With the model name Yaris, one would actually expect the narrowness and simplicity of the small car class. But the SUV derivative Cross, which will be launched in September, offers significantly more.
At the ripe old age of 23, Toyota's classic Yaris small car is finally growing up. The SUV derivative Cross, which will be launched in mid-September, comes pretty close to the compact class in terms of size. In addition to the chic styling with a European touch, the five-door also offers modern technology and an efficient hybrid drive. However, this has a price that has also moved a bit away from the classic small car level.
Comfortable trunk
With a length of 4,18 meters and a wheelbase of 2,56 meters, the Yaris Cross is similar in size to a Renault Captur, which also sits on a small car platform (Clio), but is larger than a small car and smaller than a compact one. The Yaris Cross is just such a sub-compact, which accordingly offers more space and utility than its small brother. Behind the rear door, which can optionally be opened electrically and with a foot movement, opens up a 390-liter trunk. Our pre-production model with the highest level of equipment also has a rear seat back that can be folded down in a 40:20:40 ratio. There is also a two-part removable and height-adjustable intermediate shelf as well as a lower compartment for small items and a tire repair kit.
In the rear, the Cross offers people of average height sufficient head and knee room. Another positive aspect is the absence of a cardan tunnel in the footwell. Theoretically, three people could sit here, but there is no room for development at the sides. The small car origin sends its regards. The narrow sides at the front are not a problem, even taller people will find an acceptable position thanks to the widely adjustable seats and the adjustable steering wheel. The Cross also offers potential for wellbeing in other ways with its neat furnishings. A repeating rectangle theme with a rounded corner is more likely to catch the eye. The special shape can be found on the switches on the multifunction steering wheel or in the interior door panels. A textile surface that ensures comfort is also noticeable there. It is the recycling felt "Felt", which adorns the interior door panels in different colors in the equipment above the base. In addition to high-gloss and soft-touch surfaces, the Cross also offers hard plastic of a rather dreary design in places, such as the non-lockable cup holder in the center console.
Always online
In the Yaris Cross, driving-related information is optionally displayed via a head-up display and in the instrument cluster via a color display flanked by analog displays. In the higher-quality equipment, there is a versatile, talented infotainment system with a 9-inch touchscreen. The Yaris Cross is "always on" and is therefore able to enable many connectivity services such as real-time traffic information or cloud-based map updates. If the user has the MyT app on their smartphone, they can also lock and unlock the vehicle remotely or precondition the interior using the air conditioning system before starting the journey. Appointments for services at the Toyota dealer can also be sent out via the app.
The 85 kW / 116 PS mix of e-motor and 1,5-liter three-cylinder petrol engine ensures low consumption. There are still no final values, but the 2WD version of the Yaris Cross Hybrid should consume around 3,8 liters according to the old NEDC method. The all-wheel drive version of the Yaris Cross with an additional electrically powered rear axle will probably consume half a liter more. As an alternative to the hybrid drive, Toyota will also offer a 1,5-liter three-cylinder petrol engine with an expected 88 kW / 120 PS. The base price will probably be around 23.000 euros. For the highest equipment with hybrid drive, around 33.000 euros will be due. The Yaris Cross Hybrid costs 34.400 euros in the "Premiere Edition", which can be ordered now and offers an infotainment system, leather seats, head-up display and all-wheel drive.
