safety reasons

[UTVitz]

I'm not 100% sure, but I thought I read the extra safety items became standard equipment in '09. Toyota was taking a lot of hits for not including these items and charging extra when other manufactures were not-honda fit, nissan versa. So you might look at an '09 and see if it has what you want and save a ton over buying new.

If those safety items are important to you, don't buy one without them. Mine has none of them and handling/braking can be trick in emergencies. I invested in some winter tires for that time of year and it made all the difference.

[DevilGirl]

Originally Posted by UTVitz

I'm not 100% sure, but I thought I read the extra safety items became standard equipment in '09. Toyota was taking a lot of hits for not including these items and charging extra when other manufactures were not-honda fit, nissan versa. So you might look at an '09 and see if it has what you want and save a ton over buying new.

If those safety items are important to you, don't buy one without them. Mine has none of them and handling/braking can be trick in emergencies. I invested in some winter tires for that time of year and it made all the difference.

Not all of the safety features were included in the 2009 model. It has more of the side-curtain air bags, but I think that's about it. Mine does not have the traction control, which came in the 2010. I think there was something else that the 2010 has that mine does not.