2015 Toyota Yaris SE
04/13/2015
Shahed Hussain
Toyota has been selling the Yaris in the US for about 10 years, yet even though it is the most affordable model in the lineup, the Yaris is overshadowed by the more expensive, but vastly more popular Corolla. The pricing gap between the Yaris and Corolla in America is not especially significant, and most value-conscious Toyota customers are willing to pay extra for the more spacious Corolla. However, as the subcompact segment has evolved, the Yaris has become more than just basic transportation.
The Yaris is available 3-door and 5-door hatch body styles in three trim levels, starting with the base Yaris L, the midlevel LE and the SE that we tested. Pricing ranges from $14,845 for the 3-door Yaris L to $16,820 for the 5-door SE. Our test vehicle was a 5-door SE with carpeted floor mats & cargo mat ($180), and a navigation system ($899). Opting for the Yaris SE adds projector beam headlights, foglights, rear spoiler, and 16-inch diameter alloy wheels. Including the $825 delivery fee, the total added up to $18,724.
As with most subcompacts, powertrain choices are limited. All Yaris models are powered by a 1.5L inline-4. Double overhead cams, 16 valves and variable valve-timing (VVT-i) yield 106-bhp @ 6,000 RPM and 103 lb.-ft. @ 4,200 RPM. A standard 5-speed manual gearbox or an optional 4-speed automatic route power to the front wheels. The manual transmission is rated at 30/37 MPG (city/hwy.) Opting for the automatic drops highway fuel economy by one mile per gallon, but the city rating remains the same.
The typical MacPherson struts, coil springs and stabilizer comprise the front suspension. At the rear are also MacPherson struts, coil springs, and torsion beam rear axle. The rack-and-pinion steering has electrical assist with 2.65 turns lock-to-lock. Power-assisted ventilated discs are at all four wheels for the Yaris SE; other models get drum rear brakes. ABS is standard. The Yaris SE is equipped with 16-inch diameter alloy wheels and P195/50VR16 Bridgestone Turanza EL400 all-season tires. Base models have smaller 15-inch diameter steel wheels and P175/65HR15 tires. Curb weight is only 2,315 lbs. for the manual transmission-equipped Yaris and 2,335 lbs. with the automatic
Toyota budgeted carefully with materials for the Yaris interior. Build quality and panel gaps are comparable to other subcompacts, but most surfaces are covered in hard plastics. Notable exceptions include the padded dash, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob (Yaris SE only). Audio controls are integrated on the steering wheel spoke. Gauges consist of large center-mounted speedometer flanked by a smaller tachometer and fuel gauge. Instead of a coolant temperature gauge, a blue LED lights up when the engine is cold. The touchscreen Pioneer infotainment system includes 6-speakers and navigation. A USB and auxiliary audio input support USB drives and MP3 players. Large rotary knobs for the air conditioning system are laid out for ease of use. A couple of small cubbyholes above the glove box can store small objects. Dual front cupholders are accompanied by a single rear cupholder on the center console. A center armrest would increase driver comfort, but is a notable omission.
Entry level cars are often saddled with subpar seats, but the Yaris is an exception. The cloth upholstered front seats offer decent comfort and lateral support. The driver's seat adjusts fore/aft, rake and height. Without a sunroof, the Yaris provides ample headroom for front seat passengers up to 6 ft. tall. Occupants in the rear also benefit from decent headroom and reasonable legroom. Rear seat comfort is also above average for two passengers, although a third passenger will feel predictably cramped. The rear 60/40 split seatbacks fold down nearly flat, expanding cargo capacity beyond the 15.6 cu. ft. available with the seats upright. Total interior volume is 85.1 cu. ft.
A sporty Yaris is unexpected, but when equipped with the 5-speed manual, this Toyota is actually an enjoyable drive. The 1.6L inline-4 is not especially powerful, nor does it boast exceptional torque, yet it revs to redline without fuss, although not as quickly as we expected for a small displacement four. The 5-speed gearbox has a significant gap between 2nd and 3rd gear ratios, which often requires revving up to 4,200 RPM torque peak to maintain forward progress. Both fourth and fifth gear are overdrive ratios to maximize fuel economy, so extracting better acceleration requires higher revs. Fortunately, the Yaris is blessed with a light-effort gearbox and progressive clutch actuation, so downshifting into fourth or third gear for passing isn't a chore.
Toyota tuned the Yaris suspension for mild understeer at typical cornering speeds. The electrically-assisted rack-and-pinion system accurately conveys road surface textures. After initial turn-in, moderate body roll clearly indicates that the spring and damper tuning is biased towards a comfortable ride. The Bridgestone Turanzas aren't especially sticky, so modest cornering capability is expected. Mid-corner bumps upset the torsion beam rear axle, sometimes resulting in mild oversteer. The all disc brakes effectively bleed off speed, but the soft springs contribute to significant suspension dive along with squat under acceleration. Decent brake pedal feel and progressive actuation are a nice bonus.
Cruising on the highway, wind noise and tire noise are most dominant, especially on concrete surfaced roads. In fifth gear, the tall overdrive ratio keeps the engine relatively muted. Despite its boxy profile and short wheelbase, the Yaris is reasonably stable at speed, at least on properly maintained road surfaces. Pitted roads can unsettle the torsion beam rear axle, requiring some minor steering corrections. For long road trips, we suspect that most customers will prefer the Corolla or similar compact sedan.
The Yaris has evolved from basic transportation into a solid subcompact, and is actually entertaining to drive within its modest limits. Unfortunately, the Yaris SE is priced near the larger Corolla, Civic and Focus, making it difficult to recommend. The less expensive Yaris LE is probably the best value in the model range, giving up only a few features exclusive to the SE. We think that customers living in parking-challenged cities may find the compact and maneuverable Yaris an appealing option worth considering.
