2013 Toyota Yaris

BLUETOOTH
Now standard on all Yaris trims, this system makes it far safer to drive and talk on the phone simultaneously and should be standard on every car.

NINE AIRBAGS
Always a concern when driving a subcompact, the safety issue is addressed by standard airbags protecting the front and rear passengers. Even the driver's knees are covered.

The 2013 Toyota Yaris' interior design is clean and modern but the materials seem rather low-budget, with lots of muted gray and black plastic bits and generic seat fabric. On the plus side, the Yaris' interior is pretty roomy for such a small car, with good headroom front and rear. The hatchback design allows for easy loading of cargo. There is a respectable 15.6 cubic feet of load space behind the rear seats. The 2013 Toyota Yaris includes a nice, thick-grip 3-spoke adjustable steering wheel with a flat bottom to aid entry and exit.

The Toyota Yaris subcompact grew in every dimension except height in its redesign last year, and has a nice, bulldog stance: leaning forward, ready to pick a fight. The short front and rear overhangs and short hood help make maneuvering through tight spots a breeze, as does the expansive greenhouse that provides excellent 360-degree views. The Yaris is the first Toyota vehicle to employ a single-windshield-wiper design, a feature often found on high-end European cars. Base model L and LE cars ride on 15-inch steel wheels with plastic covers, while the sporty SE gets 16-inch alloys.

The 2013 Toyota Yaris 3- and 5-door hatchbacks share the same 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence (VVT-i), producing 106 horsepower. This is enough power to tool around town, but it might feel marginal when passing on a 2-way highway. Transmission choices are a 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic, which are functional enough but not very cutting-edge alongside the 6-speed units offered by others in the class. The Hyundai Accent makes a tough comparison: lots more power (138) as well as better EPA fuel economy (30/40) from a direct-injection engine and 6-speed transmission, all for about the same money.

1.5-liter inline-4
106 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
103 lb-ft of torque @ 4,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 30/38 mpg (manual), 30/35 mpg (automatic)

The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for a base Toyota Yaris 3-door L hatchback with a manual transmission starts just over $15,000, while a 5-door LE with an automatic transmission sells for over $17,000. The SE trim starts just over $17,000 and tops $18,000 with the automatic. The Yaris' main competitor, the Honda Fit, has a starting MSRP closer to $16,000, and includes many of the same features (and a slightly more powerful engine). The Ford Fiesta starts around $14,000, but can get expensive as options are added. To make your best deal, be sure to check the KBB.com Fair Purchase Price, which shows what others in your area are paying. The Yaris is expected to retain a better-than-average resale value over time, higher than the Kia Rio, about even with the Ford Fiesta but a bit below the Honda Fit.

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