All 2007 Toyota Yaris models are powered by the same engine that was found in the Echo, a 1.5-liter, inline four-cylinder engine with Variable Valve Timing (VVT) that makes 106 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, and delivers 103 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,200 rpm. Power is sent to the front wheels via a five-speed manual transmission or an optional four-speed automatic which gets Toyota’s shift logic technology to reduce the frequency of gear shifts while driving up or down hills. The powertrain is, of course, designed with efficiency in mind, with EPA city/highway fuel economy ratings set at 34/40, thanks in part to electric power rack-and-pinion steering as opposed to the traditional hydraulic pump setup.
