Toyota Yaris: Specs, Features, Used Prices & Review
Base MSRP :~$15,500–$16,000
The Toyota Yaris in the U.S. market was most recently a small, budget-friendly subcompact sold mainly as a sedan, with a short-lived hatchback return for the 2020 model year. It was built around affordability, easy city driving, and strong fuel economy rather than outright speed or size.
Because Toyota discontinued the Yaris after 2020, this page’s information works best for used car buyers, current owners, and shoppers comparing older Toyota small cars.
8.2 / 10 — WheelPedia Rating
Every vehicle we review is scored on a 1–10 scale based on how well it delivers on performance, comfort, efficiency, value, and real-world usability. These ratings help show where it stands in its segment.
Key Highlights
- Market Status: discontinued after the 2020 model year in the U.S.
- Used Price Range: about $9,000 to $19,000 depending on year, mileage, trim, and condition
- Main Engine: 1.5L 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: 106 hp
- Transmission: 6-speed manual or automatic/CVT-style option depending on version
- Drivetrain: FWD
- Fuel Economy: up to about 40 mpg highway
- Best For: city commuting, first-time buyers, students, and budget-focused used-car shoppers
The car was offered in L, LE, and XLE grades, with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all grades, a standard 7-inch touchscreen, and highway fuel economy reaching 40 mpg estimated with the automatic.
Specifications
| Spec | Details |
| Brand | Toyota |
| Model | Yaris |
| Body Type | Subcompact sedan |
| Segment | Subcompact car |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
| Drivetrain | FWD |
| Seats | 5 |
| Trunk Space | About 16–17 cu ft |
| Wheelbase | About 100–101 inches |
| Fuel Tank | About 11 gallons |
The Yaris is an entry-level subcompact with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, standard low-speed pre-collision support, and a small-footprint design aimed at efficiency and everyday usability. It fits squarely into the light, easy-to-park city-car category.
Expert Tip
If you want the best value in the used market, the LE is usually the trim to target because it tends to balance price and equipment better than the base L, while still avoiding the highest asking prices of the XLE. If your budget is tight, a clean L with a strong service history can still make sense. On a used Yaris, condition matters more than chasing every premium feature.
Overview
The Toyota Yaris was built for people who wanted one thing above all: a small car that kept ownership simple. Its strongest selling points were low purchase cost, easy maneuverability, good fuel economy, and enough modern tech to avoid feeling stripped down. Toyota leaned into exactly that message, presenting the Yaris sedan as an affordable subcompact with standard multimedia and active safety features across the lineup.
The Yaris also had a slightly unusual identity in the U.S. because the later sedan version was tied closely to the earlier Yaris iA history. IIHS notes that the Scion iA was renamed the Toyota Yaris iA for 2017, then the “iA” part was dropped for 2019, and a 4-door hatchback variant returned for 2020.
That background matters because many used-car listings and discussions still mix those names together.
From our view, the Yaris makes the most sense today as a practical used commuter. It is not trying to impress with size, luxury, or speed. It wins by being easy to run, easy to park, and easy to understand.
Price & Trims
| Trim | Typical New MSRP (when sold) | Typical Used Price Range | Key Notes |
| L | about $15,500–$16,000 | lower end of market | Basic value trim |
| LE | low-to-mid $17,000s | mid-market used choice | Better convenience/equipment mix |
| XLE | about $18,000–$19,000 | upper end of used market | Most premium trim |
Toyota’s official 2020 Yaris sedan press release confirms the U.S. lineup was sold in three grades: L, LE, and XLE. It also says Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all grades, while the XLE added more premium-style features such as leatherette-trimmed front seats, automatic climate control, automatic LED headlights, and rain-sensing wipers.
The used-price ranges above are based on our market research rather than Toyota pricing data.
Engine, Performance & Fuel Economy
Toyota’s 2020 Yaris sedan press release lists a 1.5-liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine making 106 horsepower and 103 lb-ft of torque. Toyota also says the sedan came with a standard 6-speed manual transmission, while highway fuel economy reached 40 mpg estimated with the automatic.
Engine Options
- 1.5L naturally aspirated inline-4
- 106 hp
- 103 lb-ft of torque
- 6-speed manual
- Automatic/CVT-style option depending on version
- FWD
Driving Feel
The Yaris is tuned for light-duty commuting, not performance driving. In real use, that means it feels most comfortable in city traffic, on short highway runs, and in tight spaces where a small car is easier to live with than a midsize sedan or crossover. The upside is agility and efficiency. The trade-off is that power is modest.
Fuel Economy
| Version | City | Highway | Combined |
| Manual version | about 32–33 mpg | about 40–41 mpg | about 35–36 mpg |
| Automatic/CVT version | about 33–34 mpg | about 41–42 mpg | about 37 mpg |
Toyota specifically highlighted 40 mpg-estimated highway fuel economy for the automatic sedan.
0–60 MPH Acceleration (Tested)
Tested under real-world driving conditions
| Configuration | 0–60 mph |
| U.S.-market Yaris sedan | about 10–11 seconds |
| Best-case lightweight/manual estimates | high-9-second range |
These are not official Toyota acceleration claims. In practice, the Yaris feels quick enough for city driving and normal merging, but it is clearly built around efficiency and low running costs rather than speed.
Interior, Comfort & Technology
Toyota tried to make the final Yaris feel less bare-bones than older budget subcompacts. It said every grade came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and voice-recognition support. That was a strong move for a low-cost small car and made the final Yaris easier to recommend than many older entry-level sedans.
The XLE is where the Yaris feels most complete. Toyota says it added leatherette-trimmed front seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, automatic climate control, automatic LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, and illuminated entry. The LE also brought a more polished look with dark-finish 16-inch alloy wheels and upgraded convenience features.
In simple words, the Yaris cabin is small but workable. It seats five on paper, but this is still a subcompact. It makes the most sense for one or two adults, short commutes, and buyers who value low cost and easy parking more than back-seat space.
Safety Features & Ratings
Toyota made safety one of the Yaris sedan’s stronger talking points near the end of its run. It says every grade came with a standard Active Safety System and Low-Speed Pre-Collision System, and it specifically highlights standard low-speed pre-collision support across all grades.
IIHS shows strong crash-test results for the 2020 Yaris sedan. Its page lists Good ratings in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, and side crash tests, and it notes that the ratings apply to both the hatchback and sedan. IIHS also explains the naming history from Scion iA to Toyota Yaris iA and then Toyota Yaris.
Safety disclaimer: For official crash-test ratings and safety evaluations, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety websites.
Pros and Cons
What We Like
- Affordable used-car entry point
- Easy to park and drive in the city
- Strong fuel economy
- Standard smartphone connectivity on final U.S. models
- Good IIHS crash-test results for 2020 sedan/hatchback ratings
What We Don’t Like
- Discontinued in the U.S.
- Modest power
- Small rear-seat and cabin space
- Not ideal for buyers who need highway punch or family-car room
- Used availability can be uneven depending on region
Should You Buy the Toyota Yaris?
You should buy the Toyota Yaris if you want a used subcompact that is cheap to run, easy to drive, and small enough to make city life easier. It works well for students, first-time buyers, and anyone who wants a basic commuter without taking on a larger monthly payment or higher fuel costs.
You may want to skip it if you need stronger passing power, more rear-seat room, or a vehicle for frequent long-distance family use. But for low-cost commuting, the Yaris still makes sense as a used-market option.
Overall, the Yaris remains relevant because it solved a simple problem well: getting people around cheaply, efficiently, and with just enough modern tech to avoid feeling outdated. Toyota’s final U.S. version backed that up with standard smartphone connectivity and a useful baseline safety story.
FAQs
Is the Toyota Yaris discontinued in the U.S.?
Yes. Toyota says both the Yaris sedan and Yaris Hatchback were discontinued, and 2020 was the last model year for each in the U.S.
What engine does the Toyota Yaris use?
The final U.S.-market Yaris sedan used a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine making 106 hp and 103 lb-ft of torque.
Is the Toyota Yaris a good used car?
Yes, for the right buyer. It is a good used car for people who want low running costs, easy city driving, and basic modern tech.
What is the fuel economy of the Toyota Yaris?
Toyota highlights 40 mpg-estimated highway fuel economy for the automatic Yaris sedan. Broadly, final U.S. versions typically sat in the mid-30s combined depending on transmission.
How fast is the Toyota Yaris from 0 to 60 mph?
The U.S.-market Yaris sedan is generally around 10 to 11 seconds to 60 mph, based on the real-world testing, but that is not official Toyota data.
Is the Toyota Yaris safe?
For a subcompact, the final U.S. Yaris has a solid safety story. Toyota said the 2020 sedan came with standard low-speed pre-collision support, and IIHS gives the 2020 Yaris sedan/hatchback Good ratings in key crash categories.
Does the Toyota Yaris have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Yes. Toyota says Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard on all 2020 Yaris sedan grades.
Summary
The Toyota Yaris is no longer a live new-car option in the U.S., but it still makes sense as an used-car model because it remains a practical, budget-friendly commuter. Its biggest strengths are simplicity, fuel economy, easy city manners, and a better final-year tech package than many people expect from a small cheap sedan. Toyota also backed the last U.S. version with standard smartphone connectivity and baseline active safety support.
Its biggest weaknesses are modest power, limited cabin space, and the fact that it now exists only in the used market. But for buyers who want a low-cost, no-drama commuter, the Yaris still does exactly what it was supposed to do.