The Toyota Yaris is fine little car, but it’s a bit of a mutt.
Its lineage includes a former Scion and the current Mazda2. Although it’s badged a Toyota, the design and engineering is courtesy of Mazda – which is not a bad thing.
Fast Facts
› Model: Toyota Yaris Sedan XLE› Exterior color: Sapphire› Interior color: Gray› Engine: 1.5-liter, four-cylinder› Horsepower: 106› Transmission: six-speed automatic› Fuel economy: 40 mpg highway, 32 mpg city› Local Dealer: Capital Toyota, Toyota of Cleveland, North Georgia Toyota› Price (as tested): $19,470
Among sub-compacts sedans – think Nissan Versa and Ford Fiesta – the Yaris is a high-content little car, with a surprising number of standard amenities such as a push-button start and a 7-inch infotainment screen. And yes, like all Mazda-inspired vehicles, the touch-screen looks like a piece of toast that has just popped out of a slot in the dash.
We spent a week driving on Chattanooga roads in a top-of-the-line Yaris XLE with automatic transmission. One caution: If you live at altitude please be aware that the 106-horsepower four-cylinder engine in the Yaris will labor a bit to climb Lookout or Signal mountains.