Crossover, Toyota, hybrid – will this “bundle” guarantee popularity for a car? Let’s look at the example of the Toyota Yaris Cross: a compact crossover that is clearly aiming to become a new bestseller from the Japanese. Or is something interfering with this? We study the Toyota Yaris Cross car in detail during a full-length review.
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Positioning Toyota Yaris Cross
Everything follows from the name: this is a compact crossover that is closely related to the Toyota Yaris model. On the one hand, the platform and technology are identical. On the other hand, after all, the Toyota Yaris Cross crossover stands out for its larger size, increased ground clearance, and even AWD-i all-wheel drive (implemented on the basis of an electric motor in the rear-wheel drive, available only for some markets). Interestingly, this is not the first time that Toyota is trying to enter the compact crossover segment – for example, remember the Urban Cruiser.
The Toyota Yaris hatchback is already well known from the last review , and a separate crossover with the Cross prefix appeared in 2020. In the spring of 2021, a special version of the Adventure was added to the range of the Toyota Yaris Cross model , at the end of 2021 the car made its debut in Ukraine and sales of the novelty started. The hero of the article was the Toyota Yaris Cross crossover in the Elegant package , in addition, the Adventure version will be briefly shown .
How does the Toyota Yaris Cross crossover ride?
Yes, in general, it rides normally for its class. Light steering with medium sharpness (2.6 turns from lock to lock), small size and overall lightness of design – all this is the key to simple and understandable control. The crossover corners quite vigorously, although there isn’t any sporty feel here. Only the suspension is a little stiff on bumps, I would like more softness. But it allows you to calmly drive through pits and potholes, without the risk of rocking the body and “attaching” the bottom or bumper – surprisingly, decent energy consumption: like some big and serious crossover.
Perhaps all the nuances of the driving character relate specifically to the operation of the hybrid system. The start always takes place on an electric motor, but then the gasoline engine is actively taken into action: the more and sharper you press the accelerator pedal, the faster the internal combustion engine will turn on. It is impossible to notice by sensations, all transient processes are maximally smoothed and linear. But you can hear it – the soundproofing of the engine compartment is clearly lacking. Moreover, the 3-cylinder scheme means an uneven roar, and in the hybrid system, the internal combustion engine “wakes up” immediately at 2-2.5 thousand revolutions, when there is already a lot of this roar. By the way, if you use the “B”-mode, then it makes the gasoline engine keep 3-4 thousand revolutions, increases the intensity of recuperation – but in the end it allows you to charge the battery faster. Plus, the car gives you the choice of other driving settings: EV Mode (electric driving only), ECO- or PWR-mode (eco or dynamic driving style).
The small crossover Toyota Yaris Cross rides almost like a big one: first of all, according to the readiness of the suspension to hit bumps and the logic of setting up a hybrid power unit – Toyota ‘s traditional strong trump card . The main remark concerns unimportant sound insulation. However, the engine honestly growls for its 11 seconds: with a fully charged battery (with a drawdown of the battery, acceleration worsens a little), the Toyota Yaris Cross crossover is able to overtake the declared passport result. In a word – a contrasting picture …
As well as in the salon. Here is a cool front panel with a soft brown-chocolate insert, beautiful trim on the seats with clearly defined lateral support, a traditional instrument panel, many niches for small things, a comfortable folding armrest, a beautiful projection picture on the windshield. You see all this in front of you – and at this moment the main thing is not to look around. Because then an incomprehensible door trim is striking, which clearly does not correspond to the price of the car.
And it’s also advisable for tall people not to sit back: it’s cramped in the legs, there is a little space above their heads, and in width only for two. Of course, the situation is better than the “just-Yaris”, but worse than other crossovers. And there is no compensation. There is only one armrest for rear passengers, which is part of the reclining split (40/20/40) rear seat backrest – i.e. opening the armrest, immediately automatically open the hole in the trunk. By the way, the latter is not bad for its volume (390 l) and organization: there is a double floor, and its panels are divided into sections and allow separate installation, an electric drive for the closing lid is provided. But why such a flimsy trunk curtain (not even a curtain, but a mesh) and why is there so much bare metal on the lid? …
Regarding the Toyota Yaris hatchback , its Cross -brother became a little more spacious in the cabin and received a large dashboard (I’ll tell you below) – thus correcting one of the comments of the past. But the remark to the simple finishing of the door cards remained. There is not a lot of space in the back, the vertical orientation of the landing is better than a hatchback. Yes, and the trunk is larger: its mesh cover raises questions, although the rest of the luggage compartment is well thought out.
Is there innovation in the Toyota Yaris Cross?
Let’s start by remembering Toyota Yaris again. After all, the Toyota Yaris Cross crossover uses a similar GA-B platform, has a wheelbase of 2.56 meters, and an increase in the overall length was achieved by increasing the body overhangs. Under the hood of the test car, a fourth-generation hybrid power unit is installed, built on the basis of a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder gasoline engine of the M15A series and an electric motor interlocked with it. In a word: everything is like a Toyota Yaris hatchback – be sure to look at the last review, where it is described in as much detail as possible. But what should be noted in the Toyota Yaris Cross model is the increase in ground clearance (170 mm) and the aforementioned AWD-i all-wheel drive option: an electric motor (5.3 hp and 52 Nm) in the rear wheel drive. It would be extremely interesting to see such versions of Toyota Yaris Cross in Ukraine…
What else distinguishes the Toyota Yaris Cross crossover from the Toyota Yaris hatchback is a full-size instrument panel with a large color display: it resembles the Toyota RAV4 in a hybrid version. And since the “senior” crossover has already been remembered, it is impossible not to note the high level of equipment of the car – to match cars a class higher: steering wheel heating, projection on the windshield, control of “blind spots” of rear-view mirrors, wireless charging. Plus a full suite of Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) systems: adaptive cruise control (ACC), forward collision warning and automatic braking (PCS), road sign recognition (RSA), lane keeping assist (LTA), and lane departure alert from own lane (LDA), Automatic High Beam Switching (AHB), Driver Fatigue Monitor, etc.
Technically , the Toyota Yaris Cross is a combination of the platform and hybrid technology of the Yaris hatchback with the equipment of higher-class cars. However, everything is given for a reason – and this is a topic for the next section.
Toyota Yaris Cross car price and its competitors
The Toyota Yaris Cross crossover in Ukraine is available in seven versions: a 1.5-liter gasoline engine (125 hp) paired with a “mechanics” or CVT Direct Shift, a hybrid (116 hp) with an e-CVT transmission, five complete sets plus packages of optional equipment.
The range is opened by Toyota Yaris Cross in Live configuration : multimedia Toyota Touch 2 with 8-inch display, rear view camera, air conditioning, power windows, leather steering wheel trim, heated front seats, ABS and VSC, front and side airbags, center airbag, side curtain airbags, but 16-inch steel wheels and halogen headlights. The price of Toyota Yaris Cross Live 1.5 MT is from UAH 592 thousand. or $20.8 thousand, the price of Toyota Yaris Cross 1.5 CVT is from UAH 635 thousand. or $22.4 thousand
One level up is Toyota Yaris Cross Active , where it is added : climate control (for a hybrid), Qi wireless charging, 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, parking sensors, etc. The price of Toyota Yaris Cross Active 1.5 CVT is from 676 thousand rubles. UAH or $ 23.8 thousand, the price of Toyota Yaris Cross Active 1.5 Hybrid e – CVT – from 734 thousand UAH. or $25.8 thousand
The next step is the Toyota Yaris Cross Lounge car: plus LED headlights, 17-inch rims, full LED lights, rain sensor, acoustic windshield with heating in the wiper rest area, cruise control, dark ceiling, heated steering wheel, complex systems Toyota Safety Sense. Price Toyota Yaris Cross Lounge 1.5 Hybrid e – CVT – from 814 thousand UAH. or $28.7 thousand
The test car was presented in an almost maximum version – Toyota Yaris Cross Elegant : a black glossy radiator grille, tinted windows, sports seats with a combined eco-leather / fabric trim, keyless entry and engine start, 2-zone “climate”. Price Toyota Yaris Cross Elegant 1.5 Hybrid e – CVT – from 848 thousand UAH. or $29.9 thousand
Finally, a car in the maximum configuration Adventure – in terms of equipment, it is comparable to the Elegant package , but differs in additional decor: silver-gray bumper linings, special black wheels, roof rails, etc. The price of such a car is from 874 thousand UAH. or $30.8 thousand . And what about the competitors?
There are a lot of rivals in the price range of $20-30 thousand: in the past, we even prepared a separate buyer’s guide for compact crossovers . Remembering some of its participants (Opel Mokka, Renault Captur, Ford Puma), it should be noted that the Toyota Yaris Cross crossover also cannot boast of a spacious interior. Even the Nissan Juke feels more spacious, not to mention the Peugeot 2008 or SKODA Kamiq. But the “Japanese” can boast of a set of equipment, which only Ford Puma and the “French” adequately meet. It is the “French”: after all, in addition to the Peugeot 2008, you should definitely add the Citroen C4 – albeit nominally a hatchback, but really quite a competitor for the Yaris Cross. Moreover, French cars are still strong in that they offer diesel engines that are comparable in efficiency to a hybrid. Who is left? For example, Volkswagen T-Cross : it goes clearly no worse than Toyota, an economical 1-liter engine, has noticeably fallen in price after our last meeting, offers a comfortable convertible interior. The Citroen C3 Aircross crossover can also offer wide options for transforming the interior (and overall a good amount of space), but it already “does not reach” the level of equipment to the most modern models – among the “chevrons” the new C4 is clearly better.
Against the background of competitors, the Toyota Yaris Cross crossover can hardly boast of a spacious interior or an attractive price. However, at a time when competitors are already rubbing their hands in anticipation of an easy victory, the “Japanese” pulls out two important trump cards – a high level of equipment (which only the most advanced models can offer) and a very economical hybrid (which only diesel cars can answer). As a result, there are much fewer real rivals.
Toyota Yaris Cross fuel consumption and vehicle maintenance
Traditionally for Toyota hybrid cars, the crossover demonstrates phenomenal fuel efficiency in the city – a stable 4.5-5 liters per 100 kilometers. Even if you have a lot of traffic jams / congestion on your way, the consumption will increase by 0.5-0.8 liters, and with the smoothest driving style, you can win back about the same amount down. But on the highway, the magic of the hybrid ends: consumption at a speed of 80-90 km / h is about 4-4.5 liters per 100 km, at a speed of 110-120 km / h – about 5.5 liters per 100 km of track. These are small numbers, but they are achievable for modern diesel models and are no longer as impressive as the city mark of this hybrid.
The general warranty for the car is three years or 100,000 kilometers. Plus, there is a separate guarantee for the components of the hybrid system – five years or 100 thousand kilometers. Service should be carried out every 15 thousand km or once a year. The cost of maintenance depends on the list of works and the selected dealer, but for reference: the minimum price of a simple maintenance is UAH 2.5-2.8 thousand, the cost of an extended maintenance is UAH 6-6.2 thousand.
Prices for the car and service maintenance are indicated as of January, excluding additional discounts and promotions when buying a car or servicing it. Service data is for Kyiv.
Safety Toyota Yaris Cross
The car passed the Euro NCAP crash test cycle and earned the maximum five-star rating. Moreover, there are both points for comments and a reason for praise. Notes: increased loads on the driver and passenger during a frontal impact – green, yellow, even orange zones in some places. Praise: for safety in side impacts, good protection for children, the operation of various assistant systems for the driver.
Eventually
The compact crossover is without a doubt the hit of the current time in terms of sales. Why? It seems to me that such cars are trying to be as versatile as possible: there is convenience for the city for every day, and space for the whole family, and readiness to overcome light off-road conditions, and an adequate price. However, the Toyota Yaris Cross model sometimes throws from one extreme to another. On the one hand: there is clearly a lack of space and thoroughness in interior trim, and all interesting equipment is assembled in the most expensive versions, for the price of which you can already look at a car of a much higher class – for example, Toyota C-HR .
On the other hand: if you need the most compact crossover for the city, then the interior space is not a problem, but small dimensions are an additional plus. A similar statement applies to the phenomenally economical hybrid: it does not need to be charged, switched, monitored – it just does its job and saves fuel. Finally, if you need all sorts of systems and technologies, then here you can get a level of equipment that other cars of a higher class will envy. It turns out: why not?! As a result, the Toyota Yaris Cross crossover can hardly be called the most versatile car, but it will definitely find its customers.
Pros:
Excellent fuel economy and hybrid performance
Can offer the most advanced equipment for its class
Suspension, clearance, small overhangs – really “cross” relative to the usual Yaris
Minuses:
For the money – there is a lack of soundproofing, in some places the interior trim is too simple
I would like more space inside and more comfort for rear passengers
Specifications Toyota Yaris Cross 1.5 Hybrid
Body – crossover, 5 doors, 5 seats
Dimensions – 4.17 x 1.765 x 1.595 m
Wheelbase – 2.56 m
Clearance – 170 mm
Trunk – 390 l (5 seats)
Load capacity – 345 kg
Minimum curb weight – 1,345 kg
Motor – hybrid, gasoline engine R3 1.5 l plus electric motor
Power (total power of the hybrid system) – 116 hp
Specific power – 86 hp per 1 ton
Drive – front drive
Transmission – e-CVT hybrid continuously variable transmission
Dynamics 0-100 km / h – 11.2 s
Maximum speed – 170 km / h
Passport consumption, city – 3.4 liters per 100 km
Passport consumption, highway – 4.2 liters per 100 km
Country of origin – France
Test vehicle tires – Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ 215/55R17
The minimum price of a car is from UAH 592 thousand ($20.8 thousand)
