The 2009 Toyota Yaris two-door hatchback is a subcompact car that’s similar to the ForTwo’s size and price. However, the ForTwo is still more than 3 feet shorter than the Yaris.
One of the Yaris’ advantages — besides being a car with usable cargo space and rear seating — is its automatic transmission, which is a traditional four-speed automatic. The ForTwo’s transmission is one of the most maligned transmissions we’ve tested for reasons you can read about here.
The two cars’ pricing is similar in entry-level models ($11,995 for the Smart versus $12,205 for the Toyota), but the Yaris’ automatic transmission is optional, adding $800 to the MSRP. We found many automatic two- and four-door Yaris models for less than $14,000 in our national listings. The automatic Yaris’ gas mileage is rated at 29/35 mpg city/highway by the EPA, which is lower than the ForTwo’s 33/41 mpg rating. The Yaris’ usability makes up for the difference in gas mileage between these cars.
Other alternatives to the ForTwo include the 2009 Nissan Versa, which is also bargain priced and offers more room than the ForTwo and Yaris. Top trim levels of the ForTwo can reach upwards of $18,000 for Brabus editions. At that price, solid options like the 2009 Mini Cooper and 2010 Honda Insight open up. The Mini Cooper is sized right and a much sportier; the Insight hybrid gets better mileage.
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