The 2019 Toyota Yaris Hatchback is a subcompact five-seat hatchback. Its story for this model year is unusual, because the hatchback that carried the Yaris name differed by market. In the United States, Toyota dropped the XP130-based Yaris Liftback after the 2018 model year and sold only the Yaris sedan in 2019; the Mazda-based Yaris Hatchback did not arrive in US showrooms until the 2020 model year. In Canada, however, a Toyota-built Yaris Hatchback was sold as a 2019 model, so the name applied to real cars north of the border that year.
Which Yaris Hatchback was sold in 2019?
Toyota sold subcompact cars under the Yaris badge in three different forms during this period. The Toyota-built hatchback descended from the Japanese-market Vitz (XP130) and was sold in Canada; the sedan was a rebadged Mazda2; and a Mazda-based hatchback eventually replaced the Toyota-built car. The 2019 model-year XP130 Yaris Liftback was never introduced in the United States, where Toyota continued to sell the 2018 car into January 2019 before discontinuing it. Canadian sales of the 2019 hatchback continued into 2020, when it gave way to the Mazda2-based Yaris.
2019 Canadian Yaris Hatchback specs
Every 2019 Yaris Hatchback used a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an aluminum alloy block and variable valve timing, sending power to the front wheels. Toyota quoted 106 hp at 6,000 rpm and 103 lb-ft of torque. Buyers chose between a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic with overdrive.
- Overall length: 3,945 mm (155.3 in); width 1,695 mm (66.7 in); height 1,510 mm (59.4 in).
- Wheelbase: 2,510 mm (98.8 in); curb weight roughly 1,050 kg (2,315 lb).
- Cargo space: 433 L (15.3 cubic feet) behind the rear seats.
- Fuel consumption, five-speed manual: 7.8 L/100 km city and 6.5 L/100 km highway (7.2 combined).
Trims and pricing in Canada
The Canadian Yaris Hatchback was sold in three trims, each with a three-door or five-door body as appropriate. Prices before freight ranged from CAD $15,630 for the three-door CE to CAD $19,605 for the five-door SE with the automatic.
- 3-Door Hatchback CE: CAD $15,630 manual; $16,625 automatic.
- 5-Door Hatchback LE: CAD $16,955 manual; $17,955 automatic.
- 5-Door Hatchback SE: CAD $18,605 manual; $19,605 automatic.
The SE added four-wheel disc brakes, front sport seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a six-speaker audio system, 16-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, projector-style halogen headlamps, fog lamps and LED daytime running lights.
Engine and efficiency
The 1.5-liter engine is modest but frugal. Natural Resources Canada estimated combined consumption at about 7.2 L/100 km for the manual car, with the automatic rated slightly higher. A tight turning radius and a compact footprint make the hatchback easy to place in city traffic.
Safety and features
Canadian cars came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense C bundle, which grouped a pre-collision system, lane departure alert and automatic high beams. The Star Safety System, nine airbags and a backup camera were also standard. Inside, Toyota fitted heated front seats, power windows and locks, and a 6.1-inch Display Audio system with USB input and Bluetooth.
The 2020 Mazda-based Yaris Hatchback
For the 2020 model year, Toyota replaced the Toyota-built hatchback with a Mazda2-based Yaris Hatchback in both the United States and Canada. It debuted at the 2019 New York International Auto Show, shared its 1.5-liter engine and six-speed transmissions with the Yaris sedan, and was offered in LE and XLE grades. US sales began in October 2019. Both Mazda-based Yaris models were discontinued in the US in June 2020, and Canadian sales ended soon after.
What buyers should know today
A shopper looking for a 2019 Yaris Hatchback in North America should look in Canada, where the Toyota-built model was sold, or accept that the US-market hatchback of this name is a 2020 car. Both are inexpensive, economical subcompacts, but the 2019 Canadian hatchback and the 2020 Mazda-based hatchback are different vehicles with different engines, transmissions and body styles.
Interior and practicality
The Canadian Yaris Hatchback seated five and made good use of its small footprint. Toyota fitted heated front seats, power windows and door locks, and a 6.1-inch Display Audio system with USB input and Bluetooth. The rear seats split 60/40 and folded down to expand the 433-liter cargo area, and a reversing camera was standard. Visibility is good thanks to the upright body and large glass area.
How it drives
With 106 hp and a five-speed manual, the hatchback is not quick, but its light curb weight of about 1,050 kg and a tight turning circle of roughly 9.6 meters make it well suited to crowded streets. The SE trim added a sportier setup with four-wheel disc brakes and 16-inch alloy wheels, while the base car used 15-inch steel wheels. The four-speed automatic is the least sophisticated part of the package.
Competitors
The 2019 Yaris Hatchback competed in the subcompact class against cars such as the Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio and Nissan Versa Note. Its main selling points were Toyota build quality on the hatchback side, low running costs, and a comprehensive standard safety package for its price.
The upshot for shoppers is that the name “Yaris Hatchback” covered two unrelated cars within a single model year. A 2019 is the Toyota-built car sold in Canada, while a 2020 US or Canadian hatchback is the Mazda-based replacement. Checking the model year, engine code and body style is the only reliable way to tell them apart.
