There is a design approach based on blobs, the consequence of which are called “blobjects.”  This should not be thought of as some slimy sci-fi mass; rather, think in terms of soft, organic forms, something arising from the use of digital French curves.  It is a counter to the creation of angular shapes and hard edges, which many things seem to be taking on nowadays, particularly as cars—from the CTS to the 300—prove to have popularity in the market.  I would submit that running counter to that is the three-door Yaris, the closest thing to a blobject that’s rolling out there right now—and let me hasten to say, lest there be any sense of softness here, I think that it is a trick shape for a clever little car.

Another notable aspect of the three-door, a car that is a “world car” inasmuch as the Yaris is sold in Europe and Asia, as well as in North America, is that unlike other diminutive vehicles (it has an overall length of just 150-in. and a wheelbase of 96.9 in.) it doesn’t “pretend” to look like a full-size car.  Consequently, it is one that really garners looks from people when you have it out driving, with the quizzical “What the hell is that?” look oft-times giving a way to a smile.

Although the vehicle has but a 1.5-liter 106-hp engine and 14-in. wheels, know that it is a subcompact with a mass of just 2,293 lb.  On more than one occasion I found myself driving on I-275 with the car at or above the 70 mph speed limit; unlike some other subcompacts, the Yaris didn’t have a sound coming from beyond the firewall that sounded like something was about to explode.  What’s more, the beltline of the car is sufficiently high such that there isn’t the feeling of “Oh ----!” when driving among much larger vehicles.

Now, I’m not suggesting that driving above the speed limit is something that you want to do in a Yaris.  Or any other car for that matter (think of this as a public service announcement).  And it should be noted that with a car that has an MSRP of $10,950, chances are if you buy one you’re not the sort of person who is keen on the 0 to 60 time of a vehicle.

There are many drivers today who have never operated an 8-track tape deck in a vehicle.  There are many drivers today who have never operated crank windows.  The Yaris doesn’t have an 8-track.  It is, available, however, with crank windows.  While power windows are something that, not all that long ago, was one of those options that you could never imagine paying good money for (after all, how demanding is turning a handle?), it is surprising just how surprising it is to find oneself having to manually operate the windows.

That aside, the interior is rather pleasant, with wide-swaths of nicely grained plastic on what seems to be a huge IP, especially in relation to the diminutive gauge cluster.  One thing that is a surprising absence—in some ways as surprising as the window cranks—is the tachometer.  More specifically, the tach that isn’t there.  This car has a five-speed manual (there is an optional four-speed automatic) but no tach.  Yes, I know that most people who drive manuals know when to shift, but still, this is an item that belongs in a car with a manual.  There is a well-organized center stack with large dials and a brushed plaluminum (a newly coined word for plastic-that-looks-like-a-nonferrous-metal) face plate.  The optional audio system (part of the $630 convenience package that also includes 15-in. steel wheels with full covers, rear wiper and rear defroster—which makes it one of the more unusual convenience packages I’ve ever encountered) sounds good.

For a city car—let’s face it, the cab of a Class 8 truck is undoubtedly bigger—the Yaris hatch is really ideal.

Assessment: Cute.  And capable.