The Toyota Yaris is a subcompact with a lower price point and the Honda Civic is a compact conventional car model with a higher base price. .Each of the models is among the most fuel efficient and green models, according to our firm's research. Automotive Environmental Index (AEI), which combines EPA data with our firm's consumer-based research data. The Yaris is about 7 inches shorter than the Civic and about 580 pounds lighter. It stands an inch taller than the Civic as well.
The Toyota Yaris delights subcompact car owners the most along with the Honda Fit and Scion xD, according to our firm's latest APEAL Study. It's among the most fuel-efficient--averaging 33.4 mpg, according to actual owners. The Yaris comes in sedan and now a hatchback "S" Sport model body style. The subcompact model was introduced in 2007 as a replacement for the Echo and was sold for several years in Europe and Japan before arriving in the U.S. market. It earns 4 of 5 stars (top rating) in driver and passenger frontal impact crash tests, but only 3 stars for front and rear seat protection in side impact tests. It retails for about $12,200 to less than $14,700.
The Civic is the best-selling compact car in the U.S. and also was the highest ranked compact car model in our company's Initial Quality Study. Toyota Prius and Hyundai Elantra also earned high quality marks in the compact car category. The Civic also is one of the top performers in our Automotive Environmental Index (AEI) and its estimated mileage is 30.2 mpg, according to real-world owners. It's a pricier car since it starts at about $15,000 and can retail for as much as $29,500. The Civic was last redesigned in 2006 and is now more aerodynamic with a futuristic and roomy interior. It comes in coupe and sedan body styles and includes natural-gas and hybrid powered versions. 2008, Honda has furthered the appeal by introducing a new top-of-the-line model with a leather-trimmed interior and a limited-run "tuner" model. Civic also earns higher marks in federal crash tests--5 out of 5 stars for frontal driver and passenger safety and 5 stars for rear seat side impact protection. It also receives 4 of 5 stars in the rollover rating. As for predicted reliabiltiy, Civic also is nearly among the best--receiving above 4 out of 5 Power Circles in dependability--based on the reliability of 3-year-old models.
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