American car buyers’ preferences have dramatically changed, and Toyota’s sales figures reflect that. For the last few years, the RAV4 has been the best-selling Toyota. But on the flip side, what is Toyota’s worst-selling car?

Toyota’s worst-selling car 

As recent auto sales data shows, American buyers have gravitated more toward compact SUVs. Compact SUVs provide an elevated driver’s position and far more space than small cars, leaving them in the dust. That said, it’s no surprise that Toyota’s worst-selling vehicle of the year is the 2020 Yaris sedan.

The Yaris is Toyota’s smallest car. Some drivers may prefer the Yaris as a city-driver because it’s tiny and easy to maneuver. But the overwhelming majority have chosen to pass on this model. Toyota has only sold 5,654 models from the Yaris family in 2020, according to recent data from GoodCarBadCar. Aside from the now discontinued Ford Fiesta, this figure indicates that the Yaris was the lowest selling subcompact car by the end of Q3 2020.

Is Toyota discontinuing the Yaris?

Toyota confirmed in June 2020 that it is quitting the Yaris lineup in the U.S, and it won’t return for 2021. This announcement marks an end of an era for a model that’s been available stateside since 2007. The company’s decision to discontinue the Yaris in the U.S. relates to low sales and buyers’ favor for SUVs. 

The Yaris isn’t the only now-defunct subcompact car. A few of its rivals won’t return for the upcoming model year either. Honda has canceled the Honda Fit, and Chevrolet is done with the Chevy Bolt too. Toyota sells a cooler version of Yaris, known as the GR Yaris, overseas. We may see some of the GR Yaris’ best attributes in the new Corolla hot hatch that’s coming to the U.S. 

Is the Toyota Yaris a good car?

Even though the sales figures don’t show it, the Yaris is a good subcompact car. The 2020 Yaris is one of the most affordable new vehicles of the year, with a starting price of $17,750. Additionally, the Yaris earned a perfect five-star crash rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This Toyota has also received above-average predicted reliability scores from Consumer Reports. 

The 2020 Yaris boasts a charming, quirky sense of style and is available as either a sedan or hatchback. Both variants can seat up to five and are fairly accommodating for the class. This Toyota also has futuristic interior design and lots of standard tech, which makes it more attractive. Standard infotainment features include a 7-inch touchscreen display, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. 

As we’ve said before, the main thing that holds the Yaris back is its performance. This small car presents one engine option, and that’s a 106-hp, 1.5-liter four-cylinder. It’s standard with a six-speed manual transmission while a six-speed automatic is available. The Yaris is slow to accelerate, but critics have recognized the car for its excellent fuel economy and responsive handling.