This Could Have Been A Hit: The 2008 Toyota Yaris Sedan

The 2008 Toyota Yaris surprised me--seriously, it did. This smartly-styled entry level Toyota had a surprising level of interior room and engine peppiness I didn't expect. The fuel economy in the Yaris is excellent; I averaged in the mid-30 mpg range in mixed driving. Nevertheless, it has serious shortcomings that can't be overlooked. These shortcomings prevent it from being a hit, making it a major disappointment.

When I sat in the 2008 Yaris, I was immediately surprised with the spacious interior. It was much larger than I expected it to be (especially trunk space, which is very good for a small car like the Yaris). Even passengers in the rear seat have good leg room--no small feat. The driver's seat was fine, too. There was good room up front, but here's where the trouble begins.

The placement of the gas pedal is simply terrible! It sits at a 90-degree angle which causes serious fatigue for your foot. It is not comfortable at all, and would make driving a long distance pure torture. Too bad, especially since the engine feels surprising lively. Even with the 4-speed automatic transmission, the 106 horsepower, 1.5 liter four-cylinder engine feels peppy; there is some lag between 40-60 mph, but it was still alright for such a small engine. At least this Yaris had cruise control--so you can give your extremely fatigued foot a much needed break.

Speaking of placement, I don't know why Toyota found it necessary to place the speedometer and other crucial instrumentation in the middle of the dashboard. It looks absolutely ridiculous. While I did adjust to it somewhat after a while, it never seemed right. The instrumentation was easy to read, though. The climate control knobs are big, but difficult to turn. The stereo is fairly simple to operate, but it sounds lousy. Bass seems practically non-existent. The quality of the interior materials seems to be adequate, however.

Another problem with the 2008 Toyota Yaris is its handling, which is also terrible. It feels unsettled; emergency maneuvers feel "darty" and unstable. It does not relay confidence to the driver at all. Braking feels acceptable, certainly aided by the anti-lock brakes. Regardless, the driving experience is marred by the poor driving dynamics of the car.

To sum it up, the 2008 Toyota Yaris could have been a hit. It has great fuel economy, nice interior room, and a peppy engine. However, its flaws far outweigh the positive aspects of the car--and that makes it a huge disappointment from Toyota.

What a shame.

The Car Exam Grade: C-

It Is What It Is Supposed to Be: The 2009 Toyota Corolla LE

The Toyota Corolla has been one of the best selling small cars in the United States for a very long time. It one of the most fuel efficient small cars on the market. While the Corolla used to be a cheap, no-frills basic transportation, it has evolved into a larger, nicely styled (it looks like a smaller version of the Camry), better appointed, and more economical mode of transportation. It doesn't have the crude feel that small cars of the past had; however, you still know that the Corolla is meant to be a reliable economy that does everything alright--not exceptionally, but alright.

My Driving experience in the 2009 Toyota Corolla LE was unexciting, to be frank (if you have read my review of the 2007-2008 Camry, or will read my next review of the 2008 Toyota Yaris, you will see a definite pattern here). Acceleration in the 132-hp, 1.8 liter four cylinder, 4-speed automatic transmission-equipped Corolla LE was fair; I reached 0 to 60 miles per hour in about 10.6 seconds. I expected a better time than that. However, I did average about 30-32 miles per gallon in mixed driving--and that was superb fuel economy.

Handling was fair and safe enough, but uninspiring. Steering was okay, but more feedback would have been nice. The brakes worked very well; stopping distances seemed to be short and crisp. Side curtain airbags, along with anti-lock brakes enhance the safety of the car. The Corolla LE was also equipped cruise control, a nice feature I like to use when I'm driving long distances.

The interior was generally good. The seats were decently supportive and fair comfortable; I had a good view of the road from the driver's seat. The ergonomics were also good. AM/FM CD stereo controls (as well as the climate control knobs are large and easy to use (there is an auxiliary jack for MP3 players and IPODs). The bi-level glove boxes are a very nice touch, adding extra storage for those who need it. The gauges are easy to read, but my only gripe is the LCD screen in the tachometer that has too many functions.

It's a clock, outside temperature gauge, and fuel economy computer. A separate temperature gauge and a separate clock is desperately needed, because attempting to use it while driving is needlessly annoying and a bit distracting. Interior plastics were decent, Trunk space is very good, and split-folding rear seats help increase cargo capacity.

The 2009 Toyota Corolla isn't the most exciting car to drive, but it is what it is supposed to be: a solid, reliable, economical car that gets the job done for people on a tight budget.

The Car Exam Grade: B

A Modern Interpretation of Affordable Family Luxury: The 2007-2008 Toyota Camry CE Four Cylinder

Being the driver that I am, I generally like to enjoy the total experience when I drive a car: the acceleration, the interior comfort, the handling, and even the security of solid braking. Enter the 2007-2008 Toyota Camry CE: a nicely styled, roomy, and modern interpretation of the American Family Sedan. Comfort-wise, it feels good, it is easy to drive, but it’s the driving experience that leaves you begging for more in terms of overall driving pleasure.

Okay, I know the Camry CE is not supposed to be a sports sedan; it is meant to be a reliable, affordable family car that can haul a family in reasonable comfort. It does that just fine. The seats (both front and rear) are very comfortable and supportive, and passenger room is very good (front and rear), and should accommodate four to five people in reasonable comfort. It makes a good car for long trips. Trunk room is very good, and split-folding rear seats provide even more hauling flexibility.

The controls are well laid out and easy to use, making it generally easy for the driver to make basic climate and radio adjustments at a quick glance (the AM/FM stereo CD player had a good sound quality—there is even an MP3 player jack and an auxiliary mode to accommodate audiophiles who may want to bring their portable music player. The a/c and heat work very well, also. The climate controls knobs are large and very easy to use.

The driving experience is unexciting, but then again, it's not meant to be. The 2.4 liter, 158 hp four-cylinder engines sprints quickly from a standstill and works well with the five-speed automatic transmission, but mid-range power between 40-60 mph is somewhat weak, and needs extra coaxing to achieve maximum acceleration. The more powerful V6 option would be a better choice for those who would sacrifice fuel economy for more power.

Speaking of fuel economy, it’s decent—as long as you don’t drive with a lead foot. I averaged 18-21 mpg in the city and 23-29 on the highway, depending on my driving habits. The Camry’s braking is good (this car is equipped with anti-lock brakes) and secure with a fair amount of nosedive; as far as handling goes, it does its job adequately, with a bit more body lean that I would like. The ride is soft and comfortable, but I would prefer the suspension to be firmer. The steering could provide a bit more feedback to the driver, as well. Safety-wise, anti-lock brakes and a full array of air bags (including side-curtain, as well as a driver’s knee air bag) are included to enhance the safety of the Camry.

Nevertheless, the Toyota Camry is not meant to be a sporty car—just an affordable, reliable, economical, good-looking family sedan to haul families around in reasonable comfort. The Camry accomplishes those tasks very well.

The Car Exam Grade: B

Written by P. Scott

Photos by P. Scott (Copyright 2008)