2008 Toyota Yaris

1. ConsumerGuide.com

ConsumerGuide.com's experienced testers say that the 2008 Toyota Yaris is hampered by an engine that's both more restrained and less refined than the engine in the Honda Fit.

Review: 2008 Toyota Yaris, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com, Aug. 27, 2008

2. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

Quality and performance ratings accompany a narrative report on road testing of the Toyota Yaris. Consumer Reports, which evaluates most of the vehicles available today, offers tools that allow for ready comparisons.

Review: 2008 Toyota Yaris, Editors of Consumer Reports magazine

3. Edmunds.com

Editors offer generally positive impressions of the 2008 Toyota Yaris, but they don't recommend it as an editors' choice. They do point out that only Toyota offers a sedan.

Review: 2008 Toyota Yaris Review, Editors at Edmunds.com

4. Car and DriverDetails/Subscribe

According to this roundup, the 2007 Toyota Yaris S is in the middle of the pack. Reviewers say highlights include ride quality, shifting, handling and fuel efficiency, but the Yaris can be difficult to control in heavy winds.

Review: $15,000 Cheap Skates, John Phillips, May 2006

5. Kiplinger.comDetails/Subscribe

This article detailing the resurgence of subcompact vehicles focuses on three cars: the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris and Nissan Versa. Solheim prefers the Fit; he classifies the Toyota Yaris as "bare bones".

Review: Subcompacts Come Back, Mark Solheim, Nov. 2006

6. Cars.com

In this three-car comparison dating from the 2007 model year, the Honda Fit is the big winner over the Toyota Yaris. The cars are ranked side-by-side in about a dozen categories.

Review: Cars Comparison: Subcompacts, Mike Hanley and Joe Wiesenfelder

7. U.S. News & World ReportDetails/Subscribe

This useful feature advises buyers to consider affordability, long-term dependability and fuel efficiency when choosing a budget-friendly car. The Toyota Yaris has above-average ratings in each of the three categories.

Review: Hot Cars for Lean Times, Rick Newman, Nov. 28, 2007

8. Money

Money magazine reports on a car-reliability survey produced by Consumer Reports magazine. The 2007 Toyota Yaris was chosen as runner-up in the category of "Most Reliable Small Car," second to the Honda Fit.

Review: Most Reliable Cars, Editors of Money, Nov. 10, 2006