2015 Toyota Yaris SE Review

Nicest Yaris yet but for a price.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - Feb. 23, 2015



2015 Toyota Yaris SE - $17,620 to start and rated at 30/36 mpg city/highway with the 4-speed AT. Add 1 mpg for the 5-speed MT and a lot more in the real world.



I am writing this up while parked at my hometown Shell with this week’s ride courtesy of the Toyota Motor Corporation.



The 2015 Toyota Yaris is an all-new model as evident by the much more aggressive, modern bad dare I say nicer looking exterior plus a much improved and appointed interior. Yet from the drivetrain perspective, nothing was changed. Meaning the same 106 HP and 103 lb-ft of torque 1.5L I4 mated to the grossly outdated 4-speed AT as its predecessor.



The passenger/cargo volume at 85.1/15.6 cu.-ft. is practically unchanged despite an extra 2" total length.



The Yaris arrives with sport tuned struts up front and torsion beam outback. Modern 16" alloys with low RRc Bridgestone Turanza EL400s are standard with the SE trim. Typical suspension and rubber for the segment yet it is more responsive than the previous gen. The 21 to 23 mph curb apron entry test proved there has been some work as the suspension did not crash into its stops and pogo through the corner. Good stuff here.



2015 Toyota Yaris SE Exterior

About that exterior, the Yaris has always looked homely but not anymore. Up front the large trapezoidal grill with the small black extensions into the body colored chin spoiler actually looks kind of cool. Maybe a bit too large of an opening but much better than the almost no opening and staid design of the previous gen. The centrally placed horizontal chrome trim into the large Toyota logo is a bit upscale but where the look really takes hold is the headlamps. That chrome strip continues into the lens separating the upper projector and lower parking lamps. 4 round DRL LEDs laid out vertically to the inside of each lens also looks modern and aggressive within each wrap around lens. Really a nice looking design detail up front and in my eyes, the best looking front end in the segment.

From the profile, a steeper raked windscreen and pulled back A-pillars follow the latest cab rearward design direction. A mild character line begins at the front of the front door and works its way up through both door handles finishing off into the rear wraparound lens. The black 16" alloys - specific to the SE - were moved further towards the corners.

Out back a tailgate spoiler and new lower backup lighting bar round out the package to provide a Cd of just 0.29.



It may not win an autocross but I have to admit the stoic Toyota design team added some nice touches to make it an attractive B-segment. The best looking B-segment? Them are fighting words and rarely would you ever here Toyota mentioned in the same sentence.



There was a change that appears to be FUBAR however. That being the single wiper with single integrated washer nozzle. It saves $s but it sprays to the far top of the windscreen instead of just ahead of the wipers and does not allow the wiper to clean the right side as good as it should.



2015 Toyota Yaris SE Interior

Moving to the interior, it still feels like a Yaris despite a minor soft touch band running through the central dash and into the doors. The headliner is mouse fur but the backing is stiffer, thicker and provides lower NVH. The door armrests are fabric covered with a thin soft foam underlayment. What is sorely missing is a center console/armrest.



The upper vents are topped by a thin chrome strip with the directional having a chrome insert. Nice. Then there are the round outside vents that are simple black plastic. A letdown. Where an upper driver vent on the left appears it should have been there is a plastic storage insert. Nice for storage but a strange disconnect?



The tilt only wheel is a soft black leather wrapped unit with visible white stitching and comfortable to the touch. What is missing are Bluetooth controls. The $899 NAVI upgrade has the Voice activated controls on the radio face whereas the wheels right side where those hands free controls should be is a piano black insert? Stalks are typical high quality Toyota units with large fonts and easy to read mimics.



The HVAV knobs are still large mechanical feeling although they are now chrome ringed.



It is also quieter than the previous gen due to a number of aero and sound insulation additions. Up to a point…

Surprisingly taller drivers should find it comfortable despite lack of telescopic wheel. Back seat, not at all.

Seating? Surprisingly Toyota lifted the front of the seats and it is far more comfortable now despite the lack of a telescopic wheel and the whiplash reducing headrests that are angled to far forward. The Accent is more comfortable whereas the Fit cannot hold a candle to the Yaris in terms of taller driver seat comfort. Except for no center arm rest that is.

Plenty of room for taller items.

No dead pedal and the rear seats are cramped. Decent cargo volume and 60/40 split rear seats are par for a small hatch.



2015 Toyota Yaris SE Safety



Passively, front, side, side curtains and a driver side knee are all there. The Yaris still uses the front seat center placement airbags. I would rather see outboard rear seat bags instead. The Yaris had not been crash tested by the NHTSA but was by the IIHS. It earned Good scored in everything but the small overlap with a marginal rating.

2015 Toyota Yaris SE IIHS Crash test Rating(s)

Actively it includes the STAR safety system consisting of VSC, TC, BA, ABS, EBD, and brake override. All the essentials.



Topped off for the calibration drive with temps in the tens and falling fast as night grabs hold.



2015 Toyota Yaris SE Fuel Efficiency Detail



From the Shell on Rt. 41 in Gurnee, IL, I drove the 2015 Toyota Yaris SE to Oak Creek Wisc. and back to a Shell on Wadsworth Rd. and Rt. 41 for the second top off and calibration. The std. 65.0 mile loop. And the results?

Gurnee Shell top off.





Standard 65.0 mile RT drive loop.





Wadsworth Shell.





47.0 mpg over 64.2 miles indicated. 65.0 miles actual on 1.421 gal. = a 45.7 mpg actual.

The efficiency results were mediocre.



Despite driving in temps from 12 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit which in turn would have provided maybe 55 mpg in 70 degree temps, this comes close to the Fit with its CVT but falls drastically short of its competitors with MTs. Considering the Prius c which was derived from the Yaris offered nearly double this FE - 89.x mpg over a 97.2 mile drive in 60 degree Fahrenheit temps - while in Southern Calif. almost a year ago.



The culprit? The decade old engine and in particular the 4-speed AT. You can see mid 50 mpgs on the instantaneous when driving around town in the 25 to 35 mph range but hit the Interstate and she drops 20 percent with a 20 percent increase in speed. It should not fall linearly with that small of a speed delta at lower speeds. The Bridgestone's in these cold temperatures - single digits - do not roll worth a darn as they were 4 psi down from placard due to the cold.



During the witching hour to reduce traffic side in Northern Illinois, the steady states where completed in minus 5 degree F temps. The results are not to be used as a comparison to any of its competitors as they are 30 to 50 percent short of what you may achieve on a standard 70 degree day. It was simply an exercise to see what it can chive in brutal cold temperatures. I have no way to compensate for a 30 degree drive. I have no way to temperature compensate for a below 0 degrees F drive.

30/36 mpgUS city/highway rated 2015 Yaris SE 2015 Speed vs. Fuel Economy



.

This is not a representative graph due to the extreme cold temperature and no way to temperature compensate.

2015 Toyota Yaris SE Conclusions



Ride and handling with the short wheelbase is busy - rough and crosswinds will throw it around some - but it does not tramline and body roll is well controlled. The 31.5 ft. turning diameter was a welcome surprise in tight downtown Chicago confines.



The Yaris only has an 11.1 gallon tank for a bit more range than the 500+ miles range at its limits in summer temps.

The NAVI is not up to the standards of a simple and inexpensive Garmin but the Panasonic audio is actually pretty good for the segment. The previous gen was garbage.



Adding $180 for mats and an $825 D&H charge brings this Yaris to a whopping $19,524 + TTL. TrueCar is showing the possibility of up to $2,000 off sticker. When a much larger, more powerful and more efficient 15 Elantra SE can be had for < $15k + TTL, the Yaris SE even at $17,500 + TTL is a very tough sell.

2015 Toyota Yaris SE Pricing Report





Does not include the $899 dealer installed NAVI system.

Other items? Only the Auto driver’s window switch is backlit and nothing on the wheel. Also, no sunglass holder and the single wiper is fine but the spray is terrible. Have to take a vid of this to show it.



All in the new aggressive exterior looks, taller driver ergonomics, quieter cabin, less body roll tuned suspension and the base audio system (for the low cost B-segment) is welcome.



Dislikes include a generation behind interior with a mouse fur headliner, no sunglass holder, no center armrest/console, no backlit switches, poor NAVI functionality, non-competitive efficiency, droning engine above 55 mph - that darn 4-speed AT again - and a price that I can almost buy a full sized 2015 Sonata SE for. See the Automotive Hot Deals Forum for more. That last one in particular is where my not recommended final conclusion arose from.

If you are considering a Yaris, look into the next segment up, much larger and better equipped Elantra SE, Mazda3i, Corolla LE or Civic LX sedans. I know this is a hatch vs. sedan suggestion but it is a small hatch. And buy a Garmin. You will be glad you did.

2015 Toyota Yaris SE Review