2007 Toyota Yaris

Compared to its Echo predecessor, Yaris' body is stiffer and its chassis stronger for much-improved ride and handling. Its newly developed suspension combines a rigid L-arm MacPherson strut front design with rear torsion beams, while a tighter steering ratio helps deliver fairly crisp handling and maneuverability with a class-leading turning radius. A hydroformed rear suspension torsion beam provides adequate anti-roll stabilization, eliminating the need for a separate anti-roll bar.

Safety and Cargo

The Yaris helps protect occupants with a reinforced cabin using front and rear crumple zones, energy-absorbing materials on the roof and doors, height adjustable headrests and three-point seatbelts in all seating positions. The front belts include pretensioners and force limiters. Advanced dual-stage front airbags inflate at a higher or lower speed, depending on collision severity, and a sensor determines whether the front passenger seat is occupied and the occupant's approximate weight to decide whether the airbag should inflate and at what power. Anti-lock brakes (ABS), front-seat side airbags and roll-sensing side curtain airbags are optional.


A convenience package standard on Yaris S and available on base Sedan and Liftback adds AM/FM/CD audio with MP3 and a universal mini-jack port, a rear defogger, 15-inch steel wheels with full wheel covers, the 60/40 folding rear seat (Sedan only) and a rear wiper (Liftback only). A Power Package that groups power locks, windows, and mirrors is available with the Convenience Package. For the Sedan, it also adds upgraded trim with integrated audio, a tachometer, cruise control and ABS. For the Liftback, it adds the 60/40 split rear seat that slides, reclines or folds flat. With the Power Package, buyers can add 15-inch alloy wheels, foglamps, rear spoiler, remote keyless entry, or immobilizer (Sedan only) as stand-alone options.


The Yaris Liftback, Toyota's most affordable vehicle, carries a 2007 base price of just $10,950 with manual transmission and $11,850 with automatic, competitive with Chevy's popular (Korean-built) Aveo and Korean-brand subcompacts Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio. Time will tell how this new entry-level Toyota with the odd name will fare against those and soon-to-come new entries from Honda and Nissan. If reaction of fellow commuters is any indication—people smiled, waved, took second looks, and even invited us to go ahead of them in long lines of traffic—we think the new Toyota Yaris will do very well. (www.toyota.com)