The sub-compact Toyota Yaris delivers very good gas mileage, an entry-level price, and a whole lot of personality. On the highway, the Yaris scores highway gas mileage figures in the mid-thirty mile per gallon (MPG) range, with a city rating of 29 MPG.
The 2008 Yaris is available as both a four-door sedan (for the more sedate) and a three door liftback (for the more daring). The Yaris Liftback S (shown above) and Sedan S (shown below) add a bit of sporting demeanor, with front and rear under-bumper spolers, side rocker panels, larger (15-inch) wheels, and a sound-system that features the all-important MP3 player jack.
The 2008 Toyota Yaris is fitted with a 1.5 liter DOHC four cylinder engine producing 106 horsepower (HP) and 103 foot pounds of torque. The Yaris is equipped with a five-speed manual transmission as standard equipment; a four-speed electronically controlled automatic with overdrive is available as an option.
No question about it, this little critter delivers the MPGs. Check out our Toyota Yaris review where we demolish the official mileage estimates:
Toyota Yaris Gas Mileage - 2007-2008
| Year | Manufacturer | Model | Engine | Disp. | Fuel | Trans. | City | Hwy |
| 2008 | Toyota | Yaris | 4 cylinder | 1.5 liter | R | (L4) Auto | 29 | 35 |
| 2008 | Toyota | Yaris | 4 cylinder | 1.5 liter | R | (M5) Manual | 29 | 36 |
| 2007 | Toyota | Yaris | 4 cylinder | 1.5 liter | R | (L4) Auto | 34 | 39 |
| 2007 | Toyota | Yaris | 4 cylinder | 1.5 liter | R | (M5) Manual | 34 | 40 |
Note: the EPA tweaked their testing procedure, starting with the 2008 model year, with the end result being that the 2008 MPG estimates are now lower than previous years. As always, YMMV.
23 comments ↓
The Yaris is fine, but why no specs on the Smart Car?
Road Tripped the brand new 2008 Toyota Yaris to the coast and back. Averaged 47.25 MPG!!! anyone else getting mileage like this? 4 door sedan manual trans.
I got approx. 43 mpg on a trip to Yosemite, which was part city, freeway and then mountain driving. I was amazed. Still am. I’ve only checked my city driving once, and that was 37mpg, which is just fine with me, too. I love my little car. It’s perfect for me. I have the 2-door/hatchback ‘07 model.
I just bought mine (’08 3-door) on April 15, and my last 3 tanks have gotten 36.5, 36.3 and 37.5 mpg. Taking it on a 10 hour/507 mile trip tomorrow! We’ll see what it gets on pure highway miles.
Not getting good mileage at all for my 2007 Yaris. Only 28 City and 30 freeway.
Mileage was the only reason I bought this one. Disappointed!
I purchased my 08 4 door sedan in May and have filled twice. Both times have been mix of city and highway. Averaged 44.8 on the first tank and 44.3 on the second tank. I can only gues that pure highway would be close to 48. I love may new Yaris!!!
I have an 08 4 door Auto and I typically get 35mpg city mileage. The highway mileage varies depending on the speed you are maintaining. If you are sticking to the posted speed limit of 70 mph, you can expect to get about 43 mpg, if you slow down to 60 mph the Yaris can get about 52 mpg, and if you have the discipline to go 55 mph you can get about 56 mpg. The Yaris EPA fuel mileage rating is with out a doubt the biggest lie on the planet!
Bought Yaris 07′ HB w/ auto transition, w/ power & weather a year ago. Getting 28/32 from full tank what is bad. A/C doesn’t make big difference on fuel consumption. Don’t believe that “Lights always on” option can make the difference either. Can’t understand how it can run on 40mpg or better
I am thinking of buying a 2008 Yaris, automatic. After reading all comments, maybe it doesn’t do that well on gas mileage after all. Anyone have a 2008 automatic and really finds the car all that Toyota says it is?
Thanks
I have a Toyota Yaris automatic… I get 27 MPG combined. (15-in wheels)
I bought my Yaris in 06 and currently am averaging about 45 mpg city/hwy pretty evenly split. I care for the car and record my fillups religiously. The one driving habit I have taken to heart is driving slowly. The best mpg so far has been 50.3, so for all those people with lead feet, drive it slower and you might start to see some improvements. Also, the car is a manual, which allows me to *drive* it for increased gas mileage - no high rpm, and quick shifting into higher gears and coasting on hills wherever possible. It currently have about 40k on it and I plan on driving it well into its 200k - I am hoping to break the 300k mark with this one - it’s been, and will continue to be cared for with white gloves. Cheers,
k
I got my ‘08 3-door auto. about a month ago. I’m getting ~36-37 mpg city, ~39 mixed, and ~43 mpg interstate at 70 mph. I imagine that the mpg would be even better at slower speeds! I’m very happy with my Yaris, and we’ve also bought one for my son (’08 3-door manual). The dealer wants to buy it back, because they’re in such demand - no way!
I bought a 2008 Yaris, hatchback model three weeks ago. I have had three fillups so far, and the first one showed MPG of 34. I got 36 MPG on the second, and improved even more to almost 38 MPG on the most recent fillup. I won’t break any land speed records in this car, but I’ve found that if I watch the lead foot and just “cruise” around. I get excellent mileage. I drives pretty quietly too. Great car for the money, and from what I’ve read it will be a moneysaver when it comes to maintenance costs as well.
I own a 2007 Yaris with Auto transmission. I just returned from Cleveland on Interstate driving and got 45 mpg at 66 mph, cruise control, no A/C. I typically get 37 mpg driving city type driving. I love this car. It has great acceleration, large trunk and tight turning radius.
i recently bought an 07 yaris sedan for the gas mileage.
my previous car was a 2000 echo. i got much better gas mileage in the echo “41″ than in my new yaris “33″
all these people claiming to get 40-something, probably need to recalculate. its like toyota’s fuel economy gets worse every year. im dissapointed, but its what-ev
I just got a 4 door 5spd Yaris and to tell the truth i was skeptical on the 50+ mpg claims. But i figured what the heck, gotta be better than my last car at 26mpg hiway.
Well I’m a believer now. I get 50 to 54 mpg all hiway. It is possible. You have to make some driving adjustments, like slow acceleration, coasting when possible and limit top speed to 65mph but its not rocket science.
I have had my Yaris 2007-mod for a year and am very happy with my car. I get between 35-40 mpg depending on where I go, sometimes more on the highway but I guess I drive a little too fast for the extreme mileages.
All in all a great car, highly recommended.
I have an ‘07 Yaris Hatchback. If I drive conservatively I get about 32-35 mpg city and about 40+ mpg highway. Since the car is really peppy it really depends on how you drive it.
Great auto - I’m just amazed of how well the car is built for the price. Fit and finish is excellent. I will definitely buy another Toyota in the future.
I drove to reno, Nv from Fresno and averaged alomost 50/miles per gallon. Freeway of course. This is by far the best car I have ever had on gas.
I have a 2007 Yaris hatchback, manual transmission. I’m getting about 38-39 mpg overall, with about 70% of my miles on the highway. I’m a bit disappointed, because it seems like I used to get better highway mileage with my 2000 Civic DX, but then again, the Yaris’ engine has much more oomph at low rpm, which brings out the lead-footed moron in me, I guess. If instead of driving 70-75 on the highway and accelerating sharply from every stop, I drove a little more sensibly, I have no doubt I could easily get into the low to mid 40 mpg range.
Great car in every other respect; the engine is zippy, the manual transmission shifts smoothly, and best of all, the ride is good *and* it handles great. I hope to drive this car for a long time.
I own a 2008 Yaris LB auto. The worst MPG I have gotten was 35 MPG which was a day of work in town as I do a lot of traveling. On the Interstate using cruise control I have gotten as low as 39.7 to 44.6 MPG (highest). The EPA got scrutinized in years past cause some couldn’t get their numbers. I blame this on traffic conditions and possible maintenance issues and bad driving habits. The Yaris is a true blue gas saver at non hybrid prices. Since my experience, two of my friends went out and purchased theirs. One friend on an extended open roat trip out west got 49.2 MPG.
Steve, Believer in Yaris.
I have an 08 Yaris Liftback with automatic transmission and cruise. I had my AC on today and drove over 200 miles on the Interstate. The speed limit was 65 to 70 MPH with the cruise set on 65 MPG. I averaged 47.8 MPG. City driving falls off to 34-35. I agree with the comment of a True Blue Gas Saver at Nonhybrid prices. My brother isn’t getting maybe a mile or 2 better with his hybrid at $10-14K more. He recommends for those watching their pocketbook to buy a Yaris or Corolla. The Honda Fit isn’t getting these kind numbers based on the post I have read probably have to try the Civic to get the 40 MPG. Just a pain changing those timing belts every 60K mile and $300 on the Hondas. Throw one you got a bummed out valve or piston damage possibly.
I bought my new 2008 Yaris hatchback in Jan. I drive 80 miles a day back and forth to work. I get over 44 mpg. Living in SC, I have made some Appalachian trips with 3 other adults. I still got above 38 mpg. This is a car with room, lateraly and headroom for taller individuals. I love the ‘little car’ so do others now.
Leave a Comment