The Yaris Cross proves that good things come in small packages. The 1.5 litre hybrid keeps your running costs down and the raised ride and clever cabin make it feel roomier than its size lets on.
The hybrid teams a 1.5 litre petrol engine with an electric motor and it charges itself as you drive, so there’s no plug to bother with and no range anxiety to think about. You’ll see as little as 3.6 litres per 100km and CO2 starts at just 84 grams per kilometre.
It’s a breeze to live with too, because it’s easy to park and quick off the mark in traffic and then it settles in nicely once you reach the open road. You sit a little higher than a hatch so you can see more of what’s ahead and the cabin feels roomier than the badge suggests.
Sculpted lines and chunky wheel arches give it real presence and that’s not bad going for a small SUV.
Crisp LED headlights and sleek horizontal LED tail lights light your way.
You get 16-inch alloys on the GX and they step up to bold 18-inch black machine-finished wheels on the Limited.
A raised ride height means an easy hop in and a better view out, which comes in handy around town.
Open the door and the Yaris Cross feels bigger than it looks, because there’s room for five along with smart storage everywhere and tech that simply works.
The 8-inch touchscreen runs Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so your phone’s up and ready the moment you hop in. You also get USB ports and a clear digital dash with comfy seats, and then the Limited adds leather-accented trim and a panoramic view monitor and a head-up display.
It’s a clever packer too, with five seats and a wide-opening boot and rear seats that split 40:20:40 and fold however you need them. So whether it’s the big shop or the sports gear or a weekend away, the Yaris Cross takes it all in its stride.
The GX gives you everything you need at a sharp price and then the Limited adds LED lighting and bigger alloys along with leather-accented trim and extra safety kit. Either way you get the same hybrid and the same raised ride.
If you want SUV practicality without the bulk or the big fuel bills then the Yaris Cross nails it. It’s fuel efficient and easy to park and it’s backed by Toyota’s reputation for going the distance along with a service network right across the country. It really is a small car that makes a smart move.
A 1.5 litre hybrid that starts from 3.6 L/100km and never needs a plug.
It’s compact enough to park anywhere and high enough to see the road clearly.
The rear seats split 40:20:40 and the boot opens wide for whatever the day needs.
Driver-assist tech comes as standard and the Limited adds a blind-spot monitor and pre-collision smarts.
The GX is a smart way to go, because you get the 1.5 litre hybrid and the full Toyota Safety Sense suite from the start. There’s an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with climate control and a digital dash, and then 16-inch alloys round it out. It’s just the right size for town.
If you’re after more features then the Limited delivers, with leather-accented seats and 18-inch black machine-finished alloys. You also get LED headlights and a panoramic view monitor and a head-up display, and then there’s extra safety tech like blind-spot monitoring and a pre-collision system that even spots motorcycles. It feels premium and is fuel efficient.
