Crossing the Yaris
The trend of turning small hatchbacks into small SUVs just keeps growing. It was only a matter of time before Toyota did the same thing to the Yaris. This brings us to the Yaris Cross, a Yaris hatch with a difference.
While sharing the same TNGA-B platform, the Cross is 240mm longer and 90mm taller than the Yaris Hatch. You also get 30mm more ground clearance too.
My test car was the range topping Limited Hybrid. Under the bonnet sits a 1.5-litre three pot petrol engine with 88kW mated to a hybrid electric system with 85kW.
Toyota claim combined fuel consumption figures of 3.8L/100km, although the best I managed to average was around 4.7L/100km.
The interior is pretty much identical to the hatch, and you get a tonne of kit as standard, like a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, pre-collision system with autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitor, lane tracing assist, radar cruise control, emergency steering assist and crosswind assist.
With the Limited, you also get additional goodies like electric heated front seats, leather steering wheel and extra USB charging ports.
On the move, the Cross is not quite as entertaining as the hatch, but it’s still very comfortable and happiest when cruising. The range starts at $29,990 for the entry level GX petrol, whereas my Limited Hybrid retails for $38,990.
The Yaris Cross is a Yaris SUV we never thought we needed but glad exists.
