Toyota Yaris

The Yaris’ history got a bit complicated near the end of the nameplate’s run in the U.S. The last Yaris models were rebranded versions of the Mazda2 subcompact car, built by Mazda for Toyota to sell in North America. Toyota’s youth-focused Scion brand sold a sedan version of the Mazda2 as the iA for the 2016 model year before the Scion brand was discontinued; Toyota then took on the car, renaming it the Yaris iA for 2017 and 2018 before dropping the suffix and simply calling it the Yaris. (The 2019-20 Yaris Sedan is covered separately on Cars.com.) This Mazda2-based Yaris sedan gained a hatchback sibling for the Yaris’ swan-song 2020 model year. Both body styles featured Mazda’s efficient 1.5-liter SkyActiv-G engine and offered good fuel economy, though the interior and cargo space were a bit tighter than some competitors.

The Yaris was redesigned for the 2012 model year, wherein Toyota stretched its overall length by 3 inches and gave it a more chiseled, angular appearance. Two-door and four-door hatchbacks were now the only body styles; the sedan version was dropped since buyers favored the hatchback versions 70% of the time. Key updates included an improved interior with better materials, an upgraded infotainment system and additional safety features. Powertrain options carried over, with a 106-horsepower, 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired to a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. For 2015, Toyota freshened the exterior with a more aggressive front end and upgraded the interior materials. Though the Yaris lost its sedan body style for this generation, Toyota still offered a subcompact sedan in the form of the 2017-18 Yaris iA.

The Yaris subcompact was introduced in North America in 2007, replacing the Echo. The first-generation Yaris had a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 106 horsepower and was mated to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. It was initially offered as a two-door hatchback or four-door sedan; a four-door hatchback was added for the 2009 model year along with standard side curtain airbags. For 2010, Toyota made stability and traction control standard across the lineup.