2007 Toyota Yaris Exterior Review [ 2008 ]
Toyota Yaris Exterior Review
Exterior - 7.5 (Good)
The 2007 Toyota Yaris comes in either a liftback (Yaris-speak for hatchback), or two trims of a sedan. Reviewers were creative when trying to describe the outer appearance of whichever Yaris they drove. The Boston Globe uses "a peanut on wheels," and Car and Driver prefers "a character out of Finding Nemo."
To Kelley Blue Book, "the liftback's exterior makes the more expressive design statement." Most expressive design in this reviewer's opinion turns out to be large halogen headlamps, a creased hood and T-shaped front grille. Auto Mall USA says the entire exterior appears in one color, "but the Yaris avoids looking like a featureless blob due to strategic placement of black trim" along the length of the roof, front grilles and fog lamps. Auto Mall USA also estimates that "the rear hatch opens down to the bumper line and raises just high enough to allow a six-foot-tall person to stand under it." The 2007 Toyota Yaris sedan has most of the same design elements of the liftback, including color-keyed outside mirrors, door handles, rear under-bumper spoilers and side rocker panels. The antenna is located on the roof.
Many auto writers mentioned the Toyota model the Yaris replaces -- the Echo -- put in perspective the vast improvements in exterior between the old and the new. Most memorable would be the Washington Post's prediction that consumers will enjoy the Yaris' looks. "The Yaris is much cuter than the Echo," they note, "but the Echo is one of the ugliest cars ever made."
The Yaris liftback and sedan come with 14-inch tires, while the S sedan features 15-inch tires and wheels.
