2020 Toyota Yaris XLE Sedan Review – Fare Thee Well – The Truth About Cars

Simply when Toyota’s Yaris lastly adorned the identify of a enjoyable automobile, the model kills it.

It was as soon as the Scion iA, however a pair years in the past, Toyota bestowed it with the Yaris moniker after retiring the Scion model. As soon as connected to underwhelming subcompacts, the identify was now slapped on the aspect of a more-fun small automobile.

It’s not surprising that the model killed the Mazda 2-based Yaris sedan. The culprits? Gradual gross sales and new laws.

Gradual gross sales is a giant story within the subcompact class, and in 2019 the Yaris was down 5,000 models from the 12 months earlier than. Coronavirus might have ushered the Yaris out the door, too, since Toyota deliberate to restrict North American manufacturing to regulate to the difficulties posed by the pandemic.

I didn’t know any of this on the time I had a Yaris in for analysis, because the automobile arrived earlier than Covid struck in earnest — and earlier than the June announcement of discontinuation. Sure, I’m reviewing a automobile that’s technically lifeless, however a fast Google reveals there are nonetheless loads of 2020s on the market on tons as of this writing. So don’t @ me about that, mmmkay?

All I knew is that by sampling closely from Mazda, Toyota had a worth purchase with components of fun-to-drive verve.

Tough across the edges, positive – the Yaris was a bit noisy, particularly when it comes to engine noise, and most supplies have been a bit of too acceptable for the value level. However the Yaris provided up dealing with not typically seen on this class, with partaking steering. As soon as once more, the Mazda contact.

There is a sport mode that helps liven issues up a bit. You can too get a six-speed stick to essentially enhance your fanatic cred – properly, you might, anyway. My tester got here with the six-speed auto as a substitute.

Regardless of the buzziness, the 1.5-liter four-cylinder doesn’t provoke fantasies of the Mulsanne Straight, not with simply 106 horsepower and 103 lb-ft of torque available. No less than the height torque is obtainable at an affordable 4,000 rpm. Plan your passes, folks.

[Get Toyota Yaris pricing here!]

Sportiness comes with a value generally, and right here it’s a agency, although not punishing, experience.

Awkward styling spoils a number of the enjoyable – the automobile appears like a pissed-off catfish. For that, you may thank a big, gaping entrance grille/fascia, slanted headlights, slanted sheetmetal traces slicing in the wrong way, and a skinny opening above the grille/fascia space.

The rear is subtler and far more pleasing to the attention, a minimum of.

Inside, the Toyota badging does nothing to cover the Mazda roots, however that’s not an issue except you’re such a Toyota fanboy that you just’d be up in arms. Materials high quality apart, the design is clear and easy, and the massive HVAC controls are good and simple to make use of, although the tacked-on infotainment display screen that comes from Mazda nonetheless rankles. A two-tone black and tan/cream trim gave the cockpit a barely upscale look, if not really feel.

The options checklist on my loaner was brief, nevertheless it included low-speed pre-collision system, leatherette inside, rain-sensing wipers, rear spoiler, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite tv for pc radio, auxiliary port, two USB ports, Bluetooth, keyless entry, push-button begin, computerized local weather management, and tilt/telescope steering wheel.

There have been no choices. Whole value, together with D and D: $19,680.

It’s straightforward to say the crossover killed this subcompact – particularly since Toyota’s lone subcompact providing now would be the C-HR – however as famous above, it was about gross sales and unspecified laws, and presumably pandemic manufacturing challenges.

Too unhealthy, since this model of the Yaris was extra enjoyable than what got here earlier than. And it’s a gasoline sipper, in addition (as much as 40 mpg freeway). To not point out that stepping a dimension up received’t enable you discover low cost enjoyable – the Corolla is improved, however doesn’t supply a lot pleasure, a minimum of not in hybrid kind. The Corolla hatch is healthier, however not for the sedan intender.

After all, extra sedan intenders purchasing on this class would possibly’ve to maintain the Yaris alive.

As a substitute, we wave goodbye to this Mazda 2-inspired worth purchase. In order for you enjoyable on a funds, you’ve gotten one fewer selection.

[Images © 2020 Tim Healey/TTAC]

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