Toyota has revealed its new Yaris Cross, a crossover built on the same 'GA-B' compact car platform as the imminent new fourth-generation Yaris hatchback. It promises more space, increased ride height and even the option of four-wheel drive as Toyota tackles the growing 'B-SUV' segment head-on. Like what you see? The bad news is that you'll have to wait until 2021 to get your hands on it.
Yaris size, SUV style
Obviously, the car pictured here is the Yaris Cross at its high-spec best, featuring stunning 'Brass Gold' paintwork, a two-tone finish and 18-inch alloy wheels. Nonetheless, it looks as if the great work Toyota's designers have done on the incoming Yaris continues here, with lots of SUV styling cues (check out the Toyota RAV4-aping wheelarches and rising door sill detailing). And yet, the Yaris Cross looks perfectly in proportion, thanks to its upright nose and vent design, sharp creasing and high-tech lighting.
In terms of size, the Yaris Cross sits on the same wheelbase as the Toyota Yaris supermini, but is actually 240 millimetres longer. A bigger proportion of that has been added aft of the rear wheels (180mm), which should mean a larger boot. The Yaris Cross is also 20mm wider (presumably due to the arches) and 90mm higher. And, usefully, it has 30mm more ground clearance, too.
All-wheel drive by electric motor
Bolstering its SUV credentials, the Yaris Cross will be offered with four-wheel drive, referred to as 'AWD-i'. This uses an electric motor to turn the rear wheels, supplementing the regular powertrain up front in the car. Apparently, it operates when pulling away from rest and accelerating, but otherwise only when traction at the front axle is limited.
Hybrid power to the fore
Like the new Yaris, the Toyota Yaris Cross will be offered in some markets with 1.0- and 1.5-litre petrol engines, but Toyota's focus right now is on the enhanced hybrid offering, and it appears that the new crossover will only be available in Ireland with hybrid power. The petrol part of the equation is a three-cylinder naturally aspirated unit of 1.5 litres, which is, according to Toyota, more thermally efficient than a typical diesel engine, leading to the claim that it's some 20 per cent more efficient than the engine in the previous Yaris Hybrid, yet it also seemingly has the 'world's fastest combustion speed', which will hopefully translate into decent low-down torque, and hence response to your right foot.
Nothing has been revealed about the electric motor itself, though we do know that the whole package is lighter and more compact than before. We're also told that the nickel-metal hydride battery of old has been replaced by a 27 per cent lighter lithium-ion item, which also allows more power to the motor more often. Little in the way of confirmed numbers is available, though maximum system power is quoted as 116hp. Toyota also says that the CO2 figures should be around 90g/km for the front-wheel-drive Yaris Cross or 100g/km for the AWD-i model. Those are NEDC-corelated figures, incidentally; the WLTP numbers are 120g/km and 135g/km, respectively.
Practical and stylish inside
At 390 litres, the boot volume of the Yaris Cross is a little more than the equivalent Yaris hatch, but it's not class leading. Nonetheless, the rear seat backs split 40:20:40 and there's a variable boot floor arrangement to help make the most of the space. On top of all that, a powered tailgate will be available.
Other tempting options will be offered inside, including a large wireless device charger, heated steering wheel and big head-up display. Some of these may be standard on the top models, but we don't yet know specifications for the Irish market. Touchscreen infotainment is likely to be present on most versions sold here, as is a generous suite of active safety functions, under the 'Toyota Safety Sense' umbrella.
Irish pricing for the Yaris Cross
As the new car will not be in Ireland until late 2021, Toyota cannot confirm pricing. Naturally, it will be priced above the new Yaris Hybrid, which means a starting price, we estimate, in the region of €21,000.