2008 Toyota Yaris Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Overview
Designed to appeal to younger drivers seeking an affordable, economical, and fun-to-drive car, Toyota celebrates the Yaris's second year in...
Designed to appeal to younger drivers seeking an affordable, economical, and fun-to-drive car, Toyota celebrates the Yaris's second year in production by adding a new trim, the Yaris Liftback S. A step up from the base Yaris Liftback, the Liftback S comes equipped with unique amber-illuminated Optitron instrument gauges, sport seats, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob, as well as S trim body panels and badging. It joins a lineup that also includes a Base Sedan and Sedan S, both of which are slightly better equipped but lacking a bit in the fun factor.
Overall, the Yaris has differentiated itself well in the subcompact car segment, which will only become more crowded in the years ahead, as automakers continue to add smaller, more fuel-efficient cars to their lineups. The Yaris also does a good job of targeting its prospective audience with such features as an MP3 input jack for the AM/FM/CD audio system (standard on S trims and available as a package add-on for Base trims), as well as plenty of places to stuff all kinds of stuff, including center pockets, console trays, center cup holders, and map pockets. Then, of course, there's the Yaris's great gas mileage, which averages in the mid-30s on the highway.
That fuel economy comes courtesy of a 106-horsepower, 1.5-liter, double-overhead-cam four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing, which serves as the standard powerplant for all four Yaris trims. The engine links to a five-speed manual overdrive transmission, which is standard, or an optional four-speed automatic transmission.
For the most part, drivers and reviewers agree that the Yaris is a great little around-town car, suitable for quick commutes and running local errands, with adequate acceleration and a surprisingly roomy interor for a small car. But they also note that the Yaris can be noisy at times and can be rough on drivers and passengers when driven over long distances. Still, fans of the Yaris show a loyalty to the car that hasn't been seen since the days of the VW Beetle, so for the most part quality, reliablity, safety features, and a great "personality" have kept the Yaris popular with drivers.
What owners say
"Overall, drivers find the 2008 Toyota Yaris to be a reliable and economical choice for basic transportation. Many appreciated its fuel efficiency and low maintenance costs, with some noting it's great for city driving and easy to park. However, the car's lack of power and performance, especially during highway driving, received criticism. Interior quality and features were also sometimes mentioned as lacking in comparison to other cars in its class."
I have a background in performance cars - I used to own a supercharged BMW and a twin turbo RX7. The Yaris is incredible fun to drive. Handles like a go-cart, and can do twisty mountain roads exceptionally well, despite being FWD. It only packs a 1500cc four-banger putting down 106 HP, but it only weighs 2000 pounds. It'll run a 16 second quarter mile with no modification, which means in practice that it can keep up with most stock Mustangs and Camaros pretty well. In the twisties, it handles as well as my BMW or Mazda did any day, which in practice, means I pass most people on mountain roads with no problems. It gets better: with the worst possible driving for economy - going as fast as possible and WOT as often as possible, it still gets 35 MPG. The car is inexpensive to buy (around $10,000), and with a little effort can get 45 MPG, making it inexpensive at the pump. In terms of utility, the car has more nooks and crannies to stash things than any other car - ever. With the possible exception of the VW Passat (umbrellas in the doors?). The Yaris can seriously carry as much as most small pickup trucks or SUVs. Or, it can carry 4 adults with luggage in comfort. The car is a Toyota, and feels well built. Toyota is renowned for reliability, and with a little care, I feel confident that this car will last a VERY long time. My only real complaint is that the driver seating position is a little van-like - I feel like I should be a little closer to the ground.
August 7, 2008I love this car! The quality is top notch. The performance is amazing. Gets 40 MPG. It's one of the funnest cars to drive and own. I got everywhere with it, it has never EVER let me down. I love it
April 4, 2011I didn't expect this new Yaris 1.4 D-4D to be so good. It behaves well and does everything nicely. The handling is solid and fool proof. The thing brakes well with a nice pedal feel. The Toyota build quality is preceded by its reputation which it does honour. I quite like the futuristic virtual dashboard, although the rev counter readability could be improved in my opinion. Then we come to the engine: a 1.4 diesel. I know this engine from the Mini One D first generation where it produced a sluggish 75bhp. The evolved engine in the Yaris is a day and night difference from what I can recollect from the Mini. It's lively, powerful in the low & mid range and actually revs up without stepping on its breath too soon. I didn't feel underpowered at all. Very well done Toyota!
January 5, 2009What owners say
I have a background in performance cars - I used to own a supercharged BMW and a twin turbo RX7. The Yaris is incredible fun to drive. Handles like a go-cart, and can do twisty mountain roads exceptionally well, despite being FWD. It only packs a 1500cc four-banger putting down 106 HP, but it only weighs 2000 pounds. It'll run a 16 second quarter mile with no modification, which means in practice that it can keep up with most stock Mustangs and Camaros pretty well. In the twisties, it handles as well as my BMW or Mazda did any day, which in practice, means I pass most people on mountain roads with no problems. It gets better: with the worst possible driving for economy - going as fast as possible and WOT as often as possible, it still gets 35 MPG. The car is inexpensive to buy (around $10,000), and with a little effort can get 45 MPG, making it inexpensive at the pump. In terms of utility, the car has more nooks and crannies to stash things than any other car - ever. With the possible exception of the VW Passat (umbrellas in the doors?). The Yaris can seriously carry as much as most small pickup trucks or SUVs. Or, it can carry 4 adults with luggage in comfort. The car is a Toyota, and feels well built. Toyota is renowned for reliability, and with a little care, I feel confident that this car will last a VERY long time. My only real complaint is that the driver seating position is a little van-like - I feel like I should be a little closer to the ground.
August 7, 2008I love this car! The quality is top notch. The performance is amazing. Gets 40 MPG. It's one of the funnest cars to drive and own. I got everywhere with it, it has never EVER let me down. I love it
April 4, 2011I didn't expect this new Yaris 1.4 D-4D to be so good. It behaves well and does everything nicely. The handling is solid and fool proof. The thing brakes well with a nice pedal feel. The Toyota build quality is preceded by its reputation which it does honour. I quite like the futuristic virtual dashboard, although the rev counter readability could be improved in my opinion. Then we come to the engine: a 1.4 diesel. I know this engine from the Mini One D first generation where it produced a sluggish 75bhp. The evolved engine in the Yaris is a day and night difference from what I can recollect from the Mini. It's lively, powerful in the low & mid range and actually revs up without stepping on its breath too soon. I didn't feel underpowered at all. Very well done Toyota!
January 5, 2009The Toyota Yaris is one of the more common Japanese cars I drive at work, fortunately it is a good one. The Yaris hatch and sedan both drive exactly the same, their only differences are size, options and practicality. The sedan is longer but has no equipment in base form. The hatch is shorter in length, the 3-door is also poorly equipped but the 5-door is well equipped. The Yaris is a surprising car from Toyota, its a fun car to drive from a company normally slammed for producing boring cars. The Yaris handles quite well and is fun despite its slightly overboosted power steering. Fuel economy on this car is excellent, most efficient car I drive at work. Power is really its biggest weak point on performance, the 106 hp engine does move it well in city speeds but is lacking on higher speed highways. Interior on the Yaris could be better. Its not the nicest interior but its also not the worst in its class. Both Yarises have good interior spacing for passengers despite being small. The dash indicators are all located in the center, this does disturb some people. Overall you get what you paid for, one of the most economical cars on the market that happens to be fun with a good badge.
September 7, 2008This is one of the best Toyota cars - very reliable, functional, great mileage, and great for city parking as well. could not ask for better car for a single person, or for a couple who commutes. I highly recommend this car.
October 28, 2012Oh Man what can I say about this car except it accelerates like a dream sounds like a race car brakes and handles so well so fun to drive have had no problems with it at all its fantastic yeah
October 5, 2009It took me a lot of time to decide on a car. One thing I wanted was great gas mileage. I finally decided on the Toyota Yaris. It is the perfect car for me. For a small car it is extremely roomy and has a large trunk. The performance is more than I expected and I average 38 MPG. It took a little while to get use to the dash controls being in the center of the dash instead of over the steering wheel but that is okay now. It I had to do it again I would buy the Yaris...Toyota quality cannot be beat!
January 5, 2009When I bought the Yaris I tested out a couple of other economy cars, but the Toyota Yaris was far more appealing. The engine is snappy, the automatic transmission is highly responsive, the I-pod hook up is a great option, and the fuel efficiency is great as well. It still gets comments from people about how cute it is, and questions about the mileage (avg. 35-38). My only complaint about the car is that because it has a nice entry height/ground clearance (5.5"), it doesn't have the best cornering ability. I am willing to deal with the compromised cornering in order to get in and out of it with ease. It is also easy for my disabled mother/grandmother to get in and out of. I would recommend this car to anyone who wants snappy, inexpensive, feature packed, comfortable, and unique looking vehicle
July 28, 2008This car is bigger than it appears. Offers plenty of room inside for a family of four. Engine is peppy and has sufficient power for any application. Handling is sharp, precise, and downright fun. Build quality is what one would expect from Toyota...perfect. The simple thing is...this car gets over 30 mpg in the city with the E10 blended fuel. On the highway it gets closer to 40 mpg!
April 20, 2008Fuel mileage is amazing, I've never seen a car with even half as many genius compartments and REALLY WORKING cup holders in my life and I've been in lotsa minivans, quite accurate responsive steering accelerates not bad, peppy engine revs up to 6500rpm redline almost instantly, but low power output makes it pretty boring if u want to drive crazy, feels soooo solid, no squeaks or rattles or vibrations whatsover and feels as sound-insulated as the luxury cars I've been in. Isn't even tiny on the inside at all for the passengers, just the trunk space is small.
February 24, 2008Trims & specs
Base MSRP N/A | Seating N/A |
Engine N/A | Cargo Capacity 12.9 cu ft |
Combined MPG N/A | Drivetrain N/A |
Base MSRP $15,080 | Seating 5 |
Engine 1.5L 106 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 13.7 cu ft |
Combined MPG 32 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $13,155 | Seating 5 |
Engine 1.5L 106 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 9.3 cu ft |
Combined MPG 32 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $15,125 | Seating 5 |
Engine 1.5L 106 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 9.3 cu ft |
Combined MPG 32 | Drivetrain FWD |
Pricing trends
MSRP range
$11,300 - $13,675
Current avg. market price
$5,959
Trending up by 1.0% this month
May 2026 - October 2026
