2020 Toyota Yaris

Overview

The 2020 Toyota Yaris offers a lot more than you might expect from a budget-priced car. Available in hatchback and sedan body styles, this accomplished subcompact boasts the kind of exceptional fuel economy that can save you money over the long haul. Its suspension is tuned to facilitate driver engagement, and while it isn't the quickest at the track, it feels capable in everyday driving. On a less positive note, this Toyota offers fewer driver-assistance features than some rivals. Still, it all adds up to a value proposition that's extremely compelling for shoppers who have their sights set on a small car that's economically priced.

What's New for 2020?

The Yaris hatchback is all new for 2020. As with the sedan, it's now based on a version of the Mazda 2 that isn't sold in the United States. Also, the Yaris adds Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration as standard equipment on all models.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The base L sedan with the manual transmission offers enough standard equipment to keep most buyers happy. If you prefer the convenience of an automatic transmission, the L trim also can be had with a six-speed automatic gearbox for $1100 more than the manual L's price. The L with manual transmission rides on 15-inch steel wheels and comes standard with exterior features such as daytime running lights and power-adjustable side mirrors. Within the cabin, features such as air conditioning, keyless entry and ignition, a manually adjustable tilt-and-telescoping steering column, and a folding rear seat with a 60/40 split are standard. All models are equipped with low-speed forward-collision warning.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Front-wheel drive is standard on all 2020 Yaris cars, and motivation comes from a 1.5-liter four-cylinder. This engine generates 106 horsepower and 103 lb-ft of torque. In our testing, a Yaris XLE sedan went from zero to 60 mph in a leisurely 9.6 seconds. That makes it slower than a Honda Fit we tested; with a manual gearbox, that car made the dash in 8.2 seconds. The Yaris is, however, quicker than a Nissan Versa, which went from zero to 60 in 10.4 seconds. In everyday driving, though, the Yaris doesn't feel underpowered, and it offers a thoroughly agreeable driving experience. Its suspension tuning is sporty enough to deliver responsive handling, yet it's smooth enough to provide the comfort that can make long commutes more pleasant.

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Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

With the automatic transmission, the 2020 Toyota Yaris achieves EPA-estimated fuel economy of 32/40 mpg city/highway. That matches the mileage achieved by the Nissan Versa, and it trails the Kia Rio's mileage by a hair (33/41 mpg). The Yaris's fuel economy dips to 30/39 mpg with the manual gearbox. Today's subcompact cars offer superb mileage, and figures for the Yaris are competitive within this segment. In our time spent with a Yaris XLE, we observed mileage of 33 mpg.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Yaris's cabin earns style points for its chic design, and the materials are of good quality. Most drivers should find the front seats to be reasonably comfortable, but the rear seats may be a tight fit for taller passengers. This Toyota lags behind the pack when it comes to cargo capacity. The hatchback provides 16 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place. That's less than rivals such as the Kia Rio hatchback (17 cubic feet). With the Yaris sedan, you'll find 14 cubic feet of room for your belongings in the trunk. The Versa sedan surpasses the Yaris in this respect, offering up to 15 cubic feet of cargo space.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

Toyota has equipped the Yaris with an impressive range of standard and available tech features. Base models come with a six-speaker sound system and a 7.0-inch touchscreen display. Bluetooth phone and streaming audio are standard, along with an auxiliary audio-input jack. Best of all, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability are standard on all trim levels for easy smartphone integration. The list of optional equipment includes SiriusXM satellite radio and two USB ports.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)

View Crash Test Results

In crash tests carried out by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2020 Yaris earned a perfect five out of five stars overall. The 2020 Yaris hasn't been tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, the 2019 Yaris sedan earned the highest score of Good in all crashworthiness measures in tests conducted by the IIHS. Notably, the Yaris isn't available with driver-assistance features such as blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control or a lane-departure warning system. You'll find these optional amenities in rivals such as the 2020 Nissan Versa. Key safety features include:

• Standard low-speed forward-collision warning

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Even though rivals such as the Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio provide longer warranty coverage, the Yaris's complimentary scheduled maintenance helps set it apart.

• Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
• Complimentary scheduled maintenance is covered for 2 years or 25,000 miles