As for the driving experience, you'll have to wait until spring to experience this for yourself, although you won't have to wait quite as long to find out about
my impressions. I'm scheduled to test one out in a few weeks' time. Will it be as good as other subcompact sedans sold in this country? I'm guessing yes, although the new Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio four-doors are very, very good. Chevy has a new Aveo coming too, and while failing its most recent crash tests, it is probably a serious contender in the making. Honda's Fit and Nissan's Versa go up against the Yaris hatchback, so I'll leave them out of the four-door equation for the time being. And while we're on the subject of B-segment rivals, the former is also being launched to the Western Canadian media on the same day as the Yaris sedan, so I won't be able to let you know my thoughts on how well it measures up until sometime in the future. One of our West Coast staffers will be taking my place at Honda's event, mind you, so you won't be left wondering for long. So stay tuned for all the subcompact highlights, starting with what will probably remain the segment leader. You guessed it, Toyota's Yaris.
Preliminary Specifications (sedan):
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| Only Honda's Fit could upstage the Yaris for sales numbers, and it doesn't come in four-door sedan guise. (Photo: Toyota Canada) |
Preliminary Specifications (sedan):
- Price Range (MSRP): $14,530 - $18,560
- Body Type: 4-door sedan
- Layout: front engine, FWD
- Engine: 106-hp, 103 lb-ft of torque, 1.5L, 16-valve, DOHC I-4
- Transmission: 5-spd manual (optional 4-spd automatic)
- Performance (estimated 0-100 km/h): 8.5 seconds
- Brakes (front/rear): disc/drum (optional ABS)
- Curb Weight (manual / auto): 1,040 / 1,055 kg (2,293 / 2,326 lbs)
- Dimensions (L/W/H/WB): 4,300 / 1,689 / 1,460 / 2,550 mm (169.3 / 66.5 / 57.5 / 100.4 in)
- Seating Capacity: 5
- Cargo Volume (trunk): 365 L (12.9 cu ft)
- Fuel Economy (estimated city/hwy): 6.9 / 5.5 L/100 km
- Web Site: www.toyota.ca
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