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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Money & Work • Automotive

Toyota Yaris

The Toyota Yaris is a subcompact car sold by Toyota since 1999.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

The Toyota Yaris is a subcompact car sold by Toyota since 1999, offered in hatchback and sedan forms with petrol or hybrid powertrains depending on the market.

What it is

The Yaris is Toyota’s long-running subcompact car line, first introduced in 1999 as a replacement for the Starlet and Tercel. It has been sold globally in multiple generations, with the current fourth-generation model arriving in 2020. Body styles include hatchback and sedan, and in some markets, hybrid powertrains are standard.

Key details

Recent European Yaris models are hybrid-only, using a 1.5-litre petrol-electric system with outputs around 114 bhp or 129 bhp. Fuel economy figures vary: a 2020 U.S. Yaris automatic was rated 32/40 mpg city/highway, while a current hybrid Yaris achieves about 3.7 l/100 km WLTP. Toyota discontinued the Yaris family in the United States after the 2020 model year, but the nameplate continues elsewhere.

Why it matters

The Yaris has been a practical, efficient choice in the subcompact segment, with a reputation for reliability and city manoeuvrability. In Canada, it has been sold as a relevant option for budget-conscious drivers, though availability and equipment have varied by model year and market.

In short

  • Toyota Yaris is a subcompact car sold since 1999 in hatchback and sedan forms.
  • Current global Yaris is fourth-generation, launched in 2020.
  • Recent European models are hybrid-only; U.S. Yaris was discontinued after 2020.
  • Fuel economy ranges from 32/40 mpg (U.S.) to about 3.7 l/100 km WLTP (hybrid).
Canadian angle

The Yaris has been sold in Canada and is relevant to Canadian readers as a practical subcompact car segment model; however, availability and equipment have varied by model year and market.

Quick questions

What is a Toyota Yaris?
A Toyota Yaris is a Toyota subcompact car, sold since 1999 in hatchback, sedan, and hybrid forms depending on market.
Is Toyota Yaris reliable?
The Yaris has a reputation for being practical and economical, with owner-oriented and review coverage generally describing it as durable and easy to live with.
When did Toyota stop making Yaris?
Toyota stopped making the Yaris for the U.S. market after the 2020 model year. The nameplate continued in other markets, including as a current global model.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Yaris
    Supports: Basic identity of the Toyota Yaris, introduction year, and replacement of the Starlet and Tercel.
  2. Top Gear — https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/toyota/yaris
    Supports: Current Yaris generation and hybrid engine outputs.
  3. Carwow — https://www.carwow.co.uk/toyota/yaris
    Supports: Current Yaris body type, hybrid powertrain, and fuel economy figures.
  4. Auto Express — https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/toyota/yaris
    Supports: Current Yaris hybrid output, performance, and trim structure.
  5. Cars.com — https://www.cars.com/research/toyota-yaris/
    Supports: U.S. generation history and discontinuation after the 2020 model year.
  6. Consumer Reports — https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/toyota/yaris/
    Supports: Yaris iA/Yaris Sedan naming in the U.S. market.
  7. Car and Driver — https://www.caranddriver.com/toyota/yaris
    Supports: 2020 U.S. Yaris fuel economy and safety rating.
  8. Toyota — https://www.toyota.com/yaris-family/
    Supports: Official statement that Yaris and Yaris Hatchback were discontinued, with 2020 the last model year in that family.