2011 Toyota Yaris Review
2011 Toyota Yaris Review
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Used Yaris for sale
Appraise This CarToyota Yaris model years
Toyota Yaris types
- Sedan
- Hatchback
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Frugal with gas
- comfortable ride
- attractive interior
- hatchback's available multifunction rear seat.
Cons
- Lethargic automatic transmission
- awkward driving position
- poorly placed center gauges.
What’s new
The Toyota Yaris sees only one minor change for 2011: an extension added to the sun visor.
Edmunds says
The 2011 Toyota Yaris has broad appeal thanks to a wide variety of body styles and a reputation for dependability, but it falls short of being our top economy-car choice.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2011 Toyota Yaris 2dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$131/mo for Yaris Base
Yaris Base
vs
$174/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
Just a few years ago, you couldn't buy a small economy car without facing big shortcomings in areas like feature content and refinement. These days, many models offer stylish cabins, agreeable driving dynamics and upscale amenities like Bluetooth and satellite radio. The 2011 Toyota Yaris is a car that's in step with this trend, even though it falls short of leading it.
Budget-car shoppers are looking for a choice that's frugal to operate and easy to live with, and the Yaris delivers on both these fronts. While its 106-horsepower, 1.5-liter engine is no overachiever when it comes to performance, the four-cylinder boasts as much as 32 mpg EPA combined, and this marks the Yaris as a strong candidate for those who prefer inexpensive trips to the gas station. This small car also has a comfortable ride, and once you factor in its attractive interior, wide variety of body styles (the lineup consists of a sedan and two hatchbacks) and Toyota's reputation for reliability, it's easy to see why the Yaris is a worthy pick among economy-car alternatives.
Still, "worthy" isn't quite the same as "class-leading," and there are deficiencies that prevent the Yaris from setting the pace in its class. While acceleration is acceptable with the manual transmission, the car's volume-selling four-speed automatic is a poor match for its unambitious engine, resulting in performance that can feel decidedly sluggish in certain driving situations. Yaris hatchbacks also offer significantly less cargo capacity than some rivals.
With rivals like the 2011 Ford Fiesta, 2011 Honda Fit, 2011 Mazda 2, 2011 Nissan Versa and 2011 Suzuki SX4, the Toyota Yaris runs with a very talented pack. The Ford Fiesta and Mazda 2 are the front runners for drivers seeking the sportiest choice, with the Fiesta also managing to equal (with a manual transmission) and top (with an automatic) the Yaris in combined mileage. Drivers seeking the most utility will appreciate the Fit, along with the SX4 and Versa hatchbacks; the Fit and SX4 offer more than twice the cargo space of Yaris hatchbacks, with the Versa not too far behind. Overall, the Toyota Yaris boasts some sterling attributes, but given its competition, it ends up being lost in the crowd.
Performance & mpg
The front-wheel-drive 2011 Toyota Yaris is powered by a 1.5-liter inline-4 engine with an output of 106 hp and 103 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, with a four-speed automatic available as an option. In an Edmunds test, a Yaris with an automatic transmission took a leisurely 10.7 seconds to reach 60 mph, which is on the slow side relative to the competition. The manual transmission offers just a bit more pep.
The superb fuel economy of the Toyota Yaris is one of its strongest selling points. At an EPA-estimated 29 mpg city/36 mpg highway and 32 mpg combined, the manual-equipped Yaris sips less gas than most of the competition. Opting for the automatic drops these numbers to 29/35/31 mpg.
Safety
Standard safety features include antilock brakes and side curtain airbags, as well as traction and stability control. In government testing, the Yaris sedan scored four out of five stars for frontal- and side-impact protection for all occupants. In frontal crash tests, the three- and five-door hatchbacks scored five stars for driver protection and four stars for passenger protection; side-impact tests netted five stars for front passenger protection and three stars for those in the rear. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Yaris sedan its highest score of "Good" for frontal- and side-impact protection for all occupants.
Driving
On the open road, the 2011 Toyota Yaris feels solid, while in the city, the quick, light-effort steering makes parking-lot maneuvers a breeze. The engine is quiet when driven gingerly, but it can become rather loud and buzzy when pushed harder. Power is adequate for merging and passing on the highway. As a sensible daily commuter car, though, the Yaris should meet the needs of most drivers.
Interior
Both 2011 Toyota Yaris hatchbacks feature cramped rear seats, but the optional slide/recline function adds a bit more comfort to compensate. The sedan measures 18.7 inches longer than the hatchbacks, offering a reasonably spacious cabin for a subcompact. Styling differs slightly between the sedan and the hatchbacks, with the sedan being more sedate.
Every Yaris model features a center-mounted instrument panel. These gauges require a glance away from the road in order to read them, and legibility is further hampered by the fact that the faces are not angled toward the driver. Other negatives include the lack of a telescoping steering wheel and the fact that hatchback models don't offer driver seat height adjustment.
Relative to sedan models, Yaris hatchbacks offer certain advantages when it comes to design and storage capacity. They feature three gloveboxes to the sedan's single bin, and they also receive a chic, narrow center stack.
With the rear seats up, each of the two hatchbacks offers just over 9 cubic feet of luggage space, less than half of what a Fit can hold. Lowering the rear seats reveals 26 cubic feet of cargo room, which is again small for the hatchback class. The sedan offers 12.9 cubic feet of luggage capacity – less than competing sedans like the Ford Focus, Nissan Versa and Suzuki SX4.
2011 Toyota Yaris models
The 2011 Toyota Yaris is a subcompact economy car that is available as a three-door hatchback, five-door hatchback and four-door sedan. Each body style comes in just one trim: base. Standard features include 14-inch steel wheels, intermittent windshield wipers, air-conditioning, four-way-adjustable front seats and a tilt steering wheel. The sedan adds a few items over the hatchbacks, like a tachometer, a height-adjustable driver seat and a remote trunk release. Speakers are pre-wired, but a radio is not offered as standard equipment.
Most options are grouped into progressive packages with only a few stand-alone features available. The Convenience package adds 60/40-split rear seats (slide/recline for the hatchbacks), 15-inch wheels, a rear-window wiper for hatchback models and a CD/MP3 player with auxiliary audio jack and satellite radio. The Power package includes the Convenience package items and tacks on power accessories and keyless entry. The Sport package adds to the Power package with exterior styling enhancements, iPod integration, sport seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. Stand-alone options include foglights and cruise control.
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
4.5 out of 5 stars4.5/5Excellent
#1 out of 27 among Subcompact Cars
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Toyota Yaris from 2008-2022.$281/yr
vs. $416/yr
for Average Subcompact Car
for Average Subcompact Car
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).0.76x/yr
vs. 1.22x/yr
for Average Subcompact Car
for Average Subcompact Car
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).7.2%
vs. 10.1%
for Average Subcompact Car
for Average Subcompact Car
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2011 Toyota Yaris.
5 star(71%)
4 star(18%)
3 star(8%)
2 star(3%)
1 star(0%)
63 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.25 out of 5 stars
Best econo car I've ever driven
balls_mckenzie, 07/29/2013
2010 Toyota Yaris 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 4A)
Lately I've been able to drive my gf's 2010 Yaris sedan auto and I cannot understand why this car ever gets a bad review.
The turning radius is so tight, it's insane.
The room up front is fine, a little tight in the back, but it's a subcompact.
What blew me away most of all is this car's gas mileage.
I've found it to be much better than 32 or 33.
She has had the car for nearly 3 years - … 0 problems.
She still gets free oil changes, spent nothing on the upkeep.
The ride is comfortable, we drove it on trips - no problem and like I said, the mileage is unreal.
I own a '06 Xb with the same exact engine.
100K plus
miles - zero problems.
It's the reliability, that's why people buy it.
5 out of 5 stars
A Great little car with excellent MPG !
Name withheld, 01/02/2019
2010 Toyota Yaris 2dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl 4A)
I had a Mercedes that was crossing over the warranty line (50K) and knew that beautiful, eye catching car was going to start costing money...BIG money. Along came this little gem, with only 12,000 miles and at a steal of a price, so I had to snap it up. I still had the MB at the time, but got rid of it a few months later. The Yaris has been stingy on gas, very solid feeling and driving … and really quite a little champ on the road. About 10 years back I had a Mini Cooper and loved how it just stuck to turns. This car is not a mini Cooper, but it's ok and within 85-90% of those same handling characteristics. Roomy inside and fairly comfortable for what it is. Lots of interior cubby hole storage for knicknacks. It has traction control, which came in handy when we had a violent heavy rainstorm a few months back - I'd recommend you stay in the slow lane when those situations occur. This is a light car and in times of very heavy rain will slip on steep hills. Every car has drawbacks, including this one: 1) Although it has a tilt steering wheel, it does not telescope towards the driver (was fixed on the 2012 model), 2) the 4 speed auto, although bullet proof is just...meh. 3) And lastly, the car could have better noise proofing. But all that washes away every time I fill up the car: Regular gas, and with a 350 mile commute every week, I can do it on a single tank of gas and a monthly budget of @ $160/mo. It's what I need right now to make my commute life trouble free and help me save for retirement. Summary: Manage your expectations and you will find this car super reliable, cost-efficient and extremely beneficial in everyday needs. Of course, it has no "wow" factor, but this is about looking at a car for what it should be: a transportation tool.
Updated at 45,000 miles: No breakdowns or component failures. MPG is consistent as reported previously. One crank starting. I religiously change the oil and do it in 10 minutes flat - piece of cake. Sons bought me a sway bar and now I'm thinking about fog lights and the 8 spoke OEM wheels to dress it up a little. Its a keeper.
Updated at 52,000 miles. Nothing's changed. It's still a stout little warrior and is 100% trouble free.
Update 7/5/23 - I sold this little gem to move up, buying a nice Honda - I need to note with a clear conscience that my little Yaris was truly trouble-free and super-easy to maintain. The Honda gave me more room and some oommph in the horsepower department, and it was a good offer, so I took it. Would I ever buy another Yaris again? YES ! It was the car I needed at that point in my life - I needed a ultra-reliable basic car I could depend on, and the Yaris was the overwhelming choice. Solid 36 MPG, Oil change in 10 minutes, versatile hachback/sliding rear seats to allow large pieces of luggage, and handled well. It was no frills, but it was a loyal, highly reliable car. Adequate in all situations. It delivered the goods. Thanks to Toyota for developing a great car for those that place reliability and economy at the forefront of their needs.
5 out of 5 stars
Great car for a college commuter!
Chris Hall, 07/10/2016
2010 Toyota Yaris 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 4A)
I bought a 2010 Yaris Sedan for my Daughter. She is a college student and the Yaris has been a fantastic car for her. Very reliable and fuel efficient. She is very happy with this vehicle, have owned for 1-1/2 years and no problems at all!
4.63 out of 5 stars
GO YARIS!
nickac, 01/31/2011
2010 Toyota Yaris 2dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl 4A)
I traded an Infiniti G35 for a yaris, which might seem like a huge difference, and it was. However, I been very happy with this decision. I constantly am averaging 31.5 mpg in the city and about 39 highway, which is fantastic. The reliability I cant say much about yet because my car only has 4300 miles, but it starts up in sub zero temps and hasn't given me trouble yet. The car feels … solid for a cheap car. I hate how all the reviewers knock this car because it really is not that bad. It is affordable, practical, reliable, and excellent on gas. Despite toyotas recalls, I still think they are far superior than many other brands. For example, Nissan, GM, Ford, and mazda. Yaris is a great car!
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2011 Toyota Yaris, so we've included reviews for other years of the Yaris since its last redesign.
2011 Yaris Highlights
Sedan
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $13,715 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 32 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $131/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 12.9 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Yaris include:
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover13%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestAcceptable
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintMarginal
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