Toyota’s Next-Gen Yaris Threat to the Mazda 2?

8017 Views 11 Replies 9 Participants Last post by jadecraft, Sep 27, 2011

speed.2

Discussion Starter · Jul 7, 2011

Toyota’s new Yaris just made its local debut at the 2011 Melbourne auto show, ahead of its showroom release at the end of the year. The current Yaris is the third most popular compact car in the Australia, behind the Mazda2 and the Hyundai Getz.

Toyota stretched the Yaris to help create more space for rear seat passengers. Fuel efficiency has been improved by more advanced aerodynamics and the windshield gains “UV-reducing” glass with a single large wiper blade. The new Yaris will be offered as a three-door, five-door hatchback and four-door sedan. Toyota stated that this new model was designed with more of a European flavour than its predecessor.

Engine choices for the new Yaris are expected to be similar to the outgoing model, including a 1.3-liter and 1.5-liter powerplant. Toyota Australia will not release any more details until its launch.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/...s-debuts-at-the-2011-melbourne-auto-show.html

Hmm how much would it differ now that toyota has given the yaris a more sporty look and also giving it a face lift. Maybe after this facelift Toyota's Yaris will be number one ?

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ZoomZoom

· #2 · Jul 7, 2011

I hate to say this being a Mazda guy but the new Yaris is looking pretty darn good to me! I will really like the 2012 Yaris go against the 2011 Mazda 2, it should be a good battle.

If the Yaris turns out to be the better car, in a way it's good news for us Mazda guys since Mazda will push to make the Mazda 2 better than the Yaris.

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ManicCompression

· #3 · Jul 17, 2011

The new Yaris looks like it's going to have a ton of unsightly dimples and bulges (typical of most recent Toyota designs) but definitely better looking than the current Yaris. I think the Yaris on the roads now in the US has one of the worst front ends out there. They clearly copied design cues from the Mazda2 with the creased up the sides. One thing I like is the one big wiper, pretty cool and I'm almost certain that the Mazda2, Fit, et al could have easily gone to this set up to forgo the super small passenger side wiper. One thing is certain, the new Yaris will be heavier and not drive as well as the Mazda2. Pass.

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2oom-2oom

· #4 · Aug 9, 2011

Toyota will never be a threat. Yes, they will sell more, but Mazda knows their place, and their customer base. They are happy to stay smaller and cater to those of us that want cars that are fun to drive, not just flashy and overpriced.
I find it interesting that the new Yaris has a lot of styling cues reminiscent of the 2.
Toyota forgot who they are. One bump on the head and suddenly they think they are GM, and run their company accordingly, offering less, unless you want the options. I'll pass on anything Toyota makes.

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MazdaSpeed

· #5 · Sep 2, 2011

2oom-2oom said:
Toyota will never be a threat. Yes, they will sell more, but Mazda knows their place, and their customer base. They are happy to stay smaller and cater to those of us that want cars that are fun to drive, not just flashy and overpriced.
I find it interesting that the new Yaris has a lot of styling cues reminiscent of the 2.
Toyota forgot who they are. One bump on the head and suddenly they think they are GM, and run their company accordingly, offering less, unless you want the options. I'll pass on anything Toyota makes.

I disagreed with some of your previous posts in other threads but you have some very good points here!

Mazda knows their place, and their customer base. They are happy to stay smaller and cater to those of us that want cars that are fun to drive, not just flashy and overpriced.

Good example is Mazda pushing the SkyActiv technology throughout it's model line up and thinking about hybrids later in the future, which is a smart idea. Good for us since hybrids are costly at the moment and with the low cost skyactiv mazda's, mazda should see some awesome sales numbers from this.

meanwhile toyota is trying to have a hybrid model for each vehicle, and it's getting pricey!

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CommanderBob

· #6 · Sep 2, 2011

In that picture, the yaris looks pretty sweet. However, give it legal tint (in pa) on the front windows and windshield and some steelies and I think it will look infinitely worse. I like the mazda2 because it has a bit of sporty about it, but they aren't trying to sell it as what isn't: a sports car. She's a cheap econo, take it for what it is and make it more awesome!

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ECHOKnight2000

· #7 · Sep 4, 2011

The new Yaris hatch is sorta growing on me. Don't care for the new interior. I'd take the Mazda2 over this. Also Toyota is keeping its acient 1.5ltr (I have it in my car-first gen Yaris/ECHO sedan). So its over 10 years old which is a fail including the 4-speed.

I know the Mazda2 is in its last years or year of its life-cycle so it too is "dated." Still good looking IMO. Yeah hopefully Mazda will incorporate the SkyActive technology in the Mazda2 which I have no doubts it will. Toyota says the SE will actually handle decently or well. So it won't be just a badge this time around. Good to see that especially coming from dull Toyota.

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jadecraft

· #8 · Sep 7, 2011

This definitely looks promising. Wish these new cars were sleeker, less awkward looking though.

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bananaboat

· #9 · Sep 9, 2011

Those who will buy a Yaris are buying due to the Toyota name and rarely would consider the M2 anyway. Yaris or Fit is their choice.

Now I do believe the Accent is stealing some buyers but not specific to the M2. Most folks haven't even heard of the M2 due to Mazda's lack of marketing and sporadic dealerships. I drive across the Dallas metroplex daily and I haven't seen another M2 on the road.

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ECHOKnight2000

· #10 · Sep 19, 2011

bananaboat said:
Those who will buy a Yaris are buying due to the Toyota name and rarely would consider the M2 anyway. Yaris or Fit is their choice.

Now I do believe the Accent is stealing some buyers but not specific to the M2. Most folks haven't even heard of the M2 due to Mazda's lack of marketing and sporadic dealerships. I drive across the Dallas metroplex daily and I haven't seen another M2 on the road.

Yeah, the M2 seems under the radar. Especially with its big brother M3 more in the spotlight. I know they are a different class of car. I'm betting with the new SkyActive engines the next gen M2 will have more attention, especially when gas prices go up.

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ZoomZoom

· #11 · Sep 20, 2011

ECHOKnight2000 said:
Yeah, the M2 seems under the radar. Especially with its big brother M3 more in the spotlight. I know they are a different class of car. I'm betting with the new SkyActive engines the next gen M2 will have more attention, especially when gas prices go up.

SkyActiv will play a big roll in the success of the Mazda2. Small car + an extremely fuel efficient engine = killer comb for future gas prices.

Mazda unlike Toyota is aiming for affordability at the moment with it's SkyActiv, seeing that hybrids can get costly. Mazda will have to do a lot of development to get the M2 to the level of the Yaris, but price and fuel efficient will have people putting some serious thought into each model

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jadecraft

· #12 · Sep 27, 2011

I think they both have their own established clientele and neither is a risk to the other.

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