2019 Toyota Yaris Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

Have you been browsing the Toyota website and finding yourself confused by the differences between the Yaris and Yaris iA? If so, you are not alone. However, these changes were likely made in an attempt to alleviate some of the confusion. Now available only as a sedan, last year's Toyota Yaris iA is simply known as just the Yaris. The previous plain-old Yaris was a four-door hatchback model and is now known as the Toyota Yaris Liftback.

For those who weren't already aware, the Yaris is actually manufactured by Mazda in conjunction with Toyota. This means you get a vehicle that is somewhat different than other Toyotas and, obviously, feels a bit more like a Mazda. This isn't a bad thing, either, since Mazda makes some stellar vehicles.

The 2019 Toyota Yaris takes Toyota's focus on efficiency and adds Mazda's flare for performance and aesthetics. All three trim levels (the L, LE, and XLE) are modestly priced, and with how much money you will save at the fuel pump, are perfect for those on a tight budget. Both the L and LE get a combined 34 mpg (30 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway) while the slightly more miserly XLE gets a combined 35 mpg (32 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway). For a vehicle with a starting MSRP under $20,000, that's nothing to scoff at.

But what actually sets each trim level apart? Which one will best suit your unique needs? Let's break these three trim levels down and compare their standard features and specs. By the end of this review, you should have a clearer idea of which 2019 Toyota Yaris trim level is right for you.

Compare the 2019 Toyota Yaris L vs LE Trims. What is the difference?

The L is the Yaris' base trim, and it comes with the same standard 1.5-L 4-cylinder engine that you get on all three of the trim levels. It is equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission (as is the LE), and there is no option available for an automatic. To get that, you have to upgrade to the XLE trim. All trim levels come with front-wheel drive, sport-tuned electric power steering, and power-assisted ventilated front disc brakes and 9-inch rear drum brakes.

The L trim rides atop 15-inch styled steel wheels while the LE gets upgraded to 16-inch alloy wheels that have split spokes and are dark gray in color. All season tires come standard across the line-up. Other exterior features on the L trim include halogen headlights, daytime running lights, a gloss black mesh insert for the grille, power side mirrors, a chrome-tipped exhaust, and a shark fin antenna mounted on top of the roof. These three models really do look similar on the outside and under the hood. The only difference is that the LE weighs slightly more than the L, and the XLE weighs slightly more than the LE. Otherwise, good luck trying to tell them apart upon first glance.

The LE trim gets many of these exterior features as well, from the shark fin antenna to the stylish and sporty-looking front grille. However, there are some pretty noteworthy changes. For example, the LE trim is equipped with a rear spoiler, heated power mirrors with integrated turn signals, and fog lights.

Moving inside of the cabin, the L gets a pretty well-equipped interior for a vehicle in its segment. Seating in the L is trimmed in fabric upholstery, and the driver seat is power-adjustable six ways. The front passenger seat is 4-way power adjustable. Both front seats are bucket seats, and the rear seat is a 60/40 split fold-down. The L has a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, onto which a number of audio control buttons have been mounted. The door handles are crafted from chrome, and there is metallic trim throughout the cabin. Remote keyless entry with push button start comes standard on the L, but the LE gets upgraded to the Smart Key System, which adds a trunk release and panic function. Other than this, the interiors of the two trim levels look quite similar and have the same features.

All three trim levels come with the same multimedia suite from Toyota. Each vehicle gets a standard 7-inch touchscreen display, two 2.0 USB ports, an auxiliary port, and a rear-view camera. The radio has AM, FM, HD radio, and SiriusXM Radio satellite ranges, and the Aha Radio and Stitcher apps are also included. The system has voice recognition capabilities and Bluetooth connectivity. Additionally, a navigational feature is built into the system in case you do not wish to use the navigation app on your smartphone.

Of course, safety is a serious concern for Toyota and Mazda, so you can bet that there are plenty of standard and optional safety features available on even the base L trim. In fact, the L trim level comes with a pre-collision system that helps to detect and avoid accidents on slow-speed roadways by helping the driver apply the brakes when needed. The standard system of active safety features bundles in the anti-lock brake system, dynamic stability control, traction control, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and a system for overriding the brakes. There is also an engine immobilizer that is part of the vehicle's state-of-the-art anti-theft system. A transmitter embedded into the key and fob allows the vehicle to start. If the transmitter chip is not detected, the engine will not turn on. Of course, all of these helpful features are available across the entire Yaris line-up.

Compare the 2019 Yaris LE vs XLE Trims. What is the difference?

As is probably obvious from the previous paragraphs, the Yaris models all have a lot in common. However, the XLE is probably the most different in the group of three. With its automatic transmission, you do get a slightly altered ride quality (which is not necessarily a bad thing). The differences are really in terms of the features offered.

On the outside, the XLE shares the LE's fog lights, heated side mirrors with integrated turn indicators, and 16-inch wheels. You will, however, see three interesting and attractive upgrades. The XLE comes with LED headlights that have an automatic on/off feature. These headlights come with LED daytime running lights built into them and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

The cabin has a few noteworthy upgrades as well. The standard air conditioning system on the L and LE gets swapped out for an automatic climate control system with push button controls and a filter for pollen and dust. The cloth upholstery gets upgraded to leatherette, and the steering wheel is also wrapped in it. Sport and Normal drive modes are, of course, available on this automatic model. Other than that, you can expect to find the same metallic trim, interior lighting, and infotainment system on the XLE as you get on the L and LE. Standard safety features are also the same on the XLE as on the lower trim models.

One of the downsides to buying the 2019 Toyota Yaris is that there are no packages available to equip on any of the trim levels. In other words, you cannot do a ton to customize the Yaris the way that you want it. It does help that the three trim levels all come with a good number of standard features. Still, if you are expecting to be able to customize your vehicle, you will not be able to go wild with it like you can on other vehicles. The XLE does pack the greatest amount of features, and there are enough color options for the body of the car. You can also take your pick between black and gray leatherette for the interior of the Yaris. The L and LE both have options for either blue black or gray fabric upholstery.

Final Thoughts

The 2019 Toyota Yaris is part Toyota, part Mazda, and all about economic efficiency. The modest price tag alone reflects this, and the sedan's fuel efficient nature reinforces the idea. Can you find a better car for cheaper? Maybe, but it will be a struggle. Sure, the acceleration is a bit lackluster from the 1.5-L 4-cylinder engine and 6-speed manual transmission, but you probably are not getting this car in order to out-sport all of your friends.

As a sedan, the Yaris does not do a whole lot to stand out in a flooded segment. And with a lot of buyers trading in their sedans for SUVs and crossovers, it is hard to imagine how the Yaris keeps flourishing. But it nevertheless persists. The sedan has three modest but respectable trim levels to choose from, and all of them are priced pretty competitively. That is why the line-topping XLE is the trim level of choice for the 2019 model year.

For under $20,000, you get a good amount of standard features on the XLE. Some of these features do not even come as standard ones on other sedans with bigger price tags. And, since Mazda built the Yaris, you can rest assured that you will get a solid driving performance from this vehicle.

Of course, if hatchbacks are your thing, you can always try out the Yaris Liftback. But we'd stick with the sedan.