2008 Toyota Yaris Consumer Reviews

Some Issues

Written by: sandi on 06/20/2009

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Yaris 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I bought the Yaris mainly for reliability and gas mileage and so far the vehicle has been good for this. BUT there are some issues that I wish I had known about before purchase. They are significant enough that I may have chosen another vehicle. 1. You cannot drive with the windows open because of a strange sound effect that hurts your ears. 2. The sounds system is TERRIBLE. 3.Cup holders in TERRIBLE places. 4. Air smells like dirty feet when you turn it on. On last oil change they found NO cabin air filter. 5. Just plain too small. My teens cannot sit in the back seat so we have to take TWO cars on trips. There goes mileage savings.

Favorite Features

Gas mileage, reliability.

Suggested Improvements

Change cup holders, sound system and a BIT more backseat room even at the expense of trunk room. SLIGHTLY taller ceiling would go a LONG way. Figure out why windows open are so awful noise wise... something in the engineering is off.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Awesome in so many ways!

Written by: sconlogue on 04/14/2009

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Yaris 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I am used to small cars so a Yaris Sedan is not unfamiliar territory. What amazes me every time I get in it is how it has all the things I love about small cars without feeling small. All my other cars felt cheap and cramped. Not the case here. The performance on the manual is impressive for a 1.5L! You get plenty of pep. Now is a great time to buy too, got my 2008 used for almost 2,000 below TVM and I admit, I am no negotiator. I went with base model and I don't miss anything. Nice radio, solid handling, great styling, VERY comfortable. So I have to lock the doors and roll my own windows. Big deal. What a value.

Favorite Features

Manual trans zips along. Love the styling in and out. Roomy interior for the class. Comfort way beyond most compact sedans I've ridden in. MPG!

Suggested Improvements

Centered gauges take getting used to.

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Very good car.

Written by: Christian on 04/01/2009

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Yaris 2dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I used to drive a 1991 Firebird which got 16 mpg at best. It got totaled and I went hunting for a new car in hopes for a Civic. The same day, I drove home in my Yaris. From my studies, I severely underestimated this car. I love it to death. I get more than double the gas mileage and I'm hoping that the reliability will be on par with my grandmother's '96 Camry, which has NEVER been in shop for anything but wear and tear. Fun to drive and I love the storage. My buddy bought a 2008 Focus and he says, "I shoulda bought a Yaris" I don't regret the purchase and I can't wait to get it paid off.

Favorite Features

30-40 MPG, Good sound system, peppy little car, can park ANYWHERE.

Suggested Improvements

Work with the automatic shifting: move the 3rd gear and Overdrive in opposite spots (I ate up half a tank of gas before realizing I was in 3rd and not Overdrive).

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Extraordinary Well-Built Tiny Efficiency

Written by: Annette Keller on 01/20/2009

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Yaris 2dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

This car is tiny - head-turningly so. People gawk as if it's a toy car. But the interior is so well designed, with many cup-holders, compartments and the hatchback, that I feel as comfortable in it as I did in my 4Runner SUV. It's been years since I had a hatchback, and the accessibility is a wonderful convenience. I have a manual and know how to drive it efficiently. I get between 36-45 mpg, depending on whether the gas station sells 100% gas or an ethanol blend. Can reach anything from the driver's seat except the very back (trunk) part of hatchback. Gets in any parking space. Never had such a convenient, easy access car.

Favorite Features

I have so many compartments and holders, and with the hatchback I have real convenience & easy access everywhere. I like the auxiliary audio jack a lot -- plug in my iPhone and listen to lectures and audiobooks and music all the time. Wish I had this car in college!

Suggested Improvements

I wish Toyota would make their air systems so that you can run the AC in defroster mode with recirculated air, not external air.

11 out 12 people found this review helpful

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Great Car

Written by: TravW on 01/19/2009

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Yaris 2dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Overall the car was one of the best investments I have ever made. The fuel economy was excellent and the small design is misleading. The interior is very roomy. Wonderful car.

Favorite Features

Numerous cup holders, total of 5 as I recall and they fit every cup you can imagine. The fold flat seats make it so you can fit practically anything in the car. Backseats are also extremely comfortable.

Suggested Improvements

CD player eats CDs and takes 2 hours to spit it back out. Larger engine would be helpful. car doesn't have a lot of get up and go.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Love the Yaris

Written by: Robert on 01/14/2009

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Yaris 2dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I bought the absolutely red hatchback. I love the car. Great gas mileage, fun to drive. Everyone asks me if it's a hybrid. Great for city driving.

Favorite Features

Exterior looks, gas mileage, easy maneuverability

Suggested Improvements

Would prefer an inside lock for the hatchback. Sometimes when going uphill, the car sounds like it's buzzing and being overworked, so less engine noise would be nice. Also, I do not like the downshift logic. Could definitely do without that.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Good no Great Car and Fun

Written by: Joseph Campa on 01/13/2009

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Yaris 2dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I read several reviews before I bought my Yaris and I feel that Toyota has a winner. I also have a civic and the Yaris is a better car in quality and reliability. I am considering buying another one. I only wish that you could get a split rear seat and center console on the base model. Small car with a big interior is the Yaris with exceptional gas mileage. I got a little over 38 mpg with mine and that is great when you have two active girls that need to go places. Smooth ride and exceptional comfort.

Favorite Features

Interior and exterior features and gas mileage.

Suggested Improvements

Split rear seat on all models. Center console on all models. More upgrades.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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'08 Yaris, the future of cars

Written by: Chris on 01/01/2009

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Yaris S 2dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Ive had my '08 Yaris, 5 speed for a little over a year. I drive conservatively and average between 37-40 mpg. There is nothing fancy or luxurious about this car, and if you rely on your car to impress your fellow man, this is not for you. But, if your desire is to have affordable, economical, and reliable transportation, image be damned, then you want a Toyota Yaris. This car just keeps running, requiring only gasoline and the 5K mile routine maintenance (oil change, tire pressure check, etc. This is an excellent car and I heartily recommend it to anyone who asks. Buy this car, and you too will have a hard time keeping a straight face when passing the Escalade, Hummer saps.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Great Purchase

Written by: Mike on 12/28/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Yaris 2dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Considering the # of reviews I read before purchase, I feel it is my duty to pass on the word that Toyota has produced a real winner. Although, I'm a very conservative driver, I am getting upwards of 800 kilometres on a single tank! The manual transmission is exceptionally smooth and seems to be a helpful tool during inclement weather. Exterior design is beautiful, perhaps a bit of a head turner, but the interior location of the centre mounted instrument cluster took some getting use to. I wish that cruise control was a factory option as I spend a lot of time on the highway. The car seemed so small when I took delivery, but now, vehicles like I use to drive, seem unnecessarily large.

Favorite Features

Fuel economy, manual, exterior looks and heater.

Suggested Improvements

Cruise control is needed. I see that it is available for 09, but only in an upscale package that surpasses in my opinion economy status. It would be nice to have a manual seat adjuster and a better stereo. Often, it is hard to clearly hear music at highway speeds.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Great Car!

Written by: Natalya on 12/11/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Yaris S 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

This car is perfect. The EPA says 36 but I am averaging closer to 43. I try and keep my tank above the half way mark at all times. It really is a great car!

Favorite Features

The look and GAS!

Suggested Improvements

More luxury features would be nice.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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