2019 Toyota Yaris review: Small & Steady wins the race

90Solid2019 Toyota YarisOverall Impressions Don't judge a book by its cover! She's small, but more fun than she looks! Great option for the novice buyer.Predictive MaintenanceFuel SavingStandard FeaturesCanning BoardFront Passenger Room

There is more opportunity than ever in the compact sedan market with affordable and economical models in this segment. But what if you're looking for one that's also packed with safety features and is still a pleasure to drive? The 2019 Toyota Yaris is a car you should have on your shopping list, especially if you have a college-going young man in your house. 

We drove a 2019 Toyota Yaris XLE this week.

What's new in 2019

Last year's Yaris iA was renamed simply Yaris. The compact car is produced only as a sedan, although there are new front and rear styling procedures. Three trim levels are now available: L, LE and XLE.

Characteristics Options: beautifully balanced 

The top-of-the-line 2019 Toyota Yaris XLE comes standard with forward collision warning, low-speed automatic emergency braking, a rear-view camera, and a height-adjustable driver's seat. Infotainment features include a center console controller, a seven-inch display, voice recognition, Bluetooth, two USB ports, an auxiliary audio jack, HD and satellite radio, and a six-speaker sound system.

The XLE gets upgrades from the standard model with 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, rear spoiler, heated exterior mirrors, LED turn signals and ignition and keyless entry. The XLE loses the manual transmission option but gains automatic LED headlights, automatic wipers and climate control, faux leather upholstery and a leather steering wheel. Two drive settings (Normal and Sport) complete the list of features for the 2019 Toyota Yaris XLE.

Total MSRP including destination: $19,470. By comparison, the 2019 Toyota Yaris starts at $15,450.  

2019 Toyota Yaris interior layout.

Interior Highlights: Softer but High-Tech

Despite the lower price, the cabin impressed us from the moment we jumped inside. The vertical touchscreen and circular air vents come straight from the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class page. This is an uncommon material of this finish and finish quality in a sub-compact under $20,000. There are plenty of soft-touch materials throughout, and the infotainment system has the connectivity that high-tech generations want.

The seven-inch touchscreen caught our attention with its easy-to-read display. The room ahead is typical of a subcompact car, but rear passengers will feel a little cramped on longer city walks. The rear seats fold down and open into the sedan's boot to accommodate additional cargo. For a young college student, there is plenty of room for books, groceries and laundry.

engine fuel mileage

The 2019 Toyota Yaris is powered by a 1.5-liter engine with 106 horsepower and 103 lb-ft. torque. Despite its small size, the engine uses direct injection and variable valve timing with a compression ratio of 12:1 to improve performance and efficiency. EPA fuel economy figures are 32/40 city/highway and 35 when combined with the six-speed automatic.

In terms of fuel economy, the 2019 Toyota Yaris ranks first when compared to other small cars. 

Related: Another detailed look at the 2019 Toyota Yaris.

Driving dynamics: more fun than you think 

There's a lot to love about the Yaris for sporty driving dynamics. It is a driver's car from the very beginning and offers a lot of entertainment for city dwellers. We drove the compact sedan through the streets of Denver and the mountains west of the city to test it thoroughly. When we got snow this week, the front-wheel-drive Yaris had no problems on the roads.

The Yaris easily hugged the mountain bends and leaned over little. The automatic transmission is a nice change from the CVT gearboxes that are common in smaller cars today. The six-speed automatic never hunted for the right gear, and it doesn't have the annoying chink usually associated with a CVT. 

On the open road, there may be more power, but it's good for city commuters and students driving home for the weekend. Since we've been touring the city, the Yaris is the perfect size. Visibility is good and handling is tight, with MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam in the back.

Conclusion: an affordable option 

For fuel mileage and city driving, the 2019 Toyota Yaris is the way to go. It's affordable and offers a more immersive driving experience than other small cars on the market. 

Denis Flier has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in various fields. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy

2019 Toyota Yaris Gallery

Photos: Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.

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