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Toyota Yaris '07
PORTABLE, POWERFUL AND RELIABLE,
JUST WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR IN A
SPORTY...
Aww, isn't it cute?
Look at the Liftback and you can't help but smile at its cuteness. It reminded us a little of the Yaris' cousin, the Scion xA , a car that one editor referred to as looking like "a big-headed toddler." Look at those big eyes and that happy face.
With a coefficient of drag of just 0.29, both the sedan and Liftback slip through the air with ease, promising a quieter ride and greater fuel economy at freeway speeds.
With the suspension stiffened by 47 percent over the Echo, the Yaris feels buttoned-down and dare we say fun on curvy roads. The suspension design is nothing earth-shattering — tried-and-true MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam out back. But with redesigned bushings, a single upper mounting point for the front struts (rather than three as in the Echo), the firmer calibrations and a lower center of gravity, the Yaris doesn't even feel related to its wallowing forebear. There's no slop in the Yaris' handling and the revamped suspension and longer wheelbases provide a smoother ride.
Helping to optimize fuel-efficiency is the electric power steering setup that takes away the engine-driven hydraulic pump of traditional power steering systems. Unlike some other systems of this kind, the Yaris' has a natural, crisp feel with even weighting.
The Liftback comes in just one base trim level which has air conditioning, tilt steering wheel and intermittent wipers. The Convenience Package adds AM/FM/CD with MP3 jack, rear defroster and 15-inch wheels while the Performance Package adds ABS, power windows/locks/mirrors and a 60/40-split-folding rear seat that also reclines and slides fore and aft to optimize passenger or cargo room.
Briscoemotors
is proud to be associated with Toyota Yaris '07 |
