Toyota Yaris or similar| Manual l 2WD

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

The Toyota Yaris Manual is a compact petrol city car — the most affordable manual rental 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 Automatic is also available — see the automatic version here.

Toyota Yaris Manual Rental Iceland: Economy City Car Guide

The Toyota Yaris Manual is the entry-level manual rental in the Hertz Iceland fleet — a compact, fuel-efficient petrol city car suited to solo travellers, couples, and budget-conscious travellers whose Iceland itinerary stays on paved main roads and standard gravel car parks at major attractions.

If you’re comfortable with a manual gearbox, the Yaris Manual offers something the automatic version doesn’t: direct driver engagement. In Reykjavík’s traffic, on the South Coast’s longer straight highway sections, and at the compact car parks of Iceland’s most visited attractions, the 6-speed manual gives you full control over gear selection — and at a lower daily rate than the automatic equivalent.

For travellers who prefer an automatic, see the Toyota Yaris Automatic — same vehicle platform, different transmission, similar price point.

Is the Toyota Yaris Manual Good for Driving in Iceland?

Yes — for Iceland’s paved main roads in summer, and for drivers who want full manual control at the lowest price point in the fleet.

• Why Manual in Iceland: The Yaris’s 6-speed manual gives direct, predictable control on Iceland’s varied road conditions. In Reykjavík’s stop-start traffic, the clutch and gearbox are light and easy — this is not a demanding manual car. On open summer roads, the ability to hold a gear on ascents and use engine braking on descents is a genuine practical advantage over a CVT automatic.
• 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 people with full luggage, a larger vehicle is needed.
• Fuel Efficiency: The petrol Yaris is among the most fuel-efficient conventional petrol cars in its class — 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 vehicle to park in central Reykjavík and at Iceland’s busier tourist attraction car parks.
• Safety: Toyota Safety Sense standard — 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. No F-road capability, no AWD, no meaningful advantage over a 4×4 in snow or ice. For winter driving, a 4×4 is strongly recommended.

When Is the Toyota Yaris Manual the Right Choice?

• Summer (June–August) on paved roads: The Yaris Manual’s ideal season — Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and Reykjavík city driving on Iceland’s well-maintained main roads.
• Budget-first travellers: The Yaris Manual is one of the most affordable rentals in the Hertz Iceland fleet — the right choice when you want to spend your budget on Iceland’s experiences rather than the vehicle.
• Drivers who prefer manual control: If you’re comfortable with a gearbox and enjoy the engagement of a manual transmission on varied roads, the Yaris Manual is more satisfying to drive than its automatic equivalent — and slightly cheaper.
• Solo travellers and couples travelling light: 1–2 people with soft bags and a paved-road summer itinerary is the sweet spot for this vehicle.

⚠️ 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 and is not recommended. A 4×4 is the right choice for winter. For winter driving guidance, visit safe.hertz.is.
• You prefer automatic transmission — the Toyota Yaris Automatic is available at a similar price point.
• You are 3 or more people with full luggage — 286 litres is suited to 1–2 people travelling light. For larger groups, consider the Mazda CX-30 or Hyundai i10.
• 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: Manual 6-speed — if you need automatic, book the Toyota Yaris Automatic 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 but thoughtfully designed — everything within easy reach, the driving position comfortable for most adults on full-day driving itineraries, and the overall impression of a vehicle that has been refined over multiple generations rather than assembled to a budget.

The 6-speed manual gearbox is light and precise — short throws, a light clutch, and a well-spaced gate that makes city driving easy and open-road gear changes satisfying. For drivers who spend most of their time in automatic cars and are choosing the manual for the first time in Iceland, the Yaris is a forgiving introduction — the clutch biting point is progressive and the gearbox doesn’t require any particular technique to use well.

The infotainment system handles navigation, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The digital instrument cluster is clear and uncluttered. Rear-view camera and rear parking sensors make tight manoeuvring in Reykjavík’s car parks less stressful.

Rear legroom is honest rather than generous — two adults fit for a day trip, but a long Ring Road day in the back of a Yaris would become uncomfortable for anyone over average height. This is a car designed for the front two seats, and it’s at its best when that’s exactly how it’s used — a couple on a summer Iceland road trip who want to spend their money on the destination, not the vehicle.

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 load space — useful for solo travellers carrying equipment or oversized items.

Why Rent a Manual Toyota Yaris in Iceland with Hertz Iceland?

• Choosing Hertz Iceland means renting from 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 Manual is rented by category — if unavailable, you’ll receive a comparable manual 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.
• Lowest Manual Rate in Fleet: The Toyota Yaris Manual is one of the most affordable rentals in the Hertz Iceland fleet — the right choice when the experience matters more than the vehicle.
• Safety First: Toyota Safety Sense standard, season-appropriate tyres, 24/7 emergency phone assistance. For pre-trip safety planning, visit safe.hertz.is.
• Convenience: Available across all 11 Hertz Iceland locations, with direct pickup at KEF Airport Arrival Hall.

History of Toyota

Toyota was founded in Japan in 1937 by Kiichiro Toyoda, evolving from the Toyoda Automatic Loom Works into one of the world’s largest and most trusted automotive manufacturers. The company’s founding philosophy — kaizen (continuous improvement) and the Toyota Production System — produced a manufacturing approach that became the global benchmark for quality, reliability, and efficiency.

The Yaris, launched in 1999 as Toyota’s European city car, has been refined across four generations into one of the segment’s most consistently well-rated vehicles. The fourth generation, launched in 2020, earned a 5-star Euro NCAP rating with 97% adult occupant protection — an unusually high safety score for a vehicle at this price point — and introduced Toyota Safety Sense as standard across all trims.

Renting a Toyota Yaris with Hertz Iceland means choosing a vehicle backed by nearly 90 years of Toyota engineering philosophy — simple, reliable, and exactly as good as it needs to be.

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

Rental Locations

The Toyota Yaris Manual 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

Important: Iceland Road Tax (2026)

Toyota Yaris Rental in Iceland FAQ

• • Why choose the manual Yaris over the automatic?
    The manual Yaris offers three things the automatic doesn’t: direct gear control on Iceland’s varied road surfaces, engine braking on downhill stretches without riding the brakes, and a slightly lower daily rate. If you’re comfortable with a gearbox and enjoy the engagement of a manual transmission, the Yaris Manual is more satisfying to drive than its automatic equivalent. If you prefer automatic ease, the Toyota Yaris Automatic is available at a similar price point.

• • 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. The manual gearbox does allow engine braking — a useful advantage on slippery descents compared to a CVT automatic. 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 manual 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.