2012 Toyota Yaris Drive & Review

toyota yaris
2012 Toyota Yaris

The  2012 Toyota Yaris is redesigned for this year. But while it has a new look, the underpinnings remain largely unchanged.

The Toyota Yaris has a 1.5L engine that puts out 106 horsepower mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission. For the record: many small cars have been equipped with four-speed automatic transmissions since before the Carter administration. Still, considering the age of the technology, it works well and it’s reliable. We can’t help but wonder what performance would be like if the Toyota Yaris would have with two or three more gears.

The Fast Lane Car writers all agree that the Toyota Yaris is exceedingly easy to drive, park and live with. It of course also comes with Toyota’s well earned reputation for reliability and it does get very good gas mileage. The whole package speaks of economy, simplicity and a tiny hint of fun.

Check out this review as we put the newest Yaris to the TFLcar test.

Editor’s note: Andre the Russian Mechanic convinced Nathan that the Toyota Yaris’ automatic transmission had more than four gears. The confusion and frustration of that moment was missed (sadly), but we assure you, it was like watching an ape trying to figure out calculus.