The Toyota Yaris underwent a significant redesign of the previous model, so expecting any major changes to the 2013 version would be asking for too much. Though the car doesn’t offer anything ‘new’, some features have been changed to better suit the times and offer more performance than the 2012 version of the car did. However, there is little doubt that the 2013 Toyota Yaris is an economical and affordable subcompact that is perfect for people looking to buy a small car. Here is an overview of the 2013 Toyota Yaris.
Body Styles and Trim Levels
You can purchase the Toyota Yaris as a hatchback, offering both a two-door and a four-door design. The L and LE trim levels are available in both these body styles. The SE trim level, however, is only available as a four-door hatchback.
The L trim comes with features such as power door locks, cargo cover, trip computer, USB/iPod interface, rear windshield wiper, Bluetooth connectivity, fold-down rear seat, four-way adjustable front seats, a CD player with a six-speaker sound system, and a tilt steering wheel. The LE trim has all these features in addition to remote keyless entry, audio controls mounted on the steering wheel, cruise control, and an upgraded interior.
The sportier SE trim has 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lamps, a leather trim steering wheel, a unique Toyota grille, a sport-tuned suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, and superior upholstery. Each trim level brings with it a number of unique features.
Performance
The 2013 Toyota Yaris has a front-wheel drive. The car is powered by a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder engine that delivers up to 106hp with 103lbs per feet torque. A five-speed manual transmission is the standard offering, but you can opt for a four-speed automatic transmission. With the manual transmission, the fuel economy is 30mpg in the city and 37mpg on the highway with a combined average of 33mpg. The mileage falls slightly with the automatic transmission, coming down to 36mpg on the highway and a combined average of 32mpg. The fuel economy when driving in the city remains the same, i.e. 30mpg.
Safety Features
The L and LE trims have antilock brakes (rear drums), while the SE trim has four-wheel disc brakes. All three trim levels carry some standard safety features, including:
- Stability and traction control
- Front airbags
- Frontal side airbags
- Side curtain airbags
- Driver knee airbag
- Front head restraints
Interior
The interior design is simple but quite effective. Firstly, the front seats are high-mounted, providing the driver with a good view of the road. This has been a concern for people buying subcompacts as the seats are usually low. The 2013 Toyota Yaris eradicates this problem altogether.
Secondly, there are only two gauges that the driver needs to keep an eye on, making it easier to control the interior features. Moreover, the speedometer is now behind the steering wheel, replaced from its position on the center of the dashboard. The increased size of the car has enhanced the legroom and headroom available to passengers in the rear.
Price
The 2013 Toyota Yaris starts at $14,370 for the L two-door hatchback, $15,955 for the LE two-door hatchback, and $16,480 for the SE four-door hatchback.
Verdict
The 2013 Toyota Yaris is, without a doubt, one of the best subcompacts available on the market today. It is affordable to purchase and economical to maintain, apart from offering a host of features one wouldn’t normally expect from a car of this size. If you want a small, efficient car, look no further than the 2013 Yaris.