Toyota Yaris Cross: Packs some smarts

What is it?

As the name suggests, the Toyota Yaris Cross is a crossover version of the popular small Yaris hatchback bulked up to provide access to the booming compact SUV market segment

Launched here in late-2020 Yaris Cross is available in four grades: GX, GXL, Urban and GR Sport.

The first three models each come with the choice of two- or four-wheel drive. GR Sport is 2WD only.

Originally available with a choice of petrol or hybrid powertrains, effective from the 2024 upgrade, all Yaris Cross variants are now exclusively hybrid.

What’s it cost?

Prices range from $31,790 for the 2WD GX through to $39,920 for our test car, the Urban AWD.

Hybrid competitors include the MG ZS, Kia Kona, Honda HR-V, Tiggo 4 and the new Suzuki Fronx.

Standard in the GX are 16-inch alloy wheels and 8.0-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

It does come with halogen headlights

GXL adds LED headlights, blind spot monitor and a panoramic view monitor.

Top-spec Urban comes with 18-inch alloys, head-up display, heated front seats and a powered tailgate.

The trendy GR Sport gets a unique 18-inch wheel design as well as sports suspension and GR-branded interior.

The Sport tag is a bit misleading because there’s no difference in performance from the other models.

Yaris Cross shares similar styling as the Yaris hatch.

While they have the same 2560mm wheelbase, the Cross is around 20mm longer, 70mm wider and 95mm taller. than the hatchback.

It also has 35mm greater ground clearance.

The face of the Yaris Cross features a split grille with a lower diffuser, flanked by deep-set LED daytime running lights and slimline headlight clusters,

The rear has a squared-off design with broad horizontal lines connecting integrated tail lights.

Yaris Cross comes with the choice of seven single colours including Frosted White, Stunning Silver, Ink, Atomic Rush, Latte, Mineral Blue and Massive Grey.

Urban models also get the option of four two-tones that combine Frosted White, Atomic Rush, Latte or Massive Grey with a black roof.

The 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen is pretty basic and so uses a number of physical buttons and knobs on the edges to access the most used functions.

That will be a positive for many potential buyers.

There’s a neat Multi Information Display in front of the driver with two raised round displays on the sides of the 8.0-inch screen.

The system has AM/FM and DAB+ radio, full Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with enhanced voice activation.

Audio is through a pretty basic six-speaker system.

There’s a single USB-A in the centre console of the GX and GXL with a USB-C added in the Urban and GR Sport models.

Satellite navigation with the SUNA traffic channel is standard on variants above GX.

All Yaris Cross models come with the latest version of Toyota Safety Sense technology that includes a pre-collision safety system with day/night pedestrian and day cyclist detection, emergency steering assist, lane trace assist and lane departure alert with steering assist, intersection turn assist, automatic high beam, road sign recognition and adaptive cruise control.

Standard equipment also includes eight airbags including two between the front seat, a reversing camera, parking sensors, seatbelt warning and ISOFix child seat anchors.

Urban also gets a blind spot monitor and rear cross traffic alert.

Standard warranty is 5 years, unlimited kilometres , increasing to seven years if it is serviced on time.

Service intervals are 12 months or 15,000km.

What’s it go like?

While the platform of the Yaris Cross is only slightly longer and wider than that of the Yaris hatch, it features a longer, wider and taller body to increase interior space.

Although larger than the Yaris hatch it’s still a small vehicle.

Front space is fine but the three rear seats are quite cramped and certainly not recommended from three adult passengers.

The air conditioning controls sit below the screen and make it quite difficult to adjust the outlet directions.

Urban and GR Sport variants come with nanoe X air ionisation technology which helps to inhibit unwanted pollutants and viruses from the cabin.

The large gear selector in the centre console leaves little space for storage and pushes the two drink holders backwards, making them awkward to reach.

The centre arm rest effectively replaces a storage tub.

Boot space in the 2WD Yaris Cross is 390 litres but drops to 314 litres in the AWD due to the addition of the rear electric motor.

The hybrid system for front-drive versions of Yaris Cross Sport combines a 67kW/120Nm, 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and two motor generators on the front axle putting out a combined 85kW.

AWD models versions add a third electric motor to drive the rear wheels and provide extra traction.

All variants get a continuously variable transmission with a mechanical first gear for strong take-off.

A 10-speed sequential shift function can be operated by the shift lever, or paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

Although it’s under 4.2 metres in length, clever packaging makes it feel like a larger vehicle.

While Yaris Cross is relatively easy to access for front occupants, small rear doors will challenge adult passengers.

It’s an ideal city car that’s easy to drive, manoeuvrable and easy to park.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: Boost for range

When stressed the three-cylinder engine gives out an annoying, harsh tone.

Urban is the only variant to get head-up display.

There have been adjustments to the tuning of the suspension which provide extra firmness that was quite noticeable when we encountered bumps during the rural component of our drive route.

Claimed fuel consumption from the 2WD Yaris Cross Hybrid is listed at 3.8L/100km.

We averaged a still impressive 4.6L/100km during our week in the Urban AWD.

What we like?

Range of choices
Excellent fuel economy
Small rear doors makes access difficult
Little space for storage in centre console

What we don’t like?

Firmer ride
Energy noisy under load
Limited rear legroom
Only Urban gets head-up display

The bottom line?

Toyota Yaris and predecessors such as the Starlet and Echo have long been popular choices for first time buyers – and their parents looking for an affordable and safe car.

Although it is more expensive, the Yaris Cross meets the same criteria while adding the SUV styling that’s so in vogue.

It’s neat, compact and attractive with excellent safety features and seven variants from which to choose.

The standard hybrid powertrain provides outstanding fuel economy.