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Business & Money • Automotive

Toyota Yaris

The Toyota Yaris is a subcompact car sold by Toyota since 1999.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 11, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Toyota Yaris is a subcompact car sold by Toyota since 1999. It has been offered in multiple body styles and generations, including hatchback and sedan variants. In some markets, it has used hybrid powertrains or Toyota-badged versions of Mazda-based models.

Overview

The Toyota Yaris is Toyota’s long-running subcompact car line, first sold in 1999 as a replacement for the Starlet and Tercel. Over time it has appeared as hatchbacks, sedans, and hybrid models in different markets.

Generations and markets

The global Yaris has had multiple generations, with the current version introduced in 2020. In North America, Toyota’s Yaris name was used on different small-car offerings, including a Mazda2-based Yaris iA/Yaris Sedan, before the nameplate was discontinued after 2020. The Yaris iA was a different U.S. model based on the Mazda2, later renamed Yaris Sedan.

Powertrains and efficiency

Recent European Yaris models are hybrid-only, using a 1.5-litre petrol-electric system in different power outputs. Reported fuel economy varies by generation and certification standard, but Toyota and reviewers have cited figures in the high-60s mpg range in the UK and around 3.7 l/100 km WLTP. Fuel economy figures vary by market and generation, ranging from about 3.7 l/100 km WLTP to EPA ratings such as 32/40 mpg city/highway.

Reliability and reputation

The Yaris has generally been regarded as a practical, efficient subcompact, though reviews note that early U.S. versions were basic in design. Consumer and review coverage commonly emphasizes economy and city manoeuvrability rather than luxury or performance.

Key facts

  • The Yaris name has been used on a Toyota subcompact car since 1999.
  • The current global Yaris is the fourth generation and has been sold since 2020.
  • Recent European-market Yaris models use a 1.5-litre hybrid engine with about 114 bhp or 129 bhp depending on tune.
  • Toyota discontinued the Yaris family in the United States after the 2020 model year.
  • The Yaris iA was a different U.S. model based on the Mazda2, later renamed Yaris Sedan.
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Canadian context

The Yaris has been sold in Canada and is relevant to Canadian readers as a practical subcompact car segment model; however, availability and equipment have varied by model year and market.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Toyota Yaris?
A Toyota Yaris is a Toyota subcompact car, sold since 1999 in hatchback, sedan, and hybrid forms depending on market.
How much does a Toyota Yaris cost?
Price varies by country, trim, and model year. Recent UK reviews place new Yaris pricing at roughly the mid-£20,000 range, while U.S. Yaris pricing ended with the 2020 model year.
Is Toyota Yaris reliable?
The Yaris has a reputation for being practical and economical, but reliability depends on generation and market. Available sources here do not provide a single universal reliability score, though owner-oriented and review coverage generally describes it as durable and easy to live with.
What is the fuel economy of Toyota Yaris?
Fuel economy varies by version. Recent hybrid Yaris models are reported at about 3.7 l/100 km WLTP or around 61.4–70.6 mpg in UK specifications, while a 2020 U.S. Yaris automatic was rated 32/40 mpg city/highway.
When did Toyota stop making Yaris?
Toyota stopped making the Yaris for the U.S. market after the 2020 model year. The nameplate continued in other markets, including as a current global model.
What is the difference between Yaris and Yaris iA?
The Yaris iA was a different U.S. model based on the Mazda2, later renamed Yaris Sedan, while the regular Yaris was Toyota’s own subcompact hatchback/sedan line.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Yaris
    Supports: Basic identity of the Toyota Yaris, introduction year, and replacement of the Starlet and Tercel.
  2. Top Gear — https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/toyota/yaris
    Supports: Current Yaris generation and hybrid engine outputs.
  3. Carwow — https://www.carwow.co.uk/toyota/yaris
    Supports: Current Yaris body type, hybrid powertrain, and fuel economy figures.
  4. Auto Express — https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/toyota/yaris
    Supports: Current Yaris hybrid output, performance, and trim structure.
  5. Cars.com — https://www.cars.com/research/toyota-yaris/
    Supports: U.S. generation history and discontinuation after the 2020 model year.
  6. Consumer Reports — https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/toyota/yaris/
    Supports: Yaris iA/Yaris Sedan naming in the U.S. market.
  7. Car and Driver — https://www.caranddriver.com/toyota/yaris
    Supports: 2020 U.S. Yaris fuel economy and safety rating.
  8. Toyota — https://www.toyota.com/yaris-family/
    Supports: Official statement that Yaris and Yaris Hatchback were discontinued, with 2020 the last model year in that family.