Has the new Yaris lost its .....?

[jambo101]

Buddy of mine just bought a new Yaris, he wanted a sedan but evidently they are no longer an option in Canada, so he bought what could only be described as a rather homely looking compromise.
Looking at the thing its immediately obvious the instruments are no longer in the center dash location, the car looks unremarkable in any way i'd almost call it frumpy, it seems to have lost its sporty hatchback flavour and looks rather obese.This is all in my opinion but i'm not immediately drawn to this new product like i have been to previous generations of the Yaris, i'm sure this is all in my imagination but any one else not too into the new product?

[gollygirl1]

Well I brought the new Yaris Hatchback (2013 model) about a month ago and I love it - I think it is more sporty looking and it is so roomy inside. I love the flat floor in the back (gone is the hump in the middle as many old cars had - but cannot speak for previous Yaris's) but this car is a gem. I traded in my 1995 Honda for this car - and this car even though smaller still feels the same size inside - I love the new design of the instruments back under the steering wheel again. If it had the Centre Dash instruments I would NOT have brought this car - I always thought the centre dash thing was ugly and "nanna" (made for people with poor eyesight with the large display) but this new version is modern and I am seeing more and more younger people now buying this car.
I am in Yaris Love !!!!!

IN fact my daughter has just brought the same car in Cosmopolitan and it will be delivered end of August !!!!

I have the Cherry red.

[gollygirl1]

Here is my baby !! I took this photo the day I brought her at Toyota.
I got her delivered a week later.
When my daughter's comes I shall take a family portrait of both our babies

[MadMax]

I think we discussed this ad nauseam when the current model Yaris came out. I tend to agree with you, the new Yaris looks too much like the Matrix for my tastes. As a matter of fact, I saw several "Matrices" thinking they were the new Yaris before I ever actually saw one.

I think the car lost its "quirkiness" by losing such characteristics as the center console. I also liked the older model's curved shaped, the new one has too many sharp angles.

I drove a rental Mazda2 last week and it was very similar to my Yaris. I don't know if I would take one over the newer Yaris, but I did like its looks better although not as well as the older Yaris.

I don't even consider the current generation Yaris as being the same car as the previous one. It's like the Mustang II, about all that car retained was the general shape and the name of its predecessor.

Cheers! M2

[fnkngrv]

Toyota shifted the Yaris from unique to bland for the 2013 model year becoming the copycat that everyone was doing after the Yaris/Vitz/Vios came to NA in 06.

[Altitude]

I'm glad there are people that like the new models and are happy with them. But they just don't stand out in the crowd anymore. If I were to buy a new econo-car today the Yaris wouldn't be on the list. Sad but true.

[toy_toronto]

Originally Posted by Altitude

I'm glad there are people that like the new models and are happy with them. But they just don't stand out in the crowd anymore. If I were to buy a new econo-car today the Yaris wouldn't be on the list. Sad but true.

QFT.

Sad but true... Yaris sales have completely tanked

[yougojay]

...ok, it's officially a 3 door I guess, but it will always be a 2-Door Coupe to me. Sure, I DO like the cuteness of the last generation...but it had to be a Toyota, had to be the highest mileage NON-hybrid car & it had to be new. So, We got a 2013 Yaris Coupe. The looks have really grown on me, the dashboard & interior is perfect. Didn't like the center gage thing going on with the last generation, glad they moved it on over to the drivers side. The 6 speaker stereo is great, like the hatch release that is electronic & hidden. You take the good with the bad. I-Pod works perfectly with the stereo, so darn COOL!
Really lucked out the whole car being built in Japan, that is a complete PLUS in my book. The whole package is running seamlessly perfect having it 4 months & garnering 2,960 miles as of today. If I can only come across a complete set of 4 OEM mud flaps that don't cost me the 1st born son I don't have anyway, it will all be complete. The car rocks, never looking back...!

[gollygirl1]

Originally Posted by yougojay

.. The car rocks, never looking back...!

I agree - and it does not feel like you are sitting in a "Bubble Car" - I am very happy with my choice. I like the curved nose on the front and I think it is a great shape. And yes, the stereo system - just works no matter what you throw at it and right from the start too. I guess this being my first Yaris I am biased not having driven the old ones - but I did always think that centre console was so ugly. But to each their own. Things have to change to keep them fresh and new - and not everyone likes the changes regardless of what they do.
But I am glad they moved forward on this. One thing that may have been nice is bumper strips on the door - I think the UK models have the black strips? but hey - otherwise a smashing great car.

[Gogogordy]

Sometimes they pasteurize all the "mojo" out of a product as it evolves. The "X" factor if you will.

I believe they've done just that with the present generation Yaris, and soooo glad I found the 2011 I wanted nearly 2 years back when I knew the 2012's were coming, and they'd re-sculpted, re-invented and Me-too'ed the Yaris to look so much like everything else in it's class.

The eggish shape, midline gauges, and chromelessness all added to what I call the Yaris' "mojo"....it's original DNA which (for me anyway) makes the Yaris a Yaris.

I've no doubt that the presnt Yaris is just as exceptional a car as it always has been, but then so are many others it competes with, but none of those ever were a Yaris. The one the world knows from its unique styling, out-of-the-norm dashboard etc.

So, now that its so similar to other fine econo boxes, I believe it's lost it's mojo!

[jambo101]

I'm not saying the current Yaris isnt a nice reliable economical car but those of us who have been with the Yaris from the beginning may feel that the car has become more generic over the years.
My 08 sedan is now 5 yrs old looks and runs well but at 5 years i usually like to trade in for something newer, i'd buy another Yaris sedan in a heartbeat but if that option is no longer available then i guess its the end of the road for me and a future Yaris, i;ll probably be looking at a Corolla as a next vehicle,or if i go completely nuts these old bones would certainly appreciate the comfort of an Avalon..

[yougojay]

Originally Posted by gollygirl1

I agree - and it does not feel like you are sitting in a "Bubble Car" - I am very happy with my choice. I like the curved nose on the front and I think it is a great shape. And yes, the stereo system - just works no matter what you throw at it and right from the start too. I guess this being my first Yaris I am biased not having driven the old ones - but I did always think that centre console was so ugly. But to each their own. Things have to change to keep them fresh and new - and not everyone likes the changes regardless of what they do.
But I am glad they moved forward on this. One thing that may have been nice is bumper strips on the door - I think the UK models have the black strips? but hey - otherwise a smashing great car.

Yes, it has a roomy interior for its size & you can see out around you easily.
I am the sole driver of my Yaris 99% of the time, so I removed the rear headrests (packed 'em away with the original floor mats) and now the rear window is completely visible, awesome!
I take the passenger headrest off and keep it in the rear cargo area, I cannot believe how much better the interior looks (IMHO!)

Your car looks great - It is interesting how there are side marker lights in the front fenders...must be an Australian model thing for safety? I thought those lights were only on the older 2nd generation models

[gollygirl1]

[QUOTE=yougojay;710392

Your car looks great - It is interesting how there are side marker lights in the front fenders...must be an Australian model thing for safety? I thought those lights were only on the older 2nd generation models [/QUOTE]

Oh yes, that would be an Aussie safety thing - so that cars in the lanes beside you can see what you are doing I guess. I had not noticed that some cars dont have this - so went back through some threads and you are right, some countries dont have to have these side indicators. Good Spotting. This car has a 5 star safety rating in Australia - which is one of the reasons I considered it.

[yougojay]

Originally Posted by gollygirl1

Oh yes, that would be an Aussie safety thing - so that cars in the lanes beside you can see what you are doing I guess. I had not noticed that some cars dont have this - so went back through some threads and you are right, some countries dont have to have these side indicators. Good Spotting. This car has a 5 star safety rating in Australia - which is one of the reasons I considered it.

Yes, I went to the Aussie Toyota site and all the Yari had those safety side marker lights. I noticed it on the 2nd generation cars, then not on the 3rd generation cars. (the U.S. ones...) I guess I prefer it without the light, but as the cars progress through the years...you take the new with the old, or buy used, etc.
It has an excellent safety rating in the U.S., also - Love the single wiper blade! It matches our 2000 C230 Kompressor, that has a single blade.
We just got back from the 'Food Lion' Grocery store with it, what a blast to get groceries in !!!

All the safety stuff on it is a great bonus.

[Chuck G]

Originally Posted by Gogogordy

Sometimes they pasteurize all the "mojo" out of a product as it evolves. The "X" factor if you will.

I believe they've done just that with the present generation Yaris, and soooo glad I found the 2011 I wanted nearly 2 years back when I knew the 2012's were coming, and they'd re-sculpted, re-invented and Me-too'ed the Yaris to look so much like everything else in it's class.

The eggish shape, midline gauges, and chromelessness all added to what I call the Yaris' "mojo"....it's original DNA which (for me anyway) makes the Yaris a Yaris.

I've no doubt that the presnt Yaris is just as exceptional a car as it always has been, but then so are many others it competes with, but none of those ever were a Yaris. The one the world knows from its unique styling, out-of-the-norm dashboard etc.

So, now that its so similar to other fine econo boxes, I believe it's lost it's mojo!

Well put!!

[fnkngrv]

Originally Posted by Gogogordy

Sometimes they pasteurize all the "mojo" out of a product as it evolves. The "X" factor if you will.

I believe they've done just that with the present generation Yaris, and soooo glad I found the 2011 I wanted nearly 2 years back when I knew the 2012's were coming, and they'd re-sculpted, re-invented and Me-too'ed the Yaris to look so much like everything else in it's class.

The eggish shape, midline gauges, and chromelessness all added to what I call the Yaris' "mojo"....it's original DNA which (for me anyway) makes the Yaris a Yaris.

I've no doubt that the presnt Yaris is just as exceptional a car as it always has been, but then so are many others it competes with, but none of those ever were a Yaris. The one the world knows from its unique styling, out-of-the-norm dashboard etc.

So, now that its so similar to other fine econo boxes, I believe it's lost it's mojo!

You have hit the nail on the head with this. Like previously mentioned by others, to each their own, but really why buy a Yaris if you are in the market for the same old cookie cutter styling that you find with the competition? I go out and look at mine every day and just sigh at how much I love it and that is after 6+ years! You will be hard pressed to do the same with the current gen and this is coming from someone that has no great love for the liftback at that!

[ron3]

Its true the new Yaris no longer looks like a little clown car, now it looks like a current subcompact automobile. Just my 2 cents

[cali yaris]

Yes. Like every other current subcompact automobile.