2019 Toyota Yaris

Which Yaris does Edmunds recommend?

Overall rating

What is the 2019 Toyota Yaris? That seems like a simple question, but the answer is anything but. We'll do our best to keep things simple. First, the vehicle we're reviewing here is a four-door sedan, which in past years was known as the Yaris iA. Last year's plain-old Yaris, no iA, was a four-door hatchback.

So in simple terms, "Yaris" equals sedan now. Great, but the confusion doesn't end there since this Toyota is in fact designed, engineered and manufactured by Mazda. That means it's different from other vehicles in Toyota's lineup, from the way it drives to the way you change the radio. But that shouldn't be considered a bad thing. Mazda has proven itself rather adept at building small cars, especially ones that are engaging and fun to drive.

The Mazda DNA isn't just limited to the mechanical bits either. The Yaris cabin inherits Mazda's attractive interior styling and thoughtful ergonomics. It's actually a much nicer environment than what you get in the Toyota-designed and -built Yaris Liftback. For its part, though, Toyota has included many features as standard on the Yaris, even on the lowest L trim, that many manufacturers only include as options.

While the Yaris might be surprisingly fun to drive, it is not particularly fast, even in a class where slow is the accepted norm. Other knocks against the Yaris include the slightly cramped back seat that doesn't fold completely flat and makes for an uneven load floor for longer objects. Still, we think the 2019 Yaris should be at the top of the must-drive list for anyone in search of an affordable subcompact sedan — no matter who makes it or what it's named.

2019 Toyota Yaris models

The 2019 Toyota Yaris sedan is available in three trim levels: L, LE and XLE. All come with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine (106 horsepower, 103 pound-feet of torque). A six-speed manual transmission is standard, and a six-speed automatic is optional (standard on the XLE).

The entry-level L comes with 15-inch steel wheels, forward collision warning, low-speed automatic emergency braking, a rearview camera, full power accessories (lock, mirrors, windows), cruise control, air conditioning, a height-adjustable driver's seat, cloth upholstery, Mazda's infotainment system (center console controller, a 7-inch display that responds to touch when the car is stopped), voice recognition, Bluetooth, two USB ports, an auxiliary audio jack, HD and satellite radio, and a six-speaker sound system.

Stepping up to the LE gets you 16-inch alloy wheels, foglights, a rear spoiler, heated outside mirrors, LED turn signals, and keyless ignition and entry.

The XLE loses the option of the manual transmission but gains automatic LED headlights, automatic wipers, automatic climate control, simulated leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and two drive settings (Normal and Sport).

Trim tested

Driving

The Toyota Yaris is the most fun you'll have in a slow car. Its main strengths rest in its superbly playful handling and excellent transmission. We also really enjoy the response and quickness of the steering during spirited driving stints. What the Yaris doesn't deliver is much straight-line speed. Its 1.5-liter engine makes a meager 106 horsepower, which will have you flooring the gas pedal frequently to get up to highway speeds. We measured its run up to 60 mph at a tick over 10 seconds. That's slow, even for the economy class.

And while its low-grip tires are fun when you're wanting to flick it around corners, they don't help stop the Yaris as quickly as others in the class.

Comfort

It's a tough task to design comfort into a vehicle this small, and the Yaris is no exception. The seats offer above-average lateral support for steadying you through turns, but they lack lumbar support for the everyday commute. Ride comfort has taken a back seat to handling performance, which means you'll feel bumps and road texture more than you might want to.

We found the single-zone climate control system easy to use and fairly effective at keeping the cabin cool despite the lack of rear vents. Its steady stream of noise, both wind and road, is common for the class. There are no vibrations or creaks, though, which is admirable for an economy car.

Interior

Simplicity has its benefits. The Yaris subscribes to that philosophy, and all the controls are quite easy to learn and use. There's good adjustability in the driver's seat to accommodate a wide range of body types, though don't expect to sit behind anybody taller than 6 feet. Space, as with other vehicles in this class, is at a premium, and there isn't much of it in the Yaris' cabin. Nor does the Yaris try to make the space feel larger than it is.

Getting in and out of the front is mostly easy, but the back seat requires a degree of limberness that most won't want to deal with every day. Visibility is no better or worse in the Yaris than other vehicles in this class, which is to say there aren't any significant issues.

Utility

For such a tiny car, the 13.5-cubic-foot trunk space manages to be pretty comparable to class leaders. The 60/40-split fold rear seats don't quite fold flat, creating about a 5-inch ledge between the cargo area and folded seatbacks. There's a lack of storage space for items in the cabin, at least if you don't want them visible to the outside world. Where the center armrest would be is where the cupholders are, so the only covered space is the small glovebox.

Though not uncommon for the class, the Yaris will not accommodate a rear-facing seat safely so any other passengers will have to give up that prime shotgun location. The car seat anchors are buried a little deep into the seatbacks, but it wasn't too hard to install our car seat.

Technology

Our test car didn't come with the optional navigation system, but we've found the system to be fairly easy to use in other vehicles. The standard audio system produces a surprisingly clean sound that doesn't distort even at a higher volume. Smartphone integration is a bit lacking since Android Auto isn't offered and Apple CarPlay isn't available until the 2020 Yaris model year. There are two USBs and a 12-volt outlet to provide charging for your devices, and Bluetooth paired quickly.

The Yaris is also lacking in advanced driver aids. You won't find Toyota Safety Sense here, just a low-speed front collision warning/mitigation system that only works below 18 mph.