Just introduced last year, the affordable 2008 Toyota Yaris Sedan is essentially identical to last year's model, but a 3 door hatchback version of the popular economy car joins the sedan this year. The Yaris Sedan has a more upscale appearance than its Hatchback counter part, and it's more sublime in its sporty appearance than many of the other subcompact economy cars available this year. This 4 door, 5 passenger sedan offers an impressive blend of unique style, sufficient performance, reliability and extraordinary fuel economy.

The first of two Yaris trims is the budget friendly Base model. There are many options available but standard equipment includes 14 inch wheels, adjustable front seats, a tilt steering wheel, intermittent windshield wipers and air conditioning. The sportier S trim features 15 inch steel wheels, a ground-effects body kit and CD/MP3 stereo with auxiliary jack.

Both the Base and the "S" models come standard with a 5 speed manual transmission, but both are also available with an optional 4 speed automatic. They share the same 1.5 liter 4 cylinder, 106 horsepower engine as well, and both models are front wheel drive only. The performance is crisp and gas mileage is among the best out there in the economy car category. EPA estimates for models equipped with the manual transmission are outstanding at 29 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. Configured with the automatic transmission, the Yaris Sedan rated the same 29 mpg in the city and a very close 35 mpg on the highway.

Though no one particular feature is outstanding, the affordably priced 2008 Toyota Yaris Sedan offers sport chic style, a nice standard equipment package an appropriately sized and tuned powertrain and some of the best gas mileage ratings in the industry for a subcompact sedan.