Summary

The new Toyota Yaris proves that inexpensive should not be confused with cheap. From their well sculptured exterior lines to  the tailored, upscale look of their interiors, little about the Yaris hatchback and sedan suggests the cutting of corners. This is a great time to be shopping for a subcompact, with the brand-new Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa and Honda Fit hitting the streets, facing strong competition from the Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent. The bottom of the market is now crowded with upwardly mobile competition.

NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Greg Brown filed this report from Santa Barbara, California

Model Line Overview

Model lineup:Toyota Yaris Liftback ($10,950); Sedan ($11,825)

Engines:106-hp 1.5-liter inline-4

Transmissions:5-speed manual; 4-speed automatic

Safety equipment (standard):dual frontal airbags

Safety equipment (optional):front seat-mounted side-impact airbags; side curtain airbags for front and rear passengers; anti-lock brakes

Basic warranty:3 years/36,000 miles

Assembled in:N/A