Motortrend : 2012 YARIS : 1st drive of ...

[djct_watt]

HELLO, it's the OPTIONAL 1.3L engine available in the other markets. I'm sure they will continue to offer the completely dull and boring 1NZ-FE in the US market (and others as well). For much of the world though, the 94HP from the 1.3L is adequate. I know here in Thailand (where speed enforcement is near non-existent), it's very hard to find a suitable road to safely exceed 140KPH, which is when the lack of power starts to show. When I was in the USA, I could flat out hold down the accelerator for hours on end without any problems controlling the car. Even in other cars, I would often cruise at triple digit speeds (with a good radar detector, clear road conditions, and long straight road). Unfortunately, for long distance driving, it's actually slower to do so, as you have to make more gas stops.

And yes, the new interior sucks.

[fnkngrv]

the renderings of the vios are similar just as a sedan and let me tell you that I truly feel the car looks FUBAR all around. They have lost their original styling.

[MadMax]

Well, these are new pictures and information on the 2012 Yaris, so I think it's fair game to comment on them!

I for one would never consider buying this car. If anything (God forbid) were to happen to my 2008, I would look for a new or slightly used 2011 or newer hatch, or something else, before I would consider the redesigned Yaris. It has lost everything I love about the car, the looks, the center-mounted instruments (which I wish were on all my vehicles!), everything!

And I believe that has been the general consensus amongst owners on this site. Toyota has made it resemble the Matrix too much, and that has taken away from the uniqueness of the Yaris. Even the new competition--the Mazada 2 and Ford Fiesta--are distinctly different (and uglier in my opinion) than the current model Yaris.

Sorry Toyota, you're probably going to lose much of a small but dedicated fan base when the 2012 Yaris shows up at dealers...

Cheers! M2

[djct_watt]

I think the majority of people don't buy it for the looks... The MAJORITY (and this forum is a tiny minority) buy it for the reputation, reliability, because it's a Toyota, the price, and the mileage.

Yes, it's a downgrade in many ways, but it's a bit over-assuming to think they give two poop nuggets about what we think here.

[DMZ]

Originally Posted by djct_watt

I think the majority of people don't buy it for the looks... The MAJORITY (and this forum is a tiny minority) buy it for the reputation, reliability, because it's a Toyota, the price, and the mileage.

I am directly under the mid point of the bell curve on that.

[MadMax]

Originally Posted by djct_watt

I think the majority of people don't buy it for the looks... The MAJORITY (and this forum is a tiny minority) buy it for the reputation, reliability, because it's a Toyota, the price, and the mileage.

Yes, it's a downgrade in many ways, but it's a bit over-assuming to think they give two poop nuggets about what we think here.

I disagree, and this article says that style is first reason consumers buy one new car over another.

Most people are visually oriented, and want things that please the eye. If functionality was the main reason most folks buy a vehicle, we'd all drive Jeeps and Subarus!

After style comes storage, that "new car smell" (), then the dashboard (which may explain why the Yaris is not more popular in the US, and why Toyota went back to the gauge cluster behind the steering wheel despite the center-mounted position being more practical), followed by the stereo system.

And while this forum may represent a small majority of Yaris owners statistically, it does represent a more passionate group of owners and I do think that Toyota does pay attention to what is discussed on here. I don't think it impacts every decision they make, but I would go as far as to say I believe there are Toyota representatives that monitor some of the discussions we have here and take notice of what's said. I know it's done on other vehicle forums, such as the Jeep one I'm on.

If they don't, they're missing out on a lot of great information about their vehicle!

Cheers! M2

[djct_watt]

Originally Posted by MadMax

I disagree, and this article says that style is first reason consumers buy one new car over another.

Most people are visually oriented, and want things that please the eye. If functionality was the main reason most folks buy a vehicle, we'd all drive Jeeps and Subarus!

After style comes storage, that "new car smell" (), then the dashboard (which may explain why the Yaris is not more popular in the US, and why Toyota went back to the gauge cluster behind the steering wheel despite the center-mounted position being more practical), followed by the stereo system.

And while this forum may represent a small majority of Yaris owners statistically, it does represent a more passionate group of owners and I do think that Toyota does pay attention to what is discussed on here. I don't think it impacts every decision they make, but I would go as far as to say I believe there are Toyota representatives that monitor some of the discussions we have here and take notice of what's said. I know it's done on other vehicle forums, such as the Jeep one I'm on.

If they don't, they're missing out on a lot of great information about their vehicle!

Cheers! M2

I would agree with you, but the problem is that this is car marketed at the bottom of the automotive food chain. It's not a Ferrari, it's not a Lexus, it's not even a Camry level car. It's a Yaris. The bell-curve responds far less to aesthetics. Heck, even the Element, xB(1st gen), and to a much lesser extent the Aztek sold due to their packages, not their aesthetic value. In this market, it has a much less heavy effect on buyers. Take a look at Versa sales, and the Versa is ugly as sin! Old Kia's, Hyundai's, Cobalts, Cavalaiers, Sunfires, and even Saturns all sold in reasonable amounts. . . The Corolla, Camry, or whatever the competitor Toyota had old sold them, not based on looks, but the overall package; which is where Toyota usually wins out.

[end user]

Originally Posted by djct_watt

I think the majority of people don't buy it for the looks... The MAJORITY (and this forum is a tiny minority) buy it for the reputation, reliability, because it's a Toyota, the price, and the mileage.

I bought it for the looks and the rest. The current design is bumper to bumper purty unlike some of the cars where either the front end is nice and the rear is ugly or vice versa. It also doesn't look like some jagged edge crumpled paper was used for the design.

[Hershey]

Doesn't look all that bad . That design has been around for a little while for the AURIS ( Corolla ) of EUROPE and other countries .

[R2D2]

Hello, Vanilla! Wow, that thing is a mess. Gauges behind the wheel and all the great storage in the current Yaris looks like it's gone. Looks WAY to much like a Versa which is NOT good.

I value reliability and economy above all so the 1.3 and CVT would be fine by me, but I agree with MadMax. Who wants to buy a car and hate the look of it? I've had my Yaris two years it still makes me smile.

I'm sorry but this car screams to me "Lets wave inexpensive bait at buyers so we can upsell when they get to the dealership". They really just want to sell hybrids with higher profit margins, anyway.

Having said that hopefully, the look of the 2012 will grow on me, sometimes things take a while.

R2

[Kal-El]

Certainly, Toyota could have taken the Yaris further rather than playing it conservative. I think most of us agree the Yaris should have followed an evolutionary change with similar round shapes and a c-pillar that didn't kink forward. Instead, Toyota decided to sharpen it up and drop some distinctiveness.

Believe it or not though, I believe Toyota is trying to play to a bigger audience even though, oddly enough, it seems to be abandoning some enthusiasts here.

Take note of how the Nissan Versa has dominated sales in the segment for much of the last 3 years (outselling the Yaris about 3 to 1). Yet, most of us dislike the Versa. How could this be? So is it any surprise that the new Yaris looks more like the Versa?

And the ongoing debate about center gauges is interesting. I like them (although no more than behind the wheel), and most members here prefer them. But the fact is, is that Toyota has lost countless sales because of this one quirk. Most people used to convention, just can't accept center gauges. Toyota did make the right decision to go normal on this one.

But outside of these complaints, the new Yaris is no doubt a better car. It will have better gas mileage, more interior room, handle better, have better quality interior materials, be safer, have more comfortable seats, ect...

[Manley81bass]

I like the single front wiper.

[djct_watt]

It's interesting. . . but we'll have to see how it performs. I hope they did it because it works better and not because it was cheaper. . . but I doubt it.

[Kongo-Otto]

Originally Posted by djct_watt

It's interesting. . . but we'll have to see how it performs. I hope they did it because it works better and not because it was cheaper. . . but I doubt it.

Don´t expect too much. In my opinion its just a new body for nearly the same "old" car. Its a bit longer, well. We already have that engine here since 2009, same with VSC and the other electronic little helpers, same with the stop&start system.

It can´t be faster and it can`t consume less fuel than our (my) Yaris does today. I dislike the gap between the dashboard and the gear lever. It looks like back in the old days for me.

There is only one thing i am interested in: The upcoming hybrid version.

[djct_watt]

Originally Posted by Kongo-Otto

Don´t expect too much. In my opinion its just a new body for nearly the same "old" car. Its a bit longer, well. We already have that engine here since 2009, same with VSC and the other electronic little helpers, same with the stop&start system.

It can´t be faster and it can`t consume less fuel than our (my) Yaris does today. I dislike the gap between the dashboard and the gear lever. It looks like back in the old days for me.

There is only one thing i am interested in: The upcoming hybrid version.

I mean absolutely no disrespect to your tastes (everyone has their own valid opinion), but man, I never understood the connected gearshift/dash thing. It absolutely hate how Honda (ever since the older hatchback Si's in the early '00's) had the gear shift lever jutting out from the dash. It just reminds me too much of a minivan. Now, if by connected, you mean a traditional drive tunnel like in most sedans, yes that is nicer. However, being that this car is FWD with a transversely mounted engine and transmission, a drive tunnel / transmission tunnel is not necessary. And because the car is SO small, a faux tunnel only impedes leg room. For a car this small, it's not very practical, although it would look better.

Also in regards to handling/driving characteristics. You are spot on about the engine (the most lacking thing) being the exact same. What remains to be seen is if the USDM will get an update/upgrade from the current antiquated 4spd auto.

[2009BBPliftback]

I am a 3 door kinda guy if I wanted a 5 door I would have bought one.. Show me a 3 door and I might be interested...

[devinlamothe]

Why couldn't they just bring the Auris over here? I would rather have that than this crappy thing.

Redesign = FAIL in my opinion.

[SLIK4]

any chance this could help the aftermarket of the current gen yaris?