Do you like the 2012 restyle?

[broody]

Originally Posted by roxy1

obsolete why? it doesnt look dramatically different from alot of 5 door hatches. as for the rest, id have to vehemently disagree having spent much time in both cars over the last 2 months.

the new accent is vastly better than the 12 yaris in almost every way, and most all reviewers and buyers do agree. it has enough interior volume to be classified as a compact by the epa..so quite a bit bigger than the yaris.

passenger volume: accent 90.1
yaris 84.4

cargo volume: accent 21.2
yaris 15.3

the accent with rear seats folded down has almost 50 sq feet of cargo volume.

as you can see, the numbers really arent very close. i can say sitting in both cars, its easy to tell the accent feels more like a compact car and the yaris a subcompact. saying the accent is not roomy in comparing it to the yaris would lead me to think a person hasnt really been in the new accent.

the interior plastics in the accent have a nice texture (unlike the bizarre and excessively cheap looking paper mache type plastic in the yaris) , the head unit looks modern versus the old square radio toyota shoved into a hole in the dash of the yaris), seats are bigger, and as a 6'+ driver i can verify the driving position is superior. the yaris steering wheel is built so close to the dash that to put ones seat where there is a proper reach to the wheel, ones legs are crammed in too tight.

the accent offers quite a bit more power and barely weighs more, offers better mileage whether auto or manual, has easily less road/engine noise and a far more refined feeling engine.

the one single thing i could say the yaris has over the accent is rear visibility, but not enough to worry about.

the whole reliability argument went out the window a good 5 years ago.

there is nothing wrong if one likes the looks of the yaris over other cars in the class or if someone just wants to own a toyota. however being objective as i can be (and i have been a toyota loyalist since getting my license 30 yrs ago), the yaris has fallen far behind the accent.

Obsolete because the shapes aren't really well defined, it looks like nothign and everything... But the yaris will be obsolete too with the next generation. Usually, german cars have a better design, they still look fine even when the new gen is released.

And I work for a restaurant, we had 2-3 accent (01 to 03 or so) before and after we got two echo hatchback (Canadian market) and a bunch of yaris now (no 2012 yet), and the accent defininetely wear faster. accent < yaris < echo.

And I can certify you that the yaris 2012 has more useful room for it's occupiants than the accent. Compared to the 06-11, the front seats are able to go more rearward, accomodating taller drivers than on the old models and all the competition but the Sonic. And even with the seats at rear most, there is still enough room in the back for adults. I'm 6'3'' and I tried them all in the back and front. The yaris is now just as good as the fit (better up front actually). I agree that the steering would need to be telescopic for an optimal driving position.

As for the cargo volume, I don't beleive the figures they give (mostly for hatchback cars), it's probably up to the roof, european measure are more significant. And I never said that the yaris has a big boot. Anyway, my mom has a Honda fit, so anything else seems small and badly designed for me.

The plastic texture is a matter of personal taste. The new texture of the hard plastics in the yaris reminds me of the one found in the more expensive Prius 3 and the Sienna, and they made the effort to put some soft touch plastic here and there. The only downside I could see is that the new plastic looks shiny, while the old one was mate, but then again, it's a matter of taste. I don't remember the plastics in the accent so well but they feel at least as cheap as on yaris to me, and there isn't any soft plastic.

I would probably agree about the noise and engine feel if I drive the Accent (I'll try to drive one soon), I was a bit disapointed by the noise level of the yaris 2012 (pretty much the same as the previous one). But the engine of the yaris feels all right for it's purpose and weight, and for the gas mileage, I will wait to see more consumer reports.

And for me, the fairly good visibility and the super short turning radius in the base yaris (since they ruined the SE) is still a major argument, especially for delivery since I make u-turns everywhere and park tight all the time.

But really, FOR ME, the major argument of the yaris, other than the reliability, is the driving position. I can't stand the position and lack of legroom in the echo and first yaris, just as I can't stand it in most cars in the segment (fit, fiesta, etc.). The new yaris is just so much better than before, and a quite comfortable and smooth ride even if noise level isn't the best. And I wasn't really expecting improvments there since Toyota is usually getting worse and worse, but they were able to keep most good arguments of the older yaris and to fix a few bad ones, especially driving position and legroom.

[roxy1]

Originally Posted by broody

Obsolete because the shapes aren't really well defined, it looks like nothign and everything... But the yaris will be obsolete too with the next generation. Usually, german cars have a better design, they still look fine even when the new gen is released.

And I work for a restaurant, we had 2-3 accent (01 to 03 or so) before and after we got two echo hatchback (Canadian market) and a bunch of yaris now (no 2012 yet), and the accent defininetely wear faster. accent < yaris < echo.

And I can certify you that the yaris 2012 has more useful room for it's occupiants than the accent.

As for the cargo volume, I don't beleive the figures they give .

you are in total denial. talking about accents from 10 years ago is meaningless. the 12 accent is worlds away from those cars.

for anyone who has been in both cars, the difference in interior room and interior quality is obvious in favor of the accent.

as a manual transmission only driver, i was stunned that toyota did nothing to the awful long rubbery shifter in the previous yaris. it is one of the reasons i found my 07 yaris less fun than a stick should be. id agree with others who describe it as being akin to moving a golf club through cold tar.

bottom line. one car feels like an effort from a company that couldnt make too many upgrades to their cheapest car for a variety of reasons, the value of the yen being a major one of them. the other car feels like it competes more with the compacts even though its pricing means people will cross shop it with subcompacts. (and its interior isnt as nice as most compacts).

ive said it before. the yaris has its attributes. it will get better than advertised mileage and that engine while old and a bit crude by todays standards, will be reliable.

utility. i need as much as i can get but i also need really good mileage. the cargo numbers are real. the accent even has more cargo space than the matrix behind the rear seats, and that closely translates when the seats are folded down. i owned a matrix, and i liked that the accent feels very similar in interior room.

[CanIHazYarisHatch?]

Originally Posted by roxy1

you are in total denial. talking about accents from 10 years ago is meaningless. the 12 accent is worlds away from those cars.

for anyone who has been in both cars, the difference in interior room and interior quality is obvious in favor of the accent.

bottom line. one car feels like an effort from a company that couldnt make too many upgrades to their cheapest car for a variety of reasons, the value of the yen being a major one of them. the other car feels like it competes more with the compacts even though its pricing means people will cross shop it with subcompacts.

I agree with both of you, but for different reasons.

I think the Accent will be a better car, especially where MPGs (highway) are counted. I know that Accent will sell in crazy numbers, and work tirelessly for thousands of U.S. drivers. However, subjective as it is...I cannot get into the Accent's styling, and on a more personal note, I can't trust Hyundais yet.

Namely, the depreciation curve is very harsh. If/when I go to sell my car (Yaris/Accent/Fiesta/etc.), I want to recoup as much of my money as possible. I cannot do that with the Accent. Plus, I am not feeling the "styling" of that car. The Yaris is more clean and restrained. Call it vanilla, call it what you want.

But I like it. Especially the triangular tail lamps and the rake of the rear hatch and rear sideglass/B-pillar profile on the 3-door. Looks purposeful, yet still elegant. Again, subjective as all hell, but that's what makes us human, and why we all don't just drive minivans and be done with it.

Finally, I'll admit I'm kind of a badge snob. Toyota earned their pedigree decades ago, now they feast on it (not as much these days now that they have been slacking). Hyundai still has a few thousand calories to burn, a few more sportscars to build before I'll give them a shot. But for now, in my biased eyes, Toyota is the "safe" choice. If I flew by the seat of my pants, I'd get a Chevy (Daewoo) Sonic with the turbo and 6-speed and just call it a day. But we all know those won't last as long as the Yaris...or the Accent. But god, what fun that Sonic must be to drive before it falls apart the day the warranty expires!

Having sat in (not driven!) the new Accent, I'd rather keep my Geo. No, that wasn't a joke. I could not imagine willingly paying thousands for that car. I'd rather have no payment and drive the Metro into the ground.

The Yaris? That little car excites the hell out of me. I love the way it looks (inside and out), the way it drives, and it's optimistic little personality. It's little mono-wiper thing. It's little uncluttered 3-spoke steering wheel. I don't know why, but perhaps I was just the customer (early 30s, first new car, male, soon-to-be-professional) Akio Toyoda had this restyle done for.

You just know Toyota is losing money on each one they sell in the U.S.

[mr9865]

Originally Posted by CanIHazYarisHatch?

I agree with both of you, but for different reasons.

I think the Accent will be a better car, especially where MPGs (highway) are counted. I know that Accent will sell in crazy numbers, and work tirelessly for thousands of U.S. drivers. However, subjective as it is...I cannot get into the Accent's styling, and on a more personal note, I can't trust Hyundais yet.

Namely, the depreciation curve is very harsh. If/when I go to sell my car (Yaris/Accent/Fiesta/etc.), I want to recoup as much of my money as possible. I cannot do that with the Accent. Plus, I am not feeling the "styling" of that car. The Yaris is more clean and restrained. Call it vanilla, call it what you want.

But I like it. Especially the triangular tail lamps and the rake of the rear hatch and rear sideglass/B-pillar profile on the 3-door. Looks purposeful, yet still elegant. Again, subjective as all hell, but that's what makes us human, and why we all don't just drive minivans and be done with it.

Finally, I'll admit I'm kind of a badge snob. Toyota earned their pedigree decades ago, now they feast on it (not as much these days now that they have been slacking). Hyundai still has a few thousand calories to burn, a few more sportscars to build before I'll give them a shot. But for now, in my biased eyes, Toyota is the "safe" choice. If I flew by the seat of my pants, I'd get a Chevy (Daewoo) Sonic with the turbo and 6-speed and just call it a day. But we all know those won't last as long as the Yaris...or the Accent. But god, what fun that Sonic must be to drive before it falls apart the day the warranty expires!

Having sat in (not driven!) the new Accent, I'd rather keep my Geo. No, that wasn't a joke. I could not imagine willingly paying thousands for that car. I'd rather have no payment and drive the Metro into the ground.

The Yaris? That little car excites the hell out of me. I love the way it looks (inside and out), the way it drives, and it's optimistic little personality. It's little mono-wiper thing. It's little uncluttered 3-spoke steering wheel. I don't know why, but perhaps I was just the customer (early 30s, first new car, male, soon-to-be-professional) Akio Toyoda had this restyle done for.

You just know Toyota is losing money on each one they sell in the U.S.

Im 25 and it fits me exactly too.

[CanIHazYarisHatch?]

Originally Posted by mr9865

Im 25 and it fits me exactly too.

Just remember, when you are driving that sweet little car, that all the guys in Accents and Picantos...they will have some very steep depreciation to answer for when they sell. Still not an issue with Toyota and Honda. You chose wisely, friend.

They? Well...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubw5N8iVDHI



I can't wait to be in your shoes, rolling in my new Toyota. It's gonna be so cash.

I'm going to sleep in that car for a week, just inhaling the sweet carcinogenic "new car smell".