Small cars are all the rage and it has forced almost every automaker to look at ways to increase their small car lineup. Toyota has announced that the US is finally going to get the 5-door version of its popular Yaris sub-compact that is sold in Europe. Currently the US only has the 3-door and sedan versions of the car.
The 5-door version is essentially the same size as the 3-door, but with two extra doors to ease entry into the small car. The powertrain will be the same what is offered in the 3-door and sedan. Also new for 2009 is availability of cruise control on the hatchback and standard side and curtain airbags across the lineup. Pricing and actual photos of the US-spec 5-door have yet to be released. Don't expect it to look much different from the UK version that is pictured here.
Full Story: Autoblog
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Comments (29)
If I had to buy a pisscutter, it would be this or the Fit.
Posted by zippy | July 1, 2008 10:40 AM
Posted on July 1, 2008 10:40
1st
Posted by whack | July 1, 2008 10:40 AM
Posted on July 1, 2008 10:40
It is a shame no manufacturer has the brains to bring the engines over as well. UK Model is available with:
"Three petrol engines are available a 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit, a more conventional 1.3-litre four-cylinder powerplant and the 131bhp 1.8-litre range topper. Diesel buyers are catered for with a 1.4-litre turbodiesel."
The 1.3L engine gets ~40 mpg city, ~60mpg highway.
I can only imagine what the 1.0 L and 1.4L diesel get.
Conspiracy?
Posted by nemi | July 1, 2008 11:03 AM
Posted on July 1, 2008 11:03
I've been waiting on the 5 door Yaris forever! I've been driving my Ford Fiesta for decades waiting for a car that was just me again! This is it! All my boys will think it's so cute a sexy! This release has been timed to coincided with California's comming out! Now we can take the kids with us too! Thankyou Toyota! Brilliant move!
Posted by Questionable persuasion invasion? | July 1, 2008 11:04 AM
Posted on July 1, 2008 11:04
they sell it in canada already...they're all over montreal
Posted by Ted | July 1, 2008 11:24 AM
Posted on July 1, 2008 11:24
So a mini-Matrix? I guess the 5-door arena was lacking a bit, well now that the Clubman is out it's broadening a bit. This car looks nice on the outside, but the interior, especially the center dash, is questionable. These Yaris are kinda cool though, when set up correctly they can kill on the slaloms and low speed tracks. Not as good as Mini, but still competent.
I've seen a three door with koni shocks and some Japanese aftermarket springs just leave an IT-spec CRX through a series of corners. Really impressive, the CRX may have to give away the lightweight crown.
Posted by Jason | July 1, 2008 11:26 AM
Posted on July 1, 2008 11:26
@nemi: I couldn't agree more! Bring on the diesel engines! I for one would be happy with a diesel, even if it might be a little underpowered. I don't care about a car that can do 0-60 in 6 seconds, I want FUEL MILEAGE! I don't need all that extra power when I'm cruising at 60 mph down the highway.
One of my favorite cars was a 1986 Civic that had a puny 1.3L, 60hp. Seriously underpowered (top speed of 84 mph!), but it got consistently 35+ mpg in the city. That's what I want again! Not for my family car, but for my commute car.
Posted by Icester | July 1, 2008 11:59 AM
Posted on July 1, 2008 11:59
Same old reasons for not bringing in diesel. Expect at LEAST 20% hit in gas mileage to make the emission standards, and then you pay a big premium over gas for diesel at the pump.
as far as underpowered, I am not sure that argument works. Compared to 10 or 20 years ago even the Yaris is shocklingly powerful for the size/weight.
We just happen to forget that the old small calls had almost no horsepower and even less safety features/engineering.
for the weekday commuter, the Yaris will sell.
Posted by DaveM | July 1, 2008 12:11 PM
Posted on July 1, 2008 12:11
Its so ugly. Failure.
Posted by Gasp! | July 1, 2008 1:05 PM
Posted on July 1, 2008 13:05
Toyota car sales fell 9.4 percent in June while its truck sales were off 38.8 percent.
Posted by Toyota Sucks | July 1, 2008 1:28 PM
Posted on July 1, 2008 13:28
Been driving rented one (2007) with 1.0 liter engine for two months in Switzerland. A bit underpowered for the mountainous region, mileage in the city was better than on the highway at 130 km/h.
Good for daily use in the suburbs and on the regional roads, but again, if you put 4 adults in you need the 1.3 engine minimum.
You get more space inside than it may seem from the photos. Pleasant handling on the curves. MP3 player and good quality speakers (much better than in Eurpean Avensis 2004). But again, if you drive above 100km/h the noise gets too strong to enjoy the music.
Posted by Archie | July 1, 2008 1:36 PM
Posted on July 1, 2008 13:36
We have several 2 door Yaris models in our company. They are surprisingly comfortable inside and Toyota makes good use of the space. The engine is spunky for its size and it gets incredible gas mileage. However, the 5 door HB makes the Yaris look less like a "chick car" and should offer more choices for commuters.
Posted by longdxcommuter | July 1, 2008 2:34 PM
Posted on July 1, 2008 14:34
Is there someone in the world that can design an attractive econobox? Is really all that hard?
Posted by RX-7 Guy | July 1, 2008 2:49 PM
Posted on July 1, 2008 14:49
Just remember people. The U.K. gallon is 5 U.S. quarts, or more specifically, it's 160 oz. In the U.K., a quart is 40 oz, and a pint is 20 oz. In the U.S., the quart is 32 oz and the pint is 16. The U.S. gallon is 128 oz.
Apples to apples comparisons are not always what they seem.
T
Posted by Teldar | July 1, 2008 3:25 PM
Posted on July 1, 2008 15:25
I know the Yaris in Canada is getting 50MPG/City and 60MPG/Highway with a 4 speed auto and 1.5L 4 banger.
Posted by Skyline GT-R R-32 | July 1, 2008 4:05 PM
Posted on July 1, 2008 16:05
I really doubt that would be true with an US blend of gas. The alcohol content of US fuel is too high and slated to go higher. This is destroying our engines, fuel economy, and raising the cost of food. I loved to know which nearsited SOB thought that one up.
Posted by RX-7 Guy | July 1, 2008 4:25 PM
Posted on July 1, 2008 16:25
@Toyota Sucks:
Some recent headlines:
"Toyota struggles to meet hybrid, small car demand"
"GM stock at lowest level since 1956"
Some recent facts:
Toyota market capitalization:
$147.5 billion
GM market capitalization:
$6.7 billion
Toyota could buy GM and close it down tomorrow except it would be bad PR and the government would step in.
Conclusion:
I guess both car companies have their share of problems.
Posted by 426Hemi | July 1, 2008 6:56 PM
Posted on July 1, 2008 18:56
This is what the domestic's should have been investing their research in, not Hummers or Hemi's.
Posted by Biil | July 1, 2008 8:34 PM
Posted on July 1, 2008 20:34
@RX-7 Guy:
That would be the American voters for giving Dubya another term.
Posted by Beans | July 1, 2008 11:30 PM
Posted on July 1, 2008 23:30
great two-seater for the american market (one in front, one in the back)
Posted by waldorf and statler | July 2, 2008 2:43 AM
Posted on July 2, 2008 02:43
death trap
Posted by WVO | July 2, 2008 6:44 AM
Posted on July 2, 2008 06:44
Simple the Best.
Posted by R3TNIAP | July 2, 2008 8:46 AM
Posted on July 2, 2008 08:46
"Conspiracy?"
@ Nemi
The facts about it are that the US produces the most pollutant in the world (w/China coming in second).
So, instead of letting "we, the people" pollute with high efficiency diesels saving us little people money, the US government lets the businesses pollute and sticks it to us claiming we have to wait for low-sulfur diesel in what, 2010? And by that time it will probably be $10/gall or more.
Posted by Noya | July 2, 2008 1:42 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 13:42
Noya, don't know if you have ever been to China, but the smoke that comes out of the factories there literally comes up, and falls right back down the side of the smoke stack. It is also pure black. There is no such thing as pollution control in China. So while America may pollute more, China's air quality is a disgrace.
Clean air isn't efficient when it comes to anything that produces power with combustibles, pure and simple.
Posted by Avatar | July 2, 2008 1:52 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 13:52
Funny how Americans, the biggest polluting, most wasteful people in human history, are now pointing fingers at other nations after sitting on their asses for decades. Hypocrisy, thy name is America.
Posted by Proud_Canadian | July 2, 2008 7:58 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 19:58
I predict we will all be driving something like this in 20 years. But then again, I heard people say that about the Honda Civic 20 years ago too and it never happened.
Never the less, we will some day, unless we wipe ourselves off the planet first.
Posted by Subpra | July 2, 2008 10:24 PM
Posted on July 2, 2008 22:24
The US is the largest, most profitable, most powerful and most populated industrilized nation on earth. That's why we're rich, and that's why we produce more pollution. While all you foreigners are complaining about how expensive everything is in your country and how it's not fair how much cars cost. I'll continue driving the BMW I bought for the same price as your honda civic and burning my comparatively cheap $4 a gallon gas. How do you like them apples? Taxes suck a socialism sucks, your countries suck. Europe has 10% unemployment, we have 4.5. Our air is just a clean as yours (unless you're in California). We pollute because we're productive. China pollutes because they're productive. All you Euro-types just sit on your thumbs and wait for the government to do things for you. Lazy bums go get jobs instead of protesting.
Posted by America the beautiful | July 3, 2008 9:01 AM
Posted on July 3, 2008 09:01
I've seen these booting around the cities here in Canada for quite some time.
Nice to see the US being able to enjoy some variety for a change.
Though... this 2009 design looks slightly revised in the front, and rear quarters.
@Nemi
From what I understand, and correct me if I'm wrong...
Our diesel fuel wasn't burning clean enough.
I remember during the launch of the MINI in North America, there were groups lobbying BMW to import the MINI Cooper with Diesel engine to North America to no avail.
but as with anything... things change with time.
Posted by GT Fan | July 4, 2008 5:04 AM
Posted on July 4, 2008 05:04
@America the beautiful:
dont forget the 25% unemployment in france because of the minimum wage law.
Posted by unknown | July 5, 2008 3:57 PM
Posted on July 5, 2008 15:57