2009 Toyota Yaris Review

There's no doubt, the 2009 Toyota Yaris review reveals a tiny car that turns heads. In brilliant blue it won repeat glances from drivers nursing along their large sedans and sport-utility vehicles as we cruised along.

2009 Toyota Yaris Interior

With one of the new breed of subcompacts quickly gaining an American following, Toyota must have taken a cue from disgruntled SUV owners and added a five-door "liftback" for 2009 to the three-door already in its lineup. Liftbacks, another name for hatchback, had long been disdained by American drivers. But they make sense on subcompacts for accessing precious cargo space as they increasingly become a practical substitute for fuel-hungry vans.

To emphasize its impact, Toyota has added some eye-catching colors. Both liftback models can get Yellow Jolt or Carmine Red as exterior colors. Sedans add Zephyr Blue Metallic, and Blue Streak Metallic as newly available exterior hues.

As fuel-conscious buyers downsize, they haven't lost their taste for amenities. Cruise control, previously only available on the Yaris sedan, becomes available on liftbacks as well for 2009. Integrated iPod capability is added to audio.

Both sedan and liftback models are powered by a 1.5-liter, 106-HP four, with a five-speed manual or available four-speed automatic. Best mileage is the manual transmission's 29/36 rating. Among newly standard safety items: Anti-lock brakes with brake force distribution, seat mounted side airbags for the front seats and full-length side air curtains.

The three Yaris models — sedan, three- and five-door liftback — come in Base or Sporty "S" grades. Pricing starts at $12,205 for the base three-door liftback, or $12,965 for the base sedan.

The Yaris has some quirky features, namely a scarcity of cupholders adored by American drivers. Another that makes sense considering the Yaris's Japanese roots is the centrally located instrument cluster that wouldn't need changing when used for right-hand drive in Japan. A deep set "eyebrow" is designed to keep the gauge readings protected from bright sunlight.