Toyota Yaris XP90 (2005-2016)
Verified110 reviews
In-depth reviews
Good for what it is – It's no V8 or V6 so the handling and comfort can be a serious downgrade especially if you are driving on Melbourne's horribly maintained highways. Going over bumps and potholes and shoddy roads is way more noticeable. Biggest driving issue is the front window does tend to fog up easily. Negatives out the way. Planned on just using this as a… Read more · 1
stop over car in 2020-2021 and selling but I've been happy with it so far. Happy enough that I intend to keep it for at least 5 years anyway. Most issues are cheap to repair and I expect if you are car savvy you will be truly laughing at how easy things are to repair. It's tiny so it is easy to park. Fuel economy is great. I think it's anywhere from 5.5-7.2l/100km. The sound system is actually decent. Folding down the chairs at the back does create a large storage space great for transporting things from Bunnings or moderately sized furniture.
I recommend this for your son's/daughters 1st/2nd car and for people who live in the city. I don't think it's the best for long work commutes just because it isn't designed for crappy poorly maintained road.
Amazing little car – I bought this 2010 Yaris second hand with 6000 kms on the clock as my first car. In 5 years we clocked up 70,000 kms of mostly inner city driving (less than 20 mins each way at about 50kms) and this car had zero issues. We serviced it regularly at Toyota Camberwell every 6 months and this thing just goes! We are now looking to buy a second car and… Read more
reading up of some of the issues with Euro cars and Fords, I am seriously tempted to get another Yaris.
If i am being pedantic, the only downsides of the car are related to driving experience and fuel; -Fuel costs; we use unleaded 91 and spend about $95 per 1000km which is a lot of money spent to run such a little engine. -1.3 engine is pretty gutless as expected. You really feel it when there is someone in the passenger seat. If the car has more than two adults then its reaaally slow to accelerate. -It can feel a bit shaky on the highway. More stable with extra people in the car but then it slows down. Go figure! -Handling isn't great overall. -Driving position is very high, which again makes it feel a bit shaky at high speeds.
Upsides: Excellent boot space for a tiny car. Super reliable and cheap(but not dirt cheap) to service. Great city car as it is small Not a whole lot of electronics in the 2010 model so not much to fail. There is no bluetooth but it has a USB so you can connect your phone
Great small car. No useless features. More room than some competitors. Only let down by no cruise co – Great little car for driving around town, and even on the highway. I had a look at the Nissan Micra (great car also but perhaps slightly less room in the boot), Suzuki Alto (way too small) and Suzuki Swift (more expensive), and settled on the Yaris for 2 reasons - more boot space than similar competitors (and you can move the rear seat forwards if… Read more
you need), and the fact that the dealer treated me like a professional and not in a blokey manner like the Nissan dealer when I was looking at the Micra.
Road noise is a bit louder than competitors (the Micra is surprisingly quiet, and feels a bit better on bumpy roads) but not annoying by any means. There are plenty of storage compartments. Centre speedo doesn't take much getting used to. We now have 2 cars with a centre speedo (Ssangyong Stavic is the other)so no big deal. Digital speedo is good. More cars need this feature. I wish the car would make a noise when the fuel gets low, as the only warning you get is the last square flashing, and if you don't look at it you won't notice. Overall, nothing special but does the job for a good price and is almost bulletproof. Low fuel consumption (not best in class but perfectly fine), low running costs (low service cost), cheap spares, cheap tyres etc. I didn't like the original tyres (Dunlop), and have now changed them for Michelin Energy XM2's. They feel like they grip better, and seem quieter too.
A few cons: it's a bit gutless. No real issues with this unless you live in an area with steep hills, or if your significant other wants to do a quick overtake and doesn't understand the concept of kicking the accelerator hard as far forward as it goes and as hard as she can to force a good downshift. An extra gear would be handy (4 speed conventional auto).
The other major con is the lack of cruise control. For highway driving this is almost a necessity, especially since the accelerator in this car is rather sensitive. I notice the new model Yaris has cruise control, and the interior is a bit nicer, and the road noise a bit quieter. However, the downside to the new Yaris is all the really useful storage compartments are gone. Gain in some areas, lose in others.
My only other criticism (of Toyota, not the car as such) is the requirement to service every 6 months or 10000km. I ignore this, use a good quality full synthetic oil and go to 12 months and may go further. I figure if a turbo diesel can go for at least 15000km/12 months and it is much harder on the oil than the simple Yaris, why should I change the Yaris's oil so frequently? I presume the requirement is only there because most dealers and service people will use the cheapest mineral oil. Don't skimp on the oil, and service less regularly.
Recent reviews
Great solid zippy little car – Very happy with my Yaris YRS, I can’t fault it. It performs well at highway speed it’s zippy around town, the 1.5lt has ample power, and the auto works really well. Build quality seems good too. I have driven many Yaris models over the years and always found them fun to drive, and easy to live with. I’m getting good economy around 6-6.5lt/100kms.… Read more
These cars are very reliable, and the 1.3/1.5lt engines have been known to go for a long time.
Very impressed.
The most reliable car I have ever had! – When people say "You can't kill a Toyota!", I now definitely believe them! After having a HORRIBLE experience with a 2014 Holden Captiva (ended up being a complete Lemon having to sell for scrap only 5 years later), I bought a new 2014 2WD Toyota Yaris from a Toyota Dealer (my version is Made in Japan). It's amazingly reliable. I have been on… Read more
4WD tracks with it, and it survived, and I only had to replace the Engine Mounts once (which indicate heavy offroad use, in NSW State Forests!), and it has NEVER seized! I am going to drive it until it finally dies, which is hopefully never! Very fuel efficient too. And when it dies, I'm only going to ever buy a Toyota. This example of even a Yaris having virtual indestructability has sold me on Toyota's for life!
Most reliable and economical car I have owned – Had this car for 5 years, hasn’t missed a beat, excellent fuel economy, 650kms/tank, never had a problem, only replaced a battery, cheap service, great little runaround, great turning circle Show details
Wonderful little bus – Bought a 2006 4 door hatchback for $2000 a year ago and have been over the moon with how it's been. Reliable, zippy enough to get around without any fuss, fantastic fuel economy regardless of whether it's city or highway driving. Surprisingly spacious for a small car, i have fit bikes in the boot with the seats down. I like the digital dash as… Read more
well, makes it feel more modern than it is. Initially I bought it as a stop gap but have no intention of selling it any time soon.
Economical and easy to drive – I love this car.For a micro it is roomy and well powered.It has been reliable.Only fault was an oxygen sensor at 110,000 k which made it stop revving when it had run for about 1/2 hr.Easy fix.No other mech probs in 140'000 ks Show details
Keeps its value and not easy to get a second hand – Surprisingly the model keeps its high resale value. Probably it is the most expensive in its class. What you get is legendary Toyotas' reliability. The good thing is that parts and maintenance are on the cheaper end. Show details
Fantastic and reliable car – Fantastic and reliable car. Extremely good on petrol, trouble free, easy to park and pleasant to drive in the city. I bought it for my wife and I take it now and then as it's so much fun to drive. Show details
Small and fuel efficient – I recently purchased a Toyota Yaris for a few reasons. Fuel efficient, with the rate of fuel prices I think this small car was a smart move. It’s small and easy to park and the stereo sounds great. Show details
Love my little Yaris – I bought this car brand new and its still going strong. never had any issues with her and would recommend buying a Yaris to anyone looking for a small car Show details
Faithful servant.Old friend – My philosophy, zero to five years ,buy any brand,they will all be reliable in that time frame,five to ten years the little Yaris starts pushing its nose in front,Ten years on the Yaris is a clear winner,the mechanics of this little car have remained unchanged for years ,for a very good reason. Show details
Find out how Toyota Yaris XP90 compares to other Cars
Know better, choose better.
This car made my life easier – I use this car everyday for work, gym, college and weekend trips. Very nice and zippy car easy to park in city streets. No mechanical issues till now and very low maintenance vehicle. Show details
Good reliable car. Driving dynamics average – We bought this car a few years ago and has served us well. The only disappointment is the poor driving position and handling. The high drivers seat feels quite unnatural Show details
Such a great car – Such a great car. Never had an issue in the 9 years of having the car. Zippy, easy to park, fits in most spots. Still roomy enough to fit a pram and baby stuff in the back. Baby capsule also. Toyota is very reliable and service centre is very communicative. Show details
Great little car – Just purchased one for my mum brand new from the dealer. Great little car. Cheap to maintain and drives on the smell of an oily rag. The car is comfortable and comes with all the latest bells and whistles. I certainly would recommend the Yaris for an everyday car for anybody young or old. Show details
Great little car! – I bought my 2010 Toyota Yaris 3 Door Hatchback from second hand seller few months ago. I love driving this little beauty and has never let me down since I bought it. Got great fuel economy with an engine capacity of 1.3 litre. For a small car it's got good power! It runs great uphill and takes off quickly. Good audio system with bluetooth and the… Read more · 1
audio is clear as day. However one of the flaws of my car is because the colour is blue, the paint coat is peeling (probably from the sun) on the roof and little bit on the bonnet but have heard this is a common problem for blue Yaris. Another flaw of my car is the passenger door will not work with the central locking remote (have to manually lock it from outside/inside) so unsure if this was a recall. Overall apart from the 2 flaws I mentioned, I would definitely recommend this car. Can never go wrong with Toyota!
Update: I got my door fixed
Great Car only a few wishes – The Yaris IS a great car. Reliable, reasonably priced, low mileage, etc. The only issues are: : Why did they not stay with digital speedo. So difficult to see 50 KPH in the 50 KPH speed areas. : The 1.3 auto is a bit gutless. Wish I had stayed with the manual. This is my issue and should not really reflect on the car as it still get around OK. But nice to have a bit more power when you need it. Show details
Love this car! – Such a great reliable car, very affordable as well! Even though there isn’t a lot of space on the back seat, the front seats are so spacious and comfortable. There are also so many drink holders - I especially love the one right next to the steering wheel for my coffee; and there are three glove boxes, very is very handy! Show details
I'm glad we are getting rid of it! – Our personal experience was terrible!! It was our son's first car and all he had was troubles. It stalled and would start shaking and dying while standing on red lights or similar. Couple times it died in the middle of a busy roundabout and all I could see that one day might end up tragically becasue the car kept dying whenever he would take his… Read more
foot of the gas. We visited Toyota service numerous times but they kept saying it was nothing. All they did was raising the motor turns so it doesn't keep turning off but still without putting it in neutral it would start shaking and turn off eventually. So, we had some car...very disappointed but happy to say goodbye yaris.
2013 Toyota Yaris – Really strong for a 1.3L. Great for parking in the city as it is a tiny car. A lot of space for shopping and a shoe wardrobe if you need. Very quiet too. Good legroom if you want to have a nap on a lunch break. Reliable car and really good fuel efficiency. Show details
Find out how Toyota Yaris XP90 compares to other Cars
Know better, choose better.
Perfect first car – Bought this as my first car to learn manual in and honestly such a good choice, steering is lovely and is a joy to drive, extremely fuel efficient and small size is easy to park. Have had absolutely no issues with the car at all. Although small feels surprisingly roomy inside. Show details
Well Marketed – Well designed and marketed vehicle. Small, short, wide wheel based. Handles like a go cart. Three gears auto gutsy small city car. Steers boldly with great torque for engine size. Spacey and comfortable. Economical and cheap to run. Really a two seater. Sporty ride and pulls up sweet. OK on highway for a small car. Almost a mini cruiser. Good… Read more
vision all round. More fun than my Mazda 2 Sedan and just as zippy. Good boot for size and comfy seats. Not the safest car because of its size - good value for money - mini bodge box
This is perfect – Excellent small car. Great for travelling. Nice soundsystem. the Yaris was pretty well equipped with standard air-conditioning, an MP-compatible stereo with a CD player, remote central locking, power mirrors and window. the Yaris was pretty well equipped with standard air-conditioning, an MP-compatible stereo with a CD player, remote central locking, power mirrors and window. Overall it is great car. Show details
Satisfied customer – Satisfied customer, spacious and easy to park. Good mileage so easy on saving. Not a luxury car but first car to start with, helpful in each way. The boot is small but over all a great car for family.Even when driving on a high speed their is no bubbling and its a smooth drive. Show details
Good small affordable car – Got my yaris sedan secondhand back in uni, and it had been performing really well and very reliable. Small car so it was really easy to monuve around (especially as a new driver). It has relatively big space as well for a single. The running cost is low in general but Toyota service is a bit expensive. Overall a good first car before I move on to ssh more expensive Show details
Great for city driving – Really happy with this car. It's the perfect size to whiz around the city and parking is a breeze. Petrol consumption is pretty economical as well and I only need to fill my tank once every 1.5 - 2 weeks and I drive nearly an hour a day return to commute to work. I'm not sure how much room would be available in the back for car seat(s) or a… Read more
pram to fit in the boot but just for myself to drive around with my husband or my friends its perfect. I really like that the boot has a hidden compartment for safety but also for extra space.
The only negative, which I don't know if its just my car or all Yaris but when I start the car the front panel makes this weird vibrating noise from the stereo. Once the car is warmed up and moving it goes away but it can get annoying at first. I had the Toyota dealership check it out during my 3 years service period but they couldn't find any faults. But it's such a minor complaint I wouldn't worry too much about it.
Good budget car – I love this car. It’s small and cosy. Suitable for a small family. It’s inexpensive side on maintenance, fuel efficiency makes it a cost saver. I have travelled far with it without issues and have always followed Toyota guidelines making it more reliable even in the long run. I would recommend it for families who want to save cost and yet enjoy the luxury of a car. Remember, You won’t have issues in parking!! Show details
Cheap and reliable – Toyotas are always a good car to buy for their reliability however there are some things to note with the Yaris. Very light car so it will tend to over accelerate at the start Seats are very average - no support, just one large piece of foam Low maintenance costs for sure Show details
Awesome Car for a Family – Very good in performance and handling. No noise at all while driving. Runs very smoothly. Interior is far better than other models of same brand or other brands. Very spacious from inside. A perfect sedan for a family. Very reliable and easy to operate. Automatic transmission is available which makes your driving much easier. Available in many colors but black looks AWESOME. Low maintenance compared to other cars and models. Show details
Oh what a feeling – What I like about this car: Overall good car, doesn't feel small on the inside. Good visibility Reverse parking camera Good fuel economy Easy to park especially in CBD where the parking spaces are scarce and tight. Dislikes: Not too much, probably only the small boot space (the hatchback). But that's to be expected with a small car. Overall great value!!! Show details
Oh What A Feeling!!! – First car I took for a test drive & loved it!! Easy to handle has the best turning circle I have ever had on a car. The speedo is in the middle of the dash unlike other models but did not take me long to adapt to this concept. Petrol consumption is minimal. 18 months down the track & not a regret. Show details
Great functional car – This has been a great little car. Very economical to drive averaging about 6L per 100 klm when using 95 Octane petrol. Performance is also better using this type of petrol. Surprisingly it's quite roomy inside and back seat fits even my son easily - he's over 6 foot. Mechanically it has been a very sound car and would happily recommend it. Show details
Problem – i had my car running all good and all of a sudden i lost power steering on this car can some one help me out what could have gone wrong, i would appreciate if some one had a slimier problem or if i can get a expert advice of what to fix Show details
Extra Information
ProductReview.com.au has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence our content moderation policies in any way, though ProductReview.com.au may earn commissions for products/services purchased via affiliate links.