Review: 2012 Yaris SE: A surprisingly sporty mix of new and old



The 2012 Toyota Yaris SE features all-new exterior styling. Photo by Curtis Reesor.

As the owner of a 2007 Yaris three-door, I was extremely curious when Toyota announced it was revamping the brand’s b-segment entry. Toyota introduced the Yaris onto the U.S. market in 2007 after it discontinued the unpopular (and generally unloved) Echo. The 2007-2011 Yaris, available in sedan, three-door, and five-door hatchback configurations, was practical with tons of storage areas, especially in hatchback guise. Nimble, fuel-efficient, and in my Yaris-owning opinion, fun to drive, the Yaris was a step in the right direction in the subcompact world. But it was criticized, especially in hatchback form, for an abundant use of hard plastics on the interior, its center-mounted gauge cluster, and economy-car feel on low trim levels. It turns out the 2012 Yaris is actually a mix new styling and design, with the previous-Yaris engine, transmission, and chassis.

Review: 2015 Toyota Yaris SE

By Andy Lilienthal

Ah, the Yaris—Toyota’s smallest car. We own a 2007 hatchback. In some ways the 2015 is pretty much the same car we have despite the facelift. It’s got essentially the same chassis. It’s still powered by the 1.5-liter 1NZ-FE engine that also powered the 2000–2005 Toyota Echo, the 2004–2007 Scion xB and xA, and the 2007–2015 Yaris. This engine, which makes 106 horsepower and 103 ft/lbs of torque, has Toyota’s VVT-i variable valve timing system, but it’s not exactly on the cutting edge of technology. It is, however, tried, true, and nearly bulletproof. The same could be said for the available transmissions: a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic. In a day in which most manufacturers are offering automatics with up to nine gears in their autos (or offering CVTs), Toyota still uses its steadfast four-speed auto. So why the old-school powertrain? Maybe Toyota believes that that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Then again, maybe they think buyers in this segment aren't worried about the engine/transmission tech, rather, they're more inclined to offer up a super-reliable car with decent fuel economy. As I said, it's been around a while, so it's proven tech. It's also in the Toyota parts bin, so it won't cost much to make. Whatever the reason, Toyota is betting on the fact its least expensive car will bring buyers to dealerships. So while it’s the same-old Yaris in many respects, there are some noticeable changes, just not to the powertrain or suspension. Fun fact: This Yaris is made in France, not Japan.

New 2020 Toyota Yaris to Debut at 2019 Tokyo Motor Show

Toyota showed off its next-generation Yaris liftback today on its global website. This means after more than a decade, the Yaris will finally get a full redesign. It will debut at the Tokyo Motor Show, which begins October 23.

Nostalgic Subcomapct: A Brief History of the Toyota Echo and Yaris in North America

The Toyota Yaris is celebrating 15 years of sales in Europe. The car joined the "supermini" fray in 1999 and has been selling strong since. Toyota UK's blog site has a nice little write up on 15 years of Yaris sales on that side of the pond. But North America has had a Yaris nameplate since 2007. However, it's roots go back to the turn of the 21st century.

In 2000, North America got the Toyota Echo. This little thing, available in two- and four-door variants, was meant to appeal to youth. It didn't (at least in the U.S.) as is with the case of many other youth-targeted cars. Sales were fairly slow after its debut, but the cars ran forever and got great mileage. I remember driving one in 2001, and the interior, complete with center-mounted gauges, felt very spaceship like. In the Japanese market, it was called the Platz.

North American Echos were all powered by the 1.5-liter 1NZ-FE engine mated to either a four-speed auto or a five-speed manual transmission. This is the same engine and transmission combination that has powered every Yaris sold in North America. It's also the same engine/transmission combo that was found in the Scion xA and xB, as well as versions of the Toyota Prius.

For MY2004, Canada, which has a penchant for smaller cars than the U.S., ended up getting the Echo Hatchback. This was essentially a rebadged first-generation Yaris/Vitz. Arguably, it was more attractive than the Echo with a trunk. Actually, is that arguable? I'm pretty sure it's fact. I still wish I could obtain one here in the U.S.

The U.S. and Canada got its first actual Yaris-branded vehicle in 2007 (Mexico got it one year earlier). It was available as both a three- and five-door hatchback and a sedan, and represented an all-new look for the Yaris globally. FYI, the Yaris Sedan was known as the Vios or Belta in markets outside of North America and was marketed as a separate model. Your Yaris trivia for the day? The U.S. didn't get the five-door liftback model until 2009 and you could only get it with the automatic transmission (a manual appeared in select areas of the country in 2010).

In 2012, the Yaris/Vitz was redesigned again, though the previous cars's underpinnings remained nearly unchanged. It was (and is) offered as either a three- or five-door hatchback in both the U.S. and Canada (Mexico only gets the five-door). The sportier SE model appeared with quicker steering, revised suspension tuning, larger alloy wheels, and a different front fascia, among other goodies. The sedan, which did not get updated for 2012, was dropped in for MY2013 in the U.S. and Canada; the Mexican market still sells it.

One model North America never did see was the Yaris Verso. This was a smallish tall wagon based on the first-gen Yaris. Later versions were called the Ractis and based on the second-gen Yaris platform. Personally, I think Scion would've been smarter to replace the xB with a Ractis than go to the larger second-gen xB, but that's just my crazy talking. I also have a mild obsession with Japanese tall wagons.

I still love my '07, and will likely drive it for years to come. It gets great economy, has been reliable as rain, and still has an interesting aftermarket. Plus, with my modifications, I've made it handle like a go-kart and perform above average. And kudos to Toyota for not giving up on the subcompact market in the early 2000s—a time when many automakers culled their smallest cars from their lineup. And while the current Yaris isn't setting sales records, it's still a solid choice for a reliable, fuel-efficient car.

The Tag Rally Sport Yaris Race Car

WRX. EVO. Yaris? The First two names are synonymous with rally racing, but the Yaris—maybe not so much. However, there are people around the world who campaign the tiny front-wheel-drive Toyota as a rally racer. And now there's another team to add to the list: Tag Rally Sport.

Based out of Colorado and Rhode Island, Tag Rally Sport, a woman-owned new-age motorsports marketing agency, will campaigning their 2007 Yaris liftback in Rally America's B Spec class. Piloting the Yaris will be Tracey Gardiner, owner and president of Tag Rally Sport.

So how does one decide they want to build a Yaris rally car? For Tracey, it all started in Ireland ... 

We Sold our 2007 Toyota Yaris. Long Live The Yaris. Long Live Subcompact Cars.

 

Today was a big day. Today we sold our 2007 Toyota Yaris. This marks a lot of milestones. This marks the end of an era. 

10 Years With a Toyota Yaris

I can hardly believe it, but we have owned our 2007 Toyota Yaris for 10 years now—a whole decade. That's three times longer than I'd ever owned any vehicle. And I've owned a lot of vehicles. So what is it about the Yaris that has allowed it to remain in our stable for so long?

We Checked Out a 2015 Toyota Yaris SE

We dropped off our 2007 Toyota Yaris at the dealership today for some recall work. While there, we checked out a 2015 Toyota Yaris SE, the top-of-the-line model. We didn't drive it, but we did take a look at the exterior and sat in it. 

When I first saw the revised Yaris, I didn't think I liked the front end. With a gaping mouth from the Lexus style book and black fu manchu-like grille detail, the Yaris definitely has a unique front fascia. However, in person the car didn't look as bad as I thought. In fact, in white it had that Storm Trooper look. The headlights were blacked-out and featured projector-beams with LED accents. There is a lot going on, but its not as offensive as I had originally thought. Both Mercedes and I liked the car's back end with its center-mounted reverse lights and basic lines. We both actively dislike the ugly 16-inch alloy wheels. 

The Yaris interior keeps getting better with the subsequent revisions. Our 2007 Yaris liftback, while loaded with storage spaces and practicality, features a ton of hard plastic surfaces. When the Yaris was refreshed in 2012, the interior got a big upgrade. And for 2015, the interior feels even better. There's a mix of hard and soft surfaces, interesting lines, and decent functionality. However, some things, such as the circular vents felt a bit cheap. Also, while the chunky steering wheel felt great in the hand, there's an arms-out driving position—a telescoping wheel would've been good here. Also, the rear seats, unlike our 2007, have headrests that do not retract into the seatback. Thankfully, they can be removed, but when up they partially obscure visibility. Speaking of the back seat, it feels slightly small compared to some other cars in its class. The front seats, however, have an attractive, upscale pattern and have good side bolstering. We did notice the French-built Yaris (yes, 2015 models are made in France) felt very solid. All the doors, including the liftback, closed very solidly. 

Overall, the new Yaris SE looks like a fairly attractive package if you're only looking at the exterior and the interior. If you start looking at the specs, you might be a bit underwhelmed. The car is still powered by the old 106-horsepower 1.5-liter 1NZ-FE engine, which also powered cars including the 2000-2005 Toyota Echo, 2004-2006 Scion xB and xA, and every Yaris since 2007. A spring chicken, it isn't. It is, however, tried and true, dependable, and still capable of getting 37 MPG. We've never been able to get the five-speed manual transmission and the SE package in the Northwest region. Oddly, according to Toyota.com, we now can get a manual transmission with the SE package for 2015, but only only with Magnetic Gray Metallic paint. All other hues come with the automatic only. That's weird. 

The sticker price on this fully loaded Yaris is $18,229, which seems pricey for only 106 hp and a four-speed automatic. That being said, it's likely the Yaris will continue to be super reliable, and it does look different than many other subcompacts, and it's plenty practical. We haven't driven a '15 yet, but I'll bet it drives a lot like previous Yaris models, since it has essentially the same chassis as it did in 2007, although Toyota has made some upgrades to the chassis and suspension. We do look forward to getting behind the wheel of the latest Yaris to see if those changes are noticeable. 

Is the Toyota Yaris Liftback Dead?

So, what's going on with the Yaris Liftback in the U.S.? I've repeatedly been on Toyota.com to see if there are any updates for the MY2019, but it still says 2018 Yaris ...

Official 2015 Toyota Yaris Info

Official info on the 2015 Toyota Yaris has come out. The car is not a major redesign, but rather a refresh, which makes sense, since the next all-new Yaris is supposed to have Mazda DNA. Stay tuned for that.

In the meantime, the '15 Yaris, which will be French made, which will be available in three- and five-door variants, will have quite the striking front fascia. The grille-everywhere grille design now fits into the latest corporate styling identity, too. Other things of note are the projector headlamps and LED running lights.

Other new things include a revised interior featuring what Toyota calls "premium" seats (which I do think look good), a new sporty dashboard, and softer materials throughout. Toyota has also revised the suspension tuning, added more rigidity to the body, and added more sound insulation. The car will retain the 106 horsepower 1.5-liter 1NZ-FE engine that's been found in North American vehicles since the 2000 Echo. It will also retain a five-speed manual and four-speed automatic.

My Thoughts
As a Yaris owner, I have come to appreciate the car's simplicity and reliability. While the 1NZ-FE and accompanying transmissions made be semi-ancient, they work well and are time-tested. EPA ratings for the '15 Yaris are 30 city, 33 combined, and 37 highway with the manual; 30/32/36 with the automatic. We are regularly able to hit 38 MPG with our 2007 Yaris. Frankly, I don't care if the car has two speeds or 20 speeds, so long as the performance and fuel economy are up to par. And the Yaris does stack up to other B-segments in terms of fuel economy. While it is down on power compared to the latest Honda Fit, Ford Fiesta, and Kia Rio, for example, it also has historically been a featherweight, which helps both fuel economy and performance alike.

As far as the design, I can't say I'm a huge fan of the giant grille look, although it does look better on the darker paint jobs—likely because the grille blends in more. It looks as if the car has opened its mouth in the windtunnel and stayed that way, however. Maybe it looks better in person, so I'll reserve final judgment until I see one in the flesh.

I can say this: The current Yaris SE with its quicker steering ratio, 16" wheels/tires, and chunky steering wheel is actually quite entertaining to drive. No, it's not a Fiesta ST, Fiat 500 Abarth, or MINI Cooper S, but it is quite entertaining, and I'm guessing that'll continue for 2015. I do think the 2012-2014 Yaris SE is the most attractive of the bunch thus far, however.

Here's a rundown of the models and availability.

Model#	Grade	Transmission	Body Style	2014 MSRP	2015 MSRP	MSRP change ($)	MSRP Change (%)
1421	L	5MT	3DR	$14,430	$14,845	$415	3%
1422	L	4AT	3DR	$15,155	$15,570	$415	3%
1424	LE	4AT	3DR	$16,015	$16,505	$490	3%
1463	SE	5MT	5DR	$16,540	$16,820	$280	2%
1462	L	4AT	5DR	$15,455	$15,945	$490	3%
1464	SE	4AT	5DR	$17,340	$17,620	$280	2%
1466	LE	4AT	5DR	$16,490	$16,880	$390	2%

The Venerable Toyota 1NZ-FE: Old. Reliable. Tunable?

The Toyota 1NZ-FE under the hood of a 2016 Toyota Yaris

By Andy Lilienthal

With its 16-valves, dual-overhead cams, VVT-i (variable valve timing with intelligence), and an output of 106 hp and 103 lb/ft of torque (give or take a couple depending on the year and application), the venerable Toyota 1NZ-FE engine made its debut in the 2000 Echo in the U.S. At the time, there weren't a whole lot of engines under 1.6 liters, with the exception of the Chevrolet Metro, Ford Aspire, Honda Insight hybrid, Hyundai Accent, and Kia Rio. But let's face it: That was nearly 16 years ago. Yet it's still for sale with few changes. Why does Toyota still use it? Cost. Reliability. Efficiency. But this stoic little engine is more than just that. Let's look at some more history, shall we?

A Hen's Tooth For Sale: 2018 Toyota Yaris SE (With a Manual Transmission)

2018 Toyota Yaris SE. Photo via Lexus of Seattle 

I've found a hen's tooth. A rarity. This is a 2018 Toyota Yaris SE (located at Lexus of Seattle). It was the only Yaris model to come with this front and rear facia. That's right, it only appeared for one year, as the Yaris hatchback was discontinued for 2019, only to reappear as a rebadged Mazda2 for 2020, and then genuinely made extinct. To make this Yaris rarer, it's got the factory two-tone black-and-blue paint scheme. To make it a genuine hen's tooth? It's a five-speed manual. And just in case that wasn't enough, it's located in the Pacific Northwest—an area that didn't get allocations of these with manual transmissions. It's like finding a rare animal that happened to migrate out of its natural habitat. (Now re-read this in a David Attenborough voice.)

Subcompacts at SEMA: Toyota Yaris

The Toyota Yaris: I only ran across two versions at the show. The green one is a radical concept that runs on compressed natural gas (CNG). It's got a cool clam shell tailgate, a widebody kit, and some uber-wide wheels.







The Five Axis roadster was there last year in the booth, but was out in front of the south hall, so I took a few photos. Lots of goodies on this one including JDM front and rear bumpers, Tein coilovers, and a host of one-off parts.

Subcompact Showcase: Toyota Yaris Overlander

Let's face it—the Toyota Yaris isn't known for its ability to be a "soft roader" or overland travel rig. However, I spied this on Facebook and had to learn more.

Toyota to Debut 2018 Yaris at New York International Auto Show

Toyota is set to debt its refreshed 2018 Yaris liftback at the 2017 New York International Auto Show, April 14–23. Toyota is billing the car as "Sporty." That being said, there is no mention of the truly sporty supercharged Yaris GRMN that was announced for Europe at the Geneva International Auto Show earlier in the month. So what changes will the North American Yaris liftback get?

The Case Of The Slow Selling Toyota Yaris

Chart shows sales of the Toyota Yaris in the United States only.

I typically post Toyota Yaris sales results each month on Yarisworld.com. People were wondering why the December 2014 sales were up 167% vs. December 2013, which made me think sales must've been pretty low in December, '13. Well, sure enough, that was the case. 

This made me wonder how the car has sold since its debut in the U.S. as a 2007 model. Well, here's your answer.

Yaris sales peaked in 2008, when Toyota moved 102,328 models. Its low point was 2014, where just 13,274 were sold. That means there's been an 87% drop in Yaris sales over the past seven years. It should be noted that 2012 was the last year of the Yaris sedan in the U.S.

As you know, Toyota just refreshed its subcompact for the 2015 model year. However, with such a sharp decline, it makes you wonder if Toyota will continue to sell its little hatchback on the U.S. market into the future. One could argue that in order to meet CAFE standards, the Yaris is needed. However, keep in mind that the Corolla gets nearly the same fuel economy and that the Prius family of vehicles gets pretty good numbers. Is there really a need for the Yaris?

Perhaps. Since it's the least expensive Toyota, it does serve as a gateway into the brand. However, it is certainly a dated choice compared to many of its competitors. Afterall, the 106 hp 1NZ-FE engine first appeared 15 years ago in the 2000 Toyota Echo. Compare that to Honda's 2015 Fit, which now makes 130 hp from the same 1.5-liters, or Chevrolet's Sonic 1.4-liter turbo four, which is making 138 hp.

Toyota has always had a subcompact car in its lineup, so it's doubtful the Yaris is going to go away. But with low fuel prices, a dated engine/transmission, and slow sales, perhaps the Yaris is simply coasting until a reported Mazda2-based subcompact shakes things up in the coming years.

And in case you were wondering, I own a 2007 Toyota Yaris liftback that I enjoy very much.

Subcompact Showcase: Armstrong Racing's 2ZR-FE-Swapped Toyota Yaris Sedan

A few months ago, I wrote about Tom Armstrong and how he yanked out the 1.5-liter 1NZ-FE engine in his Yaris hatchback for a more powerful 2ZR-FE engine found in the Scion xD and Toyota Corolla, instantly upping the thrust by 26%. Now he's done it again. This time he's documented the swap and created the 2ZR-FE engine swap guide on Yarisworld.com. He also decided to swap the engine in a Yaris sedan for some four-door fun.

Armstrong Racing's 2ZR-FE-powered Yaris sedan lining up to start an autocross run.

Modifications to this killer subcompact sedan include Micro Image springs, Tokico HP dampers, a TRD rear sway bar, Whiteline bushings, and a custom alignment. The swapped Yaris rides on 15x7 Enkei RPF1 wheels and 225/45ZR15 Hankook RS3 V2 tires. And how about that old-school Toyota racing livery? It looks right at home on the Yaris.

Once up and running, Tommy took his tarted-up Yaris to Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego for an SCCA autocross and did quite well. In fact, he won the SMF (Street Mod FWD) class with his setup. Check out the finesse at 1:30, too!



Tom also daily drives this car 80 miles a day and says he's averaging about 30 MPG with the setup, plus there are no check engine lights. He'd like to thank the racing community, who has been very supportive. "They never made fun of the Yaris!" he said. Of course he adds that it's street racers and "car meet people" that make fun, not real racers. And why should they? Especially after a first-place run. The proof is in the pudding.

I still find it amazing that no one had done this engine swap before, especially since the car was sold this way in other markets. But we give Tom and Armstrong Racing big kudos for doing the swap and continuing to blaze trails and search for performance in the Yaris realm.

Review and Installation: NST short shifter and bushing kits

I think the Yaris' stock shifter isn't too bad for its class. Yes, the throws are a bit long, and the gates aren't Ferrari like, but it does OK. However, install NonStopTuning's host of drivetrain products and prepare to be wowed. The combination of two shifter kits and two bushing kits make the Yaris' shifter feel like it was lifted from an expensive sports car, with each movement being crisp, short, and well defined. Shifts are accompanied by a satisfying solid sound, too. It's quite amazing what a few of these metal pieces can do to the car's character.

NonStopTuning, located in Houston, TX, manufactures a variety of high-performance parts for several vehicles including the Toyota Yaris. NST's Yaris parts include high-performance engine pulleys, short shift kits, and metal bushing kits to make the little Yaris perform better than stock.

I recently installed these NST's products on my 2007 Yaris liftback:

• Short shift kit (Part No. NSTSSK09, installed in the engine bay)
• Short shift kit (Part No. NSTSSK09-2, installed in the vehicle)
• Shifter cage bushing kit (Part No. NSTSCK09)
• Shifter cable bushing kit (Part No. NSTSBK09)

All of these products are very well made. NST says the components are made out of either 6061-T6 aluminum or stainless steel, and hard anodized. All needed retainers or fasteners are included. The parts are also designed and made in the U.S.A.

Below is a review of the NST products I installed. A link to the complete in-depth installation can be found above or at the bottom of the post.

Short Shift Kit 1 or 2

I installed the short shifter kit, or SSK, first. This gets installed in the engine bay on top of the transmission case. It was definitely one of the more different looking "shifters" I'd seen. I was used to a short shifter being a metal rod that replaces the stock metal shifter and goes down to the shirt linkage, like the one on our Honda Civic.

Installation was a breeze--it didn't even require any tools to install it. Simply pull the cotter pin on the stock linkage, remove the washer, slide the NST SSK over the metal rod, and button everything back up. It took me about 10 minutes to install--no lie.

And how well did it work? This part alone made a big difference in shifter feel and throw. Things were less sloppy, throws were shorter, and the car felt like it should've from the factory. This is a great first mod for anyone with Yaris. It's easy to install, reasonably priced, and well built.

Shifter Cage Bushings

The next parts to get installed were NST's metal cage bushings. These parts replace the Yaris' stock rubber bushings, and are installed under the large plastic frame that holds the shifter in place. They're sandwiched between the cage and the vehicle's floor, and held down by four large bolts.

By replacing the stock rubber bushings with NST's metal bushings, you take out another degree of shifter slop, making for more precise, accurate shifts. The metal bushings are held in place using four snap rings, so you will want to invest a couple of dollars in a set of snap ring pliers (mine cost $2.50 at Harbor Freight).

These bushings are very easy to install, you just need to get to them. You'll have to remove the Yaris' center console (very easy), and then unbolt the shifter cage from the floor. (FYI, you could probably install these without removing the shifter cage from the car, but I decided to take the whole thing out since everything is easier to get at).

Remove the shift linkage and two wire harnesses that are attached to the shifter cage. Simply push the stock rubber bushings out with a screwdriver, and put the metal bushings, fasten them in pace with the snap rings, and you're done. And since the shifter cage is out, it's the perfect time to install NST's other short shifter kit.

Short Shift Kit 2 of 2Next was the second of NST's shifter kits. This kit will further shorten the throw and enhance shifter feel. This kit consists of a metal cap that attaches over the end of the stock shifter using two set screws. The flat metal piece on the left is a tool to help remove part of the original shifter.

Again--very easy to install, especially since I had already removed the shifter cage for the bushing installation.

Remove a plastic cup on the end of the stock shifter using the NST-supplied tool, and take that plastic part and install it over the NST shifter's metal ball end. Slide the new metal assembly over the Yaris' existing shift rod, and tighten down the two set screws. You're now ready to reinstall the entire shifter cage back into the car.

As promised, the installation of these products improved shifter feel and shortened shifter throw even more than just the SSK1. Everything felt tighter, shorter, and sportier. Finally, it's on to the shifter cable bushings.

Shifter Cable BushingsThe last part of the install was the shifter cable bushing kit. These two bushings replace the rubber units on the shift linkage found in the engine bay.

For these parts, I removed the Yaris' air box and battery for better access to the shift linkage. Once those parts were removed, I pushed out the stock rubber bushings, and installed the metal units, snap rings and all.

One thing to note: When you're reinstalling your linkage, it can be a bit tricky to get everything back together because the previous stock rubber bushings were flexible, allowing for a bit more give when trying to slide the bushings back over the locating posts on the transmission. The metal bushings obviously don't flex, so I had to a bit of difficulty putting reassembling the linkage. A little finesse with the linkage and the snap rings, and everything will go back together as intended.

Final ImpressionsNonStopTuning's host of Yaris drivetrain products really help improve the way the Yaris shifts. Everything feels more solid, more sporty. By just adding the first short shift kit, the car feels much better to shift. The ultimate, of course, is to add the entire host of NST dirvetrain products. This will reward drivers with excellent, race-car-like shifting. Honestly, these products are fantastic: well made, well designed, and worth the money. Highly recommended!

Subcompact Showcase: Jake Brown's Lifted Toyota Yaris

I've said it before: lifting is the new lowering. In fact, I wrote about this trend back in 2014. Five years later, I keep seeing cars that used to be typically lowered getting lifted. Heck, there are even Facebook groups that celebrate this, such as the Safari All The Cars group. Lifting cars is definitely a thing. 

Small Cars Are Still Here. So Are We.

Hey SCC readers. I know it's been a while. We've still been here, still been doing things, but just not as active on the website. For what it's worth, we still have a very active Subcompact Culture Facebook Group. Please join! So what've we been up to lately?