I agree 110% on the automatic comment.
I drive a lot of rental cars. It gives a bad feel, as you get the stripped, abused vehicles, but it is also good, as you get a worst case scenario.
For small cars, the Yaris is far and away my favorite one. Ill take a yaris rental over an accent, which Ive had, as well as a civic, corolla, cobalt, etc.
I rarely get bigger rentals...
The yaris does what it is told, the seats are more comfortable, the setup is logical, and overall it is a winner. I had a yaris and a civic all across CA, and wrote a review of them last fall.
Personally, Id go with a yaris sedan MT. Great little car.