The 2020 Toyota Yaris Is the Best Compact Car to Buy, Says Car and Driver
On the hunt for the best vehicles on the planet, the automotive experts at Car and Driver ran hundreds of cars and trucks through extensive testing. The result was their 2020 “Editor’s Choice” list – the vehicles that reviewers ranked No. 1 in their class. In the compact car category, the Toyota Yaris was ranked the best of the best.
The Toyota Yaris beats the competition
According to the editors of Car and Driver, the 2020 Toyota Yaris is the best compact car to buy. They were impressed with its great fuel economy and handling. Although many vehicles in this category have more storage room and driver-assist technology features, the Toyota Yaris beat out them all including the 2020 Honda Fit, the 2020 Hyundai Accent, and the 2020 Nissan Versa.
The actual car they drove was a 2020 Toyota Yaris XLE Sedan. This model has a starting price of $19,705 with front-wheel drive and an automatic transmission. 2020 models of the Yaris are all-new and based on a version of the Mazda2 that isn’t available in the United States.
Reviewers were disappointed that most of the driver-assist safety features that are now common in new vehicles were lacking in the 2020 Toyota Yaris. They also found it wasn’t as quick as some of the other compacts they tested and didn’t have enough room. However, its other benefits were enough to make the Car and Driver editors decide the Toyota Yaris was ahead of the competition.
What reviewers loved best
Car and Driver loved the Toyota Yaris’ long list of standard features. These include remote keyless entry, a 7-inch touchscreen with voice recognition, Sirius XM Radio, two USB ports, and Bluetooth. There’s also a standard rear backup camera, chrome exhaust tips, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats.
The biggest thing that made the 2020 Toyota Yaris a reviewer favorite is its drivability. The suspension is tuned for an enjoyable ride, and it has a lightweight body with nimble handling. Automotive editors also like the budget price tag and fuel economy that saves you money over the long run. With a price tag of just $15,650, the Yaris is one of the most affordable new cars out there.
The 2020 Toyota Yaris
The 2020 Toyota Yaris comes as both a sedan and a hatchback with five different models – L, LE, XLE, LE Hatchback, and the XLE Hatchback. All have a distinct look, with a large honeycomb grille in front and sleek lines. This subcompact has a good set of safety features and driver-assist capabilities like a low-speed pre-collision system and active safety features like traction control and dynamic stability control.
Other notable items on the 2020 Toyota Yaris are the convenient steering wheel-mounted controls, automatic climate control, and a smart key system with push-button start. The interior is sporty and comfortable with contoured sport seats and leather trim on XLE models. The XLE trim also adds LED automatic headlights and rain-sensing intermittent wipers.
The touchscreen is the heart of the multimedia system with integrated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It can be controlled either by touching the screen or by using a control knob that is located between the front seats on the center console. It has standard voice recognition, so you can safely drive while you stay in touch with the outside world.
If you’re looking for the reliability of the Toyota name and an economical ride that is fun to drive, the 2020 Toyota Yaris is an excellent choice. Car and Driver editors think it’s the best one in the compact car category.
