Loading Cargo

Hatchbacks are handy vehicles, and it’s really too bad that image-conscious Americans have written them off as cheap econo-cars that people buy because they have to rather than because they want to. That said, the Toyota Yaris suffers utility compromises due to the packaging requirements of the temporary spare tire that resides under the cargo floor. The floor sits rather high, and with the rear seat raised there is little space for more than groceries. Flop the seats down, and a canyon between the spare tire well and folded seats creates a lumpy load surface. There is a plus, however, and that’s the recess in the hatch door that serves as a closing assist.