Click above for more high-res shots of the 2009 Yaris 5-door
Last month, Toyota announced that its Yaris five-door hatchback would finally make its U.S. debut in 2009. Perfect timing, as escalating gas prices are making small cars like the Yaris increasingly popular; especially when they can be had for a song... which brings us to the real news here. The '09 Yaris five-door will begin at just $13,305 for the base model, with the upper-level S model coming in at $15,125. Also new for '09 are standard anti-lock brakes, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, driver and front passenger front side airbags, and front and rear side curtain airbags. Fuel mileage remains a strong point, with 29 mpg city and 35 mpg highway when equipped with an automatic transmission and 29 city, 36 highway with the manual transmission models. Now, if only Toyota could find a way to move the gauges in front of the driver where they should be, we'd be all set.
[Source: Toyota]
Press Release:
Toyota Announces Prices For 2009 Yaris Subcompact
August 1, 2008 - Torrance, CA - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today announced manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) for the three fuel efficient 2009 Toyota Yaris subcompact models. MSRPs will range from $12,205 for the three-door Liftback Base model to $15,880 for the Sedan S model when the vehicles hit dealerships later this summer.
Estimated EPA fuel economy ratings are 29 mpg city/35 mpg highway/31 mpg combined for all three body styles with an automatic transmission and 29/36/32 mpg for the manual transmission models.
The excellent fuel economy, combined with extensive standard equipment and fun-to-drive features make Yaris an outstanding value. For 2009, Yaris is available in three body styles: a sedan, three-door Liftback, and an all-new five-door liftback, each in Base and Sporty "S" grades.
All Yaris grades will now feature a number of standard safety features, including anti-lock brake system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), driver and front passenger front seat-mounted side airbags, and front and rear side curtain airbags. New exterior colors for the 2009 Yaris include Zephyr Blue Metallic and Blue Streak Metallic on Sedan and Yellow Jolt and Carmine Red Metallic on Liftback.
Prices for the Yaris three-door Liftback models range from $12,205 for the Base grade with four cylinder engine and manual five-speed transmission to $14,825 for the S grade with four cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission.
The all-new five-door Liftback model prices range from $13,305 for the Base grade with four cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission to $15,125 for the S grade with four cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission.
Yaris Sedan model pricing ranges from $12,965 for the Base grade with four cylinder engine and manual five-speed transmission to $15,880 for the S grade with four cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Red @ Aug 6th 2008 3:02PM
had to do a couple of double-takes. I thought it was a Matrix for a second.
black @ Aug 6th 2008 4:20PM
Yeah, come to think of it , it kinda does look like a Matrix, but it doesn't have those odd looking taillights on there. And the functionality of the car is nice, but please, can I get 4 wheel disc brakes as an option? That's my only resentment about the vehicle.
Gregg @ Aug 6th 2008 3:03PM
Nice to see the hatchbacks back. Great utility. Really, all SUVs and SUVs were simply hatchbacks that took steroids.
Xcountryflyer @ Aug 6th 2008 4:20PM
Glad to see it arrive in the US finally. It was long overdue. Also glad to see that standard safety features in other cars are finally standard in the Yaris.
Torrent @ Aug 6th 2008 6:35PM
Why are 4 door compact hatches so darn cute?
Gregg @ Aug 6th 2008 8:26PM
cuz they forgot to take their steroids
tankd0g @ Aug 6th 2008 3:04PM
For some reason I expected better milage out of that thing.
Gregg @ Aug 6th 2008 3:05PM
2008 standards. Unreasonably low for these cars.
Joce03 @ Aug 6th 2008 3:10PM
I own a Yaris RS and you can probably blame the short gearing. Makes the acceleration more entertaining, but driving 100km/h (60mph) keeps the engine revving pretty high. A sixth gear would be nice to help mpgs.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Aug 6th 2008 5:12PM
2008 standards aren't it. The Cobalt makes 36mph highway under the 2008 standards. Most would think a smaller vehicle like this could top the Cobalt.
Perhaps it is as Joce03 says, that due to packaging or cost they can't get an optimal set of gear ratios in there.
Kotse @ Aug 6th 2008 6:19PM
Why for the life of me does Toyota (incl Scion) and most other brands (except Honda/Fit) in this category, not use a 5sp auto...for yet better fuel efficiency.
xplode @ Aug 7th 2008 5:02PM
engine's too big. in europe they have the option of a 1.0 liter version (and also a 1.3 liter i think). sure it doesn't have a lot of torque, but works very well for my mom. she gets like 50mpg or more...
DJ @ Aug 11th 2008 11:55AM
Hey, just got back from our first big road trip in our RS 5-door auto, the EPA numbers are way understated, we averaged 42mpg over 2000km, mostly highway and averaging 70mph.
Perry @ Aug 6th 2008 3:07PM
We had this model in Canada for a long time and they are all over the place...however, personally I would never buy a car having the gauges in the middle..I prefer the traditional pod right in front of me. Whomever designed this layout should be given a new assignment!
Joce03 @ Aug 6th 2008 3:14PM
I had the same opinion, but I still bought one. You get used to it, and the advantage is a lot of storage: standard glove box, an other box above that and a third were gauges usually are. Plus decent sized bottle holders by each door and in between the seats.
Its all pretty useful when you are on long-distance trips.
CarlosMC @ Aug 6th 2008 10:04PM
Personally, I think those should be legally banned; they're there for a (functional and safety) reason not just another dumb legal requirement or aesthetics.
Lx @ Aug 6th 2008 10:43PM
Perry, my senses agree with you. I had not even seen a picture of the then-forthcoming Saturn Ion when I felt the disappointment that its instrument pod would be atop the center stack. It makes (arguable) sense in cars in the Yaris class. The idea is to relieve some of its manufacturer's bother and cost when producing a price-sensitive new model for both LHD and RHD markets.
Yvette @ Aug 26th 2008 1:57PM
Hello Perry!! I plan to buy a Toyota Yaris Hatchback and I am really liking this car more and more! I haven't driven one yet, but I have seen alot of them in my area! Toyota wants to be different, by having the gauges in the middle, nothing wrong with that! Besides, I like diffferent things, not the same boring, hum drum things that every other car has! Why not be different, afterall there are different people in this world!! Another thing, if you don't like that set-up with the gauges, you don't have to buy a Toyota Yaris...right?? Also, I like the idea of it having alot of compartments, kinda like a "gigantic purse" with alot of pockets....LOL!! Thanx Sincerely, Yvette
Alex @ Aug 6th 2008 3:10PM
"Now, if only Toyota could find a way to move the gauges in front of the driver where they should be"
Agreed, but that is the trade-off for a low sticker price. This way it works on both RHD and LHD.
s13hybrid @ Aug 6th 2008 3:20PM
Never thought of it that way. I still think the extra cost would be worth it.
Has anyone done a swap into these things yet (3 door)? I bet it is not super heavy and with some extra power would be fun! I realize that is not why people buy them, I am only dreaming.