Crash Test Rating
Source   NHTSA
MPG (up to)
30 City / 35 HWY
Horsepower
106
Seats
5
Front passenger 3/4 w/ wheels turned.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Melinda C
It is mine and it is cute and I love it.
I love everything and dislike nothing about my car. It is cute and reliable and fun to drive. Also it is red.
accountCircle Phyllis S
The best car I have owned in my 50 years of driving.
This is the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. I am 66 and have been driving since I was 16. I take it for regular oil changes and checkups. It has never broken down. I have replaced tires as needed, and recently had my drive belt tightened. (72000+ miles on odometer) I am a relatively large person and am very comfortable in the car and have great visibility when driving or parking. I do not have any high tech extras on the car, I love this vehicle and would highly recommend it to anyone.
accountCircle Thomas G
It is one of the best cars I have ever owned.
I love the gas mileage. It is very economical and safe. I am able to use hands free communication while driving places.
accountCircle Susan B
I love my Toyota Yaris sedan.
Bought it in 2014 with 39,000 miles on it. Best car I have ever owned. Have been driving it since February 2019. It has approximately 73,000 miles on it. I have never had a problem with it! I used to commute to and from work every day, 20 miles each way.
accountCircle Jessy R
As long you do maintenance on the car there's never no problems
It simple Toyota is the best. Never had problems with this car and is very comfortable
accountCircle James K
It gets really good gas mileage.
I like that it gets really good gas mileage. It was also very affordable. I do wish that it had a little more storage space, however.
accountCircle Tocata L
My car is very good on gas.
My 2012 Toyota Yaris is very good on gas. Because it is so compact it can fit in plenty of parking spaces. It is very reliable and comfortable. Oil changes are inexpensive and it is very safe to drive. The only problem I really have is that the car is kind of low, so going over speed bumps without the bottom grinding against the ground is sometimes challenging.
accountCircle Darwantae M
Toyota Yaris. Has great gas mileage and is. Guaranteed to last a while.
Excellent gas mileage, very durable and promises long term use. No problems at all even at 80,000 miles in. Breaks work well but is hard to accelerate especially from a dead stop. Does have a comfortable interior and everything inside works great from the heat and a/c to the front headlights. It is small and compact but still has a significant amount of room to pack things ( if you are single and without kids). It handles well and very easy to drive.

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Wendy H
Don't buy this vehicle if you have other options! If you're serious about buying a compact car, I would check out the Chevy Sonic.
The 2012 Toyota Yaris is a fuel efficient vehicle, but that's about the only pro to having this compact size vehicle. The driving experience is less than comfortable. The sound system is cheap, the radio itself is less than functional. The clock is located on the driver side dash near the important gauges, stupid location. The single windshield wiper is a bit ridiculous looking.
accountCircle Montana C
It is a lot faster than it looks. It is reliable.
It is very standard. I do not like how low to the ground it is. My hubcaps constantly fall off and it looks like a grandma car.
accountCircle Christina S
It is not a luxury vehicle, but is affordable, practical, and reliable.
It has been very reliable and experienced very few problems. The small size works well living in the city and helps me get into tight parking spaces. Comfort is reasonable but not this vehicle's strength.
accountCircle sheri c
Compact vehicle good mileage
My yaris when it's cold makes a sound to warm up but has good gas mileage can put 30 dollars for the week and that's it all very compact
accountCircle Jesse B
It is perfect for myself and my kids.
Likes: good gas mileage, compact, handles well, comfortable ride, good entertainment system.... Dislikes: small hatch, rumbling noise when rear windows are down.
accountCircle Nicole M
I have not had much mechanical work needed on the car.
It is a small compact car that has excellent gas mileage. I have not had many mechanical issues yet but I have a belt that will squeal when it starts or when it warms warm up. I have had it replaced couple months ago and it continues to squeal. It drives slow. I can drive 65 mph down a main road and have a line of vehicles following me. Many of them pass or I pull over to let them pass. The car currently has over 165, 000 miles on it. Another issue I have is when the car is still “cold”, it stays in 3rd gear until it warms up. This is why I always start my car and let it warm up on cold days.
accountCircle Angela M
Good gas mileage and reliable, but not the most comfortable, especially for more than 2 people.
I like the gas mileage, the maneuverability, and the reliability. I don't like that it has no get up and go, and it seems to have issues with the way the outer shell was put together - the bumper has issues staying on, and the paint is poorly done and fades in places
accountCircle Maria R
It is a silver 2012 Toyota Yaris. Basic model.
My vehicle is great in gas mileage, size had over 150000 miles on it. Ac has been out for years, have to replace a headlight because of water damage and there is no part available for it, I have to replace the whole front of the car which is too great of a cost. It is far more expensive to get it fixed than a down payment for a new car honestly.

Toyota Yaris Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

car
L
106 HP 32 MPG 5 Seats
car
Base
106 HP 32 MPG 5 Seats
car
LE
106 HP 32 MPG 5 Seats
car
SE
106 HP 32 MPG 5 Seats
Photos may not match model

2012 Toyota Yaris Owner Reviews

4.29
146 Reviews
close Write Review
5 stars 48%
4 stars 36%
3 stars 15%
2 stars 1%
1 star 1%
accountCircle James H on June 17, 2021
2012 Toyota Yaris: dependable and high value first car purchase.
The vehicle is a basic model, with entry-level amenities and standard package. The car has been unbelievably reliable! Keep the oil changed and tires aligned and the Yaris will run forever. The gas mileage is high, due to it being a 4 cylinder engine. The car was my first ‘adult’ purchase and I have had it now for 8 years and own it outright. When looking for a quality made entry vehicle the Toyota Yaris will not disappoint.
accountCircle Stephanie C on June 14, 2021
Great compact car. Easy to get the hang of.
The front bumper seems to drag every now and then but overall it is a comfortable car and I love driving it. Small and easy to fit in tight spaces although it is quite tight inside. Easily drivable and I believe anyone could. Roll down windows are not very practical but they get the job done.

Pros from Owners

likeFilled Scott W.

It is economical, small, and easy to operate. It handles well and driving performance is smooth. It was affordable and provides the safety measures that I require. It does not require a great deal of maintenance or repair.

likeFilled Bryce J.

Great gas mileage, super reliable, easy to work on, It is a peppy little car with plenty of get-up-and-go and lots of room. For its size. Mine is the four-door sedan not the five door hatchback, I greatly appreciate having the trunk regularly.

likeFilled Macy S.

Amazing gas mileage, never broke down, and no major repairs so far! It has 124,000 miles on it and I have only ever had to replace the battery. It is super compact and lightweight so I can go a week without filling up the tank.

likeFilled Yesenia M.

The pros of this vehicle are that it is excellent on gas. It is also very compact but comfortable. Also, I like that when I unlock my door if I move my key the opposite way of the way you normally unlock the door it also unlocks the back doors. I have had this car. For like 4 years so far and haven't had to fix anything yet so it is very reliable.

likeFilled Thomas J.

Great on gas mileage. Had no major problems with the car for as long as I have it. The gas mileage runs from twenty six to thirty two miles per gallon. Easy to handle on freeways and in city traffic. Just the right size for me and my wife.

likeFilled Lane P.

The Toyota Yaris features a cute compact design without compromising cabin space. It has very decent gas mileage. I have made prolific use of the Bluetooth connectivity and have found it to be very reliable when connecting a device and playing music.

Cons from Owners

dislikeFilled Scott W.

It does not have a great deal of power or obtain an extremely large speed. It requires specific Toyota parts. I can only fit a total of four people in the vehicle at any given time. It is low driving to the ground and some of my external vision is impeded.

dislikeFilled Bryce J.

It is a boring car there is nothing fancy or fun about it Is the great Get Around Town Car, I am just never a car that you are going to turn your head and say wow. Look at that car. If you are looking for reliability, this is your car if you are looking for Flash and it is not.

dislikeFilled Macy S.

It is kind of small, which limits what kind be taken on a trip. Also, there is absolutely no get up and go. Even if you floor it, it is just not going to climb hills well or pass a car on the freeway.

dislikeFilled Yesenia M.

The only con for me is that is it a lil small so if you have a lot of kids in cars seat they might not fit well unless the car seats are compact. Also, I have to open the trunk from the inside of the car and not with the key cause somehow it gets stuck if I open it with the key.

dislikeFilled Thomas J.

This vehicle has no cons to me for the time I have owned the vehicle it has given me no major problems and I have owned the vehicle for 8 years and it is just as good as the day it was purchased. This vehicle is a great to own.

dislikeFilled Lane P.

I dislike that the Toyota Yaris features a mono-arm windshield wiper. While it means you only need to purchase one wiper, if something happens to the one you no longer have a windshield wiper. Another irritating feature would be the lever located inside the cabin to pop the gas tank lid. It is a small thing, but I would prefer to simply press open the lid and it pop open.

Ranks #15 Small Cars by Owners

The 2012 Toyota Yaris has an average owner rating of 4.34 out of 5 which ranks it #15 of 36 other Small Cars.

1
car
4.8
2
car
4.76
15
car
4.29

Ranks #7 Small Cars by Fuel Economy

The 2012 Toyota Yaris has a combined MPG of 38 which ranks it #7 of 36 other Small Cars.

1
Tie
car
42 MPG
1
Tie
car
42 MPG
7
Tie
car
35 MPG

Is The 2012 Toyota Yaris A Good Car?

Yes a very good vehicle. I have almost 200 thousand miles on it and it's still runs well.. It's just a little small.
Rebecca F.
It is reliable. It is a different set up inside with the cup holders near the windows instead of the center console. But I do not mind that.
Brittany W.

How Reliable Is The 2012 Toyota Yaris?

To small.. Plastic door panel cheaply made. Broke very easily. The back seat is small and not much leg room in drivers side..
Rebecca F.
My battery seems to be dying. But beyond that there's not real issues with the vehicle. It is the second car I owned and I would say the car is reliable and I feel safe in it. Even though it is a... Read More
Brittany W.

Is The 2012 Toyota Yaris A Good Value?

24 thousand but that's with interest.. If interest wasn't so high it would be better. I believe it was 18 thousand before interest.
Rebecca F.
I purchased it for $6700 with 110,000 miles. Which I feel was a great deal because the car was in good conditions.
Brittany W.

Related Articles for 2012 Toyota Yaris

From the Vehicle History blog

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2007 Toyota Yaris Review: A Tiny Budget Car That Doesn’t Offer Quite Enough Even for its Meager Price
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2009 Toyota Yaris Review: Long-Lasting Year For The Affordable, Worry Free Car
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2008 Toyota Yaris Review: Very Dependable and Comfortable Compact Car

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the windshield wiper/wiper blade sizes for the 2012 Yaris?

Answer: The size of the windshield wiper blades for the 2012 Toyota Yaris are 26 inches driver side, 14 inches passenger side. Some models have a 12 inch rear blade. It is a good idea to inspect Your blades after a bad...

How much oil does the 2012 Toyota Yaris take?

Answer: EacH2012 Toyota Yaris model configuration comes with the same 1.5L 4Cylinder engine, 1NZ-FE. That engine requires the use of 3.9 quarts of SAE 5W-20 in the sedan models, and 3.9 quarts of SAE 5W-30 in the...

Does the 2012 Toyota Yaris have a timing belt or chain?

Answer: All models of the Toyota Yaris froM2007 to 2020 have A4Cylinder engine that is equipped with a timing chain rather than a belt. You may be happy to know that because of the chain You won't have to worry about...

Answers are provided by third parties. We do not guarantee accuracy of responses

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Logo
NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Rollover

Side

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
IIHS Logo
IIHS Crash Test

Moderate Overlap Front

Side

Roof Strength

Driver-side Overlap Front

*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety