First Test: 2012 Toyota Yaris SE

Why even talk about the "improved" acceleration?  The 0-60's were awful on past Yarii because you always tested an antiquated four-speed automatic.  Other magazines who had their hands on manual Yarii pulled off anywhere from 8.5 to 8.9 seconds.

The reality is the SE only performs better where they updated things-- braking and suspension/feeling.  Otherwise it's technically a slower car.  Depending on how many pieces can be mixed-n-matched with the old Yaris, I'd actually consider just buying a used Yaris hatch and throwing on the fun pieces to the lighter, less attention-gobbling package.  It'd likely cost the same to do it, but honestly it just seems more fun than having a factory built SE that I guarantee will be mostly gray-hairs behind the wheel.  Look at half the Scions and Yarii out there that went after the youth market and tell me differently.

Also, if you tested the $17k Yaris SE, why is the price as tested sitting at $15,055? (Fixed.  Thank you.)

Order
That's a pathetic excuse of a post!

What subcompact in the U.S. has a 2.0?
Oh.....

These cars are much lighter than compacts, and don't need larger engines, which would hurt, not help, their EPA.  Pay attention!
BD

pmirp
Well, you're wrong, and that's........ok.

9 seconds 0-60 is normal for this class.  Kia Rio and the base Sonic run that.  Fiesta is the slowest in the class.  And Fiesta is very expensive.  Easy to spend $20k

The base Sonic gets 25/35?  THAT'S not in the same class!

This car is fully competitive with all the new entries, except for the 6-speed.  But it's EPA and speed show it's not needed, just would be that much better to have.
BD

Is Toyota the new GM?

There was a time GM would not spend enough money on development of its smaller cars.

Looking at this Yaris, seeing how the interior is miserable still (though improved on 4th world interior of last year's), no six speed automatic, and not in same class as Sonic, Fiesta or Koreans, makes me believe that Toyota is not investing enough in their compact and sub-compact categories.

That is a shame.  Perhaps they think Prius will become the standard, but that is a very risky line they are running.  A line that lead to bankruptcy for GM, and one that now they are on, without improving their cheaper offerings in a bad economy to same standards as Ford or Koreans or GM

A better Yaris, but for $17k, a 6-speed slushbox should be there.

And that would get it to 40MPG, too.
BD

it looks good. just needs a little more power. i don't know why toyota and honda like 106hp so much. they have been offering cars with 106hp for donkey years!

toyota should make an awd version of this with a 1.6 turbo! wishful thinking lol. it looks like a little rally car. i love it!

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