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2011 Toyota Yaris

Base MSRP: $12,995 to $13,715

Reviewed

April 2011

by ConsumerSearch

Little reason to buy with so many better competitors available

Pros

Fuel efficient
Cheap base price
Reliable
Comfortable ride

Cons

Cheap feeling interior
Engine noise
Center-mounted instruments
Unimpressive crash-test results
Awkward driving position

Where to Buy

Free Price Quote for 2011 Toyota Yaris

Our Analysis
Specs

Reviewers say the 2011 Toyota Yaris is a decent subcompact that has proven to be very reliable, is fuel efficient and has a low base price. But expert reviewers prefer other competitors that offer these qualities and more, such as the 2011 Ford Fiesta (Base MSRP: $13,320 to $17,120), the 2011 Nissan Versa (Base MSRP: $9,990 to $17,190) and the 2011 Honda Fit (Base MSRP: $15,100 to $16,860). The 2011 Yaris, which comes in both sedan and hatchback forms, soldiers on unchanged from the previous model year. Our full report on the 2009 Toyota Yaris has more details and links to many expert sources.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has crash-test results for the 2011 Toyota Yaris, and the results could be better. While the Yaris receives the highest rating of Good for front- and side-impact protection, rear-impact protection is given only a Marginal rating and roof strength is rated only Acceptable. The government does not have crash-test results for the 2011 Toyota Yaris as of this writing. Standard safety equipment includes front airbags, side airbags, electronic stability control and traction control.

The Yaris' small size and small 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine allow it to deliver good fuel economy, but many competitors do equally well. When paired with the five-speed manual, the 2011 Toyota Yaris gets an EPA-estimated 29 mpg city/36 mpg highway/31 mpg combined rating. Opt for the four-speed automatic, and the Yaris drops a mile per gallon from its highway and combined ratings.

The base MSRP for the cheapest three-door Yaris liftback is $12,995, while the Yaris four-door sedan starts at $13,715.

Where To Buy

Free Price Quote for 2011 Toyota Yaris

Our Sources

1. Edmunds.com

The 2011 Toyota Yaris is unchanged from the 2010 model year, and Edmunds.com appreciates its miserly gas usage and available hatchback. Editors note that there are many competent choices in the subcompact sedan/hatchback market, particularly the newer entries to the segment.

Review: 2011 Toyota Yaris, Editors of Edmunds.com

2. ConsumerReports.org

The editors of ConsumerReports.org rank the 2011 Toyota Yaris against many other economy cars based on a multitude of factors, including road-test impressions and survey-based reliability data.

Review: New Cars: Small Cars, Editors of ConsumerReports.org

3. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

The IIHS gives the Yaris the highest rating for front- and side-impact protection, but the lower Acceptable rating for roof strength and a Marginal rating for rear-impact protection. The Ford Fiesta is the only model in the Yaris' size class that is rated as a Top Safety Pick.

Review: Minicars, Editors of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

4. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

This special test conducted by IIHS illustrates how small cars fare when crashed against larger, midsize vehicles. The results show that size and weight are a big factor in occupant protection.

Review: New Crash Tests Demonstrate the Influence of Vehicle Size and Weight on Safety in Crashes, Editors of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, April 14, 2009

5. FuelEconomy.gov

The Toyota Yaris is a fuel-efficient choice based on ratings from the Environmental Protection Agency. This website offers fuel-economy ratings for nearly all models available on the market today.

Review: 2011 Toyota Yaris, Editors of FuelEconomy.gov

6. ConsumerSearch.com

This full report on the 2009 Toyota Yaris provides an in-depth look at what reviewers say about the car and how it stacks up to the competition. Our report includes links to many helpful third-party sources.

Review: 2009 Toyota Yaris, Editors of ConsumerSearch.com, March 2009

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