Toyota to Offer Extra Set of Doors for Yaris Hatch Fans

7/23/08 Update:

Toyota says that the 2009 5-door Yaris will be arriving at U.S. showrooms in August. Pricing should be available withing the next week. A more practical Yaris hatch is excellent news for folks who want to dump the trunk but still keep the doors!


7/1/08 story:

Toyota adds 5-door Yaris to U.S. lineup - Autoblog

When the Yaris was first announced for the USA market, I was pretty pleased to hear that the efficient little car was headed our way. I always thought that the Canadians had unfairly gotten the better looking Echo hatchback while we got stuck with the dopey Echo sedan and coupe. I was a bit crushed to find out that the US market was only getting the 3-door liftback instead of the much more practical 5-door. The only logic I could figure out was that Toyota didn't want the Yaris to muscle in on the Scion xA / xD.

I was pleasantly surprised to find a post on Autoblog this morning with the news that 2009 would finally bring the 5-door our way. The news was part of a "WHAT’S NEW FOR 2009 TOYOTA PASSENGER CARS " document that was embargoed until today. Also new for 2009's Yaris:

Updated styling. New body kit and interior color scheme for sport models

New colors on liftback include Yellow Jolt (available on three-door), Carmine Red

New colors on sedan include Zephyr Blue Metallic, and Blue Streak Metallic

Thanks to Alex at Autoblog for supplying info since I couldn't find it on Toyota's media site.