2008 Toyota Yaris Base

Essentially a carry-over from the previous year, the 2008 Toyota Yaris Base offers drivers a family-friendly four-door sedan design, yet still delivers many of the Yaris's popular features, including a fuel-efficient engine, sporty handling, and an overall affordable subcompact vehicle for budget-oriented buyers.

With a nod toward economy and affordabity, the Yaris Base sedan comes with a stripped-down equipment list that includes just the basics. You'll get a tilt steering wheel, CFC-free air conditioning, a covered center console with storage areas, and an advanced airbag system (side airbags are optional). Frosted-illumination instrument gauges are also included with the Base package. However, if you want antilock brakes, power windows and door locks, remote keyless entry, cruise control, or an audio system, you'll have to order those components either as singular options or as part of an options package. (The Base sedan does come equipped with an "audio prep package" that includes four speakers.)

The Base sedan offers good gas mileage, with miles per gallon averaging in the mid-30s, thanks to a fuel-efficient 106-horsepower, 1.5-liter, double-overhead-cam four-cylinder engine. A five-speed manual transmission comes standard with the Base trim, while a four-speed automatic is available as an option.

While lacking some of the "fun" factors of the three-door Yaris Hatchback, the Base sedan still offers tight handling, especially around town. And because the Yaris Base sedan is nearly 20 inches longer than the Yaris Hatchback, it offers a smoother ride and more space in the rear seat. The Base sedan has good acceleration, especially with the manual transmission, but the engine can become noisy when pushed. For a small car, the Base sedan offers plenty of interior storage, with a variety of pockets and cup holders. Overall, the Yaris Base gets good marks for its value.