All-new Toyota Yaris Cross checks in

TOYOTA Motor Company Australia’s (TMCA) newest SUV contender has arrived on Australian shores, with the all-new Yaris Cross light SUV checking in to local showrooms priced from $26,990 plus on-road costs.

The smallest SUV in Toyota’s product line-up will be offered locally with the choice of nine variants across three grades, petrol or hybrid powertrains and the choice of two- or all-wheel drive.

Pricing tops out at $37,990 for the Urban AWD hybrid, placing it fairly evenly against other light SUV contenders like the Ford Puma ($29,990-$35,540) Nissan Juke and Volkswagen T-Cross ($27,990-$30,990), however the entry point of models like the Hyundai Venue ($20,190), Mazda CX-3 ($22,710) and Suzuki Ignis ($17,990) comfortably undercut the Yaris Cross.

Each of the three trim levels – GX, GXL and Urban – will be offered with the choice of 2WD petrol, as well as a 2WD hybrid which will incur a $2000 premium or an AWD hybrid setup which adds an additional $3000.

Based on the same TNGA-B platform as the recently released Yaris hatch, the Yaris Cross rides on a 10mm-longer wheelbase and a 35-45mm wider track, while ground clearance has risen 20mm to 170mm, as befitting an SUV.

Overall Yaris Cross dimensions are even more pronounced compared to the Yaris, measuring 4180mm long (+240mm), 1765mm wide (+70mm) and 1590mm tall (+85mm), giving the small SUV increased space and practicality over its hatch counterpart.

TMCA vice-president of sales and marketing Sean Hanley said the brand would target around 10,000 combined sales of the Yaris and Yaris Cross in 2021, with the SUV to make up 50-55 per cent of total sales, which would result in around 5000-5500 annual units.

Based on 2020 results, achieving those sales figures would propel the Yaris Cross to second in the light SUV segment behind the hot-selling Mazda CX-3.

Like the Yaris, two powertrains will be available, starting with the 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine developing 88kW at 6600rpm and 145Nm from 4800-5200rpm, driving the front wheels only via a continuously variable transmission.

Official combined fuel consumption for the petrol grade comes in at 5.4 litres per 100km, while CO2 emissions are pegged at 124 grams of CO2 per km.

Meanwhile, the hybrid version employs a 1.5-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol producing 67kW/120Nm with a 59kW/141Nm pair of motor generators, which results in a combined output of 85kW. AWD grades score a third motor generator on the rear axle which can handle up to 60 per cent of drive torque.

The series-hybrid Yaris Cross sips 3.8 litres per 100km (up to 4.0L/100km for the heavier AWD), while CO2 emissions come in at 86/90g/km.

All grades score MacPherson-strut front suspension, with 2WD models employing a torsion-beam rear suspension set-up. In order to accommodate the rear electric motor, AWD grades score a multi-link rear set-up.

AWD grades are also treated to a Trail Mode function, which aids off-road traction.

As a result of the battery in the rear, AWD grades suffer in boot volume slightly, down from 390L to 314L.

Kerb weights for the little crossover range from 1140-1305kg depending on the variant, while towing capacity is pegged at 1250kg for the petrol, down to just 400kg on the hybrid.

Braking comes courtesy of disc brakes all round, an upgrade on the Yaris hatch which employs rear drum brakes.

From the outside, the entry-level GX comes as standard with halogen headlights, LED tail-lights, daytime running lights and rear foglights, auto-folding exterior mirrors, 16-inch alloys, and inside scores a 4.2-inch instrument cluster display, leather-accented steering wheel, 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, six-speaker stereo, DAB+ digital radio and myToyota apps, foldable tonneau cover, single-zone climate control, USB and 12V sockets and an electronic park brake.

Range-wide standard safety kit includes the pre-collision safety system with day/night pedestrian detection and daytime cyclist detection, emergency steering assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist with lane centring function, road sign assist, auto high beam, eight airbags and a rearview camera with guide lines.

Stepping up to the mid-spec GXL adds LED headlights, turn signals and reversing light, rear privacy glass, satellite navigation, front and rear parking sensors, parking support brake, blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert and surround-view monitor.

The flagship Urban nets buyers 18-inch alloys, tweed-like fabric and synthetic leather-accented seats, power driver’s seat, heated front seats, head-up display, power tailgate with kick sensor and an additional USB port.

All new Yaris Cross examples come with a five-year warranty, with seven years of coverage for engine and driveline and up to 10 years for the hybrid battery.

To the end of September, TMCA has sold a combined 138,622 vehicles, down 10.3 per cent year-on-year but still comfortably ahead of all other brands Down Under.

2020 Toyota Yaris Cross pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs