2008 Toyota Yaris 3-Door Liftback Road Test

Of all the categories of cars out there, my favourite to test drive, by far, are

Cute and cuddly, the Yaris is an affordable and reliable subcompact. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press)

the subcompacts. Sure, it's a treat to prowl around town in a luxury import that has GPS, heated, air-conditioned and massaging seats, oodles of torque and horsepower, Bluetooth capabilities and so on. But bells and whistles aside, there is still a lot of satisfaction to be found behind the wheel of a fuel efficient, pint-sized, cute-looking, fun-loving and great-driving subcompact, a car such as the Yaris Hatchback.

The base model Yaris CE, which I had the pleasure of driving, is definitely not the fanciest ride out there. If the crank-handle, roll down windows aren't enough of a testament to its minimalist nature, the manually adjustable side-view mirrors (no electronics here) should do the trick! We're talking bare bones, just like cars used to be. Then again, $14,805 (which includes the optional 4-speed automatic transmission) is a subcompact price to pay when it comes to buying the quality and reliability of a Toyota. The base CE with the 5-speed manual transmission is priced at $13,165. The only other option aside from the self-shifting gearbox is air-conditioning.

Styling is in line with the Camry and Corolla as a part of Vibrant Clarity. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press)

In the materialistic and consumer-driven society we live in, it's hard not to get caught up with purchasing all the extra options that drive the price of a $13,000 car up to $18,000. Truth be told, not every driver wants the luxury or has the money. However, all new car buyers should have the luxury of driving a car that's affordable and dependable.

There is nothing advanced about its suspension system, for instance. It may not have double wishbones or a lightweight multi-link setup, but the front MacPherson gas struts and rear torsion beam setup makes the Yaris a joy to run around town in. This driver- and passenger-friendly suspension feels great on city streets and highways, and it also has enough flexibility and stability to navigate around or through potholes on gravel roads. You'll find out why I went “off-roading” with the Yaris a little later on. Until then, the Yaris is a fun little car to throw around corners because it manages to hang on for dear life very well. Granted, it's no Celica GT-S (may it rest in peace), but it can certainly

Central-mounted instrument pod isn't to everyone's tastes, but once you get used to it, it is practical. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press)

make you say, “Wheee!” with a sharp turn of the wheel and a little help from the accelerator.

Equipped with 106 horsepower and 103 lb-ft of torque that is generated from a 1.5L, DOHC, 16-valve 4-cylinder engine, the Yaris makes for a fantastic commuter car. Most of my daily driving is done going to and from my work, the store, the mall, the gym, and so on, making the Yaris a perfect candidate for my lifestyle. It also has superb fuel economy and uses an estimated 7.0 L/100 km in the city and 5.6 L/100 km on the highway (with the automatic transmission), leaving me with extra money in my pocket to spend on something else or to save for a rainy day.

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