2020 Toyota Yaris Expert Review
Reviewed by Staff Writer
The Yaris is Toyota's entry-level subcompact car slotting below the Corolla. On sale in North America since the mid-2000s, the U.S.-spec Yaris has become a Mazda2-based vehicle in its current generation. Like its predecessor, the current Toyota Yaris is available in two body styles, a sedan and four-door hatchback.
What's New
- A hatchback body style joins the lineup on the LE and XLE trims
- Sedan models get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard across the lineup
What We Think
We tested the Toyota Yaris sedan when it was still known as the Scion iA and found that it's an easy car to drive every day. In that 2016 First Test, we also found it quiet and nimble, the latter of which is a byproduct of the vehicle weighing under 2,500 pounds. However, with passengers and cargo or going uphill, the little 1.5-liter struggles to get moving and requires a kick down or a couple downshifts in the case of the manual transmission. For a sub-$20,000 vehicle, the Toyota Yaris' interior is surprisingly well built and has contrast stitching to break up the black interior.
Performance and Fuel Economy
The 2020 Toyota Yaris comes exclusively with a 1.5-liter I-4 with 106 hp and 103 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual comes standard while a six-speed automatic is optional. Hatchback models come exclusively with the automatic. The 2020 Yaris is EPA-rated with 30/39 mpg city/highway while the automatic is more efficient with 32/40 mpg.
Safety
The NHTSA gave the 2020 Toyota Yaris received a five-star rating from the NHTSA (out of five stars).
In IIHS testing, the 2020 Yaris sedan got a Good rating on all crashworthiness categories for which it's been evaluated (Good is the highest rating). Both the sedan and hatchback received a Poor headlight rating when equipped with its base halogen headlights. In the front crash prevention test, the 2020 Yaris got an Advanced rating for avoiding a 12-mph collision but not reducing the car's speed at all in a 25 mph test (Superior is the highest rating). Automatic emergency braking is standard on the 2020 Toyota Yaris.
Utility (Cargo Space and Interior Room)
The 2020 Toyota Yaris sedan has a 13.4-cubic-foot trunk. Hatchback models offer 15.8 cubic feet of space. Both models come standard with 60/40 split-folding rear seats. Hatchback models have slightly more rear seat headroom at 37.2 inches versus that sedan's 36.8 inches. Both body styles have 38.2 inches of front seat headroom.
Technology
The 2020 Toyota Yaris comes standard with a 7.0-inch touchscreen that can display Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A six-speaker audio system and two USB ports are standard.
Trim Levels (Interior and Exterior Options)
The 2020 Toyota Yaris is available in three grades for the sedan and two for the hatchback.
2020 Toyota Yaris L: The base Yaris L comes standard with LED daytime running lights, 15-inch steel wheels, keyless entry/start, Bluetooth, and a knob controller for the multimedia system.
2020 Toyota Yaris LE: Moving up to the LE adds 16-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, and fog lights. The LE serves as the hatch's base trim.
2020 Toyota Yaris XLE: Range-topping XLE models get leatherette upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic climate control, rain-sensing wipers, and LED headlights.
Built-in navigation is available as an accessory
Key Competitors
- Hyundai Accent
- Kia Rio
- Nissan Versa
- Honda Fit
