Subcompact car shoppers looking for a stylish, fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive new car will find it with the 2018 Toyota Yaris iA. The Toyota Yaris iA is a collaborative vehicle that combines Mazda creative design, manufacturing, and intelligent, under-the-hood engineering with Toyota’s safety and technology features to create an attractive and affordable subcompact. While it’s only available in one trim level, and acceleration is less than stellar, this is a good car for the first-time buyer, students, or those with longer commutes with fuel economy without the hybrid hassles.
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What you must know before buying the Toyota Yaris iA- 2018 Yaris iA due for a name change
- Rebates: $1,500 rebate
- Finance: 0.9% APR for 60 months
- Lease: From $239/mo. (San Francisco)
Name change is coming:
The 2018 Toyota Yaris iA is available and easier to find than the standard Yaris hatchback. The "iA" suffix is one of the last relics of the Scion era, but it will disappear in 2019 when the car becomes the Yaris Sedan.
Despite the name change, this sedan will carry on with the same look and feel as the Yaris iA. The only change will be a set of new trim levels and optional leather upholstery.
Toyota's deals are regional and expire October 31, 2018. All deals referenced here assume a Southern California location.
Cash rebate:
The 2018 Yaris iA's rebate sits at $1,500 in October.
Finance from 0.9 percent APR:
Toyota continues to offer two APR deals on the 2018 Yaris iA: 0.9 percent for up to 60 months and 1.9 percent for up to 72 months.
Remember, you cannot combine these low APR offers with the $1,500 cash rebate, so choose which situation fits you better: cash back or low APR financing.
Lease from $239 per month:
Though there are no advertised lease deals in Los Angeles, there is one in San Francisco.
This 36-month lease deal runs $239 per month with $1,999 due at signing. This amounts to a $295 effective monthly cost, which makes it a terrible value for its $17,945 MSRP.
Name change is coming:
The 2018 Toyota Yaris iA is available and easier to find than the standard Yaris hatchback. The "iA" suffix is one of the last relics of the Scion era, but it will disappear in 2019 when the car becomes the Yaris Sedan.
Despite the name change, this sedan will carry on with the same look and feel as the Yaris iA. The only change will be a set of new trim levels and optional leather upholstery.
Toyota's deals are regional and expire October 31, 2018. All deals referenced here assume a Southern California location.
Cash rebate:
The 2018 Yaris iA's rebate sits at $1,500 in October.
Finance from 0.9 percent APR:
Toyota continues to offer two APR deals on the 2018 Yaris iA: 0.9 percent for up to 60 months and 1.9 percent for up to 72 months.
Remember, you cannot combine these low APR offers with the $1,500 cash rebate, so choose which situation fits you better: cash back or low APR financing.
Lease from $239 per month:
Though there are no advertised lease deals in Los Angeles, there is one in San Francisco.
This 36-month lease deal runs $239 per month with $1,999 due at signing. This amounts to a $295 effective monthly cost, which makes it a terrible value for its $17,945 MSRP.
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2018 Toyota Yaris iA Overview
Tim Charlet, Automotive EditorWhat's New for 2018
The 2018 Toyota Yaris iA enters the new sales year unchanged. The manufacturers suggested retail price begins at $16,845 (with an $895 destination charge). It’s available in seven-exterior color options but only one interior color pattern is available. While the EPA has not yet released it’s mileage estimation for the 2018 Yaris iA, the 2017 edition received an EPA-estimate of 32 miles per gallon city, and 40 mpg highway.
Choosing Your Toyota Yaris iA
For car shoppers who like making easy decisions, the Toyota Yaris iA is tailor-made. Toyota simplifies the search for the perfect 2018 Yaris iA by offering a single trim. Although there are a number of individual accessories, the hardest deciding factor for consumers will be which color is best. The Yaris iA is powered by a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine which produces 106 horsepower and 103 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, while a six-speed automatic kicks the price up $1,100 to $17,495.
The 2018 Yaris iA includes power locks, mirrors and windows, a keyless entry and locking system, and a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. This vehicle also includes standard air conditioning, a rearview camera, low-speed collision warning system with automatic emergency braking. Technology features are rather impressive for an entry-level subcompact.
The 2018 Yaris iA features a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Two-USB ports and accessory ports allow users to connect their iPod or other mobile audio devices to the integrated HD audio system. Bluetooth is standard for handsfree music streaming and phone connectivity, while steering wheel controls for cruise control and audio operation is also standard.
CarsDirect Tip
There's not much to say really. The Yaris iA's lack of options and goodies mean it's a simple car purchase and a smart choice for consumers seeking an off-beat sub-compact that offers a Mazda's driving charm with a Toyota's badge and dealership network.
Our Take: 2018 Toyota Yaris iA
Steve Cypher, Contributing Writer
Three years into its model run, the 2018 Toyota Yaris iA – a Mexican built, re-badged Mazda2 – continues to offer buyers an upscale interior, supple ride, excellent fuel economy, and a charming driving character. But its back seat is on the small side, while the single-spec trim lacks a sunroof and a number of advanced safety features.
Best Value
An orphan from the Scion brand, the Yaris iA's mono-spec heritage means pricing begins at $16,845 for a six-speed manual and ends at $17,945 with a six-speed automatic (both prices include the $895 destination charge).
Those prices are remarkable when you consider a list of standard features that includes air conditioning, push-button start, tilt/telescope steering column, and a rear view camera along with low-speed forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Adding to the mix is an infotainment system consisting of a seven-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth phone and music streaming, two USB ports, and an auxiliary input. Steering wheel audio controls are also standard.
The six-speed manual is a real kick to drive, but realistically most buyers will choose the automatic, which looks like this:
- Model: 2018 Toyota Yaris iA
- Engine: 1.5-liter four-cylinder
- Output: 106 hp / 103 lb-ft
- Transmission: Six-speed automatic
- Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
- MPG: 32 City / 40 Hwy
- Options: None
- Base Price: $17,945 (including an $895 destination fee)
- Best Value Price: $17,945
Performance
Excellent fuel economy, a smooth, high-revving engine, a supple, composed ride, and nicely-weighted steering with excellent feedback vault the iA to the top of its class. This is a fun car to drive everyday, challenging the very best in the segment (the Chevrolet Sonic and Honda Fit). Thanks in part goes to Mazda, which engineered the bones of the Yaris iA as the Mazda2.
But the issues that affect some other Mazdas rear their head here. There's plenty of road, tire, and engine noise at all speeds. The 1.5-liter engine is particularly buzzy, which is a frustrating trait considering its modest power output – there's only 106 hp and 103 lb-ft of torque to deal with 2,400 pounds of sub-compact Asian sedan.
Interior and Exterior
The face is kind of tragic, but the profile and tail of the Yaris iA are less able to hide the handsome Mazda creases. More importantly, the cabin is comfortable, with nicely-bolstered front seats, a seven-inch touchscreen, soft touch surfaces, and elegant styling cues give the interior a class-above look and feel. Again, the Yaris iA's Mazda heritage shines through in the material choices.
But there's no sunroof option and, despite the seatbelt count of three, realistically there's room for just two adults in back. A meager trunk yields just 11 cubic feet of storage, so if you're planning on loading up regularly, the Yaris iA might not be a great choice.
The Best and Worst Things
The Yaris iA's nicely-weighted steering, agile, composed ride, and – when chosen - slick manual transmission make it a standout in its class. This is a genuinely fun car to drive.
But limited cargo space and the absence of some active safety features present on other Toyota products disappoint.
Right For? Wrong For?
A fun-to-drive personality, smooth, controlled ride, room for four in its class-above interior, and decent amount of trunk space make the Yaris iA a top choice for singles.
While a rear view camera and low-speed automatic emergency braking are standard, the iA lacks a number of advanced safety features that are found on most of of Toyota's lineup – that could prove to be a turn-off to many safety-conscious buyers.
The Bottom Line
Despite its unfortunate front styling and limited space, the Yaris iA is among the most entertaining and value-focused entries in this class. It may be an orphan from the now-dead Scion brand, but this sub-compact sedan should have no problem finding a home in plenty of driveways.
