NEWS: 2006 Toyota Yaris Announced

By Mark Atkinson
Photos courtesy Toyota Canada

The immensely popular Toyota Echo hatchback will be ‘replaced’ in 2006 by the new slightly larger ‘Yaris’ model. Well, not exactly replaced as the Echo hatch has always been known as the Yaris in Europe (and the Vitz in Japan, but that’s just getting confusing…)

At any rate, the new Yaris will offer much of the same: reasonable price, great fuel economy, decent performance, Toyota reliability and rock-solid resale values. The Yaris will continue to be offered in both 3-door and 5-door configurations with two or three trim levels for each. The top-of-the-line RS will feature slight cosmetic tweaks and larger wheels and tires, but no increase in performance over the standard 106 hp.



While the Yaris was recently previewed at the 2005 Frankfurt Auto Show a few days ago, Toyota Canada will give Canadians their first look at the 2006 Yaris when the hatchback goes on display September 16 at the Georgian College Auto Show. Visitors are invited to the Toyota area during show hours running from September 16-18 in Barrie, ON.