Toyota Yaris or similar | Automatic| 2WD

_{^{Last updated: June 2026 | Reviewed by the Hertz Iceland Fleet Team}}

The Toyota Yaris Automatic is a compact petrol city car — one of the most affordable automatic rentals in the Hertz Iceland fleet. Fuel-efficient, easy to drive, and suited to Iceland’s paved main roads and summer day trips. Not permitted on F-roads or Highland tracks. Minimum age 20. Or-similar booking. A Toyota Yaris Manual is also available at a slightly lower rate — see the manual version here.

Toyota Yaris Rental Iceland: Automatic Economy City Car Guide

The Toyota Yaris Automatic is one of the most popular economy rentals in Iceland — a compact, fuel-efficient petrol city car that removes the gear-change decision entirely, leaving you free to focus on Iceland’s landscapes rather than the gearbox. For travellers who prefer the simplicity of automatic transmission, the Yaris Automatic is the most affordable way to get that on Iceland’s main road network.

Renting a Toyota Yaris in Iceland means choosing a vehicle refined over four generations into one of Europe’s most consistently well-rated city cars — practical, reliable, and well-equipped at a price that leaves your budget for the experiences rather than the hire rate.

A Toyota Yaris Manual is available at a slightly lower daily rate for drivers who prefer gearbox control.

Is the Toyota Yaris Automatic Good for Driving in Iceland?

Yes — for Iceland’s paved main roads in summer, the Yaris Automatic is one of the most straightforward and stress-free rentals in the fleet.

• Automatic Ease: No clutch, no gear changes, no stalling in traffic or on hill starts. The automatic transmission manages everything — useful in Reykjavík’s city driving, in the stop-start sections at major tourist attractions, and for drivers who don’t regularly drive manual vehicles.
• Real-World Space: 286 litres of boot space — fitting 1 large suitcase or 2 smaller soft bags with all seats in use. Best suited to 1–2 people travelling light. For 3 or more with full luggage, a larger vehicle is needed.
• Fuel Efficiency: [[NEED: confirm real-world L/100km for conventional petrol automatic Yaris fleet spec]]. The petrol Yaris is among the most fuel-efficient conventional petrol cars at this price point — important on longer Iceland routes where fuel stations can be 80–100 km apart.
• Compact Dimensions: The Yaris’s small footprint makes it the easiest automatic vehicle to park in central Reykjavík and at Iceland’s busier tourist car parks. For Toyota Yaris airport rental pickups at KEF, the compact size means navigating the airport approach road and car park is straightforward with any level of driving experience.
• Safety: Toyota Safety Sense standard across all trims — Pre-Collision System (car and pedestrian detection), Lane Departure Alert, Automatic High Beam, Road Sign Assist. 5-star Euro NCAP with 97% adult occupant protection. For a full guide to driving safely in Iceland’s conditions, see safe.hertz.is.
• What it is not: 2WD front-wheel drive only. No F-road capability, no AWD. For winter driving, a 4×4 is strongly recommended.

When Is the Toyota Yaris Automatic the Right Choice?

• Summer (June–August) on paved roads: Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and Reykjavík city driving on Iceland’s well-maintained paved main roads.
• Drivers who prefer automatic transmission: If you drive automatic at home and want the same ease on holiday, the Yaris Automatic removes the manual gearbox entirely from the equation. For a rent a car Toyota Yaris experience that prioritises simplicity, this is the version to book.
• First-time Iceland drivers: The automatic transmission means one less thing to manage when navigating Reykjavík’s traffic for the first time or parking at a busy waterfall car park.
• Budget-first travellers: The Yaris Automatic is one of the most affordable automatic rentals in the Hertz Iceland fleet — the right choice when the experience matters more than the vehicle.
• Solo travellers and couples travelling light: 1–2 people with soft bags and a paved-road summer itinerary is the sweet spot.

⚠️ Not ideal if:

• You plan any F-road or Highland driving — strictly forbidden. 2WD only. See safe.hertz.is/f-road-guide.
• You are travelling in winter — 2WD FWD in Icelandic winter conditions requires significant caution. A 4×4 is strongly recommended. For winter driving guidance, visit safe.hertz.is.
• You prefer manual transmission and lower cost — the Toyota Yaris Manual is available at a slightly lower daily rate.
• You are 3 or more people with full luggage — 286 litres is suited to 1–2 people travelling light.
• You need a guaranteed specific model — or-similar booking.

Rental Requirements & Restrictions

• Minimum Age: 20 years old.
• License: Valid driving license held for a minimum of 1 year. IDP required if license is not in Roman script.
• Payment: Valid credit card in the main renter’s name required at pickup.
• Transmission: Automatic — if you need manual, book the Toyota Yaris Manual instead.
• F-Road Policy: STRICTLY FORBIDDEN. Not permitted on F-roads or Highland tracks under any circumstances.

Inside the Toyota Yaris

The Toyota Yaris cabin is compact and thoughtfully designed — clean, modern, and laid out so that everything is within easy reach without cluttering the driver’s sightline. In the automatic version, the centre console is simplified further — no gear lever to navigate around, just a smooth, uninterrupted driving environment.

The automatic transmission is smooth and responsive in city conditions. In Reykjavík’s traffic it shifts early and efficiently; on the open Golden Circle highway it holds gears longer for more confident progress. There’s no drama in either direction — the Yaris Automatic is not a performance car, and it doesn’t pretend to be. It’s a reliable, easy-to-manage tool for getting between Iceland’s most extraordinary places without fuss.

The infotainment system handles navigation, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto from a clear touchscreen. Toyota Safety Sense operates silently in the background — the Pre-Collision System and Lane Departure Alert are active without requiring any driver input. Rear parking sensors and a reversing camera make the compact car parks at Seljalandsfoss, Geysir, and Þingvellir straightforward to navigate even when busy.

Rear legroom is honest rather than generous — two adults fit for a day trip without discomfort. The Yaris is at its best as a two-person vehicle, and for a couple on a summer Iceland trip who want to spend their money on experiences rather than the hire rate, that’s exactly what it is designed to be.

Toyota Yaris Dimensions, Seating and Luggage For Your Trip

The Yaris’s 286-litre boot fits 1 large hard-shell suitcase or 2 smaller soft bags with all seats in use. For 1–2 people travelling with soft bags, space is adequate for a week-long Iceland itinerary. Folding the rear seats creates 930 litres of flat load space for solo travellers carrying equipment or larger items.

Why Rent an Automatic Toyota Yaris in Iceland with Hertz?

• Toyota Yaris hire with Hertz Iceland means choosing a locally owned operator with over 50 years of experience, operating in Iceland since 1971. We have been recognised as Iceland’s Leading Car Rental Company at the World Travel Awards in 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2025 — and are proud to be nominated again in 2026.
• Or Similar Guarantee: The Yaris Automatic is rented by category — if unavailable, you’ll receive a comparable automatic economy car. Never downgraded in class.
• Under 2 Years Old: Every Yaris in our fleet is under two years old — current specification, full manufacturer safety features in effect.
• Most Affordable Automatic in Fleet: The Toyota Yaris automatic rental is one of the lowest-cost automatic options in the Hertz Iceland fleet — maximum simplicity at minimum cost.
• Safety First: Toyota Safety Sense standard, season-appropriate tyres, 24/7 emergency phone assistance. For pre-trip safety planning, visit safe.hertz.is.
• Maximum Convenience:Toyota Yaris airport rental pickup directly at KEF Arrival Hall — walk out of customs and collect your keys. Available across all 11 Hertz Iceland locations.

Hertz Iceland: Locally Operated Since 1971

As Iceland’s premier local experts for over 55 years, we combine international standards with deep-rooted knowledge of Icelandic terrain. Rent with the authority that knows every F-road and weather pattern since 1971.

Toyota Yaris Automatic vs Toyota Yaris Manual: Which Version Fits You?

Rental Locations

Yaris car rental is available across all 11 Hertz Iceland locations:

What’s Included in Your Rental

• 24/7 emergency phone support across Iceland
• Unlimited mileage
• Free cancellation up to 16 days before pickup
• Discount on fuel
• Basic Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)
• Third-party liability coverage
• VAT and local taxes
• Season-appropriate tyres

Toyota Yaris Automatic FAQ

• • Toyota Yaris automatic vs manual — which should I choose?
    If you want ease, simplicity, and no gear-change decisions — choose the automatic. It’s the better choice for city driving, frequent stop-start sections at tourist attractions, first-time Iceland drivers, and anyone who doesn’t regularly drive manual vehicles. If you prefer driver engagement, engine braking on descents, and a slightly lower daily rate — choose the manual version. Both are the same vehicle platform with the same specifications otherwise.

• • Can I drive the Toyota Yaris on F-roads?
    No. The Toyota Yaris is a 2WD front-wheel-drive vehicle and is strictly forbidden on F-roads and Highland tracks under any circumstances. For F-road access, you need a 4×4 vehicle approved for highland use. Check safe.hertz.is/f-road-guide to see which vehicles in our fleet are F-road eligible.

• • Is the Toyota Yaris good for winter driving in Iceland?
    We generally recommend a 4×4 for Iceland’s winter conditions. The Yaris comes with season-appropriate winter tyres, which helps on cleared main roads. However, its 2WD front-wheel-drive layout means significantly less stability and traction than an AWD vehicle on ice or compacted snow. If you choose the Yaris in winter, stay on cleared main roads only, check road.is and en.vedur.is before every drive, and avoid mountain passes. For winter driving guidance, visit safe.hertz.is.

• • How much luggage fits in the Toyota Yaris?
    The boot holds 286 litres with all seats in use — fitting 1 large hard-shell suitcase or 2 smaller soft bags. Folding the rear seats creates 930 litres of load space. For 1–2 people travelling light with soft bags, space is adequate for a week-long Iceland itinerary. For 3 or more people with full luggage, a larger vehicle is needed.

• • Is the Toyota Yaris a guaranteed model?
    No — it is rented on an “or similar” basis. If this exact model is unavailable, you’ll receive a comparable automatic economy car. If you need a guaranteed specific vehicle, see our Guaranteed Model options including the BMW X3, BMW X5, Toyota Land Cruiser 250, Range Rover Sport PHEV, Land Rover Discovery Sport, and Land Rover Defender 130.

• • Does Hertz Iceland offer Roadside Assistance?
    Yes. Roadside Assistance can be added at the rental desk at pickup — not bookable online in advance. It costs 1,990 ISK/day standalone, or 990 ISK/day when added with MAX Coverage. If you need assistance during your rental, pay the service fee at the time, then bring your receipt when you return the car — we’ll refund the covered amount to your card on file. Emergency line: +354 858 0499 (24/7).

• • Where can I find driving safety information for Iceland?
    Hertz Iceland operates safe.hertz.is — a dedicated driving safety hub covering winter driving, F-road guidance, road conditions, and emergency contacts. Available to all travellers in Iceland, not just Hertz customers.