2007 Toyota Yaris Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Expert review
A new nameplate on a new car, the 2007 Toyota Yaris is an entry-level subcompact that replaces the reliable but reliably awful Toyota Echo.
When you’re tired of fixing your old piece of junk, but you can’t afford much in terms of a monthly payment, a new and cheap Toyota is the perfect solution to your transportation needs. You can bet it will be reliable. You can bet it will be fuel-efficient. And if you choose the all-new 2007 Toyota Yaris, you can bet it will be significantly better than the weird little Echo it replaces.
out of 10 expert review
Look & feel
Compared to the cartoonish Echo, the 2007 Toyota Yaris is a stylish, swanky, and sophisticated machine. Yeah, that doesn’t say much for the old Echo, does it?
At the same time, the Yaris wades into a subcompact car segment full of compelling choices. From the practical Honda Fit and roomy Nissan Versa to the stylish Mazda Mazda2 and entry-level econoboxes from Hyundai and Kia that come with killer warranties, people in need of cheap wheels have plenty of choices.
The new 2007 Yaris, offered in wide-eyed 3-door hatchback (called Liftback in Toyota-speak) and more conservative 4-door sedan body styles, is inoffensively styled. The sedan even comes in an S trim level with the requisite alloy wheels, body kit, and rear spoiler. So racy!
Toyota installs two different dashboards in the Yaris. Liftbacks get stacked controls beneath the center air vents, while sedans offer a V-shaped waterfall collection of stereo and climate controls. Both feature a pod mounted atop the center of the dashboard that contains a speedometer and a fuel gauge.
With center-mounted instrumentation, the Yaris echoes the old Echo. In fact, in either version of the Yaris, the dashboard looks like you could swap the steering wheel and pedals from the left side to the right in order to accommodate Japan and UK markets. It takes some getting used to, but eventually, the arrangement becomes second-nature.
Performance
With 106 horsepower and 103 pounds-feet of torque, the new Yaris isn’t going to win any drag races. At least the 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine is sewing-machine smooth, and the standard 5-speed manual gearbox is a model of refinement. A 4-speed automatic is an option, and it dents what little performance is available.
As is expected in an entry-level vehicle, the engineering is basic. The suspension includes MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam solid axle in back. Brakes are discs in front and drums in back. Power-assisted steering is standard, a seeming luxury.
In spite of rather simple mechanicals, the Yaris is decent to drive. The engine benefits from the car’s low weight, and there is a sense of refinement in the absence of complexity. In fact, the Yaris feels tossable to some degree, and with the stick-shift, it’s easy to keep the engine within its optimum rev range.
Fuel economy is better with the manual gearbox, too, at 32 mpg in combined driving. Get the 4-speed automatic, and that figure drops to 31 mpg.
Form & function
Small cars are small inside, but with the Yaris, the 4-door sedan is a whopping 20 inches longer than the diminutive 3-door hatch. So, if you plan to carry people, get the sedan. If you plan to carry cargo, get the hatchback.
Narrow and lacking in terms of front-seat track travel, a Yaris is no good for taller and wider people. But if you’re of average size, you’ll fit, no problem. Storage space is remarkably good for such a small car, especially with the hatchback, which has dual glove compartments and larger bins and trays for stashing stuff.
Trunk space in the Yaris sedan is quite good, measuring 12.9 cubic feet. That’s more than some compact cars provide. The Yaris Liftback supplies 9.3 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 25.7 cubes with the rear seat folded down.
Technology
If you’re seeking technological sophistication in a car, the 2007 Toyota Yaris isn’t the right solution. After all, standard equipment includes an AM/FM radio and four speakers, and not much else beyond a 12-volt power outlet.
However, if you select a Yaris S, you will get a CD player and an MP3 player, along with a couple of extra speakers. So there’s that.
Safety
Buy a 2007 Toyota Yaris, and you get a set of dual front airbags. Side-impact airbags are an option, as are antilock brakes. And you can’t really do anything about the car’s feathery 2,290-pound base curb weight, which puts you at a disadvantage in a crash with anything heavier. And almost every other vehicle on the road is heavier than a Yaris.
You are going to want those optional side airbags. That’s because the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates the Yaris sedan’s side-impact crash protection as Poor without them. With that option, the car earns a Good rating, matching the rating for moderate-overlap frontal-impact protection. And if you crash your Yaris, don’t roll it over because roof crush strength is merely Acceptable according to the IIHS.
Crash testing performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) appears to support the importance of side airbags. Without them, the Yaris sedan earns a 3-star rating in the side-impact assessment. Frontal-impact protection rates 4 stars.
Cost-effectiveness
Is a Toyota Yaris a cost-effective solution to your need for a cheap, reliable, efficient set of wheels? Yes. Buy one, take care of it, and it will last forever (or at least it will seem that way).
At the same time, this isn’t the only game in town. The new Honda Fit is exceptionally practical, the new Nissan Versa blends a French design sensibility with a huge interior, and the Mazda Mazda2 is one of the more fun choices in the segment. And don’t forget about the Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio, which are less expensive and come with much better warranty coverage.
What owners say
"Overall, owners of the 2007 Toyota Yaris appreciate its fuel efficiency, reliability, and comfortable design. Many drivers are pleased with the economical fuel consumption and low ownership costs, making it a practical option for daily commuting. However, some have noted that it may feel cramped for taller individuals and that the acceleration is lacking, which can affect performance during highway merging. Despite its small size, drivers enjoy its maneuverability in urban settings."
Perfect everyday car! Accelerates quite decently and handles nicely with stocked tires and even better with custom tires. Very Gas efficient and 5 bucks it will serious get you somewhere!
March 20, 2008Love my car. It was by far the best choice I made. Good reliable car with everything I needed.
November 2, 2020Car is great for long trips, has a lot of space to put things in it. For a toyota it's a stylish car. Has been the most reliable car I've ever owned. Also very easy to park in the city.
December 13, 2012What owners say
Perfect everyday car! Accelerates quite decently and handles nicely with stocked tires and even better with custom tires. Very Gas efficient and 5 bucks it will serious get you somewhere!
March 20, 2008Love my car. It was by far the best choice I made. Good reliable car with everything I needed.
November 2, 2020Car is great for long trips, has a lot of space to put things in it. For a toyota it's a stylish car. Has been the most reliable car I've ever owned. Also very easy to park in the city.
December 13, 2012Performance - Good acceleration, Build Quality - No need for repairs after 4 years driving Appearance - very cute Cost of Ownership - highly gas efficient, need basic maintenance Many storage space inside, compact size makes it ideal for downtown/street parking, good for parallel parking
March 4, 2011Performance - acceleration, braking, handling is good Build Quality - has it needed repairs? squeaks/rattles rarely Appearance - both interior and exterior styling is good Cost of Ownership - gas mileage, maintenance average Fun Factor - is this car fun to drive? little bit
August 20, 2010Often forgotten, the Toyota Yaris is a rather competent sub-compact hatchback. Though it's not as sporty as its competitors, it's still fairly maneuverable in tight confines and very responsive. Build quality and fit/finish are just average, but cost of ownership is excellent thanks to best-in-class fuel economy and affordable spare parts.
May 31, 2010I love this little car! I have 45,000 miles on it in 18 months. I get an average of 35-41 MPG. This car is PERFECT for roadtrips. It has been to Vancouver, San Francisco, Reno, Houston, Chicago, Seattle, Sacremento and back. This summer, I averaged 39-41 MPG and that was driving in rush hour from Hugo to South Mpls.
November 4, 2008It's one of the best cars i've ever owned. it performs great and especially good on gas mileage. it's a great car for students too since it's affordable too. and it's a quick little car that really fun to drive too.. one of the great cars of our time. later!
August 21, 2008the handling is amazing, its really roomy, and amazing gas millage
May 13, 2008This is a small hatchback that has a great performance. The 109 horses that comes out of its 1500cc 1NZ-FE VVT-i engine is also very fuel efficient. The engine runs very silently, but you could make it roar if you go above 3000RPM. The handling is quite okay and it's really fun to drive because of its light steering. The interior of this car is quite roomy. Sitting in the back seat is still enjoyable because of the wide legroom. 7 cup holders many storage compartments in this car can come really come in handy.
February 26, 2008Trims & specs
Base MSRP $12,645 | Seating 5 |
Engine 1.5L 106 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 12.9 cu ft |
Combined MPG 32 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $11,770 | Seating 5 |
Engine 1.5L 106 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 9.3 cu ft |
Combined MPG 32 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $14,145 | Seating 5 |
Engine 1.5L 106 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 13.7 cu ft |
Combined MPG 32 | Drivetrain FWD |
Pricing trends
MSRP range
$11,770 - $14,145
Current avg. market price
$5,474
Trending down by 4.1% this month
May 2026 - October 2026
