2009 TOYOTA YARIS

The car's numbers are stout. Yaris comes with the 1300cc 2NZ-FE inline 4 developing 84 hp at 6,000 rpm. It has 89 lb ft at 4,400.

We drove the sedan and the trunk closed on 475 litres of space. The 2NZ is fuel injected, and directly ignited; tank capacity is 42 litres, which means that filling up with today's average litre cost of $66 would total $2,772. Not bad. Mileage is estimated at between 32 and 35 combined (urban and rural cycle) mpg. Curb weight is 1,010 kg.

Subcompact class

The baby Corolla falls in the subcompact class, but the design makes good use of the available space. The interior swallows loads that belie its class. My own compact car (an '01 Lancer) doesn't feel as spacious.

The interior looks as if it were designed by someone who has had to deal with kids. Door panels won't stain - there is no texture on them to hold grease and dirt - and the length of the back bench means that two eight-year-old children can be isolated, as they are so much more than kids arm's length apart when seated by each door. If you have teenagers that still grapple like this after school - well, that's for another day.

Yaris controls are also well thought out; the thermostat for the 'climate control' has a centre detent marking heat and cold; kudos to the designer of the gauge pod - it does not wash out in harsh sunlight, and is centre-mounted, which means that the steering wheel can't block anything.

Astonishing

Driving this little whizzer is like a breath of fresh air. From 1300cc comes a sub 11 second zero to 60 time, which was astonishing. First is really short, and the engine has enough oomph at change up to break the tyres loose. Second is about as long as the first ratio is short, and that is why the numbers are so good as the engine doesn't have to fall off its torque peak for the run-up to naughty figures.

Yaris rides on 185/60 R15s, and the ride, though somewhat choppy, is well damped. Tuned for understeer, the chassis nonetheless responds to steering inputs at the limit of adhesion; the electric steering feel is adequate to light, and body roll is not unduly excessive. Suspension up front is McPherson strut, with ventilated discs. The rear has trailing arm - torsion beam suspension, with drums.

The 'sub' Corolla is priced at $2.164 million, which makes it the cheapest car in the subcompact wars. It has intelligent design, makes use of all its interior space and is ergonomically correct. It has decent driving dynamics, good power through the rev range and won't cause frowns at the gas pump.