2017 Toyota Yaris Road Test and Review

2017 Toyota Yaris SE exterior profile ・ Photo by Toyota

The 2017 Toyota Yaris SE is a unique proposition in the subcompact segment, combining some of the industry’s most popular safety technologies with some surprisingly dated—albeit still effective—powertrain options. As a result, it’s in a unique position for Toyota.

Consider: Last year, the Toyota Camry midsize sedan was the best-selling car in the country, and the Toyota Corolla—including the Corolla iM—led the compact segment. Meanwhile, in the subcompact segment, the Yaris hatchback represented less than one-tenth the sales of that category’s No. 1 choice, the Nissan Versa. An upcoming all-new Yaris is expected to turn things around in the 2018 model year, but until that time let's take a look at the current model with its spacious cabin (for people and cargo) and standard driver-assistance measures.

Pricing

The MSRP for the Yaris lineup reflects its standard Toyota Safety Sense-C technology, so the 5-door hatchback opens at $16,375. That’s more than $2K less than the least-expensive Chevy Sonic hatchback, but it’s about the same amount higher than for an entry-level Ford Fiesta hatch. On the other hand, the Yaris 5-door hatchhback does come standard with an automatic transmission, while those rivals charge extra to move up from a manual. Also, when Yaris owners move up themselves, to a trim like the Yaris LE, it's only $17,285. The range-topping 2017 Toyota Yaris SE starts at $17,200, although here a manual transmission is standard for a sportier driving experience. With an automatic, the Yaris SE comes in at an even $18,000.

Photo by Toyota

Power, Performance, Fuel Efficiency

Like all the other 2017 Yaris models, the SE joins is powered by a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 106 horsepower and 103 pound-feet of torque. Maximum driver engagement is found with the standard 5-speed manual transmission. The optional automatic is a 4-speed.

Efficiency-minded customers should not be be worried about the number of gears in those transmissions. The manual-transmission Yaris has EPA ratings of 30 mpg city/36 mpg highway/33 mpg combined, and the car’s fuel-economy grades with the automatic are 30 mpg city/35 mpg highway/32 mpg combined. In both cases, the Yaris has better EPA marks than a standard Ford Fiesta or Chevy Sonic hatch. Toyota has retuned the car’s suspension for the SE trim, switched up to 16-inch alloy wheels (with a machined finish), and also fitted this economical little hatchback with 4-wheel disc brakes.

Photo by Toyota

Exterior Design and Lighting

Per Toyota: “If the Yaris looks like one of those intriguing, fun European compacts you wish they’d offer in the U.S., that’s because it is.” Indeed, the Yaris was designed in the south of France and carries more than a dash of that country’s fashion-forward approach to style. The 2017 Toyota Yaris SE then adds a number of more athletic touches to attract the hot-hatch crowd. Among the new cues are the previously mentioned alloy wheels, along with a rear spoiler, rear diffuser, and black exterior trim that includes a model-specific grille and piano-black accents. A final sophisticated touch comes is a lighting package for the Yaris SE. Here, Toyota provides integrated fog lights with a chrome surround, projector-beam headlights with an LED light-bar accent, and LED daytime running lights.

Interior Design and Capacities

Not surprisingly, the 2017 Toyota Yaris SE further distinguishes itself with an enthusiast-friendly cabin, complete with front-row seats trimmed in a premium sport fabric. A leather-trimmed steering-wheel—with audio controls—is complemented by a leather-trimmed shift lever, and the interior color theme features piano-black trim and white contrast stitching. Also worth noting: Toyota has made a significant effort to ensure a quiet cabin for Yaris owners, who enjoy the benefits of acoustic glass in the windshield and foam-type sound insulation in key places.

As for cargo capacity, the Yaris offers a generous 15.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, which Toyota says is “about the size of a midsize sedan’s trunk.” Of course, the Yaris also allows you to fold its rear seats, with a 60/40 split, for a massive increase in available room.

Photo by Toyota

Audio and Infotainment Technology

The same Entune Audio system is standard in all Yaris models, which gives the entry-level trim an impressive advantage over the base setups in some other subcompacts. After all, that means even the Yaris starter models comes with a 6.1-inch touchscreen, six speakers, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, and Apple-friendly touches like a USB port with iPod connectivity and HD Radio with iTunes tagging. Additionally standard is Bluetooth wireless technology for voice recognition, hands-free calling and audio streaming, and again, that’s for the entry model. The flipside here is that the only infotainment upgrade offered for the 2017 Toyota Yaris SE is a post-factory navigation system that can be installed at the dealership (or the car’s port of entry).

Photo by Toyota

Safety Features

Certainly a highlight for the 2017 Toyota Yaris SE—and for the lineup as a whole—is the standard Toyota Safety Sense C (TSS-C) package. Geared for three key assistance scenarios, the TSS-C technologies leverages camera- and laser-based sensors for lane-departure alert, automatic highbeams, and pre-collision braking capability. The latter system includes forward collision warning and automatic braking that can reduce the vehicle’s speed by up to 19 mph in some situations. No other mainstream subcompact has all three technologies as standard equipment on its entry trims, and neither do many of the more premium entries.

For more protection, the front seats are designed to reduce whiplash-type injuries in certain scenarios, and Toyota also managed to fit nine airbags into the Yaris cabin. The Yaris has a 4-Star Overall Safety Score from the NHTSA. That's about ordinary for subcompacts, as other 4-Star performers include the Ford Fiesta and Hyundai Accent (the Nissan Versa is unrated).

Photo by Toyota

Available Equipment, Body Styles

What’s really distinctive about the 2017 Toyota Yaris is what can be eliminated: its two rear doors. Yep, another unique selling point for the Yaris is that it’s available in both 3- and 5-door hatchback body styles. Most customers will likely prefer the conventional 5-door setup, but the 3-door Yaris offers a noticeably lower MSRP for budget-minded customers. In fact, the entry 3-door Yaris starts at a mere $15,250—with the TSS-C safety technology as standard equipment. Interestingly, nor is the 3-door Yaris any smaller than the 5-door version. Exterior dimensions, and all headroom and legroom measurements, are the same between the two; overall, there’s a difference of only 0.7 cubic feet of passenger space and 0.3 cubic feet of rear cargo space.

Photo by Toyota

Other Cool Info

Buyers shopping for a 2017 Toyota Yaris SE will likely come across the brand’s new subcompact sedan—the Yaris iA (photo)—and wonder exactly what’s the difference between the two. Beyond the whole sedan vs. hatchback bodies, folks should know that the Yaris iA originated as the Scion iA, which was part of Toyota’s recently shuttered youth brand. More relevant for drivers is this: The Scion iA was first developed as a Mazda subcompact not currently sold in the United States. So, except for the “Toyota Yaris” in its name, the iA sedan doesn’t share much with its hatchback sibling.

Photo by Toyota

Final Thoughts

The 2017 Toyota Yaris SE may not be on the cutting-edge of the segment, but it’s a sharp-looking automobile worth considering if you’re looking for low-priced car with high-tech driver-assistance features. The Yaris SE may not have the newest powertrains, but it still has highly competitive fuel-economy ratings—with the added benefit of the SE’s upgraded suspension for competent handling. Plus, it’s a Toyota, with the brand’s inherent reputation for quality and reliability. On top of that, every Yaris model comes standard with complimentary Toyota Care coverage, which is good for two years/25,000 miles worth of factory-scheduled routine maintenance and 24/7 roadside assistance.

Photo by Toyota