The 2019 Toyota Yaris sedan offers a healthy amount of safety and infotainment technology for a subcompact car. Even so, most buyers will choose the Yaris for its core attributes: high efficiency and low price of entry.
What's New for 2019
The biggest news here is that Toyota has discontinued the Yaris Liftback in the US, allowing the Yaris name to be re-purposed for the Yaris Sedan (previously called the Yaris iA). This year, a new XLE sits at the top of the lineup, joining the previously available L and LE grades. All models receive a more aggressive grille treatment.
Choosing Your Toyota Yaris Sedan
The Yaris carries a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 106 horsepower and 103 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels. This motor is paired to a six-speed manual transmission as standard, but a six-speed automatic is available for $1,100 on L and LE models and standard on the XLE.
The Yaris with the manual transmission earns an EPA-estimated 30 miles per gallon city, 39 mpg highway, and 34 combined. With the automatic, fuel economy improves to 32/40/35 mpg (city/highway/combined).
The trunk holds 13.9 cubic feet, which is actually quite good for a sedan of this size. There are no factory options for the Yaris, but navigation is available as a dealer-installed accessory for $399.
The Yaris is offered in three trim levels:
Purists who insist on a manual transmission will have to settle for the 2019 Toyota Yaris L or LE, which isn't a bad thing considering their level of equipment for the price. Buyers who want the automatic should advance to at least the LE for the upgraded features the grade brings. The XLE might test the boundaries of what buyers are willing to pay for an economy car, but it's clearly the plushest Yaris ever offered.