So I was rather upset when Toyota, suddenly and without warning, announced an all-new Yaris for 2012. Did they ask for my input? No. Did they give me any advance warning that my beloved Yaris was about to change? Nope. All I got was casual e-mail.
Not only did they keep the redesign from me, those duplicitous fiends did their best to cover it up! When I first saw the new 2012 Yaris, I thought Toyota had just given it a facelift -- a little nip-'n'-tuck to the sheet metal to make it look less cute and more aggressive. But no, this is indeed an all-new Yaris, although Toyota has retained the size and shape of the original, something I would have heartily approved of if they had bothered to ask.
The new Yaris comes in L, LE and SE versions. Cheapest is the 3-door L, priced at $14,875, which is nearly $1,000 more than last year, but you now get a stereo, power door locks, and a staggering nine airbags, including one for the driver's knees and another in the front seat cushions that ensure proper posture in a crash. (We wouldn't want the paramedics to find us slouching!) But you'll still have to crank down the windows -- power windows only come on the $16,385 LE model, which also includes a better stereo, Bluetooth, a height-adjustable steering column, and an automatic transmission. Last year's "sporty" Yaris S was an appearance package, but this year it gets a stiffer suspension and tighter steering, rear disc brakes, and alloy wheels, and a price tag of $17,160 with a manual transmission ($17,960 with an automatic), which I find rather pricey for the once-humble Yaris.
And that's a shame, because despite high-quality materials throughout most of the cabin, there are some rather appalling examples of cost-cutting. The L model comes with manual side mirrors which you adjust by pushing on the glass with your fingers.
As an apparent sop to me, Toyota has left the powertrain alone; the new Yaris is powered by the same 106 horsepower 1.5 liter four-cylinder found in the old car. Don't tell Toyota, but I've always liked this engine -- it's smooth and even-tempered for such a small unit, thanks largely to its VVTi variable valve timing system. The 5-speed manual is as good as ever, with a feather-light clutch pedal and a shifter that would do Porsche proud. But why did the ancient 4-speed automatic have to come along for the ride? Forget about our personal baggage, Toyota; a 4-speed automatic has no place in a new-for-2012 vehicle. A modern 6-speed might cost more, but it would give the automatic Yaris better mid-range acceleration, and improve the already-impressive EPA MPG estimates (30 city/38 highway for the stick-shift, 30/35 for the automatic). Worse yet, this Ghost of Transmissions Past is the sole choice for the LE model -- only the L and SE offer a manual.
Handling is what you'd expect from a Toyota: Light, nimble, and a bit uninvolving. The true pleasure of the Yaris comes from its tiny size: It's great in traffic and easy to park. And what of the SE model, with its stiffer springs and tighter steering? The handling isn't noticeably better, but the ride is noticeably less pleasant. If you want a small car that's a true pleasure to drive, forget the Yaris and buy a Ford Fiesta or a MINI Cooper.
