The Toyota Yaris is one of the brand’s most popular small cars. But if you’re looking for something a little larger, the Yaris Cross could tick all your boxes.
As a small SUV, it has the stylish crossover aesthetic but still has the allure of a small run-around – ideal for urban driving. It’s roughly the same size as a hatchback vehicle and rivals models such as the Peugeot 2008, Vauxhall Mokka and Ford Puma. Plus, you get Toyota’s build quality and a host of high-spec tech as standard for an affordable price.
So, how does the Yaris Cross fare for everyday driving and road appeal? Let’s take a look at the details.
Exterior features
Toyota is known for its distinctive styling, and this model is no exception. While it closely resembles the standard Yaris in looks, there are a few noticeable differences, such as its ride height and more striking cladding around the bumpers to give it that tougher stance.
You get four trim options in the Yaris Cross – Icon, Design, Excel and GR Sport. In the standard spec, you can expect additions such as 16-inch alloy wheels. But as you move up the range, there’s a host of extras, such as the GR Sport’s 18-inch machine-alloy wheels, GR Sport suspension tuning and meshed front grilles to give it an edgy look.
Interior features
Toyota doesn’t disappoint with the build quality of this model. The materials feel sturdy and look sleek. You may find slightly more design aspects in rival cars, but this space is logical and well thought out.
The driver has an elevated position, which offers great visibility, and the seats are comfortable. In the back, taller passengers might feel a bit snug, but there’s ample room for two passengers. You also have the option of adding a panoramic sunroof, which makes the space feel more airy.
Boot space is surprisingly good, offering 397 litres of space and more with the back seats down. However, if you choose the all-wheel-drive trim level, this space reduces to 320 litres. Selecting the Excel trim also gives you an electric boot opening feature so you can get into the rear cargo hands-free.
Performance
The new Toyota Yaris Cross is designed with the brand’s efficient hybrid technology, which makes it fuel-efficient, particularly as it can run on electric alone for short periods.
For its size, it’s quite peppy around town, but it won’t break any acceleration records with 0-62mph in 11.2 seconds. There’s one engine option, a 1.5-litre petrol hybrid, which comes with CVT automatic transmission. This provides ample performance for everyday driving, even on motorways.
This model is built for city driving. While it’s slightly bigger than a compact car, it still fits into tight spots and makes manoeuvring simple. In addition, the auto box provides smooth transitions between gears and is quiet, particularly at low speeds.
Although it’s best in urban conditions, motorway driving is also comfortable and smooth.
Fuel economy
If you’re looking for fantastic fuel economy, the Toyota Yaris Cross doesn’t disappoint. The hybrid technology on board ensures you get the best of electric and petrol power, and this brings some impressive mpg. Most of the time, you can expect to achieve around 60mpg. However, depending on the trim level, the claimed values are between 54 and 64mpg.
Another bonus of the Yaris Cross is its low emissions. As a self-charging hybrid, it emits around 100g/km of CO2, so this brings the tax band charges down.
Smart driver assistance technology
For the price, Toyota packs a lot of safety features and driver assistance systems into this car. You can expect everything from a pre-collision system, lane assist features and a rear-view camera. There’s also adaptive cruise control to make motorway driving a breeze.
Moving up the range, there’s a 360-degree camera and parking assist features. Extras such as blind-spot monitoring and all-round parking sensors can also be added.
This model scored exceptionally in the Euro NCAP safety rating assessment with a maximum of five stars. Its safety assist systems were a defining feature of this score.
Infotainment
The infotainment system in the Yaris Cross is a key feature of the dashboard. You get an 8.0-inch screen with a 4.2-inch driver display in the Icon and Design trim. The higher trim levels see a larger 9.0-inch screen and 7.0-inch driver display.
The system enables Bluetooth connectivity and incorporates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s simple to use, although it feels slightly outdated in design compared to rivals. However, this doesn’t affect its functionality.
What’s the Toyota Yaris Cross like to drive?
There’s a lot to like about the new Toyota Yaris Cross. It’s fun to drive, and the efficient hybrid drivetrain provides an economical and smooth ride. In addition, its styling and road presence creates a striking look and offer a distinctive vibe outside the traditional hatchback/crossover look.
As you’d expect from the brand, the car is well-built, with comfortable seating and smart interior finishes. There’s also ample room for passengers and storage.
Tech and spec-wise, this model comes up trumps for the price, as there are a lot of enhanced systems as standard compared to others in this class. So, for its price, driveability and look, it’s sure to be a contender if you’re looking for a small family vehicle.
Toyota Yaris Cross car deals with Leasing Options
The Toyota Yaris Cross offers an affordable, economical driving experience for all journeys. This car is a great option if you’re considering the transition to electric but want the backup of an efficient petrol engine. You don’t have to worry about charging it either, as the self-charging drivetrain handles everything internally.
You get the choice of four trim levels, each providing cost-effective motoring with distinctive road presence – starting from £250.76 per month. So, if you’re considering leasing a Yaris Cross, check out our latest deals or contact our team for more information.
