Do you feel the Yaris is almost a mini crossover SUV?

[DebbyM]

I'm a new Yaris owner, I purchased a gorgeous carmine red 2 door LB on June 12. I previously never thought of it being anything other than a 2 door CAR, but now that I have driven it a week, it almost feels like a sub-compact crossover SUV. I guess because of these observations:

1. I am 5'3" tall but I don't drop down to get into the seat, it's almost like I climb up into the car.

2. When I pull up next to other vehicles at stoplights, most of the time I can look down into the cars next to me, or if next to something similar to a PT Cruiser, I look like I'm sitting just as high.

3. It has a back window wiper, I can't offhand think of a "car" that has one.

4. All the cars I had in the past, (Honda CRX's and a Cavalier) I had no trouble reaching the roof when washing those. Now I need a step stool.

If Yaris had been marketed as an SUV, I doubt if I would have taken a second glance at it. Not that it's marketed all that much, I can't remember ever seeing a commercial on TV for a Yaris.

It is just me, or am I crazy? LOL. :biggrin:

[IllusionX]

the yaris is made "tall". that's why you are sitting at a more upright position and higher from the floor.

Since we are sitting higher... we ARE looking down on civics and such cars.

the rear wiper...most hatchbacks have a rear wiper... including the mazda6 4door hatch.

[marcus]

reminds me of nissan murano.or fx45

[bronsin]

Car manufacturers have an insane desire to make everything they build bigger. The yaris is bigger than the ECHO and the next gen WILL probably be crossover like.

[DebbyM]

Thanks - I thought I was going crazy! :eek:

I do love that it's easier to reach the buttons on the ATM machine :smile:.

[WeeYari]

You've discovered why so many threads topics in the Wheels, Tires and Suspension forum deal with lowering springs.

[Zaphod]

I give my girlfriend trouble all the time that my Yaris hatchback actually has more cargo area than her Sedona. The Sedona reminds me of my old Jeep Wrangler before I removed the back seats, sure you can put something back there, but every time you open the hatch, something falls out.

If only the Yaris could carry 6 ... we'd never have a use for that stupid minivan again ;)

[BluYrs]

The Yaris is actually registered as an MPV here (bodystyle is written on the registration certificate).

But the roof sure is high. Just compare it to other cars in the parking lot. Easily taller than most compact cars. Then again, it has to be, cause it's shorter.

[1stToyota]

Maybe so. One of the very first people I showed my Yaris to when it was new commented that it sure was a cute little minivan...I said well, maybe a micro minivan.

[ChilliwackGuy]

Makes sense - I used to drive a Rav 4 '09 - then I gave it to my wife - and bought a 2010 Yaris Hatch 5 dr - and apart from the loss of engine power - my driving experience has been the same - and I'm 6'2, 200 + lbs.

[tomato]

Coming from a CRX, I had the same thoughts exactly.

[ddongbap]

Do you feel the Yaris is almost a mini crossover SUV?
no.

[Yaris Hilton]

A mini-minivan is my thought on the subject.

But yeah, Toyota's gotten as big on the "Longer! Lower! Wider!" kick as U.S. carmakers in the late '50s. My Yaris sedan is as big as a Camry used to be.

[2009BBPliftback]

A mini-minivan is my thought on the subject.

But yeah, Toyota's gotten as big on the "Longer! Lower! Wider!" kick as U.S. carmakers in the late '50s. My Yaris sedan is as big as a Camry used to be.

When My parents bought their Camry (current model) they said it was way to big but they have gotten used to it. Longer and wider isn't always better.

[MadMax]

The Honda Fit is a "mini-minivan," especially when you park one next to a Honda Odyssey!

The Yaris is nothing close to a sub-compact crossover SUV in my book. It is a rounded hatchback in the world of squares and sharp angles (Minis, Cubes, Souls, Fits, etc); which is why it is so much better looking than all of those!

As for it's alleged "lifted" stance, I don't feel it but maybe that is because my other vehicles are a slightly-lifted Jeep Wrangler and a Honda Odyssey. In comparison, my Yaris practically drags on the ground...

[RedRide]

One of the reasons why I got a Yarirs HB is because it does have some of the benefits of a "compact SUV"
It has more seating and head room than the usual HB.
It has have more usable storage/cargo space than most HBs.

In other words, it's a practical car.

[talnlnky]

yeah... put the rear seats down flat and you can fit a lot in it. I know I've put stuff in mine that most people wouldn't even attempt without a truck or large SUV.

[Kongo-Otto]

But yeah, Toyota's gotten as big on the "Longer! Lower! Wider!" kick as U.S. carmakers in the late '50s.

Actually they didn't with the hatchback. They kept the ~3,75m length from the old Starlet up to now while other manufactures made their small cars longer and bigger. They made the Yaris taller to compensate the lack of length compared to other manufactures in the same class. The Yaris feels very big inside but it isn't. Its just because of the tall roof and the windscreen moved to the front of the car. A little "space miracle".

Especially here in europe (and of course Japan), where we have less space i think it was very clever to keep the length of the car like its predecessors. Its a true city car and it should fit in any parking lot. My companies car has been a Ford Fiesta and now is a VW Polo. They are bigger but they feel much smaller.

And when it comes to lowering springs. I don't use them because i feel my car is too tall in general. It is just to reduce the awful wheel gap.

[127.0.0.1]

A mini-minivan is my thought on the subject.

But yeah, Toyota's gotten as big on the "Longer! Lower! Wider!" kick as U.S. carmakers in the late '50s. My Yaris sedan is as big as a Camry used to be.

no kidding. a new corolla is huge compared to what it used to be.

[bronsin]

Actually they didn't with the hatchback. They kept the ~3,75m length from the old Starlet up to now while other manufactures made their small cars longer and bigger. They made the Yaris taller to compensate the lack of length compared to other manufactures in the same class. The Yaris feels very big inside but it isn't. Its just because of the tall roof and the windscreen moved to the front of the car. A little "space miracle".

.

Its WAY bigger than an ECHO and 300 pounds heavier. Sorry Yaris rates a solid F in that department. It is NOTHING like a Starlet which is a very worthy car.

[Kongo-Otto]

The last starlet you know is the P6 from the 70s i guess?

Starlet P7 = L 3,70m H 1,40m
Starlet P8 = L 3,72m H 1,40m
Starlet P9 = L 3,74m H 1,40m
Yaris 1st gen = L 3,62m H 1,50m
Yaris 2nd gen = L 3,75m H 1,53m

while many others went to 4 metres and making their "small" cars longer and longer.

Weight is a different thing. Its more dependant from security or "luxury" equipment we could only dream of back in the years.

As i already mentioned they made the Yaris taller to keep up with the other small cars.

[talnlnky]

no kidding. a new corolla is huge compared to what it used to be.

I thought so, I remember having trouble sitting in a corolla, my knees hit the dash (and I was the passenger)... a few years later I sat down in one again, and no issue... Was comparing probably a mid 90's model to a 2005ish model tho.

[Yar Is Word]

I also feel like my 5 door Yaris HB (150.6" length) is a mini mini SUV.
It feels bigger and more stable that my old ECHO 4 door sedan (164.5" length)

[Stove]

IMO, no. The Yaris is more along the lines of the cars that have been on the Asian and European markets for quite a few years. Built for daily use and functionality not simply slapped together for the sake of style. If the Yaris is a Micro-Mini Van or an SUV then so is the Smart Car along with quite a few others.

Besides, the “S” in “SUV” stands for ‘Sport’… which the Yaris is lacking without a little help.

[Yaris Hilton]

Well, there's no "Sport" in any of today's SUVs, either.

[RedRide]

Does anyone care to define a crossover SUV or whatever it is we are comparing it to?

IMO, the term SUV is just a marketing gimmick that vaguely describes a vehicle

[frog13]

I replaced my 01 suzuki Swift(geo metro) with a 2010 yaris 4dr hatch....definetly taller,more room etc.:w00t:

[RedHatch08]

I don't consider this an SUV or mini-van, however I have gotten some surprisingly large items in mine, which is a 3 DOOR.

I moved recently, and was quite happy to be able to get a rather large looking TV/media center to fit!

To look at this piece of furniture you would not think in a million years it would fit in a 3 door Yaris. With back seats flat, package tray removed, and front passenger seat all the way forward, it went in.

Surprisingly roomy, this little thing.

[Stove]

Well, there's no "Sport" in any of today's SUVs, either.

:clap: Well played.

[tomato]

If the Yaris is a Micro-Mini Van or an SUV then so is the Smart Car along with quite a few others.



uh? I don't see that, my friend. The SMART is infinitely small. NO trunk.

[Stove]

uh? I don't see that, my friend. The SMART is infinitely small. NO trunk.

Well OK it was a bit of a stretch, but its tall, has a rear wiper and tips over easily just like a mini van :biggrin: Just in the wrong direction. OOPS!

[BailOut]

This photograph prompted a fellow that owns a graphics shop to make the often-noticed "2/5 SCALE SUV" sticker for me:

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/01032008-fully-loaded.jpg