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2007 Toyota Yaris Road Test

Canada First in Line for Yaris Global Subcompact

Yaris? Whats that? You might as well get very familiar with the name now, as youre going to be hearing a lot more about it for a very long time. While other automakers designate their cars with names of mammals, fowl, or fish, places and even people in an effort to conjure up a positive associative image, Toyota often creates all-new names that mean nothing at first, such as Tercel, Corolla, or Camry, but soon become synonymous with quality and reliability.

The name Yaris has long been associated with such attributes in Europe, where it has represented the subcompact model known here as the Echo Hatchback in Canada and in four-door form, the Echo in the U.S., and now that Toyota has accepted that the

Yaris? Whats that? You might as well get very familiar with the name now, as youre going to be hearing a lot more about it for a very long time. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

Internet has turned us all into global shoppers, especially those younger more web savvy buyers who are expected to flock to the new entry-level model, its chosen to adopt the popular European tag name in North America and other jurisdictions around the world - Japan previously called this car the Vitz.

Toyota has also chosen Canada as the launch pad for the all-new

The name Yaris has long been associated with quality and reliability in Europe. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

model, being that the neighbors to the north have a particular affinity for small, fuel friendly hatchbacks, and the previous Echo Hatchback has sold so well there. Makes sense, I suppose, and it also made sense for our publication to report on it being that the car has already been announced for the U.S. in three-door hatchback guise, due next year as a 2007 model.

Along with the new name comes a vehicle that will certainly go a long way in changing perceptions about the

The Yaris continues forward with the Echos centrally-mounted gauge cluster, situated up above the center stack on top of the dash.? (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

subcompact category on the whole, let alone among Toyota faithful. Its built using methods incorporated into Toyotas larger cars, creating a solid little package the offers up a surprisingly comfortable ride, terrific handling, sporty acceleration and commendable high-speed stability.
It looks good too, inside and out. Regarding the former, the Yaris continues forward with the Echos centrally-mounted gauge cluster, situated up above the center stack on top of the dash, so for the uninitiated it

The super-bright silver finish is a bit over the top, at least for my taste, but TRD offers accessories to remedy the issue if desired. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

takes some getting used to, but for those already familiar to the Echo it will be like coming home.

That center stack is completely revised though, and something totally different than anything Ive ever seen in any other car. What makes it so unique? Its the layout of controls, set up vertically, one dial upon the other for a total of three heating and ventilation controls, and ending atop with a somewhat conventional audio head unit that includes an AM/FM/CD player, and above that a set of vents. The super-bright silver finish is a bit over the top, at least for my

The Yaris interior, like the Echo Hatchback that preceded it, is still larger on the inside than it appears to be from the outside. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

taste, but Im sure it will be appealing to those who like a more upscale environment. Personally, I like a little bit of metal trim mixed in with more traditional black or graphite, not the all-metal, all of the time look of the Yaris center stack. Cest la vie, you cant please em all.

Well, maybe you can... as Toyotas TRD division has some slick accessories available at the dealer level that can make a big difference in styling and performance. The center stack can be modified with either faux carbon fiber or a black gloss surface, complemented with a similar treatment added to other areas around the cabin. TRD also has aluminum

For some strange reason Toyota included two panels to bridge the rear cargo area and the seat, and when you attempt to fold these forward they stand up awkwardly and cut into the loading room. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

short-throw shifters, unique wheels and tire packages, exterior aero add-ons, and engine upgrades, all covered by Toyotas standard warranty.

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