Toyota Yaris vs. Ford Fiesta
Compact vehicles like the Toyota Yaris and Ford Fiesta aren’t exactly familiar, nor do they exude a middle-aged professional. If these models lack the seriousness and conservatism of other cars, it is not by chance. The target market for vehicles like these definitely skews more towards the young one-of-a-kind individual, making some non-traditional features more important than usual.
Although the Toyota Yaris and the Ford Fiesta have many similarities, there are also some obvious differences. So which vehicle is the one that will meet the needs of a fun-filled, carefree lifestyle? It’s important to compare all of your options when making such an important decision.
Performance
While you may not see a lot of drag racing in your future, having a well-functioning car is certainly important. Neither the Toyota Yaris nor the Ford Fiesta claim to be “muscle cars”, however they have their own bragging rights when it comes to their performance.
The Toyota Yaris comes standard with a 106-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, which I’m told isn’t going to surprise anyone, but it’ll be enough to get you from point A to point B. SE trim features Stiffer suspension and more precise handling, making the upgrade perhaps worth the extra cost.
The Ford Fiesta features a 120-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, giving it that “get up and go” feel that makes for a fun ride. Electric power steering adds to the fun by making the Ford Fiesta easy to maneuver around whatever you may encounter on your next road trip.
fuel efficiency
Standing at the gas pump and watching the cost go higher and higher as the tank fills up can be a sickening feeling. Nobody wants to pay more than they should for gas, which is why it is so important to find a car that consumes less fuel.
The beauty of buying a compact car like the Toyota Yaris or Ford Fiesta is that they tend to be more fuel efficient. According to the government’s fuel economy website, a standard 2012 Toyota Yaris automatic can get up to 30 miles per hour in the city and 35 on the highway. Ford’s 2012 Fiesta automatic gets 29 miles per hour in the city and 39 miles per hour on the highway. Fortunately, both vehicles, it seems, are similar in their ability to get you where you need to be without breaking the bank.
Safety
Although safety should be the top priority when choosing a vehicle, fun and features sometimes outweigh the practicality of such decisions. Despite your father’s voice in your ear telling you that a minivan might be safer than a Mustang, you know which one you mean when it comes down to it. Fortunately for compact car seekers, automakers have found a way to combine a fun little vehicle with the safety that will make dear dad breathe a sigh of relief.
The Yaris has bragging rights for Toyota’s Star Safety System, which includes its Smart stop technology. This feature works at any speed above 5 miles per hour and helps bring the vehicle to a stop if forced to brake hard, a feature that could definitely come in handy while driving on busy roads or even just maneuvering in crowded places. parking lots. Nine airbags are strategically placed throughout the vehicle to ensure that you and all your passengers are safe.
Not to be outdone, the Ford Fiesta contains seven airbags and includes a safety cage that surrounds the driver and front passenger that is made of boron, an element used by the aerospace industry and known for its strength. One of the top safety picks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, its safety features can certainly give you peace of mind when driving among other larger vehicles.
Both cars come standard with anti-lock brakes and a tire pressure monitoring system, a personal favorite, that lets you see when your tires need air without the hassle of going out and checking them yourself.
interior features
Half the fun of buying a new car is driving around in it. For this reason, you want to make sure the vehicle you select is comfortable and offers the amenities that will make your new trip enjoyable. Features like air conditioning and power locks can be non-negotiable when it comes to comfort. Fortunately, both the Toyota Yaris and Ford Fiesta offer them as standard features. However, many other “comfort” features are not available on these models and are only obtained by paying an upgrade price.
The Toyota Yaris took into account that its target audience is largely made up of socially savvy car drivers when determining the standard stereo system features for its vehicles. Each car comes equipped with an AM/FM radio, a CD player with MP3 playback capability, and a USB port to play your iPod. While the only speaker option remains at four, you’ll be able to choose the tunes wherever you go. Also standard on Yaris are convenience features like outside temperature displays, day/night rearview mirrors and folding rear seats.
The Ford Fiesta offers flexibility with its features, making many of them optional on the base model. The stereo system provided in the Ford Fiesta includes an AM/FM radio with a CD player and an MP3 option available on all models. While the standard vehicle comes with four speakers for listening enjoyment, Fiesta offers a six-speaker upgrade option. Also available for Fiesta SYNC, the voice-activated technology system that helps you stay connected without taking your eyes off the road.
exterior features
Aside from the comfort level inside your new vehicle, it’s best to look good on the outside of your new car. Personal preferences such as spoilers and alloy wheels are optional features available on both the Toyota Yaris and Ford Fiesta. However, other less notable options vary between these two vehicles. The Toyota Yaris comes standard with features such as a rear wiper, steel wheels, and multi-reflector halogen headlights. The Ford Fiesta wows its driver with power mirrors and supplemental LED parking lights.
Whether you prefer the Yaris for its greater array of standard features or the Fiesta for its dragon-eye headlights and sleek looks, you’ll need to weigh your options to determine what’s most important to you. Fortunately, with both cars rated highly for safety and fuel efficiency, it gives you time to focus on the fun stuff.