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2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
One thing I've noticed too with the Yaris, the ride isn't as smooth as my '01 Corolla, so I checked the air pressure the other day in my tires and they were all around 37-39 psi, the recommended psi is 33 so that is probably why it was a little rough, I know the dealerships will over-inflate the tires a little because the new cars are sitting around on the lot and lose air pressure over time...
Even though I've only had the car 2 weeks I am happy with it so far - I find the driver's seat to be very comfortable too.
And yes, I love the driver's seat, so much better than the one in the last-model Yaris. Toyota is finally, it seems, learning a thing or two about adequate lumbar support.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Have 650 miles on the odometer -
Needless to say I am happy with the MPG so far!
I saw where a couple of people said the onboard mpg computer was off (low) by a mpg or two so I was excited that my actual mpg was a tad higher than the computer's figure.
I am loving my 2012 Yaris more & more each day!
Mine is the 5-speed, which I don't think has such a big advantage over the automatic as it used in this model. I am at 3000 miles on the odo, and at first the mileage seemed to slightly improve as the miles rolled by, but now I think it was just my imagination.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I can get ~45 mpg if I go ~50 mph on the highway by "hypermiling" although it sometimes pisses some people off.
In the city/town I generally get about 37 to 39 depending on traffic. The speed there is generally 30 to 40 mph but with stops every now and then.
Of course using mild hypermiling techniques.
Simple things like learning how to time DFCO can make a big difference.
Not speeding up to stop lights, not hitting the breaks a lot because of following too closely to cars in front among other things can really improve gas mileage.
I haven't been in heavy city "stop and go" driving yet.
Without hypermiling I would expect to get about what the sticker said.
A little over 900 miles on the odometer.
So far so good, no regrets getting the Yaris!
I find the driver's seat to be very comfortable, visibility is good, gas mileage so far has exceeded my expectations - I love the tight turning circle and parking is a breeze - plus it looks good! Consumer Reports did give it their highest mark for owner cost.
I'd recommend it!!
So I wouldn't trade.
I think ride quality is very subjective to describe, and there are "large car people" and "small car people". Large car people will think anything as small as the Yaris has a choppy ride.
Thank goodness I am a small car person! :-P
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Per my calculator: 34.7
This is 90% city driving...
Very pleased with the 2012 Yaris LE - 1150 miles on odometer
I only went to 3 dealerships other than Toyota and looked @ the Fit, Mazda2 and the Fiesta, in fairness, I didn't drive any of them - just sat in the driver's seat - the Fit impressed me the most of those particular cars - I drove the Yaris 3 times (3 different ones) and that was it - it was the one I wanted. I don't think you'd regret getting the Fit if that is at the top of your list, I'm just glad the MPG for my Yaris has been so good so far.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
On board MPG computer: 34.8
Manually calculated: 36.8
90% city driving, 10% highway
tires set to 37 psi
Also there seem to be a lot of complaints on the Fit forum concerning poor mileage.
Kip
There's not much not to like about this gem of a car - but it is true that it's not as quiet as my other car ('01 Corolla LE) and the ride is somewhat harsher - however, the pros far outweigh the cons!
Handling - very good
Visibility - excellent
MPG - terriffic!
Parking - a snap (tight turning circle)
Audio system - excellent
Brakes - best I've ever had
Driver's seat comfort - excellent
Price - pretty good (less than $17,700 total OTD)
Controls - easy to reach, simple
Styling (subjective of course) I like it!
Headlights - excellent
Plus the 2 years free scheduled maintenance made it even better!
Recently I have been driving it like I stole it, with repeat visits to 100 mph, some canyon racing (its forte), etc, and it still managed 35 mpg on the last tank. It is so much fun to drive, it makes me forget I bought it to save gas! Will have to shoot for 40 mpg on the next tank, and the calendar will help: we should be going back to summer gas in the next couple of weeks, which will add 2 points of mpg if the past is any guide.
I can get a running average of 38 mpg without trying, as long as I forego the antics and stick close to the speed limit on the highway. Just closing in on 5000 miles now.....
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
MPG aside, I think it's the best bang for your buck - I love mine - no regrets so far -
I had a Matrix in the past and I know what you mean - nothing about that car was very athletic - acceleration, steering, handling, or braking. About the best you could say was it handled adequately and didn't lean way over in turns despite its tallness.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
MPG computer on car - 34.9 mpg
Manually calculated - 35 mpg
90% city driving
I love my Yaris, so far I have no regrets about buying one, none whatsoever - I would tell anyone who wants a small fuel-efficient car made by a car company with a long-standing repuation for building reliable cars to consider the Yaris. It's Toyota's 3rd best selling car, and read what consumers have to say, people who actually own one!
I think the reason my last tank went down a little to 35 mpg is because I've been running the AC, it's been very warm here lately.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Kip
Kip
I'm extremely pleased with the mpg, so far averaging 35 mpg (city) with less than 1800 miles on the odometer ...and I expect this to increase as the engine breaks in.
I understand what may be "comfortable" to one person may not be to someone else, but for me the driver's seat is very comfortable, the most comfortable of any car I've had - and as far as what the article said about "hard, cheap plastics" IMO the interior is attractive and well designed, I like the layout/design....doesn't feel or look cheap to me.
Most of the reviews I've read from consumers who own the Yaris were very positive.
First place: Honda Fit
Second: Chevrolet Sonic
Third: Toyota Yaris
Fourth: Hyundai Accent
Fifth: Kio Rio
Sixth: Nissan Versa
These cars were reviewed on many things, one being "steering feel", the Yaris came in first place.
For fuel economy, Yaris tied for first place with the Accent and the Versa.
But note that C/D also complained about noise and the driving position--as did CR. Had CR tested the SE, maybe they would have liked the handling better, as C/D did.
Interestingly, CR averaged 32 mpg in the Yaris... a good number, but matched by cars such as the Accent, Versa, Corolla, and Mazda3i.
Out of a possible 10 points, got a 8 for driver comfort.
Out of a possible 10 points, got a 8 for fit and finish.
Out of a possible 10 points, got a 8 for both interior and exterior styling.
Out of a possible 20 points, the Yaris got a 19 for performance.
Out of a possible 10 points, got a 9 for steering feel.
Out of a possible 10 points, got a 8 for brake feel.
Out of a possible 10 points, got a 8 for handling and a 8 for ride.
Out of a possible 25 points, got a 21 for fun to drive.
Some of the low scores were: for flexibility - got a 2 out of possible 5.
For features/amenities, got a 4 out of possible 10.
I got this info from their website.
For features/amenities, got a 4 out of possible 10.
The flexibility thing is exclusively and totally because they are totally in love with the Fit's "magic seat", which I will admit is pretty nifty if you are going to be doing a lot of carrying people and cargo at various times in the car. With the Fit getting a 5 for the magic seat, the Yaris gets a 2 by comparison, but if you will mostly be alone or with one passenger in the car (which is my case as this is my commute car) the magic seat won't matter much.....
Features/amenities: they get graded down for no factory moonroof or NAV, and for the ages-old 4-speed automatic which I agree is a bit of a disgrace for Toyota at this point.....and in a totally redesigned model no less. All the other models in the class except the Mazda2 have the edge there. But if you get a manual it won't matter how many gears the automatic has! :-)
If fun to drive is important to you at all, you should get the Yaris. The SE is the most fun to drive of any of the cars in this class, including the Fit Sport IMO.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
No. But it will matter how many gears the manual has! C/D complained about the Yaris needing another gear in the manual tranny. Several competitors have 6-speed sticks now, which help for fuel economy and noise.
Most in the cars in that test had no factory moonroof available, so I doubt the Yaris got down-graded for that.
As for the manuals, you are totally correct that the Fit and Yaris are both behind on that count, and in fact the reviews of both noted how high the engines revved at normal highway speeds. They should have a proper cruising gear. Of course they still get the best as-tested mileage of the group even with less gears to choose from! :-)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The lack of a 6th cog (noise on the highway) is a key reason why I cannot consider the Fit, although it's a fun car to drive.
When a given car goes from 4 speed to 5 speed, did the "Top" gear ratio actually change? Or did they do some shuffling and insert the new gear into the lower 4?
These small 4 bangers depend on RPM to do their thing. If the "TOP" gear is too high, it won't be good for much more than level ground running.
Peer pressure is powerful and no doubt the 4 speed autos in Toyota's line up will change to a larger number of gears "Just Because" . But will that actually do anything for overall fuel millage?
Most of the noise we hear in our 09 Rav4 and Honda Ridgeline are road noises, not engine noises. As was the 03 CR-V and Pilot. And truthfully, the RAV4 is extremely noisy at idle and lower rpm, Sounds like a tractor when standing outside it.
In the small 4 banger line, we have had a rental Honda Civic with the 5 speed auto, and a Corolla with the 4 speed auto. The Civic "SEEMED" a tad quicker 0-60 but the Corolla got better fuel mileage. And didn't seem as "Busy" as the Civic.
Possibly a Yaris - Fit comparison might yield the same results.
Kip
The Yaris (based on previous generation) and Fit are examples where 5th gear revs high (over 3000 rpm on the highway) and the high revs contribute to noise at cruise. I also suspect both cars could get better highway fuel economy if they had a 6th gear, overdrive, that would allow cruising at lower RPMs. They are small and light with small engines.
onboard mpg computer: 35.2
Manually calculated: 36.5
This is 90% city driving.
YYYYYEEEEEEAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!
I have named her "Sippy" because she sips gas!
Now I do have to tell you that I have the psi in my tires slightly higher than the recommended 33 psi - right now they are at 36 psi - it has been my experience that a little extra air will improve gas mileage -
Also, I do coast now and again, usually when I see a stop light up ahead and it's red I will take my foot off the gas and coast if it's feasible - but I'm not a hypermiler (not that there's anything wrong with that!)
Other than that, just normal stop and go driving -
My last car (2001 Corolla LE) got a pretty consistent 30 mpg city and 39 highway which is what the sticker said, my Yaris' sticker stated 30 mpg city and 35 highway so needless to say up to this point I'm a happy camper!