2015 Toyota Yaris — Carivo review 2015 model shown
Sedan

2015 Toyota Yaris

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $12,264–$14,267
Fuel Economy 29 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category Sedan
Est. Annual Fuel $1,810/yr
The 2015 Toyota Yaris scores 7.4/10 at Carivo, ranking #687 of 1310 sedans, with 4 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $1,810/year fuel cost.

Key Specifications — 2015 Toyota Yaris

Engine1.5L 4-Cylinder
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Fuel TypeRegular
City / Hwy MPG30 / 35 MPG
Combined MPG32 MPG
Est. Annual Fuel Cost$1,900
CO₂ Emissions278 g/mi
Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSedan
Base Price$12,264–$14,267

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2015 Toyota Yaris

The 2015 Toyota Yaris is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 7.4/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.9/10, while Performance at 5.4/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability stands out at 8.9/10. The Yaris nameplate has earned that score through its track record and a comparatively clean recall sheet. Safety lands at 7.6/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Performance at 5.4/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.0/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.

Priced from $12,264–$14,267, 29 MPG, seating 5, the Toyota Yaris sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. Its value score of 8.2/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 11 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Verdict: The 2015 Toyota Yaris sits in the middle of the field. Until its technology and performance scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among Sedans

The 2015 Toyota Yaris ranks #687 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 48% of the segment. Its 7.4/10 overall score is 0.1 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $12,264 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 56%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $25k →

5-Year Cost Snapshot — 2015 Toyota Yaris

Fuel (75,000 miles)~$9,050 ($1,810/year at $3.50/gal)
Recall repairs$0 — 4 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
InsuranceVaries widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying

We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.

Which Yaris Year Should You Buy?

Across the Yaris model years we've scored, the 2015 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2020 7.5/10$14,784 Read review →
2019 7.6/10$14,280 Read review →
2018 7.4/10$13,776 Read review →
2017 7.4/10$13,272 Read review →
2016 7.4/10$12,768 Read review →
2015 (this review) 7.4/10$12,264

Pros & Cons — 2015 Toyota Yaris

✓ What it does well

  • Proven long-term reliability — lower unplanned repair costs than class average
  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Good overall value; holds its own against pricier alternatives in the segment
  • Accessible entry price makes it one of the more affordable options in the category

✗ Where it falls short

  • Performance is a genuine liability — well below class rivals and worth factoring into any decision
  • Infotainment and tech features feel dated compared to newer rivals in this segment

NHTSA Recalls — 2015 Toyota Yaris (4 on record)

The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.

Air bags / Side/window
23/04/2019 · 19V319000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Yaris vehicles. The wire harnesses for the side air bag sensors located within the front doors may crack and corrode, possibly causing the non-deployment or improper…
Suspension / Front / Shock absorber
26/05/2016 · 16V367000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2015 Yaris vehicles manufactured January 13, 2015, to February 27, 2015. The front strut mounting bearings can be damaged when a high load is applied to the strut, such as…
Structure
09/03/2015 · 15V134000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Yaris vehicles manufactured August 31, 2011, to February 9, 2015, and sold or registered in Puerto Rico. The affected vehicles may have been manufactured with a…
Suspension / Rear / Axle / Non-powered axle assembly
19/02/2015 · 15V098000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2015 Yaris vehicles manufactured September 8, 2014, to January 9, 2015. The affected vehicles may have improperly tightened rear axle bearing bolts.

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

Own a 2015 Toyota Yaris that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →

Common Questions — 2015 Toyota Yaris

Is the 2015 Toyota Yaris reliable?

We rate the 2015 Toyota Yaris's reliability 8.9/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).

How many recalls does the 2015 Toyota Yaris have?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2015 Toyota Yaris worth buying?

It scores 7.4/10 overall, ranking #687 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 48% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.

How much does the 2015 Toyota Yaris cost?

The 2015 Toyota Yaris starts at $12,264 and ranges up to $14,267 across trims (MSRP when new). At 29 MPG, expect roughly $1,810/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

Which Yaris years should you avoid?

No standout weak years: across the 6 Yaris model years we've scored, every year lands within half a point of the best (7.6/10). Pick on price and condition rather than year.

What problems does the 2015 Toyota Yaris have?

The documented issues for the 2015 Toyota Yaris are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Air bags, Suspension, Structure (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.

Owner Essentials — Toyota Yaris

Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

All-weather floor mats → Dash cam → OBD2 scanner → Phone mount →

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More Toyota Reviews

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