Toyota - Yaris

1999-05 

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Yaris has good engines and excellent fuel economy. It's compact, practical and quite spacious. The styling is still looks individual whilst the high driving position is good. But luggage space is limited.

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	Highly reliable and very economical
	Five-door cars are big enough for small families
	Lively engines and nimble handling
	Not much rear legroom in the three-door
	Latest Micra is better value and funkier
	Cut-price spec and trim on basic models

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Yaris was once one of the best small hatchbacks you could buy. Its appealingly cheeky haven't dated, and it still works well as an urban supermini. The high driving position is great, whilst the petrol and diesel engines are nippy and economical.
It's possible to be more critical when Yaris strays on to the open road. The suspension is rather firm and can feel fidgety at speed, whilst noise from the engine and road is always apparent. And if you try to drive it hard, Yaris's tall body means that it leans a bit in corners. But perhaps that misses the point.
Yaris should be viewed as a practical hatchback. Inside, the amount of usable room is very surprising. The key is the sliding rear seats, which allow adjustments to be made between passenger and luggage space. The boot may be small, but it can be optimised if there are no rear passengers.