Toyota Yaris

The Yaris is Toyota's replacement for the goofy Echo. But the Yaris is a much better basic transportation option than the Echo ever was. The Yaris actually looks somewhat stylish even though it is still a pudgy little car, but it offers perky performance and an interior that looks great, but is devoid of soft-touch materials. It comes in sedan and hatchback form, with a very weak 1.3-litre mated to either a five-speed manual or a four-speed auto. For 2008, the sedan will also have an optional 1.5-litre with manual or auto, bundled with a body kit. Because the hatchback and sedan were designed separately, there are minor differences in the interior trim and the exterior styling, but each is similarly equipped with such standard items as power steering, a tilt-adjustable steering wheel, front and rear cupholders, two airbags, radio cassette player, 14-inch steel wheels, and ABS brakes. The suspension is independent in front and torsion beam in the rear. Options include a CD player with MP3 capability, a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat, 15-inch alloy wheels and a rear spoiler.