“Very fuel efficient. Love the unique shape of the car! Comfortable car for a small family. Back seat is a little small, but great for pets.”
2017 Toyota Yaris: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2017 Toyota Yaris is standard Toyota Safety Sense-C on every hatchback, adding automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. Toyota also brought the former Scion iA sedan into the family as the Toyota Yaris iA, while the engines and transmissions carried over.
About the 2017 Toyota Yaris
Hatchback: 3rd U.S.-market Yaris hatchback generation (2012-2019), late-cycle before the 2018 styling update. Sedan: first Toyota-badged Yaris iA year, mechanically the same Mazda2-based sedan generation introduced for the U.S. as the 2016 Scion iA.
Toyota positions the 2017 Yaris family as small, efficient, easy-to-park transportation that still gives buyers more safety and everyday usability than they might expect from an entry-level car. The hatchback side leans on city-friendly size, cargo flexibility, and simple value, while the Yaris iA sedan adds a more premium-feeling cabin and sharper road manners. Across the family, the core draw is straightforward: low running costs, easy maneuverability, and a lot of standard equipment for a small footprint.
The hatchback lineup runs from the simple, city-focused L to the more convenient LE, while the SE adds a firmer suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, and sportier exterior trim. All three hatchbacks have a 6.1-inch touchscreen and the new standard safety suite. The single-trim Yaris iA is the more polished sedan, with a 7-inch screen, push-button start, and a rearview camera.
What changed, by category
Safety
Every L, LE, and SE hatchback gained standard Toyota Safety Sense-C with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. The Yaris iA sedan retained its standard low-speed automatic emergency braking system.
Styling
The former Scion iA sedan adopted Toyota Yaris iA badging and joined the Yaris family. The hatchback's appearance was mostly unchanged.
2017 Toyota Yaris specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, 1.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, 1.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, 1.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, 1.5 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 4-Spd | Automatic, 4-Spd | Automatic, 4-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 30 mpg | 30 mpg | 30 mpg | 32 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 35 mpg | 35 mpg | 35 mpg | 40 mpg |
| Horsepower | 106 hp | 106 hp | 106 hp | 106 hp |
| Torque | 103 lb-ft | 103 lb-ft | 103 lb-ft | 103 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 1500 lb | |||
| Trunk/Cargo | 15.3–15.6 cu-ft | 15.3–15.6 cu-ft | 15.6 cu-ft | |
| Rear Legroom | 33.3 in | 33.3 in | 33.3 in | 34.4 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 2–4 | 2–4 | 4 | 4 |
| 4-Wheel Disc Brakes | ||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | ||||
| Automatic High Beams | ||||
| Cruise Control | ||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||
| Fog Lights | ||||
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ||||
| Power Mirrors | ||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||
| Bluetooth | ||||
| Premium Audio | ||||
| USB Ports | ||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||
| Remote Keyless Entry | ||||
| Tilt Wheel | ||||
| Tilt/Telescoping Steering Wheel | ||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2017 Toyota Yaris hatchback?
The biggest change is that every 2017 Yaris hatchback gained Toyota Safety Sense-C as standard equipment. It adds automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams to the L, LE, and SE.
Did the 2017 Toyota Yaris add a sedan?
Yes. The former Scion iA became the Toyota Yaris iA for 2017 and joined the Yaris family as a single-trim sedan with Toyota badging and nearly the same equipment as before.
Was the 2017 Toyota Yaris hatchback redesigned?
No. The 2017 Yaris hatchback kept essentially the same design, engines, transmissions, and L, LE, and SE trim order. Its meaningful update was the newly standard safety suite.
Is the 2017 Yaris hatchback worth considering over a 2016 model?
Yes, if modern safety features matter to you. The 2017 hatchback adds standard automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams, while the main mechanical parts are largely unchanged from 2016.
How is the 2017 Yaris iA different from the Yaris hatchback?
The 2017 Yaris iA is a separate sedan rather than a hatchback. It has one trim level and comes with a 7-inch multimedia screen, push-button start, a rearview camera, and low-speed automatic emergency braking.
2017 Toyota Yaris Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2017 Toyota Yaris.
4.0
2017 Toyota Yaris
(214 reviews)
“If this had been the car I purchased before the Prius c, I would say it was great. But going from the Prius c to the Yaris ia there is a big difference between the two. Comfort of ride and gas mileage”
“My red Toyota iA is fun, easy and economical to drive...the trifecta of car ownership! It's a subcompact, so perfect for driving with a friend or two, grocery shopping (surprisingly roomy trunk), zipping around the city.”
Sources
- pressroom.toyota.com — 2017 Toyota Yaris Big Safety Small Car Safety Sense C
- pressroom.toyota.com — 2017 Toyota Yaris Ia Sporty Style Strong Safety Super Sedan
- pressroom.toyota.com — Toyota Gives 2018 Yaris Dose Hot Hatchness Design Interior Upgrades New Multimedia Tech
- pressroom.toyota.com — 2018 Toyota Yaris Ia Sport Sedan Surprise
- pressroom.toyota.com — 2019 Yaris Sedan Offers Ideal Blend Value Fun