Yaris officially pronounced garbage by U.S. NEWS

[timothyone]

U.S. News list of best new cars puts the Yaris behind the Fit, the Golf, the Kia Soul, the Subaru WRX, the Cruze, the Focus, The Kia Forte, the Fiesta, the Sonic, the Volt, the Spark, the Impressa, the Jetta, the Dart, the VW Eos, and the Fiat 500. We Yaris owners are all fools, and the Yaris is a real piece of garbage. I think I'll trade mine in on a new Chrysler before word gets out.
http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com...le-Small-Cars/

[jpmck03]

That is the most ridiculous list I've seen in quite a while...

View the best small cars generally priced under $20,000. Compare small car reviews, specs and features for your top small cars.

WRX ... "avg. paid" starts at $27,071
Verano ... $24,333
Volt ... $33,527!!
Prius ... $23,976
Spark EV ... $26,612
Mini ... $20,903
Leaf ... $28,450

etc...

I mean, for f***'s sake, if you're going to start your list off saying that you're rating cars that are under $20k, you sure as hell shouldn't go on to list a dozen cars that are over $20k!!


And let's not forget that the Prius and plug-in Prius is mid-sized, not "small"/compact!

[matti]

It looks like they judge the cars on a bunch of factors.

For me, I don't care about having the latest technology and features. Pretty much all that matters to me is price, reliability (or presumed reliability), and fuel efficiency. Sure, the Yaris lacks many of the gadgets of its competitors, but I simply don't care. I understand that many others do, however.

[kimona]

Originally Posted by matti

For me, I don't care about having the latest technology and features. Pretty much all that matters to me is price, reliability (or presumed reliability), and fuel efficiency. Sure, the Yaris lacks many of the gadgets of its competitors, but I simply don't care.

Absolutely agree!

[Septembersrain]

Originally Posted by matti

It looks like they judge the cars on a bunch of factors.



For me, I don't care about having the latest technology and features. Pretty much all that matters to me is price, reliability (or presumed reliability), and fuel efficiency. Sure, the Yaris lacks many of the gadgets of its competitors, but I simply don't care. I understand that many others do, however.

I chose the Yaris because it wasn't filled to the brim like an airplane cockpit. I wanted reliability without all that extra crap that'll just break and cost me a fortune right fix later! Besides, I enjoy my little car. Seriously.

[matti]

"Instead, it entices educated shoppers who value an attractive sticker price, low cost of ownership and time-proven reliability."

Yes!

[The Limo 2]

I have two criteria for a car.

It runs
It is paid for

My 2007 yaris fits this criteria perfectly so I do not listen to what anyone else says.
Roy

[Thirty-Nine]

I wouldn't take this list to heart. And who cares what they say? :)

[SilverBack]

Originally Posted by Thirty-Nine

I wouldn't take this list to heart. And who cares what they say? :)

Agreed. I bet you a short-bus rider can offer an equally (or maybe even better) honest and realistic review compared to a true inexperienced (hypo)critic at this point.

[Kar98]

Critics think the 2015 Yaris’ four-cylinder engine is powerful enough to get around town, but that its transmission options hinder its drivability. Some say the standard five-speed manual transmission has a light clutch with a tricky engagement point,

Well... that's not wrong. And try to even find one with the manual. Anyway, most of the cars in the list cost thousands more than the Yaris. Near enough the only cars that belong into this list (to make it comparable to the Yaris) are the Dodge Colt (excuse me, Mitsubishi Mirage), the Chevy Spark and the Nissan Versa.

[nookandcrannycar]

Even though the numerical ranking is pretty low, some of the comments they pulled from outside reviews were reasonably complimentary.

[kimona]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

Even though the numerical ranking is pretty low, some of the comments they pulled from outside reviews were reasonably complimentary.

"It does not boast best-in-class horsepower, the most gears in its transmission, quickest acceleration or highest fuel economy. Instead, it entices educated shoppers who value an attractive sticker price, low cost of ownership and time-proven reliability. The Yaris is not the most exciting or best-driving vehicle in the subcompact segment, but its quantifiable strengths appear to make it the most trusted choice - a much-respected position that appears to sit just fine with Toyota." -- Autoblog

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by kimona

"It does not boast best-in-class horsepower, the most gears in its transmission, quickest acceleration or highest fuel economy. Instead, it entices educated shoppers who value an attractive sticker price, low cost of ownership and time-proven reliability. The Yaris is not the most exciting or best-driving vehicle in the subcompact segment, but its quantifiable strengths appear to make it the most trusted choice - a much-respected position that appears to sit just fine with Toyota." -- Autoblog

Yeah, that was the review I thought most about while writing that post.....especially the line that matti later singles out in post #15.

[Flammable]

Originally Posted by kimona

"It does not boast best-in-class horsepower, the most gears in its transmission, quickest acceleration or highest fuel economy. Instead, it entices educated shoppers who value an attractive sticker price, low cost of ownership and time-proven reliability. The Yaris is not the most exciting or best-driving vehicle in the subcompact segment, but its quantifiable strengths appear to make it the most trusted choice - a much-respected position that appears to sit just fine with Toyota." -- Autoblog

I agree the Yaris is no tire burner but my SE handles pretty darn well and is just as good at any other sub compact at zipping around city streets and is a snap to park. Plus the fact its a hatchback i can put stuff in there i could never get in a 4 door sedan car like a 30 gallon water heater from Lowes lol :) Those Yaris haters can go pound salt as far as I am concerned.

[428CobraJet]

Originally Posted by Flammable

Those Yaris haters can go pound salt as far as I am concerned.

[CrankyOldMan]

Please don't feed the blog trolls.

[timothyone]

The problem with this biased list from U.S. News is that most people will only take notice of the rankings. It will be assumed that if the Yaris comes near last on the list there must be good reason. Why take the time to read the fine print when the work has been done and summarised for you with numbers? What bothers me most is the fact that Toyota is being attacked by automakers who choose to compete with slime and propaganda rather than provide a quality product. If they succeed, and Toyota is forced to 'Americanize' their product by dropping quality, we will all lose. American cars are as good as they are only because of cheap, high quality imports from Japan. Rather than ask us to be 'patriots' by buying their junk, our manufacturers should lead the patriotic way by giving us a more reasonable American made choice.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by timothyone

The problem with this biased list from U.S. News is that most people will only take notice of the rankings. It will be assumed that if the Yaris comes near last on the list there must be good reason. Why take the time to read the fine print when the work has been done and summarised for you with numbers?

This is beyond pathetic, but unfortunately I think you are correct. Personally, I don't understand the lack of curiosity re the 'methodology'. I do, but many Americans don't consider agenda, motive, and vested interests when it concerns information that is being communicated to them via various media. Is it reasonable to expect more than this likely pathetic truth when 2 out of 5 American voters can't name the 3 branches of their own federal government ? I learned about the three branches of our federal government at home (while in elementary school), something we later covered in class. Even a graduate of the worst high school in the U.S. shouldn't be granted a diploma without knowing this).... and students at reasonably selective universities who can easily espouse on inane current pop culture references, sometimes get tongue tied re even the most basic questions about important current events and the most prominent figureheads within our federal government.