Toyota Cancels Mazda2-based Yaris After 2020

Toyota is canceling the Yaris subcompact after the 2020 model year, according to multiple reports and claimed confirmation by a Toyota spokesperson. The 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback are based on the Mazda2, which is sold in other parts of the world and is not available in the U.S. market. The Mazda-based Yaris hatchback was new for 2020, replacing the previous France-sourced Yaris hatch, but slow sales in the segment and continued consumer migration to small crossover SUVs have sealed the car’s fate.

After Mazda discontinued its own sales of the Mazda2 after the 2014 model year, Toyota partnered with the automaker to transform a redesigned version of the Mazda2 sedan into the 2016 Scion iA. A year later, when Toyota canceled Scion, the iA became the Yaris sedan, a counterpart to the already existing Yaris hatchback. Aside from a redesigned front end and some Toyota emblems, the Yaris sedan was a Mazda through-and-through.

For the 2020 model year, Toyota applied the same approach to the Yaris hatchback. Clearly, though, this effort will prove as short-lived as a Saturn Astra.

While the Mazda-based Yaris models are not powerful, they are enjoyable to drive, infused with the smile-inducing dynamics Mazda bakes into all of its products. Both cars have cramped rear seats, but the Yaris sedan’s trunk is unexpectedly large while the Yaris hatchback offers added utility due to its folding rear seats and larger cargo opening. Each is well equipped, too, and delivers unexpected refinement at the price.

You can get a Toyota Yaris sedan for as little as $15,650, not including destination charges, while the better-equipped Yaris hatchback runs $17,750. Both cars include free scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a forward collision warning system with automatic emergency braking that works at low vehicle speeds.

When Toyota sells out of the Yaris, the least expensive vehicle in the automaker’s lineup will be the 2021 Corolla sedan, with a starting price of $19,825 plus destination charges.

The information in this article comes from automotive websites and from Toyota. It was accurate on June 24, 2020 but may have changed since that date.

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