Subcompact car; Built in Japan
  • 2-door hatchback
  • 4-door sedan
  • transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $7,000 – $16,000*


2007 Toyota Yaris


2007 Toyota Yaris


2007 Toyota Yaris


2007 Toyota Yaris

Pros:
  • Fuel economy
  • Ride
Cons:
  • Acceleration (w/auto.)
  • Engine noise
  • Entry/exit (rear)
  • Road noise

Shop elsewhere if you want lively high-speed acceleration. On the plus side, Yaris is a relatively refined subcompact with a driving position high enough, and a structure substantial enough, so you won’t feel dwarfed by surrounding traffic. Base new-car prices have been tempting, but optional amenities could cause sticker prices to climb to the level of larger, more powerful cars that came with safety and convenience features that cost extra on the Yaris. Toyota’s reputation for strong resale values extends to its smallest car, which means a Yaris won’t be all that cheap on the used-car market.

Overview

This new front-wheel-drive subcompact replaced the discontinued Echo as Toyota’s smallest car, serving as the automaker’s least expensive model. Yaris came as a two-door hatchback, and as a four-door sedan that was 19 inches longer overall. Built on a wheelbase 3.5 inches shorter than the sedan’s, the hatchback stood more than 3 inches taller.

The sole engine for both body styles was a 106-horsepower four-cylinder that teamed with a standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional four-speed automatic. The automatic incorporated uphill and downhill “shift logic,” intended to reduce gear “hunting” when driving on hilly terrain.

Both body styles came in base trim. Sedans also were available as uplevel S models. Antilock braking was optional. So was a package that included front side airbags and curtain side airbags. A split-folding rear seat was standard on S models, and available on the base sedan. Hatchbacks were available with a split-folding rear seat that reclined and slid fore and aft. Other options included remote entry and power windows, locks, and mirrors. Subcompact rivals included the Chevrolet Aveo, Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, and Suzuki SX4.

Yearly Updates

2008 Yaris
A new sport-themed hatchback joined the original base version for 2008. Dubbed the S Liftback, the new model featured front/rear under-bumper spoilers, an amber-lit tachometer, and a rear defroster/wiper.
2009 Yaris
Yaris gained a 4-door hatchback body style for 2009.
2010 Yaris
The 2010 Toyota Yaris lineup gained some new safety features. Traction control and an antiskid system, which were previously unavailable, became standard. The S trim was discontinued, but most of its equipment was available as part of an optional Sport Package.
2011 Yaris
The 2011 Toyota Yaris is largely unchanged.

Engines

transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

Every Yaris had a 106-horsepower four-cylinder engine, mating with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.

dohc I41
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 1.5/91
Engine HP 106
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 103
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual
4-speed automatic
29/36
29/35
34.8
31.6

1. EPA Note: Figures shown are for 2008 models. The Environmental Protection Agency changed its procedure for 2008 to yield more realistic estimates. Therefore, estimated mileage is lower than for prior years.

Road Test

More than spry enough for commuter duty, the Yaris is liveliest with a manual transmission. Around-town performance is adequate with automatic, but Yaris feels overmatched in fast-moving traffic and hilly terrain. A test base-model sedan with automatic transmission took 9.8 seconds to reach 60 mph–a second quicker than the rival Honda Fit and Hyundai Accent..

Fuel economy is a notable plus. A test base sedan with automatic averaged 30.6 mpg in mostly city driving, 36.6 in mostly highway duty, and 28.6 mpg including gas-eating acceleration runs. A base hatchback averaged 34.8 mpg with manual transmission and 31.6 with automatic.

Yaris absorbs bumps and rougher pavement impressively well–better than most rivals, including the Honda Fit. Although it’s generally stable at highway speeds, big dips prompt some float and wallow.

Responsive and secure on the road, even fun to drive, Yaris still isn’t quite as sporty as Honda’s Fit. Grip in turns is limited by narrow tires, but steering is nicely weighted. A tidy turning radius aids in tight maneuvers. Some testers detected wander in gusty crosswinds. Models tested have had good brake feel and delivered drama-free halts.

Slightly more isolated than Honda’s Fit, the Yaris is impressively quiet compared to some rivals. Some wind rush is evident from the windshield base. Engine noise intrudes at all times, and road noise is prominent at highway speeds.

Not only is the instrument cluster mounted in the dashboard center rather than ahead of the driver, it isn’t canted toward the left. Some test-drivers have found its location diverts attention from the road. Climate controls are easy to use, but have flimsy movement. If installed, the upgraded audio system displays settings on a screen that some testers found hard to read. Upholstery is oddly synthetic. Most interior materials are made of hollow plastic. Even so, nothing looks cheap, lending an aura of impressive substance for a car at this price level.

Hatchbacks have nearly an inch more headroom than sedans, but both body styles offer plenty of front-seat clearance for all but the very tall. Seats are not generously sized, but provide good support. Sedan seats adjust for height for a slight advantage in driver positioning. Still, long-legged drivers may want more rearward seat travel. Some testers believe the steering wheel is mounted too far away, and pedals are too close for best comfort.

The backseat is spacious compared to this car’s compact exterior dimensions, though taller riders will want more headroom and legroom. Footwells are roomy. A flat floor facilitates three-abreast seating, but the cabin is too narrow for long trips. The hatchback’s available sliding and reclining rear seat would be a versatility bonus, though the two-door body style inevitably impedes rear entry and exit.

Sedan trunks are relatively roomy, with low liftover, plus additional storage space in the spare-tire well. Lids open wide, but hinges intrude and the opening is too small to easily accept bulky items. Hatchbacks have more useful cargo space, helped by fold-flat rear seatbacks. Plenty of small-item storage is available throughout the cabin.

Ratings

Model Tested: 2007 Yaris base sedan w/auto.

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 4
40%
Fuel Economy - 8
80%
Ride Quality - 5
50%
Steering/Handling - 5
50%
Quietness - 4
40%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 4
40%
Room/Comfort Front - 6
60%
Room/Comfort Rear - 4
40%
Cargo Room - 3
30%

Other

Value - 6
60%

Total: 49

Specifications

2-door hatchback
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
96.9 150.0 66.7 60.0
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
25.7 11.1 5
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
39.4 37.5 40.3 33.8
4-door sedan
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
100.4 169.3 66.5 56.7
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
12.9 11.1 5
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
38.8 36.7 42.2 35.6
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 2007 Yaris 4-door sedan

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 4
80%
Front Passenger Injury - 4
80%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - 3
60%
Rear Passenger Injury - 3
60%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision N/A
Injury N/A
Theft N/A

Trouble Spots

Air conditioner
Description: Water from the A/C leaks onto the front floor due to debris collecting in the HVAC housing unless an improve cowl panel was installed. (2007-08)
Blower motor
Description: Noise may come from the blower due to debris entering the housing unless a repair kit with netting is installed. (2007)
Blower motor
Description: Foreign objects can fall into the blower motor area and cause noises unless a screen is installed over the box to keep them out. (2007-10)
Exhaust system
Description: There may be a sulfur odor from the exhaust for which an improved catalytic converter is available. (2007)
Audio system
Description: Noise in the audio system when using an MP3 player or device while connected to the 12-volt power port of the vehicle is cured by installing a new outlet with an in-line filter. 2007-08)
None
Description: The charging system warning light may illuminate due to corrosion developing on the connection at the alternator. (2007)
None
Description: The ABS warning light may glow due to corrosion in the connectors or sensors for the rear wheel speed sensors. (2007-08)
Check-engine light
Description: The check engine light may illuminate due to water getting into the evaporation control system charcoal canister unless a retrofit cover is installed. (2007)

Recall History

2006-07
Description: Toyota is recalling 134,895 MY 2006-2007 Yaris vehicles equipped with driver and front passenger seat belt pretensioners, which are designed to be activated in response to a severe frontal impact. When the sensor detects a severe frontal impact, the front seat belts are quickly drawn back by the retractors so that the belts snugly restrain the occupants. The involved vehicles contain a center pillar sound insulator located underneath each front seat belt pretensioner. In the event of seat belt pretensioner deployment, the gas generated may affect the sound insulators. In the worst case, if the sound insulators ignite, this condition will result in a post-collision fire. Dealers will modify the vehicle free of charge.
2007-2009 Yaris
Description: Power window master switch assemblies may malfunction and overheat due to irregularities in the lubrication process during assembly.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

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