to $16,995. $900 for the side airbags and curtains is too much when the competition (base Civic and Fit) includes them for free.

[a4_tom]

The majority are probably going with the hatch form.

[Shnak]

The majority are probably going with the hatch form.

Anyone knows the proportion of Echo sedan vs hatch sales when the hatchback came out? I wouldn't be surprised if the hatchback sold more in Quebec than the sedan did, but that it was the opposite in the rest of Canada and the USA altogether.

[airbalancer]

Saw a couple on the dealer lot, most around the 20Gs 
Do not like the centre dash

[Prius]

$18,555 for an auto Yaris Pkg "D" ain't bad. Considering a few years ago, $18,000 got you a Corolla CE Pkg "B" with A/C, variable intermittent wipers and cruise control. On the Yaris, you get power windows, power mirrors, keyless entry, side/side curtain airbags, colour-keyed mirrors and door handles, ABS, dual rear cupholders (vs. single), rear armrest, electric power steering, height adjustable driver's seat, mp3/wma and 15" tyres.

[airbalancer]

it so sad when you have write about dual cup holders and door handles

[Seafoam]

it so sad when you have write about dual cup holders and door handles

Well it is an economy car after all it's not a lexus or mercedes.They have to build it up to be better than it is.Like that drink cooler in the caliber.

[Bullet Blue]

I've said it before, the Yaris sedan looks big for an "econo-box". How does it compare in size to the Corolla?

[AVToller]

I've said it before, the Yaris sedan looks big for an "econo-box". How does it compare in size to the Corolla?

Length, width, height, and wheelbase for the Yaris sedan:

169.3", 66.5", 56.7", 100.4"

For the Corolla:

178.3", 66.9", 58.3", 102.4"

[Seafoam]

Those measurements  are very  close . I wonder how the interior volume compares. I read somewhere that the corolla's interior space is actually bigger than the new civic. I think the yaris sedan will be slotted between
the yaris hatchback and the new corolla which will probably become larger.

[Rupert]

I like the centre speedo. If you think about it latteral vision is better than up and down. Almost 180 degrees versus about 110 approx. So that you have a better awareness of it whilst looking straight ahead and better awareness of the road whilst looking at it. It should be larger however maybe 6"Dia. with a rounded dash dome over it. The needle should be vertical at 110 kips. Bigger numbers and emphasized needle. Throw the useless tachometer out of the window and include remote locks on the basic car. Great looking little car otherwise. I notice it is lower though. Does this make it more difficult to enter and exit. I would rather drive a great little car than a " Luxo-boat".

[Rupert]

Come to think of it the 60s era Morris Minor speedo is just about right.

[AVToller]

Come to think of it the 60s era Morris Minor speedo is just about right.

It's a bit low, but not too bad. 

All of these old (and young) stick-in-the-muds have their "minds" made up that the centre cluster is BAD since it isn't what they are used to.  Ah well, enlightenment is not for everyone I guess.  I also like the additional height in the Yaris hatch. I do like having a tach however. You show good taste in cars Rupert. 

[Rupert]

  What do you do  with tach. information. On an automatic it's meaningless and with a standard shift you use your senses (sound and feel) to change gear. You can't be looking at your tach to know when to shift all the time. Tachs came about in personal transport harking back to the good old days of racing when people like Fangio and Stirling Moss drove by the Tachometer read out in order to keep the engine operating in the best rev. range. Hey those cars did not have a speedo. The speed was unimportant, it was always maximum. Every Fangio/Moss wanabe sudenly wanted one and maybe never realized that it was only there and never used for anything. Anyway respect your opinion but I personally find the little remote fob on my key very usefull especially when you have changed into your pyjamas and suddenly wonder if you locked your car or not. If it was a choice it would be the remote for me.

[AVToller]

If it were a choice, I would agree with you. Fortunately, I chose the RS model and have both!  BTW, when the Echo hatch first arrived, it lacked the tach. There was so much complaining about that, that Toyota included one for the 2005 model. 

[Prius]

Come to think of it the 60s era Morris Minor speedo is just about right.

What about the 10" one in the new MINI?