April Fool's Day is a very strange day for an automaker to make a legitimate announcement for a new vehicle, but it seems Toyota feels this is the appropriate time to reveal the new 2020 Yaris Hatchback. In some respects, the timing of this reveal is appropriate, as this Toyota-badged hatchback with its massive front grille is actually the Mazda 2 subcompact not sold in the United States. The new Yaris, however, will be on dealer lots from sea to shining sea.
We suspected this was coming. Toyota and Mazda already collaborate on the current Yaris sedan, which was unveiled last year at the New York Auto Show. Toyota announced early this year that the previous Yaris Liftback – which was actually a different car altogether than the sedan – was cut from the North American market. The new Yaris Hatchback will utilize the same Mazda-based bones like the sedan does, with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood creating 106 horsepower (79 kilowatts) for the front wheels, sent through a standard-issue six-speed automatic transmission.
Similarly, the Yaris will come in either LE or XLE trim and feature a nice array of standard equipment. 16-inch aluminum wheels, fog lights, body-colored power mirrors, and a chrome exhaust tip are among the exterior items included. Inside, driver and passengers will enjoy a 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and voice recognition built into the infotainment system. A rear backup camera is also standard-issue, as are a plethora of safety systems including automatic emergency braking.
Toyota is keen to boast about the Yaris Hatchback's maneuverability, including its 32.2-foot turning circle and overall length of 161 inches. Additionally, Toyota draws attention to the car's "bold, cab-rearward design" though we know these are all aspects of the Mazda 2 on which it's based. The front fascia with its gaping hexagon grille is all Toyota, however.
Toyota doesn't mention pricing or availability for the new Yaris Hatchback, but the automaker plans to show it later this month at the 2019 New York Auto Show.
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