The 2020 Toyota Yaris Hatchback is back from the brink of death. It was supposed to be discontinued in 2019, but instead, Toyota kept it around, expecting this little SUV to have major sales. However, the Yaris is so weak, you may do better with the hybrid version or the Toyota C-HR instead. 

The Toyota Yaris Is Too Weak 

Under the hood of the Toyota Yaris, you’ll find a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an output of 106 horsepower and 103 lb-ft of torque. 

Apparently, the Yaris can tow up to 1,200 pounds, but we wouldn’t recommend slowing this little hatchback down by hauling anything. 

Depending on which trim option and package you select, the Toyota Yaris weighs between 2,396 and 2,445 lb. We were hoping this lightweight option would help this SUV be peppier, but that’s not the case. 

It takes the Toyota Yaris a staggering 9.4 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph. Don’t expect to pass people in this hatchback confidently. 

But because the Toyota Yaris Hatchback starts around $17k, it’s price will still intrigue buyers. So let’s check out the rest of its specs. 

Toyota Yaris Hatchback Features 

One benefit of having a weak engine includes having a better fuel economy. The Toyota Yaris Hatchback gets an average of 32 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. 

However, the Yaris is only available in front-wheel drive. Without All-wheel drive, its capability is limited, especially in slippery conditions. It will be much safer to stay home during snow days. 

But the Yaris does sit on 15″ wheels, allowing it to provide a smooth and comfortable ride for long city commutes. The Sport Mode may also make zipping around the city a little fun. 

The interior also has a slightly more upscale feel with soft-touch materials and a leather-trimmed dash. 

However,  the ride will only be comfortable for shorter people. It’s a tight fit, especially in the backseat. Make sure your taller friend gets to sit in the front. 

Plus, the Toyota Yaris seriously lacks cargo space compared to its competitors. It only has 16 cubic feet of cargo space total, so it may be difficult to pack your luggage in it. 

At least the backseats feature a 40/60 split to help you load more items when necessary. 

Toyota Yaris Tech 

The Toyota Yaris Hatchback isn’t behind on tech, but it isn’t advanced either. The 7″ touchscreen infotainment center can connect to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also has an audio input jack and two USB ports.

While the 2020 Toyota Yaris hasn’t been tested for safety yet, the 2019 model is a top safety pick. 

However, it’s behind the pack and lacks standard safety features. The Yaris has standard forward collision prevention, but that’s about it. 

The Yaris doesn’t have blind-spot monitoring, lane departure assistance, or adaptive cruise control like it’s competitors. 

For about 3k extra, you can get a more capable, smarter, and more powerful compact SUV that’s still perfect for navigating through tight city areas.