Affordable Cars: 2018 Toyota Yaris iA

The 2018 Toyota Yaris iA is a relatively new addition to the lineup, only joining when Toyota absorbed Scion. The former Scion iA is now the Yaris iA, sharing many features with both its Scion predecessor and the Toyota Yaris hatchback it shares part of its name with. As the Yaris iA is already in its second year, it already has a firm place as a Toyota and an affordable auto. The starting MSRP is low enough that you are unlikely to get close to $20,000, even when it is fully equipped.

Save More with Fuel

Like many other compact vehicles, the 2018 Toyota Yaris iA also helps keep up its affordable reputation thanks to its great fuel economy. You get 34 mpg combined, broken up into 39 mpg on the highway and 30 mpg in the city for the manual transmission. You can get 40 on the highway and 32 in the city with the automatic, however. Of course, the tradeoff is that the Yaris iA only delivers 106 horsepower. However, a vehicle of its size does not need much more than this anyway.

The Yaris iA also includes a few features to let you make the most of its performance. Opt for the Sports Mode button, which will adjust the shift points and the engine control unit to deliver a sportier feel. Or opt for the Manual Shift mode, which enhances your control. It ensures the Yaris iA can tackle hills without a second thought.

Excellent Infotainment System

Even for the very affordable price, the 2018 Toyota Yaris iA comes with a 7-inch touchscreen as part of its infotainment system. Use this for mobile apps, navigation, media, and more in an intuitive manner. Standard infotainment includes two USB ports, the display, six speakers, and Bluetooth. Other standard features include 16-inch alloy wheels, 6-way adjustment for the driver’s seat, and LED turn signal indicators.

Keeps You Safe

In a very nice move for such a low starting price, the Yaris iA also comes standard with a low-speed pre-collision warning system. It constantly scans the road to find potential issues and lets you know so you can react. If you do not respond in time, the system can activate your brakes and completely stop the car.

Surprisingly Nice Interior

There is no denying that the headliner is budget grade. However, the rest of the Yaris iA’s cabin seems surprisingly sophisticated, and the front seats are supportive. There also is a reasonable amount of legroom, particularly given that this is a subcompact auto. In fact, those supportive front seats feature sporty contours and get their inspiration from high-performance autos. The trunk is even bigger than that of the larger Toyota Corolla. Enjoy the standard keyless entry and push-button start to get moving right away with the Yaris iA, without any need to fumble for your keys.

Just keep in mind that the options for the Yaris iA are somewhat limited, including your choice of transmission and exterior color. There also is a range of dealer-installed options, like navigation, a rear spoiler, a center armrest, and front doorsill appliques.


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