Is the Toyota Yaris a compact or economy car?
The Toyota Yaris is considered an economy car, not a compact car. It falls into the subcompact or city car category, which is a smaller and more affordable class of vehicles compared to compact cars.
What is the Toyota Yaris?
The Toyota Yaris is a subcompact car that has been in production since 1999. It is one of Toyota's smallest and most affordable models, designed for urban driving and commuting. The Yaris is known for its compact size, fuel efficiency, and simple, no-frills design.
Compact vs. Economy Cars
The main differences between compact and economy cars are size, price, and features:
- Compact Cars: Slightly larger than subcompacts, compact cars offer more interior space and cargo room. Examples include the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Hyundai Elantra.
- Economy Cars: Also known as subcompacts, economy cars are the smallest and most affordable class of passenger vehicles. They prioritize fuel efficiency and low cost over size and features. Examples include the Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, and Hyundai Accent.
While compact cars provide a bit more space and amenities, economy cars like the Yaris are designed to be practical, efficient, and budget-friendly transportation.
Key Specifications of the Toyota Yaris
The Toyota Yaris has the following key specifications that define it as an economy car:
- Size: The Yaris is a subcompact car, measuring around 157 inches long and 67 inches wide. This makes it significantly smaller than compact cars.
- Engine: The Yaris is powered by a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, which is typical for an economy car. Larger compact cars often have 2.0-liter or larger engines.
- Fuel Economy: The Yaris achieves an EPA-estimated 32 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway, making it one of the more fuel-efficient vehicles on the market.
- Price: The Yaris has a starting MSRP around $17,000, which is on the lower end for a new car.
These specifications clearly position the Toyota Yaris as an economy car rather than a compact car. Its small size, efficient powertrain, and affordable price point are hallmarks of the subcompact/economy car segment.
Is a Toyota Yaris considered a compact car?
The Toyota Yaris (Japanese: トヨタ・ヤリス, Hepburn: Toyota Yarisu) is a supermini/subcompact car sold by Toyota since 1999, replacing the Starlet and Tercel.
Can a Toyota Yaris fit two suitcases?
The Toyota Yaris can fit: 1 large suitcase (78 x 50 x 32 cm), 2 medium suitcases, and a backpack—perfect for travelers who pack smart.
Is the Toyota Yaris a small or medium car?
If you're looking for a really good small car then the Toyota Yaris is one of the best. It's genuinely small (smaller than many of its alternatives) and comes only with hybrid power, which thanks to Toyota's masses of experience with hybrids is a very good thing indeed.
Why did Toyota discontinue the Yaris?
Toyota discontinued the Yaris primarily due to declining sales of small cars as consumers shifted to larger SUVs and crossovers. Additionally, the cost to meet new safety and emissions regulations for a new generation made the vehicle less profitable, especially in the competitive U.S. market where sales had already plummeted. Toyota is also focusing resources on its hybrid and electric vehicle development, with some markets introducing the smaller Yaris Cross SUV as a replacement.
- Declining market demand: The overall popularity of subcompact cars waned as many consumers in markets like the US began preferring larger vehicles like SUVs and crossovers.
- Profitability concerns: Making a new-generation Yaris compliant with modern safety and emissions standards would have made the entry-level model too expensive to build profitably.
- Strategic shift: Toyota redirected its resources and strategy towards hybrid and electric vehicles and larger models. In some regions, this meant launching the Yaris Cross SUV to fill the gap left by the discontinued Yaris sedan and hatchback.
- Model platform changes: The US market Yaris had been a rebadged Mazda2 for several years, indicating a lack of investment in its own subcompact platform.
