Item: 2020 Toyota Yaris
Rating: 2.6
Author: Willis Kuelthau

Overview

What's New

The 2020 Toyota Yaris lineup gains a hatchback model to complement the carryover sedan. Unlike the previous Yaris hatchback (last offered in 2018), the new model is built on the same platform as the sedan and shares its styling and equipment.

Choosing Your Toyota Yaris

The Toyota Yaris comes in three trim levels: L, LE, XLE. However, the hatchback is only offered in LE and XLE trims. Pricing starts at $16,605 including destination for the L and climbs to $19,705 for the XLE.

Engine Choices

The sole engine for the Yaris is a 1.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 106 horsepower and 103 pound-feet of torque. The L and LE sedan come standard with a six-speed manual transmission, but a six-speed automatic is available for $1,100. The LE hatchback and both XLE models get the automatic as standard.

With the manual transmission, the Yaris is EPA-rated at 30 miles per gallon city, 39 mpg highway, and 34 combined. The automatic raises fuel economy to 32/40/35 mpg (city/highway/combined).

Passenger and Cargo Capacity

The Toyota Yaris can hold up to five, but the folks are back will likely feel squished. The rear seat is best reserved for children and the occasional adult.

Cargo space is very healthy for a car of this size. The sedan's truck measures 13.49 cubic feet, and the hatchback can handle up to 15.86 cubic feet. Both have split-folding rear seats for additional space.

Safety Features

Due to its low price, the Yaris doesn't carry the same level of safety technology as other Toyota models. Even so, every Yaris gets low-speed automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning,

Connectivity

The Yaris carries a full-feature infotainment system with a 7-inch touschscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility HD radio, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and two USB ports.

Navigation hardware is included, but the system requires an SD card to operate, available for purchase at Toyota dealers.

L - From $16,605

The L sedan provides all the basics, including power windows and locks, keyless entry, cruise control, and air conditioning. There's fabric seats, a six-way manually-adjustable driver seat, and a four-way manual passenger seat. The L rolls on 15-inch steel wheels.

LE - From $17,605

The Yaris LE adds push button start, fog lights, 16-inch alloy wheels, and heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals. The automatic remains optional on the LE sedan, and comes standard on the LE hatchback.

XLE - From $19,705

The XLE features a leatherette interior with automatic climate control and genuine leather trim on the steering wheel. Buyers also get LED headlights and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

Compare Yaris Trims Side-By-Side

CarsDirect Tip

Safety and infotainment features are identical throughout the 2020 Toyota Yaris lineup, which makes the L sedan a bargain if you can live with the manual transmission. Otherwise, you'll get a bit more for your money with a model where the automatic is standard.

John Diether

Automotive Editor - November 04, 2019

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Expert Review

Pros

Cheap and cheerful
Mazda suspension
Modern infotainment

Cons

Still not fast
Still not particularly attractive
No manual transmission on hatchback

Expert Rating

2.6

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Willis Kuelthau

Automotive Editor - January 20, 2020

Toyota badge, Mazda bones. The 2020 Toyota Yaris may wear the ovals on its grille, but it’s a Mazda underneath. The Yaris shares its structure with the Mazda Mazda2 in both hatchback and sedan form.

That’s not a bad thing. The old Yaris, which began its life as the Scion iA, looked worse and didn’t drive as well. The new one is a different story.

With Mazda’s verve for economy cars, the updated Yaris is surprisingly fun. A willing suspension complements hefty steering for one of the better sport sedans $17,000 can buy. The ride is firm, but it handles rough pavement with relative composure.

Fun, but not fast. The driver in a Yaris may be having fun, but they won’t be winning many drag races. There’s only one engine (also sourced from Mazda), a 1.5-liter four-cylinder unit producing 106 horsepower.

That’s not quite as bad as it seems, given the Yaris’s puny, 2,400-pound weight. Even so, acceleration is humble, with either the manual or automatic transmission.

On the other hand, lightness and a small engine make for excellent fuel economy. The Yaris gets an EPA-estimated 35 miles per gallon combined with the automatic (and 40 mpg highway). That’s on par with rivals like the Nissan Versa and Honda Fit, but it’s good by any other standard.

Modern, finally. For 2020, the Yaris finally gains Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. That helps bring the infotainment system into this decade, with a 7-inch touchscreen decorating the dashboard.

The addition completes the Yaris package, as it already excelled in safety tech. Active safety features are somewhat unusual on subcompact cars, but the Yaris gets low-speed automatic emergency braking included on every model.

The Yaris also does well on crash-test scores for a subcompact. If safety is a priority, it remains among the better small cars on the market.

Toyota Yaris

Small, for better or for worse. The Yaris’s diminutive price tag is matched by its pint-sized proportions. There are three seat belts in the back, but squeezing three adults back there is a challenge. Four passengers is manageable, at least for short journeys.

Cargo capacity is similarly minimal, with just 13.5 cubic feet behind the seats in the sedan. The hatch does better with 15.9 cubic feet, but neither can match the Fit.

The upside is that the Yaris remains affordable and approachable. With the new infotainment system, the feature set isn’t too spartan for most tastes.

Final thoughts. Subcompact cars remain the domain of simplicity and value. We’re relieved to see that they can still be fun, too, with the 2020 Toyota Yaris being a good example of that.

The Yaris’s Mazda suspension is a blessing, and it joins Toyota’s excellent safety reputation. The Fit is a stiff competitor, but now that the hatchback has rejoined the lineup, the Yaris ought to be on the list for economy-car shoppers.

Check prices for the 2020 Toyota Yaris »

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Specs & Features

Highlights

Overall Crash Safety Rating

Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque

1.5L I-4 / 106 HP / 103 ft.lbs.

Transmission

Standard: 6-spd man w/OD

Available: 6-spd sequential shift control auto w/OD

Drive Type

Front-wheel

Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined

30 / 39 / 34 Mpg

Passenger Capacity

Bumper to Bumper Warranty

36 Months / 36,000 Miles

Mechanical Specs

Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque	1.5L I-4 / 106 HP / 103 ft.lbs.
Drive Type	Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined	30 / 39 / 34 Mpg
Brakes	Front Disc/rear Drum
Front Suspension	Strut
Rear Suspension	Semi-independent Torsion Beam Beam
Spare Tire And Wheel	Compact Steel
Fuel Tank	11.6 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type	Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank	$44

Dimensions & Capabilities

Maximum Cargo Volume	13.5 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume	86 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length	171.2 "
Exterior Width	66.7 "
Exterior Height	58.5 "
Front Headroom	38.2 "
Rear Headroom	36.8 "
Front Legroom	41.9 "
Rear Legroom	34.4 "
Front Shoulder Room	53.2 "
Rear Shoulder Room	50.0 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight	2,385 Lbs. / 2,432 Lbs.
Wheel Base	101 "
Turning Radius	15.4 '

Exterior Features

Door Count	4 Doors
Wheels	15.0 " Steel
Paint	Clearcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors	Dual Power Remote
Bumpers	Body-colored
Grille Moldings	Black W/chrome Surround
Rear Spoiler
Exhaust	Stainless Steel With Chrome Tailpipe Finish

Interior Features

Seating

Passenger Capacity	5
Seat Trim	Cloth
Front Seat Type	Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls	6-way
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls	4-way
Front Armrests	6-way
Rear Armrests
Rear Seats	60-40 Bench

Radio & Infotainment

Radio	Siriusxm Am/fm/hd/satellite, Seek-scan
Speakers	6
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity

Convenience Features

Steering Wheel Type	Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Cruise Control	With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror	Day-night
One Touch Open Window	Driver
Tinted Windows	Light
Vanity Mirrors	Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry	Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets	1

Safety Features

Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags	Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags	Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag	Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners	Front
Anti-Lock Brakes	4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning	Pre-collision System (pcs) Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable	Immobilizer

Warranty

Bumper To Bumper Months Miles	36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Major Components Months	60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months	24 Months / 25,000 Miles
Roadside Assistance Months	24 Months / Unlimited Miles
Corrosion Perforation	60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months	36 Months / 36,000 Miles

Used 2020 Toyota Yaris for Sale