It’s hard to talk down on a vehicle that is fit for so many people who are working within a tight budget, especially in times like today. Gas, payment, insurance, maintenance, reliability, value, etc... This car checks so many boxes. It’s a win!
I really appreciate SG reviewing affordable cars as well unlike other reviewers like Redline Reviews and Doug Demuro who prefer expensive cars. I hope SG reviews the 2020 Chevy Spark next, that's the cheapest new car in America and it's fun to drive!
Weichspül3r i saw it before release about 5 months ago and i just knew it from the first second. The car was just identical in every way. My friend had just bought his 2020 mazda 2 for a good price, so we decided to look up “mazda 2 2020” on google, and the “yaris” popped up. We thought it was just another trim level lol
Most important thing said in this review was about this being an important car. LOTS of people under 25 really need access to vehicles like this. I remember when I was that age there were tons of options like this, now they're rare.
IMO, Toyota knew this car is a prime "first time drivers" car, so there was no point on really giving it good paint. Gonna get scratched up/lose a hubcap/hit a pole anyway, so they decided to give it a pre-battle scar, if you will.
@@wigletron2846 What's crazy is that Toyota dealerships don't like to give a major discount on a new Yaris the way they do on new Corollas. Maybe because the Yaris has a lower MSRP so they feel they can get away with it. What this means is that a new Yaris may end up costing almost as much as a new Corolla after real world discounts. Just negotiate hard on a new base L or LE Corolla and buy it for well under 20 grand. Forget the Yaris.
@@andrew.woolman7449 that's mostly down to the fact that there is less than $500 difference between MSRP and invoice, and holdback and financial reserve are barely anything. Selling one at even just $1,000 below invoice is a net net loss for the dealership. Meanwhile you can do $1,500 or so on a Corolla and be alright depending on how well the finance department does.
The lady that did a lease-return inspection for me a few years ago had the previous generation hatchback. She commuted from San Antonio every day, and was doing oil changes every 3-1/2 weeks. Her Yaris had almost 300,000 miles on it, and the only work she had had done was fluid changes, brakes & tires. As a work appliance, I was really impressed.
@@sporkybutterz So RIGHT! Any car can rack up "highway" miles, but city miles, especially heavy stop'n go will cut those "trouble free" 300K miles down to about 100K, if you're lucky!
I have a 2019 Yaris Sedan 6MT and it's hands down the best commuter car I've ever owned. Getting around 42mpg having fun with it, around 50mpg when I really behave. That's tank average.
@@jacksparrow460 Older cars were much lighter than what's typical nowdays. But can you really get 50mpg tank average? That's impressive if it's normal driving not hypermiling.
I had a 2008 Yaris Sedan, and it was honestly the best vehicle I've ever owned. Plenty of room for a small car because everything sits higher so you still have plenty of room, 40 mpg, and extremely reliable. The only issues I had in 250,000 miles were a rust repair on the exhaust and a new battery. Bought it with 28,000 miles and only changed the brakes one time. I miss that car. It was still running fine when I sold it, but for some reason I convinced myself I needed a Volvo wagon. Not one of my better decisions.
Toyota could rule the auto world if they went back to making the 2008 Yaris and just updated it to have bluetooth and handsfree controls to interact with a cell phone.
I got this vehicle recently and I’m in love with it I’m a tall gal 5”8 and I fit in just fine , it’s very roomy in my opinion and the trunk is bigger than others , has CarPlay, touch screen, wireless Bluetooth, drives really good
I bought one used with 18k on it. I’m 6’-4”, 260 pounds and besides the shoulder space being tight I love it! I drive 80 miles a day round trip to work and average 41.3 mpg! Very zippy and fun to drive! I’d buy another one tomorrow!
@@fabse64 By now also wight -wise.;) The only difference between Americans and Britons is not so much the height or weight, but that total lack of proper English.
The Mazda2, on which this is based, is actually a really good-looking tiny car. Toyota somehow made the Yaris look like an angry catfish that got beaten to death with an old shoe. Hideous.
I like how this channel actually reviews affordable cars that everyone can get into instead of channels like Doug who focus primarily on super/hyper cars.
I was picked up in one of these for a Lyft ride and walked away impressed. It was comfortable, the plastics looked and felt nice, the seat felt supportive and the ride was surprisingly quiet for such a small car. Compared against others in the same niche, it’s pretty good and it seems to be built well. For someone shopping this class, that’s really all most of them care about.
The Echo was actually called a Yaris in many other countries. It goes by many names in many markets. Vitz is another name. The previous owner of my '08 Yaris put a Vitz badge on it lol
Right???? Maybe for people with money who wanna “impress” people with a newer car. Sure, there’s reliability in it, but there’s reliability in older Toyotas and Hondas as well for much less. A newer car might have more “creature comforts” and tech, but you can get by with a good, used car for much less while going to college/Uni.
@ you do that and come back and update us on how it went for you. I predict that cheap used car you bought for 4k will end up costing you 8k over 5 years when you include all repair and replacement costs. 1 year of driving for almost 2k plus the constant daily stress of driving a shitty unreliable car is more the reality.
@@iLupi No one buying a cheap new car is trying to "impress" anyone for the simple fact that no one is impressed by a new Spark/Mirage/Yaris. In fact the people who try to impress others follow YOUR advice and buy used cars, a crappy used Benz or BMW so they can show off.
I bought this (or the Scion iA) fresh out of college; got a decent deal as they were getting rid of everything Scion, and it was Memorial Day, go figure.
I have basically the same car in the 2016 Scion iA (stick), and I love how it looks... at least the side and back. I agree the front is obviously pasted on, but I don't mind it. I haven't looked closely enough to tell if I have the orange-peel issues you discussed with the paint, but I really like the color. It goes really well with the style to me. Agreed that bigger folks probably won't find this to be comfortable, but as a shorter guy of otherwise average build, it fits me like a glove. I sit close and upright, and there's a ton of legroom behind me, but that won't be the case for many people. You'll just have to sit in it, adjust it for yourself, and see if it has enough room for your use case. When I bought this a couple years ago, I was cross-shopping most subcompact and also compact cars, and I decided this was the best fit for me. The closest 2 things were the Honda Fit and Civic Hatchback. What made this win is the trunk space and affordability. The Fit was really close, and it can be a bit of a toss-up between them depending on what you want. The trunk here has more usable space than what's behind the Fit's rear seats (especially if you don't block visibility in the Fit). And unlike the Civc Sport Hatchback, I could rev this out all day and have a blast without losing my license. I just prefer the small, naturally aspirated engine. Anyway good info as always, keep up the great reviews! P.S. the chiptune music here reminded me of the music in Ridiculous Fishing, heh
I went the Honda Fit route. I never have more than one passenger, so I just keep the rear seats folded (TON of room). And I absolutely positively must have adaptive cruise control. 2018 and 2019 US market Honda Fit EX MT6 is the only way to get Honda Sensing + MT6 on Fit. Honda dropped EX MT6 for 2020, and other MT trims don't come with Honda Sensing. I imagine they didn't sell many EX MT6. My other options were like you, Civic Hatch and Civic Sedan (Sport 2L NA), all MT6, of course. I kind of wanted a hatch, and Civic Hatch MT6 never showed up at the local dealership, so I grabbed Fit when it showed up. Interestingly, two Fit EX MT6 showed up at the same time, and then I never saw them again. Like you, I can rev the Fit all day and keep my license. ;)
@@catsspat nice! Yeah I did enjoy the Fit's engine a little more, but the iA is still great too. Totally agree that with the Fit's rear seats folded, you have insane amounts of space. I just have a (now) 5-year-old and need to keep a carseat back there at all times, heh.
I believe the bottom paint is rough because they have a rubberized anti rust coating for that area to protect it from rock and sand, since it doesn’t have plastic side sills. You see this also in the FRS/86/BRZ as well as the NB etc. Miatas.
My friend at work bought one. Let me sit in it and drive it around the lot, I was impressed. If you're a middle class or working class and need a good commuter car, this is a great option. Unlike buying an old used car, this one won't have all the problems.
I actually like the way it looks. Wouldn't mind someone taking this platform and doing some motors sports shit. I feel like it being such a simple machine, there is a lot of potential for modification. Small light weight balanced platform. Turbo charge it maybe an cheeky engine swap. strip the already stripped interior. A little suspension work and you got yourself a fun little car.
I kinda get it, I mean this thing is get in and go. It's not a completely ugly car, it has decent features for its base model and even better deals when moving up the trims. Leatherette, Carplay, really good MPGs, and low cost to own. There's rich and then there's smart. Just my two cents.
Recently drove a new Corolla as a rental and was shocked at how good it was. Base base base model and I really liked it. CVT didn't get in the way, good stereo, nice interior. The quality of cheap cars today blows me away.
I had bought a 2016 Scion iA after your review, it's a fun great car. I traded it in at 60k trouble free miles, on a new Elantra because my wifey complained of the lack of space, but it was a trouble free car and i do miss it.
@Tom will I have a 09 Avalon while it’s nice luxury and spacious I miss having something smaller and fun to drive. Thinking about the ia but not sure if the wife would be fine with the smaller car
@@scraps0233 IDK about you but there's something to appreciate the small form factor where it trigger the mind to use it like the young self ie I see small car as a go kart which is the perfect example for this iA. I'm 6.3 ft 270lbs wanting a small car with a stick! 😄
The US version is merely a rebadged Mazda 2. In Southeast Asia, the sedan is called the Vios and the hatchback, the Yaris. With the TNGA-B Yaris coming out in Japan and the EU with Hybrid powertrains, it is expected the sedan version will also have one.
@@geraldgoodiii6993 because 30-40k 3 door and cylinder hatchback never makes financial sense to be sold in usa. Even more sensible focus rs didn't get a successor.
I love a good pricey car that has new tech and smart systems as much as anyone!! But I cant help but like compact-cars!! They’re so basic and easy to maintain and I just love not having to worry about the car and every other small piece of gravel that hits it because it’s not lux, it’s not that grand it’s just a simple, useful car that does the basic function that any other car can do!!
I had that dopey blue car for a couple years. Sure, it looks like a baby blue whale eating krill - but man... what a fun car to drive. You can toss it around corners - with body roll that actually adds an element of fun. You can put your foot down and feel like you're driving like a reckless hooligan, only to look down and realize that the car hasn't even reached the speed limit yet. On top of it all, you get great fuel economy. I averaged exactly 40mpg while driving mostly in the city, even with some spirited driving thrown into the mix. Of course, nothings perfect. There's carbon build-up that you'll eventually have to deal with. And the cars so small that if a little girl on her bike hits you... then RIP you. The girl will be just fine. Anyway, thanks for revisiting the little Scion/Toyota/Mazda. It was a fun watch!
Love the video. I hope this holiday finds you safe, hopeful that better times will come back and thankful for the sacrifices of all those who have given their life so that we might have freedom. My favorite parts of the videos are undercarriage review and final thoughts. You never pontificate on your opinion but give the viewer information to come to his/her own conclusion. Few, if any do that. Good job my friends.
Great video, as always. A review of the competing Kia Rio would be very interesting, for 2020 the Rio got an all new drivetrain (engine now without direct injection), there are barely any reviews on it.
I dated a girl that had one of these, it's a great car overall, for what it is it's an A+, standard safety features, decent infotainment, and it looks like a small Mazda 3 to me except the front, this is a great starter car... For the class it's in this car is perfect in every way AND still offers manual
The lower half of the car is coated in a rust inhibitor type of material, which gives it that orange peel look when the paint is applied to it. Volkswagen has been doing this for over a decade now.
That interior is nice! Love the circular ac vents and the volume button on the drive selection area! Just buy a third party arm rest which is adjustable that also includes charging ports and cup holders just like in my sister's ford ecosport!
I'm kinda not going anywhere because I consider cutting corners madness but everybody's doing it. Going in circles is still more fun than not moving at all, and many people are content with it because they have low standards.
@@dylanhughes5944 try ordering it lol, as an owner of the Mazda 2, I can tell that you only need to change headlight, foglight and bumper and you are set.
Eye of the Beholder Him: looks like a bunion on wheels Me, first impression: finally, an attractive Scion Further impression: I’ve always thought the Mazda2 sedan we don’t get in the States is much more attractive than a hatch. Glad we can now have one available. Current impression: this would definitely be my choice of the cheapest cars. I could live with this and like it. Bunion on wheels, pfff? Good grief. 🙄
It’s a Mazda...that’s why it’s decent. The last gen interior is still superior to many automakers. Too bad the designers missed the mark on the front and rear. Great review Mark.
Ahhhhhh, yes. Now THIS is the Mark I love to see and the content I subscribed for. Not the stereotyping junk that was all over the 840i video. Glad to see Mark focus purely on substantive critiques and impressions of the car. Hope future reviews are more like this.
If you don’t think the 840i is special enough to merit a $101k asking price, fine (and, in fact, I’d agree with that statement, as do I with most of the SUBSTANCE of Mark’s other criticisms). But there’s a difference between being blunt and being an asshole, and in my opinion, he crossed that line in that video. The “dumb old rich guy’s car John Business Richard Corporate” stereotyping honestly is not funny to me. It’s old, tired, boring, predictable horseshit with no comedic value. And Mark was so immature and unprofessional in the way he was cracking up over that stupid crap. He should have either kept his mouth shut or checked his fucking attitude at the door. I’ll honestly be surprised if BMW keeps giving him press cars after that video. That’s all just my opinion, though.
entertainedbyidiots There may be some 8 Series owners who see it that way (as a status symbol), but I’d wager that there are plenty of other 8 Series owners out there that just enjoy the car for themselves and don’t try to show it off. Stereotyping is never indicative of the entire reality of something. And as I said, it doesn’t provide any meaningful substance or tell me anything about the car itself. I came into that video wanting to just learn about the 8 Series, how it drives and how it feels, not to cringe at slandering, demeaning, childish comments about its stereotypical owner demographic. And that doesn’t mean you can’t be critical of the car; just be professional and constructive with your criticism.
Everytime he says cheap, affordable, outsourced, low quality plastic, slow and so on, it feels like a personal attack to me as owner of mazda 2. In my country where averege monthly salary 150$ this car considered almost a luxury car.
I had the 2016 Scion iA and the I actually loved it as a starter car. The only thing I couldn't stand was the how the brakes would screech whenever it was wet outside due to humidity or rain. Im not sure if I just got a lemon, but it was really loud and embarrassing. Other than that, I loved it until I upgraded to my rav4
I'd have to somehow get the Mazda 2 parts and change the body over. My friend in Mexico has a Mazda 2, and really likes it. Rather nice looking car too.
I'm 5'11" and I fit comfortably in this car. I disagree about the styling because I bought this car BECAUSE of the styling. The shark mouth is something you'd never seen in an economy car before. I bought it because it's a Mazda 2 which means it's fun to drive (handles very well), and I have the manual because it was the only car I could find with a manual and sat-nav. It's not noisy, like you say because I can have a phone convo with no issues, most people can't even tell I'm in the car! And my previous car was a BMW M3 which was WAY noisier. The size is perfect for those of us who live in a densely populated area where parking is at a premium, and we can afford expensive cars but choose not to. In other words, I don't agree with most of your review, and I've had my car since January 2016 (yes, it's a Scion iA, essentially the exact same car) and it has over 20K miles. Good effort, though.
@@anom3778 People who own it say it makes it really easy to look at the Waze navigation while driving or deal with music, radio etc. while driving. Toyota placed it there on purpose and it wasn't to annoy you.
This Yaris needs a little more engine to be interesting. I think it would have a lot more appeal with the 2.0na from the previous gen Mazda 3, or if they turbocharged the current 1.5 mill. As it stands, about the best aspect is at least it is not another CVT.
I bought a 2017 used with 18k on it for 12500 as a work car. I’m 6’-4” and 250lbs. Although it’s tight for shoulder space this is one of the best small vehicles I’ve owned. Fun to drive, gets 41mpg, plenty of zip from the engine also. I’d buy another one if I had to but think I’m getting a Mazda 3 next 😉
I wanted something dependable & inexpensive. I've owned over 50 different vehicles, & I must say that while I bought it for the price ($12.5k w/31k from Hertz), I'm pleasantly surprised and dare I say, love it. Simple, easy-to-use, comfortable seats (and I'm a big guy), peppy feeling for around town driving, & avg of 34-47 mpg in mixed driving. Yes, I'd like a little quieter cabin & an arm rest, but my last car was $41k & I never figured out half of the tech. For the price, love it--even the exterior styling.
When i was 18 i was all on my own and the only car i could afford was one of these "cheap cars" I had a Striped to bones 2000 Cavalier 5sp. Had nothing but ABS and a Radio..lol . So yes they have to exist cause its what some people can only afford and some use as just work cars.
@ LOL any car you buy for 2 to 5 grand will need another 5 grand in repairs within the first 5 years of ownership. Every day you will be stressed out and asking yourself "will the car start today? will it take me to work/home safely? will I be late again to work because of this stupid car?" The used car market has changed. It's become overpriced and inflated. An OK used car that used to sell for 5k ten years ago is on sale now for 9k.
@@andrew.woolman7449 I seriously doubt a 2 year old used Camry will do anything like this. At least where I live, 12K can get you a 2015 Camry hybrid under 30k miles. 18K will get you current generation car with few miles.
I wonder what’s going to happen in 5 years or so...inexpensive second hand cars will mostly be these huge trucks and suvs that people are buying today and they’ll have a bunch of broken, complicated electronic shit on them. It won’t be good for the people in the
@@connorPiper0 I was replying to Bailey's post who suggested we buy a used car for 2 to 5 grand. IDK why you're bringing up a 2 year old used Camry because there ain't no place in America I know where you can buy a 2 year old used functioning Camry for 2 to 5 grand.
Then subcompact cheap car segment is one of my favorites right now. The new versa, new Yaris hatch, new Chevy spark all have tons of character and good design. If I got the Yaris though I'd get the hatchback and replace the front bumper with the jdm Mazda 2 version which looks so much better.
This is the perfect car for the parent who wants their kid to have a new car for their first car. Safe, warranty, good mpg. I can see how important it is to have something like this.
That orange peel effect on the bottom could be because what Toyota does to the steel body before being painted. I remember a couple decades ago at a Toyota training promotion, that Toyota dips those steel body panels into some sort of anticorrosive epoxy before being painted. And that is actually what gives that texture. It used to be present on every single Toyota/Lexus vehicle.
Thank you for sharing that. I always wanted to repaint the lower section of my MR2 that has that black color, but never knew how to approach removing or replacing that area. I always thought it was in the clearcoat or something. My RX7 had that similar texture, but was body colored. Learn something new everyday especially in common problem areas for northern Japanese cars.
I have a 2007 Yaris hatchback with manual trans that I bought new when gas prices went to $4 per gallon. I paid $13k. Now has 119k miles, still with original clutch and brake pads. I take to grocery stores and don't care where I park it. It's been a great car and will drive it until it falls apart.
@@carholic-sz3qv 1) Toyota and Subaru jointly developed the 86 together. Let alone that it was Toyota's idea that Subaru never even wanted anything to do with. 2) Toyota even owns part of Subaru.
Great little car! The 6sp MT is excellent! Throwing this very light weight little car around my local back roads is a hoot and more fun than my friends 911 turbo and you probably wont go to jail with that speeding ticket. So much fun I bought 2.
After the EJ, 4G modding life this is my idea of a daily driver now, Cheap everything, risk it to the elements, to idiots on the road, put a millions miles on it in a week and not care. Wear it every day, wash, repeat. Probably last 20 years being driven everyday 100 miles a day easy with sharp maintenance. CarPlay, AC, comfortable seat. This car is a pair of crocs. I know for some people getting to even own this would be wonderful experience. I’m glad this exists. Discontent comes from constantly wanting more than what you have. Life’s to short to live it stuck in that state.
Genuinely makes me upset that this car is the reason we no longer get the Mazda2 in America. The new Mazda2 is really what the Mazda3 used to be when compared to the 1st and 2nd gen hatchback. Theyre also incredibly fun to drive.
@@wigletron2846 My point was that that epicman158 was whining about the Mazda 2 not being available. Well it is available, it just has Toyota badges on it.
I bought a new 2016 Scion iA for my kids through college. Identical to the 2020 reviewed. Extremely happy with the purchase. When compared to the used car alternatives, I have not had any repairs beyond basic maintenance (and tires at 20,000 miles!). The kids are driving a car with all the latest safety features including navigation. Depreciation has been minimal. There are several advertised nationwide for slightly less than I paid over 4 years ago. The only things I would want in it that it does not have is an armrest, automatic climate control and the button on the door so I don't have to take the key out. I am seriously considering keeping it as my daily driver when the second kid graduates in 3 years.
I paid $17K on my Corolla SE and it was a loaner w/ 6k miles. Still had the new car smell. Very happy with my purchase. Not sure if it was a mistake but the salesman got let go by the dealership. I was the salesman's P.E. Teacher. Love my car. Detail it often.
AHMED SALAH No one here cares about Egypt or Vietnam. This channel is about cars in the United States. Puerto Rico is a part of the United States and the fun fact part is that you can’t buy it as a Mazda anywhere else in the country.
Love the videos, but so many of the titles cut straight to the negative. It doesn’t exactly pique curiosity about the car. Like, “ooh, corner cutting? Tell me more!”
gee a car that '' YOU '' drive ... how refreshing ..I had a 2008 hun accent 5 speed 2 door 100 h.p. 1600 cc .. 41 mpg. roll along at 75 mph with ease .. pick up just learn how to shift the gears .. traded in at 58,000 miles in 1 1/2 years . NOTHING needed it just worked and worked .. a blast to run through the gears ..
Consider the 2020 Chevrolet Spark. You can buy it new for 12k out the door as long as you buy at the end of the month and negotiate hard. Buy the base LS trim. It's reliable and has Apple Carplay and Android Auto.
@@braetonwilson4296 my $20,000 2018 Civic HB didnt even come with those two features lol. They wanted me to go up a trim level+$2,000 to get those features, and a touch screen infotainment system. I love my honda but Honda knows how to rip off their customers with those shitty trim levels. My hatchback has 4 or 5 trim levels if I'm not mistaken. or it did the time of purchase in 2018.
