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Monday September 22, 2008
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Toyota's recent announcement to bring the 5-door Yaris to the U.S. was welcomed news to families looking for a low-cost, high-gas mileage alternative to larger SUVs and crossovers. After just a few months the automaker quietly wheeled out the model, delighting all the Yaris fans who always longed for an extra pair of doors.
Besides the added access points, the vehicle remains virtually unchanged, sharing nearly everything with its 3-door sibling, including the overall length and wheelbase. This also means that the new hatch will retain its legendary quality and go for just over $1,000 more than the 3-door model.
The only point of concern is the car's remarkably inconspicuous showroom debut. Instead of launching a full-on marketing assault, Toyota discreetly placed the 5-door Yaris in its assigned corner of the Toyota website. The news of the model's release never even made it to the index page. This may come to haunt the automaker in its contest against the funkier and more hi-tech Honda Fit.
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