Around town and on the highway, the Yaris SE is as soft-riding as it needs to be. The higher-rate front springs don't markedly compromise ride quality, and we'd welcome the specially calibrated electric steering on the entry-level L and volume-leading LE trims, both of which felt more detached. While body roll is inevitable if you're really hustling along, one of the leading benefits of this class size is that the vehicles are very manageable, a big plus for any developing driver. And should any troubles arise, there's a comprehensive array of safety equipment ready to intervene, including nine standard airbags.

The enhanced dynamics add a bit more respectability to the subcompact crowd, and we'd imagine the refreshed Yaris will see a healthy bump in attention on dealer floors. If you're convinced a Yaris SE is the suitable car for you, it'll cost $17,160 -- no small amount, but think of it as the price of tightening up in an already snug segment. For another $800, the four-speed automatic is yours to take home. But as far as we're concerned, the manual SE is the only Yaris you'll ever need to consider.

2012 Toyota Yaris SE
BASE PRICE	$17,160
PRICE AS TESTED	$17,340
VEHICLE LAYOUT	Front engine, FWD, 5-pass, 4-door hatchback
ENGINE	1.5L/106-hp/103-lb-ft DOHC 16-valve I-4
TRANSMISSION	5-speed manual
CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST)	2368 lb (61/39%)
WHEELBASE	98.8 in
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT	154.7 x 66.7 x 59.4 in
0-60 MPH	9.1 sec
QUARTER MILE	17.0 sec @ 80.1 mph
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH	120 ft
LATERAL ACCELERATION	0.80 g (avg)
MT FIGURE EIGHT	28.4 sec @ 0.58 g (avg)
EPA CITY/HWY FUEL ECON	30/38 mpg
ENERGY CONSUMPTION, CITY/HWY	112/89 kW-hrs/100 miles
CO2 EMISSIONS	0.59 lb/mile