
The differences between the Yaris L and the Vios lie in their body length and height: the Yaris L has a length of 4160mm and a height of 1495mm, while the Vios has a length of 4440mm and a height of 1490mm. Both the Yaris L and the Vios share a width of 1700mm, a wheelbase of 2550mm, and a fuel tank capacity of 42 liters. Both models are equipped with MacPherson independent front suspension and torsion beam non-independent rear suspension. They are also powered by a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 112PS, a maximum power of 82kW, and a maximum torque of 139Nm. Both are paired with an 8-speed continuously variable transmission.

I've been driving the Yaris L hatchback for almost three years, and only noticed the differences when accompanying a friend to pick up the Yaris L sedan last week. The Yaris L hatchback has a shorter body, making it super agile for city parking and navigating narrow alleys – especially crucial for someone like me who frequently battles morning rush hours, where rear-end flexibility during lane changes is key. However, it struggles with large items in the back seat; last time I had to remove the front wheel of my cousin's folding bike to fit it in. The Yaris L sedan has an extra trunk section, allowing suitcases to be placed vertically in the trunk directly. Their steering wheels and seat adjustment angles are quite similar, but the sedan's trunk depth is indeed more suitable for families like ours who occasionally need to stow a stroller. Both cars maintain a fuel consumption of around 6L/100km, with 42-liter fuel tanks.

Last year, I rented a Yaris L for a week, and the most noticeable difference compared to my own Yaris was the trunk. On the day I bought a floor lamp at IKEA, the Yaris L's trunk could fit the complete unopened packaging box. When I bought a bookshelf with my Yaris, I had to fold down the rear seats. Both cars offer comfortable rear seating space, but the Yaris L has a slightly lower middle floor hump in the rear. The engine compartment layout is almost identical, even the air filter position is the same. Both have 185/60 R15 tires, but the Yaris L's suspension is tuned slightly softer, making it more comfortable on bumpy village gravel roads. The Yaris is more agile for city commuting, but I'd choose the Yaris L for highway trips back to my hometown.

The repair shop frequently services Yaris L Sedan and Yaris L Hatchback owners. These two models share many parts, including the front fascia and steering wheel buttons, resulting in similar maintenance costs. The core difference lies in the body structure: the sedan version (Yaris L Sedan) features multiple crossbeams in the rear crash structure and has a partition between the rear seats and trunk. The hatchback (Yaris L Hatchback) has rear seats directly connected to the tailgate but offers fold-flat rear seating. Practical tests show the sedan's trunk can hold two more 24-inch suitcases than the hatchback. Many young owners prefer the hatchback for its roof wrap customization potential, while sedan owners more commonly install rear skirts. Both models share identical engines and transmissions, with nearly indistinguishable exhaust notes after modification.


