2009 Toyota Yaris 5 door liftback

Toyota has made a couple of important changes to the Yaris for 2009, First, side-curtain airbags and antilock brakes are now standard. Second, they've added a new 5-door version, which is based on the 3-door hatchback (as opposed to the slightly-larger 4-door sedan). The new 5-door Yaris liftback competes against new versions of the Honda Fit, Chevy Aveo5 and Nissan Versa. With five doors, the Yaris is now much more versatile and able to hold its own against the competition.

The 5-door version of the Yaris isn't, strictly speaking, all-new. Toyota has offered it in other countries, including Canada, since the Yaris' 2007 introduction. The 2009 model is the first time Toyota is offering it in the US market. Aside from the extra doors, the 5-door Yaris is identical to the 3-door in terms of just about everything, from outside length to rear-seat legroom. With a back door, it just makes it easier to get people and other thinks into the back seat. The only other difference is that the 5-door comes with an automatic transmission, which accounts for $800 of the $1,100 price premium over the 3-door version.

The Yaris comes standard with air conditioning but little else. Power windows, mirrors and locks and even a stereo are optional, and adding them brings the price up to $15,605, which is still not a bad price for this vehicle. A Convenience Package for liftback ($630) adds the radio, 15-inch wheels and tires, rear defroster, and a rear wiper for the liftback. The Power Package for the base models ($1,785) includes the Convenience Package plus power door locks, windows, and mirrors. On the liftback, it also adds a 60/40 split rear seat that slides, reclines, and folds completely flat; on the sedan, it adds cruise control, upgraded trim, LCD audio display, and ABS brakes with Electronic Brake-force distribution. For comparison, the Honda Fit, which gets all that stuff as standard, costs $15,420 with a stick-shift and $16,220 with an automatic transmission. The Fit might be worth the extra money -- it's got a bigger back seat and more than twice as much cargo space. With the new catchy styling, the center-mounted gauge pod, and an interior with plenty of storage, (it has three glove boxes!), and the extra safety equipment they've added, the 5 door Yaris is a fun little car for the money.
It would be hard to come up with better transportation option than the Toyota Yaris, price considered or not. Even though theYaris is considered an entry level vehicle, it feels and performs much better than its price tag would suggest. The economical 1.5-liter engine has more than enough power to keep up with traffic, the ride smoothes out most bumps and dips, the handling is almost sporty when the road opens up, the steering feels above and beyond entry level, and the brakes haul the 2,300-pound car to a halt with confidence. Pedal feel is direct, and even though the rear brakes are drums and not discs, stopping power is more than sufficient. The Yaris reminded me a little of the Mini Cooper as I was driving it around the mountains. The 1.5 liter engine had plenty of zip coming up I-70, even with the old-tech 4-speed automatic, and it returns good fuel economy , EPA estimates 29mpg city/35mpg highway. Bottom line: The Yaris is a great small car for the money.

Denis & his wife own the Mountain Man Nut & Fruit and Evergreen Gift Baskets store in downtown Evergreen.