2019 Toyota Yaris

Pros: Excellent fuel economy; spritely handling; generous level of standard equipment for the money

Cons: Middling acceleration; limited back-seat room; polarizing front-end styling

CG Says: The Toyota Yaris iA drops the iA suffix for 2019 and is now simply Yaris. (There is also a Yaris Liftback built on a different platform that is covered in a separate report.) The Yaris was formerly the Scion iA. Toyota closed its youth-oriented Scion division after the 2016 model year and the Scion iA became the Toyota Yaris iA for 2017. Changes for 2019 include revised front-end styling, a changed rear spoiler, and a new steering-wheel design, among other minor revisions. The Yaris is a subcompact-sized 4-door sedan that is essentially a restyled version of the Mazda 2 sedan. (Mazda has elected to not offer the Mazda 2 sedan or hatchback in the U.S. market.) A 1.5-liter 4-cylinder is the sole engine choice. The Yaris comes in three trim levels: L, LE, and XLE. Besides paint color, the only options are 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission (standard on XLE) and dealer-accessory-type add-ons. Thankfully, even the base Yaris L comes fairly well-equipped—its standard features include a 7-inch multimedia touchscreen, a rearview camera, Bluetooth connectivity, and even a low-speed collision warning and mitigation system. The collision mitigation system is capable of automatically applying the brakes at speeds under 18 mph. LE and XLE add keyless entry with push-button start. However, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not available. The 2019 Toyota Yaris is a compelling entry in the subcompact market that offers competitive pricing, a nimble driving personality, pleasant interior trimmings, and a good level of standard features.