Toyota's newest sedan experienced past lives as a Scion, Mazda
If you missed the boat on buying a Scion iA or Mazda2, you can find the same car as the 2017 Toyota Yaris iA.
The Yaris iA appears in Toyota's lineup for the 2017 model year, after the dissolution of the Scion brand where the car had previously lived as the iA. This car came about from a partnership between Toyota and Mazda, and it also previously appeared as the Mazda2.
The Yaris iA joins Toyota's Yaris model in its subcompact offerings. The standard Yaris is a hatchback, while the Yaris iA is a sedan.
Although its side sculpturing comes from Mazda design, the front-end has been given a Toyota grille and badge.
The Yaris iA's ride quality comes off as mediocre, fitting its low price point.
The high roofline contributes to good sightines for the driver.
Toyota sells the Yaris iA in a single trim line, the only option being an automatic transmission.
Toyota's recent models have adopted a large front grille.
The Yaris iA uses a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, with output of 106 horsepower and 103 pound-feet of torque.
As an impressive standard feature, a forward-looking camera in front of the rear-view mirror enables automatic emergency braking.
Even with its subcompact status, the cabin doesn't feel particularly cramped.
Trunk space looks adequate for a month's worth of groceries.
Cloth-covered seats prove reasonably comfortable, but, given the car's price, do not offer power adjustment.
The rear seats incorporate headrests, which could prevent whiplash in a crash.
The LCD-based infotainment system comes standard in the Yaris iA, but sadly lacks Android Auto or Apple CarPlay support.
Steering feel is very neutral, not particularly sharp nor too loose.
A central analog gauge is bracketed by two monochrome LCD panels.
The Yaris iA comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission, but this one has been upgraded with the $1,100 six-speed automatic.
The standard rear-view camera comes in handy for parking.
This indirect controller on the console lets you select phone and stereo functions on the center LCD.
The infotainment system supports Bluetooth hands-free calling and the stereo, and a dealer-supplied SD card enables navigation.