2018 Toyota Yaris iA Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

Following in the footsteps of the 2017 Yaris iA, the 2018 Toyota Yaris iA promises the same engaging performance that saw a boom in sales for last year's model. Thankfully, not much has been altered for 2018, and the 2018 Yaris iA once again guarantees fantastic fuel economy, smooth and sophisticated handling, and a ton of useful safety and infotainment features wrapped into a very reasonable price.

What's New for 2018?

Aside from the addition of a few new paint colors and features, the 2018 Toyota Yaris iA remains relatively unchanged from the previous year's model. This is definitely a good thing since the 2017 model got a lot of things right.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2018 Toyota Yaris iA – The Pros

1. Many Attractive Features For a Minimal Cost

One of the biggest selling points for the 2018 Toyota Yaris iA is its affordability. While it prices like an economy car, the Yaris iA packs in a lengthy list of standard safety and convenience features. Unlike most other vehicles on the market, the Yaris iA has a standard forward collision warning system which includes automatic braking.

2. Excellent Fuel Economy

The 2018 Toyota Yaris iA gets impressive fuel economy. The automatic model gets 35 combined mpg while the manual model comes in slightly behind that at 34 combined mpg. Either way, both versions perform extremely well in terms of gas mileage and make owning a Yaris iA even more budget-friendly.

3. Superb Steering and Handling

The chassis on the Yaris iA is actually based on a Mazda chassis, and its tuning is nothing short of precise. The vehicle's handling feels responsive and provides the driver with reassurance. Steering is also fluid and smooth, and navigating turns is easy in the Yaris iA.

4. High-Quality Interior Materials

Everything on the inside of the 2018 Toyota Yaris iA looks like it is crafted from high-quality materials. In fact, a lot of the materials look exactly like what you might find inside of a higher-priced vehicle. All knobs and buttons feel like they are securely attached, and the upholstery looks durable yet has a comfy feel.

5. Comfortable Seats

The seats in the Yaris iA are delightfully comfortable. Although they are not highly adjustable, the front seats are well-bolstered and offer plenty of lumbar support. For the average-sized driver and front seat passenger, finding a comfortable seat position is not too difficult despite some of the vehicle's size limitations.

6. Sport Mode Gives an Extra Boost of Power

Since the 2018 Toyota Yaris iA is not the most powerful vehicle, those driving the automatic transmission model might want to consider switching over to Sport mode in order to give the car an extra power boost. This will get the engine to rev at a higher rate and improves the response of the throttle.

7. A Quiet Ride

The cabin is well-insulated from road and wind noise, and you won't get much engine noise unless you take the vehicle up to full throttle. Shocks are also absorbed well. Overall, the Yaris iA provides a nice, quiet ride, even at highway speeds.

8. The Center Stack is Well-Designed

Some vehicles have center stacks that are loaded with too many confusing buttons, knobs, and poorly-designed touchscreen displays. The setup on the Yaris iA, however, is sensible and user-friendly. Everything is clearly labeled, and the dash does not look cluttered with random controls. Drivers can easily reach all knobs and buttons, which are easy to adjust while driving.

9. The Infotainment System is User-Friendly

The infotainment system on the Toyota Yaris iA is one of the more user-friendly systems on the market today. The 7-inch touchscreen shows you crystal-clear graphics and is set up in a way that makes sense to even non-tech-savvy drivers. Every function is neatly labeled, and the system is not too touchy or unresponsive.

10. Many Controls Are Located On the Tilt-and-Telescoping Steering Wheel

To make changing things easier for the driver, many controls are located on the Yaris iA's tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. Drivers can simply press a button once to change the radio station or volume. This makes it so that drivers can keep their hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2018 Toyota Yaris iA – The Cons

1. Not Much Rear Seat Space

Unfortunately, cabin space is seriously lacking on the 2018 Toyota Yaris iA. Of course, this is a pretty common issue for the segment. While there is enough space up front for most drivers and front seat passengers, rear seat passengers might feel a bit cramped in. The back seat is geared more toward smaller adults and children, as head, shoulder, and legroom are all minimal.

2. Cramped For Tall Drivers

If you are a driver who is over 6 feet tall, you might feel a bit crunched for space behind the wheel of the Toyota Yaris iA. The tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel does not have a very substantial extension to it, so you might feel like you are a lot closer to the wheel and dash than you would like to be. Also, you will have to order the optional center armrest, as it does not come standard on the Toyota Yaris iA. Not having one can feel uncomfortable, especially for taller drivers.

3. The Engine Isn't Very Powerful

Although this is not a huge or uncommon gripe for this class, the Toyota Yaris iA does not have a very powerful engine. The 1.5-L 4-cylinder engine only generates 106 hp and 103 lb-ft of torque. Since this is the only engine available, you will have to look for an entirely different vehicle if you want a powertrain with a more substantial amount of get-up-and-go power.

How it stacks up to the competition:

2018 Toyota Yaris iA vs. 2018 Hyundai Accent

One of the Yaris iA's biggest competitors this year is the 2018 Hyundai Accent. The Accent is physically larger than it ever has been, and its engine is somewhat more powerful than that on the Yaris iA. Its fuel economy, however, still falls a few mpg behind the Yaris iA.

2018 Toyota Yaris iA vs. 2018 Honda Fit

The 2018 Honda Fit is another top competitor for the model year. Its manual and automatic transmissions help generate a substantial amount of power to this small vehicle, and its fuel economy is quite good. Its only drawback is that the infotainment system is not as user-friendly as the Yaris iA's.

Conclusion

Overall, the 2018 Toyota Yaris iA is a cozy little vehicle that is built for small- to average-sized adults. What it lacks in size and power, it makes up for in safety and infotainment features. It also has fantastic handling and steering capabilities, which reinforces the feeling of security you experience behind the wheel of the Yaris iA.