2008 Toyota Yaris Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Write a review

$11,300 to $13,675

Original MSRP

--

expert review

4.4

avg user rating

(36 reviews)
2008 Toyota Yaris Preview summaryImage

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.

CarGurus Editorial Team
Published Aug 8, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
While we highlight specific author bylines where possible, sometimes our content results from the combined efforts of several members of the CarGurus editorial team. As with all our editorial content, you can expect high levels of automotive insight and expertise delivered in a style that is approachable and free from jargon.

User reviews for 2008 Toyota Yaris

Write a review
User rating:
by Joseph F
Aug 02, 2023
Im 73 years old with not so good legs. I needed something small and tall. The Yaris is a simple basic point A to point B transportation. It is easy to drive, comfortable, easy to get in and out of, and fairly quiet. Mine had 115,000 miles on it when I bought it last week. Everything works. It feels solid and well built. My father in law had one and I got to drive it once in a while. And now I have one. Looking forward to many years of happy driving.Aug 02, 2023
by hollywood 123 1
Jul 16, 2023
good machine reliab;e as well recomen it allJul 16, 2023
by Anonymous
Jun 23, 2023
Good value, and good detail on the vehicle. Looking a good Toyota Yaris.Jun 23, 2023

2008 Toyota Yaris Pricing

Original MSRP
$11,300 to $13,675
Price range
$5,534 to $5,984
Average price on CG
$5,534
YoY price change
$5,904 to $5,534

Trims & specs

Air Conditioning

Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Front side airbags · Front and rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: mast · Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 4

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 10.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 7.9 · Rear brakes: drum

Comfort Features

Armrests: front center · Door sill trim: aluminum · Floor Mat Material: carpet

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: trunk release · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 4

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 3.72

Engine

Exhaust: performance

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low oil pressure

Lights

Headlights: Halogen

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: manual folding

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Safety

Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: one-piece · Upholstery: cloth

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Steering

Steering ratio: 19.7 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheels: steel

Wheels

Wheel covers: full

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Rear wiper: intermittent

Air Conditioning

Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Front side airbags · Front and rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: element · Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 4

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 10.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 7.9 · Rear brakes: drum

Comfort Features

Door sill trim: aluminum · Floor Mat Material: carpet

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 6

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 3.72

Engine

Exhaust: performance

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Headlights: Halogen

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: manual folding

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Safety

Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: cloth

Security

Anti-theft alarm system: with engine immobilizer

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Steering

Steering ratio: 19.7 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheels: steel

Wheels

Wheel covers: full

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent · Rear wiper: intermittent

Air Conditioning

Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Front side airbags · Front and rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: mast · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 4

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 10.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 7.9 · Rear brakes: drum

Comfort Features

Armrests: front center · Door sill trim: aluminum · Floor Mat Material: carpet

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: trunk release · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 4

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 4.24

Engine

Exhaust: performance

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Headlights: Halogen

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: manual folding

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Safety

Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: one-piece · Upholstery: cloth

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Steering

Steering ratio: 19.7 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheels: alloy

Wheels

Wheel covers: full

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: front · Rear wiper: with washer

Air Conditioning

Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Front side airbags · Front and rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: element · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 4

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 10.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 7.9 · Rear brakes: drum

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center folding with storage · Door sill trim: aluminum · Floor Mat Material: carpet

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 6

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 3.72

Engine

Exhaust: performance

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low oil pressure

Lights

Headlights: Halogen

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: manual

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Safety

Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth

Security

Anti-theft alarm system: with engine immobilizer

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Steering

Steering ratio: 19.7 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheels: steel

Wheels

Wheel covers: full

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

See all trims (4)