But even without the aftermarket extras the Yaris' monoform European styling is unique in the subcompact segment, and interior
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| The Yaris' interior, like the Echo Hatchback that preceded it, is still larger on the inside than it appears to be from the outside. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
packaging, like the Echo Hatchback that preceded it, still larger on the inside than it appears to be from the outside. It's tall, allowing ample room for people with the same tall body type, while smaller folks can almost stand up when stepping into the rear. And climbing in back is made easier thanks to a seat that flips forward easily, and when put back into place remembers the exact position it was in prior to adjustment. Very nice. What's more, its 880 mm front to rear seat span makes the back almost as roomy as the front.
These reasons make it a fabulous little people hauler, made even more accommodating by the inclusion of 60/40 split reclining (up to 10 degrees) rear
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| For some strange reason Toyota included two panels to bridge the rearcargo area and the seat, and when you attempt to fold these forwardthey stand up awkwardly and cut into the loading room. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
seats - yeah, I thought you might find that surprising. First of all, there are many luxury cars that don't offer reclining rear seats, so to find them in an economy model is especially appealing. But this is not all that separates the tiny Toyota from the subcompact pack.
When loading in gear is precedent, the Yaris can stow away 228 L behind the rear seats and 693 L when the rear seats are folded flat in the three-door, 738 L when folded flat in the five-door. Well, I should revise that last comment, as I wasn't exactly able to fold the seats flat. For some strange reason Toyota included two panels to bridge the rear cargo area and the seat, and when you attempt to fold these forward they stand up awkwardly and cut into the loading room. A mistake from Toyota? Hey, it happens to the best of us, and my guess is this problem will be remedied soon, if it isn't fixed already. There's a solution, of course. Don't fold the panels forward. Probably not the fix that Toyota is working on, but effective just the same.
