Toyota Yaris Cross 2020 Review

If you can beat them, of course it makes sense to join them. At least that much is obvious with Toyota’s first foray into the compact SUV segment: the new 2020 Toyota Yaris Cross.

Arriving in showrooms from November, the Yaris Cross joins the C-HR and RAV4 at the smaller end of Toyota’s popular SUV stable – models that already contribute to the car-maker’s dominant Australian market share.

As the name suggests, the Yaris Cross takes its underpinnings and drivelines from the Yaris city hatch, which has just entered a new generation.

In a hugely competitive compact SUV segment, Toyota is hoping myriad safety and technology features, plus a hybrid drivetrain, can help the Yaris Cross stand out from the rest.

In Australia, the Toyota Yaris Cross is available in nine model variants, including three equipment grades (GX, GXL and Urban) and the choice of petrol or hybrid powertrains, the latter with the option of front- or all-wheel drive.

A starting price of $26,990 plus on-road costs applies for the entry-level Yaris Cross GX 2WD petrol CVT, which marks a $4860 premium over the base Yaris city car (from $22,130). That price positions the Yaris Cross $3925 cheaper than the base Toyota C-HR small SUV (from $30,915) and $5300 cheaper than the strong-selling RAV4 (from $32,290).

See our pricing story for the full run-down, but in essence, the Toyota Yaris Cross lands smack-bang in the middle of a crowded light and small SUV segment.

The baby Toyota SUV undercuts new arrivals like the Ford Puma (from $29,990), Nissan JUKE and Volkswagen T-Cross (both from $27,990), is lineball with the new Skoda Kamiq but pricier than the Mitsubishi ASX ($23,990), Honda HR-V ($25,990) and Kia Seltos ($25,990).

Standard features across the entire Yaris Cross range include adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera, climate control, smart entry/start and the latest-generation infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

The Toyota Yaris Cross introduces the Toyota Connected Services suite, which includes an SOS Automatic Collision Notification that can put occupants in touch with emergency services in the event of an accident.

The Yaris Cross also utilises the Toyota Safety Sense package, which brings a new-generation Pre-Collision System (PCS) with daytime intersection assistance and emergency steering assist (ESA).

GXL grades, which start from $29,990 plus ORCs, add blind spot monitoring, a panoramic rear-view camera, satellite navigation and LED headlights, while flagship Urban grades (from $32,990) gain 18-inch alloys (up from 16s), a powered driver’s seat, heated front seats and a power tailgate with kick sensor.

The Yaris Cross is backed by a five-year warranty, plus seven years for engine and driveline, and up to 10 years for the hybrid battery. Servicing intervals are spaced every 12 months/15,000km; according to Toyota the first five years of servicing will set buyers back $1025.

Metallic paint adds $500 and two-tone paint adds $450. Whereas front-wheel drive variants of the Yaris Cross get a space-saver spare tyre, all-wheel drive models miss out entirely, making do with an inflation kit.

Towing capacity is rated at just 400kg braked for hybrid variants and 1250kg braked for other models.

As with the new Toyota Yaris hatch on which they’re based, all Yaris Cross variants are powered by a new 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine matched to a CVT automatic transmission with a mechanical first gear and 10-speed manual function.

Like the Yaris, two-wheel drive petrol variants deliver 88kW/145Nm to the front wheels, while 2WD hybrid variants combine an Atkinson-cycle version of the 1.5 triple with two electric motor-generators to deliver 85kW of power and combined-cycle fuel consumption of just 3.8L/100km – half a litre more than the Yaris hybrid, Toyota Australia’s most efficient car.

All-wheel drive versions of the 85kW/141Nm hybrid powertrain add a third electric motor on the rear axle, which can offer up to 60 per cent of powertrain torque. The AWD hybrid claims an official fuel use average of 4.0L/100km, but a key consideration for those doing long country miles is that its fuel tank shrinks from 42 litres to 36 litres.

All Yaris Cross models are underpinned by MacPherson strut front suspension, with 2WD versions utilising a torsion beam rear axle and AWD models a more sophisticated two-link set-up.

Our test car features three driving modes – Normal, Snow and Trail – as well as a hill descent control system. It is also possible to drive the Yaris Cross Hybrid exclusively in EV mode – although this is limited in application.

Officially, the Toyota Yaris Cross has 30mm more ground clearance than its Yaris hatchback sibling and is taller by 90mm, wider by 20mm and longer by 240mm, at 4180mm in length.

And unlike the city hatch, the Yaris Cross features disc brakes on all four corners.

Although the Toyota Yaris Cross bears obvious design cues from its Yaris hatch donor, the truth is it offers its own distinctive flavour in the skin.

Our $35K Yaris Cross GXL Hybrid test car, adorned in a retro Latte paint scheme, lends a decided SUV vibe with its higher riding stature, tall body, myriad black cladding around the wheel-arches and low panels, and its obligatory crossover grille.

The Yaris Cross looks bigger than a typical city runabout thanks to its augmented proportions, and inside it feels marginally bigger too.

Settling into the raised driver’s chair, the Yaris Cross benefits from its slightly larger surroundings, namely in the form of additional headroom and some extra legroom.

The layout is largely familiar with the Yaris, though the adoption of an electric parking brake liberates space for two centre cup-holders to complement existing open cubbies.

Deep door pockets and comfortable front chairs underline the car’s everyday amenity, less so the hard contact points and occasionally scratchy plastics in our GXL test example.

The rear luggage cover also bears resemblance to a flimsy fly screen.

Elsewhere, the Yaris Cross’ instrumentation is clear and legible, offering a mix of hard-wired buttons and user-friendly screens to ensure simple functioning of the car’s key controls on the move.

A solitary USB port is fitted at the bottom of the centre fascia, anchored by a separate 12-volt outlet underneath it. The rear seat features no power outlets or air-vents whatsoever.

The Yaris Cross won’t be mistaken for a bona fide family car, with limited rear seat space, high-set windows and a tiny 314-litre boot in AWD guise. It also misses out on a sliding rear bench, a feature of some rivals including the Volkswagen T-Cross.

However, ISOFIX child anchorage points and its higher ride height mean it is child-friendly in some capacity.

The Toyota Yaris Cross follows a proven compact SUV recipe with its driving dynamics, although Toyota does deserve plaudits for introducing a hybrid to this end of the market.

Our GXL Hybrid tester offers its own distinct (and frugal) charm on the road – blending three-cylinder thrum with real-world efficiency. All told, we manage a combined fuel efficiency rating of 4.2L/100km in a mix of conditions – just above the claim.

Otherwise, the Yaris Cross subscribes to the common compact SUV brief: nippy around-town dynamics and moderate open-road credentials underwritten by a general air of user-friendliness.

Vision is generally strong, with the exception of a bulky C-pillar section, the steering is light at low speeds and the hybrid drivetrain is effective in its operation.

There is adequate shove from a standstill, the electric motors taking up the initial slack before the petrol engine thrums into business with an initial harshness, before subsiding to a faint noise in the background.

The Yaris Cross isn’t particularly quiet on the road, with ever-present wind noise over the wing mirrors and tyre roar, the latter particularly noticeable over coarse-chip sections.

Dynamically, the Yaris Cross does an enviable job mixing comfort and performance. It steers confidently and the body is well controlled through changes in direction and over broken bitumen alike.

Our test example, fitted with 16-inch wheels, reflects inconsistencies in the road accordingly. It occasionally tremors over repeated sections of broken bumps, but is otherwise quick to respond and immune to major thudding or crashing.

The Yaris Cross feels quite adept in faster scenarios too, with a strong degree of composure and surefootedness. It’s no GR Yaris hatch, to be sure, but the tenuous ties between the two Toyota siblings are founded.

Pricier than the Yaris city car, you could easily disparage the Toyota Yaris Cross as another futile crossover marketing exercise.

However, the truth is the Yaris Cross’ blend of safety, technology and real-world efficiency are welcome points within the crowded compact SUV space.

Strong aftersales provisions and an unrivalled dealer network are also boons.

Withstanding the cost of entry, the Toyota Yaris Cross looms as one of the sensible picks of this growing category.

So, yes, if you can beat many of your rivals, it stands to reason that you’d join in on the action.

How much does the 2020 Toyota Yaris Cross GXL Hybrid AWD cost?
Price: $34,990 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol-electric
Output: 85kW/141Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 4.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 90g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested