Toyota rounds off its SUV range at the bottom with the Yaris Cross: Despite the name bond, the new one is more than a jacked-up small car.
The name is a little misleading: The Toyota Yaris Cross is based on the small car Yaris, but with its beefy front and crossover proportions it looks like a completely different car. And with the hybrid drive, too, he goes his own way, combining fuel-saving technology with all-wheel drive if required. The prices for what is now the smallest SUV in the brand's range start at 22.700 euros.
Lots of space inside
Externally, the Cross is based on the compact SUV RAV4 and has almost nothing in common with the ordinary Yaris. The length increases by 24 centimeters with the same wheelbase, padded wheel arches provide more width and the maximized ground clearance allows the five-door to grow in height. The result is a very decent amount of space inside. Especially in the rear, the crossover has won over the Yaris. Normally tall adults can withstand four of them on board over longer distances. Behind the tailgate with its continuous strip of lights is an almost 400 liter trunk, which has also increased significantly compared to the small car base.
The cockpit, on the other hand, was largely taken over from the standard Yaris, with the digital screen in the instrument panel being slightly larger. It is flanked by the well-known touchscreen above the center console, which, however, did not work on the pre-production car that was driven. If it is active, it helps with parking, among other things: Toyota has developed a new assistant that operates the accelerator, brakes and steering entirely on its own; the driver almost only has to operate the automatic selector lever. This also works well in tight gaps, but is actually not necessary in view of the maneuverable dimensions.
Electric drive often active
Because even if the Yaris Cross gives the beefy SUV on the outside, it is mainly at home in the alleys and on the streets of the cities. In addition to its handiness, its standard hybrid drive plays its part. The electric motor ensures quick acceleration and smooth running in city traffic - the Yaris Cross is astonishingly often in pure electric drive. And even when the 1,5-liter Atkinson petrol engine switches on, it remains acoustically restrained. At least in city traffic, which is not very demanding in terms of performance. If more acceleration force is required, for example on a country road or motorway, the familiar rubber band sound reappears, but is much more subtle than with the hybrid drives of the first generation.
Keeps up with the average
In terms of efficiency, the technology can also convince. On the test drive through the urban foothills of Brussels, consumption remained stable and well below five liters. The performance of the 85 kW / 116 PS strong overall system is quite sufficient, even for swimming along in expressway traffic. 170 km / h are possible, up to a speed of 130 even without combustion support. Acceleration from zero to 100 km / h takes a relatively long 11,2 seconds, which is hardly noticeable in urban start-and-stop traffic due to the brisk, electrically assisted acceleration. In addition to the front-wheel drive variant, there is also an all-wheel-drive model, unlike the normal Yaris and most of its competitors. There is an additional e-drive with 3,9 kW / 5,3 PS on the rear axle, which is intended to provide support especially when starting off on slippery surfaces. In this case, the prices start at 32.420 euros, but in combination with a higher level of equipment.
Toyota is launching five lines and a special model. The Japanese have not yet mentioned the respective sizes, but the front-wheel drive base model should be quite economical. Its surcharge to the technology brother Yaris is 2.400 euros with an identical engine. Above all, there is more space, a slightly higher seating position and a fashionable off-road vehicle look.
Technical data
Five-seater mini crossover, length: 4,18 meters, width: 1,77 meters, height: 1,56 meters, wheelbase: 2,56 meters, trunk volume: 397-460 liters.
Hybrid drive, 1,5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine, front-wheel drive (optional: all-wheel drive), continuously variable transmission, 67 kW / 91 PS, maximum torque: 120 Nm at 3.800 rpm, front electric motor: 59 kW / 80 PS, maximum torque: 141 Nm, rear electric motor (only all-wheel drive model): 3,9 kW / 5,4 PS, maximum torque: 52 Nm, system output: 85 kW / 116 PS, Vmax 170 km / h, 0-100 km / h in 11,2 s (all-wheel drive: 11,8 s), average consumption: 4,3 l / 100 km (all-wheel drive: 4,6 l / 100 km), CO2 emissions: 98 g / km (all-wheel drive: 105 g / km); Price from: 22.690 euros.
In brief
Why: economical and cultivated drive, good space
Why not: moderate performance, high price level
What else: Renault Captur Hybrid, Opel Mokka-e, VW T-Cross