(August 18, 2011) LOS ANGELES — The all-new 2012 Toyota Yaris Liftback arrives this fall with upgraded styling, more safety features and improved fuel economy.

“There is a lot of excitement in the subcompact category today, but the all-new 2012 Toyota Yaris is at the top of the list when it comes to combining value and fuel efficiency with style and fun,” said Toyota Division Group Vice President and General Manager Bob Carter.

“Today’s young, price-conscious shoppers want the complete package that the new Yaris offers: room for their friends and gear, along with a strong list of standard convenience and safety features.”

While the new Yaris has a two-inch longer wheelbase translating into a larger interior and measures three inches longer than its predecessor, it retains the four-speed automatic transmission, and the engine is carried over from the 2011 model. It will also sell for about $1,000 more than the current base model.

The Yaris will be up against all new and improved subcompact competitors including the Hyundai Accent, Ford Fiesta and Nissan Versa.

The Yaris sedan has been terminated and the 2012 edtion will come in three-door and five-door hatchback form only. Toyota says that today, liftback body styles dominate the subcompact vehicle segment, preferred by 70 percent of new retail car buyers in this category.

The increase in wheelbase (98.8 inches) and length (153.5 inches) has resulted in up to 68 percent more cargo room along with additional headroom and passenger volume, all within a highly aerodynamic body yielding a 0.30 coefficient of drag.

The new Yaris will be offered in three grades, with the entry-level L and value-packaged LE editions available either as a three-door liftback or five-door liftback. The sport-tuned SE is available only as a five-door. Standard equipment levels have been improved across all grades while simplifying options to make it easier for customers to find the car they want at an affordable price.
 
The Yaris is powered by a 1.5-liter, 16-valve, four-cylinder DOHC engine equipped with variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i), producing 106 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 103 pound-feet of torque at 4,200 rpm.

All Yaris L, LE and SE models are available with a new four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission, featuring a more compact, lighter-weight design and reduced friction for greater fuel efficiency.  A smooth-shifting five-speed manual transmission is available on L and SE models only.

Toyota says that the Yaris will continue to be an excellent value and that the hike in price comes because there is more than $1,000 of additional standard equipment. Pricing for the all-new 2012 Yaris will be comparable to a previous-generation Yaris with the Convenience Package, with prices of most grades remaining unchanged, making the all-new and improved model a great value versus the previous model.

The base MSRP will range from $14,115 for the L grade three-door liftback with a five-speed manual transmission to $17,200 for the SE grade five-door liftback with a four-speed automatic transmission.