2009 Toyota Yaris YRS Review
5 Nov, 2008
43 Comments 
2009 Toyota Yaris YRS Review and Road Test
Yaris loves big city life
Model Tested:
- 2009 Toyota Yaris YRS five-door hatch, 1.5-litre, five-speed manual – $17,990 (RRP)
Options:
- Safety Pack $750 (fitted); Metallic Paint $300
Economical, Safe, Built for City Driving, Price
Instrumentation Position, Clutch Feel, Boot Space
CarAdvice Rating: 
- by Rose Harris
In the current economical climate where every dollar is being watched like a hawk, a new car purchase can unfortunately see safety take a backseat to price. However, Toyota have managed to combine a four-star ANCAP safety rating with an affordable price tag in the new Yaris range to bring the much loved favourite to the top of the table in the light hatch stakes.
The Yaris YRS five-door hatchback was built for city living. Its economical fuel consumption and operating costs combined with the compact nature of its design makes it the perfect vehicle for the daily work commute, the uni student or budget conscious couple.
The safety features include anti-skid brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, Toyota’s impact-absorbing Safe-T-Cell, front SRS airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners as standard.
Add on the optional Safety Pack and the Yaris provides even more peace of mind with front-seat side and full length curtain airbags. With its four-star rating, the Yaris is a leader its segment, doubling the score of some of its nearest rivals.
However, when it comes to family living you may as well forget about it. I attempted to use the Yaris as a dedicated daily vehicle for my family (two adults and two kids) and found it too be a bit of a squeeze.
While the back seat comfortably accommodates two child seats, jamming a standard three-wheel pram in to the boot is only just possible after removing the pram wheels and taking out the boot floor panel so the pram is sitting directly on the spare tyre.
And you wanted to actually bring the groceries home? No way. The Yaris was obviously not built to accommodate the cargo load that comes with transporting a family. That said, if rear passengers aren’t a consideration, the 60:40 split fold rear seats can be slid forward to make more boot space or folded down to further enhance the cargo area.
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November 5th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Looks better than before but I sill think this is one of the last superminis I would ever consider. There are just so many other better value better looking better to drive superminis out there now. I’d certainly rather a Mazda 2.
Vote:November 5th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
The Yaris is 5 star rated not 4 stars !!
Vote:November 5th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Whoa McKenzie, get your facts right. ANCAP awards the Yaris 4 stars, for 2 reasons – no VSC and optional side/curtain/knee bags. You might be referring to Europe models, where all the bags and VSC are standard.
Anyways, Mazda2 is the class leader in this segment now, as stability is available as an option.
Vote:November 5th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
McKenzie,
The results clearly state ANCAP rating, as follows:
ANCAP – Four Stars
Vote:November 5th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
My mistake, it is 4 stars … sorry
Vote:November 5th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
5 stars Europe, 4 stars Australia.
Vote:November 5th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
The shape of the car is atrocious it looks like a fat insect.The interior looks like it came out of a childrens’ toy pedal car.
Vote:The overriding factors that I can think of as to why people would buy this car is the price and that it tends to appeal to young women,in other words,it’s a “girls” car.
The only redeeming feature on this Yaris is ……the paint colour!
November 5th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Alright car considering, but that interior is truly horrible. Toyota has a thing for nasty interiors. The Starlet before it is testament to that.
Vote:It would be interesting to know if Toyota still has shortage problems with these. Girlfriend went to buy one in Feb, but there was a 3 month wait on them (for the full safety pack I think), bought a Swift instead.
November 5th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
The Swift interior isn’t much better. There has never been a shortage problem with Yaris. If you want the safety pack, it’s a factory order, hence the 3 month wait.
Vote:November 5th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Another bland average car from the kings of boring cars…Toyota. You would have to be desperate to but one of these when there is plenty of way better cars in this class……….Ford Fiesta and Mazda2 are a couple of standouts in this class. Geez……..Toyota make some very ugly cars and this is one of them !!!
Vote:November 5th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
looked at these when buying a small car but got a swift instead. much better buy
Vote:November 5th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Can’t possibly fathem who would buy one of these… well actually i can, someone looking for cheap problem free motoring.
I would honestly feel like i have just bought my way into years of torturous driving if i just took delivery of one of these things.
Vote:November 5th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
While i’m sure the yaris is sufficient for the average buyer out there, if they bother to look a little harder you can get alot better. Whether it is a Getz (which is cheaper and has ESP) for the budget conscious or the mazda 2 for a good all rounder, the yaris is off the pace. I see a very mild update has been brought out, small grille change etc. seems to be all it has going for it.
When ford launches its new fiesta early next year it will be another nail in this pretty mediocre car. It ain’t cheap either, because you actually have to spend nearly $17k to get the 1.5 engine in this review, its 1.3 for the base car and it is pretty damn slow. A Fiesta has a 1.6 in the manual models at least that outpowers the 1.5 and you can get that for less than $16k. I would urge anyone out there thinking of buying a yaris to look elsewhere IMO.
Vote:November 5th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
I have to agree with most of the other posters here. Why would anyone buy one of these little heaps. If you’re after reliabilty only, since when are cars like Mazda2’s, Swift’s & Fiesta’s supposed to be unreliable. And these other cars run rings around the Yaris in almost every other area.I just can’t believe they sell these in the numbers that they do! They’re not even made in Japan any longer. Go figure!!
Vote:November 5th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
I bought a yaris for my partner and in the last 12 months nothing has fallen off, no engine nor suspension problem. i would say the interior design is very functional with all the compartments to put stuff in and I believe this is the only small car that has got adjustable rear seats ie moving it back and forward.
after all Toyota builds cars that are practical and bit of aftermarket bling and wheels can spice up any dish.. :)
Vote:November 5th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Joe Says:
November 5th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
“I just can’t believe they sell these in the numbers that they do! They’re not even made in Japan any longer. Go figure!!”
Huh? The Yaris is still built in Japan (ones for Australia anyway).
Vote:November 5th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
You’d hope that they would come from Japan, for the price they are charging, $15,190 for a 3-dr 1.3, rip-off. The update looks bloated at the front too.
Vote:November 5th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
In response to Coconut,
what is the point of moving the seats back and forward??
i assume you mean sliding them back and forward???
is this incase the leg room isnt tight enough for you as is???
Vote:November 5th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
^^^
Vote:to follow up,
how much cargo space can you grow, and how hard it it for your passengers to travel with out leg room??
November 5th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Overpriced and underspecified. Toyota has this perception of boring but reliable and expect buyers to pay a premium for it.
The review says the Yaris is “Safe” but the extra airbags are optional (and very few people buying a budget car would pay extra for those) and ESP is unavailable.
I wouldn’t let my daughter buy one (or a Barina !) and that says it all in my eyes.
Vote:November 5th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
WOW, its got a ’safe ‘t’ cell. The mazda2 has ‘triple h’ safety zone and is a more fun (and better) to drive AND looks better, the 2 is the class leader in every way except advertising budget… enough said!
Vote:November 5th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Yukis.LOL
Vote:November 5th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
I rented a Yaris for a week, a 1.3 manual when interstate. I owned a 2.0 Manual Focus at the time to put my next few words in to perspective. The Yaris was the worst car I have ever had to drive. The lack of low down torque meant that all economy was left behind every time I have to keep up with the traffic, resting within 1,000rpm of the redline most of the time to extract the little killerwasps that just didn’t want to be extracted. It felt very light on its feet when driven and that wasn’t helped by the extremely light doors that acted like sails every time you opened them ina breeze. The overall feeling was of a very small feeling, light, tinny car that despite its perceived featherweight, still lacked any useable torque, even as a manual.
Interior plastics felt and looked cheap. Whilst they might have been packed together tightly, so are Pamela Anderson’s assets in a tight dress. In the end she’s still cheap and ugly, despite the expensive build quality, just like a Yaris. The exterior is up to individual opinion but any car with few redeeming features anywhere else can’t be saved even if it looks like it was penned by Ian Callum – which a Yaris most certainly is not!
It was a car I really wanted to find merit in, given how popular they are, but I honestly just couldn’t find much at all to like. In fact the only thing I did like was returning it. Just horrible. I’ve driven far better small cars, most of European origin. Perhaps I just don’t have the taste for Japanese superminis, give me any Fiesta, Pug 206 or even a Belgian Barina anyday over a new Yaris.
Vote:November 5th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Whats the difference between the YRS and YRX?
Vote:November 5th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Bob, I agree with you. And to add to this, I had a pretty scary experience with a Starlet I used to drive.
Going home on a hot day with the A/C on, I came up a hill and had to brake because some idot cut me off. When I put the accelerator down, the next I know, I had no power at all despite the fact the engine was running. I even put the pedal to the metal and nothing happened – it just struggled at a snail’s pace. It was only until I got to the top of the hill that the car picked up speed. Luckily the drivers behind me slowed down, if not, I would have been hit from the back at high speed.
Anyway, I drive a Maz3 now. Although I haven’t driven a 2, I think it would be a lot safer car to drive in terms of acceleration, especially up hills.
Vote:November 5th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Bob, please dont denigrate Pam Anderson like that, she’s nowhere near as tacky or cheap as a toyota LOL
Vote:November 5th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Is the ‘killerwasps’ ad the most annoying ad on TV or is it just me?
Vote:November 5th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Sure is.
So is the new Hilux add going on with the unbreakable theme of course. I couldn’t think of any thing worse than driving one of those things around all day.Oh my back.
Vote:November 7th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Given the age of this car relative to the other competitors with fresher designs, it not a bad result. I’d take the Mazda 2 or new Fiesta but the Yaris is better than any of the Korean offerings.
Vote:November 7th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Its a fine small car period.
I would rather spend money on the Mazda 2 as its slightly cheaper.
But with discounts anyways, I would probably end up getting this over the Mazda.
Fiesta?…. err..
And its just funny how some are bagging on its performance…. lol, completely over your head…. its designed for people who wants a reliable, cheap to run car…. and yes styling is obviously biased towards females….. as the majority of its market is well…. females, young females too.
It is overpriced… no doubt, but thats because Toyota Australia can charge that much and not really affect sales negatively…. the benefits of a well built vehicle, and reputation (obviously).
but the people bagging on its performance, looks etc… just absolutely dont get it… its not for you… but for the intended market… they like it.
Vote:November 7th, 2008 at 11:34 am
The Yaris like most but not all BIGT products is underdone and over priced.
Mind you the haonda Jizz is even worse value.
For mine, just $1k more you can buy a larger, better equipped and more powerful Hyundai i30, really liking that vehicle, never thought it would take the Corolla of my wish-list
Cheers
F-0
Vote:November 9th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
I had an echo and loved it so much I now have a 1.3 Yaris I find it really versatile and it had more than enough power I stick to the speed limits and its fine. The manual gear box is nice and responsive the steering is direct, all the dash controls are in the right place, it has a nice rev counter and digital odometer. The small space at the back can be used for comfy seating or extra luggage, there are cup holders galore and a good stereo also three glove boxes, It has a full size spare tyre which i think is wonderful. It is wonderful on petrol/environment has a good safety rating , it is everything i could want in a small car but heh what would i know,I am a chick and the Yaris was built for ..well..ummm..chicks
Vote:November 10th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
What is it about blogs that promote such maladjusted and missinformed diatribe? Do you people read the tripe you write? The Yaris is the best selling car in its class as it’s clearly head and shoulders above all else in a hotly contested market sector. Period. The people who buy them are not fools, they’ve done their research and purchased on merit. Unlike the majority of fools writing the above comments. Grow up and look at things objectively.
Vote:November 11th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
I totally agree with Jode & Listek. I have owned many cars, including a 240Z, V6 & V8 Commodores and lots more. I bought a new Yaris YR 3 door in 06 to do a daily 3 hour mostly highway commute. Also did some 6 hour country trips in it as well. 28000km in 6 months and not one problem. Heaps of room, fun to drive, good stereo & it cruised easily at 140+ kph. Brilliant car. My brother who is a Motor Mechanic by trade agrees – After driving mine, he bought a Yaris Sedan. 60000 kms without a problem. They even have a camchain and not a timing belt. Highly recommended.
Vote:November 11th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Perhaps you haven’t had a problem but I certainly wouldn’t want to be in one if you have a accident.
Mark – do you really think you are safe driving at 140km/h in a light tin can ? You don’t value your life at all…
Listek – are you really that silly to think that because something sells the most, it is the best ? – you are seriously deluded…
It is a good car – for grannys going down the bowling club or driving around town at low speed. Nothing else.
Vote:November 15th, 2008 at 1:38 am
I think many of the criticisms of the Yaris mentioned in the previous posts are not warranted and are mostly coming from people who never even driven one. The missus has one and I end up driving it once or twice a week.
Vote:To be honest, I wouldn’t be getting such a small car but it’s her car, her choice. I’m used to sports motorcycles, wagons and AWDs. Still, I must admit, the yaris is not a bad little runabout.
We have the YRS auto which has no problem keeping up with traffic. It actually has a reasonably solid feel and the doors close with a satisfying thud. I tried out a few small cars and with my 6′2″, I just couldn’t find a comfortable position in most, no matter what adjutments I tried. The Swift for example just didn’t feel right. The Yaris had angle and TELESCOPIC adjustment for the steering wheel, which made the trick. As nice as the Mazda3 is, the Mazda2 just feels like a tiny car while the Yaris feels more substantial than what it realy is – in a nice sort of way. The looks? Nothing special but it’s not too bad, either. It’s a matter of what floats your boat.
Inside, controls just fall into the hands. Everything felt natural after just a couple of drives. (In contrast, after 5 years of driving it, I still have to hunt around for the controls on my Freelander.)
Suspension and road holding is not bad. It does start to show its limits above 100kmph but around town, it’s just fine. Steering is too light and braking is a bit spongy but they both do the job well enough. If there is one design flow, its the accelerator. It’s just WAY too sensitive in the first few mm of travel. What were they thinking of??! Again, it’s something that you can get used to after a few drives.
Overall, if you look at individual aspects, the Yaris is not best at anything (except maybe resale value). You’ll find something with larger boot space, better steering more powerful engine etc. Those other cars however, will also have some serious flaws, while the Yaris is consistently either very good or at least competent. If my earlier Camry is any guide, Toyotas are reliable, too.
If you take the new price into account, I think it offers better value than the competition.
If you want a versatile, comfortable little car, you should try it out, yourself. If you have a single-minded requirement for just one thing, like maximum storage space, by all means, it’s worth looking elsewhere.
November 15th, 2008 at 1:56 am
BTW, just because grannies, young chicks or gays drive the Yaris and you are none of the above, it doesn’t make the car any worse (or better), by itself.
Vote:Sure, you wouldn’t be doing doughnuts in the Yaris, but if you are keen on sporty performance, why would you even consider the Yaris, anyway?? If you want Volvo level safety, by a Vol… err, buy a Merc. The point is that when taking the price into account, the Yaris is an OK car. Perhaps, it’s not for everybody but no car is and most people could live with one. Just don’t be a wood duck and pay RRP at the dealer!!
December 13th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
if the oil prices were to go up today all the male egos would go down the drain. people dont buy cars like yaris because its a mans car or a girls car. its cheap gets the job done and is certainly more reliable than a commodore or a falcon. its not a fun cars to drive if your looking for high Kw’s and pin sharp conering but if you want to save a lot of money than yaris like the mazda 2 and the swift are the way to go.
Vote:March 17th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
I recently bought a base model 3door 1.3ltr yaris. I own a security company and we have a regular nightly patrol run, the yaris has just completed 30,000kms (does 220kms each night.) So far it has been a trouble free very cheap to run reliable vehicle. I did a lot of homework before the yaris was considered and toyotas reliability stood out above the rest. It may not be fast and sporty but it does what i expect it to do and that makes it a winner to me.
Vote:March 17th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
It’s Boot space is so tiny that it is almost useless…If you guys want practicality do not buy Yaris
Vote:April 25th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
I have a 2006 Yaris. No it isnt fancy but what a fantastic car. All depends what you are into. We have to travel nearly 2 kms on a dirt road and it handles it so well – nothing rattles or has fallen off – love the centre digital display, the steering wheel music controls and very good air conditioning. I have an auto and it goes along really well. I test drove the Honda, Getz, Mazda and Kia and this was by far the better car. Yes, it would be nice if there was more boot space and it is not a family car – nice if the interior was more expensive looking – but really to get from A to B you cant go wrong.
Vote:May 17th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
way to many around. swift sport much better…looks and drive.
Vote:June 30th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Im really confused now. Ive just read the list if comments above..i was really keen on buying a yaris( just an hour ago ive been calling all the toyota dealers) but nw i seen to be leaning towards the mazda 2 or a honda fit possibly?
Vote: