- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru Fr Ar
Yaris now also Cross
The Toyota Yaris Cross is a compact crossover SUV produced by Toyota (Japan) since 2020. It is built on the basis of the popular Toyota Yaris hatchback, which has four generations. In the spring of 2020, Toyota released the Yaris Cross SUV based on it, which took its place in the range before the C-HR model. The new model is based on the lightweight modular TNGA platform, which provides a more durable structure, a lower center of gravity, as well as improved handling and noise isolation.
It should be noted that the new SUV is not a cross-version of a conventional hatchback, created without much pain, and has no cardinal differences, except for increased ground clearance. The Yaris Cross is the original model based on the new Yaris. The SUV has a completely new body and doesn't share any common parts with the original hatchback. The stylish Yaris Cross combines all the best qualities of a compact car and a top-end SUV for driving within the city. It was decided to produce the SUV at the same plant in France, where the usual hatchback is made, but first production started at the Iwata Plant, Japan. In Europe, the vehicle will be available on the market in September 2021.
Exterior
The vehicle looks futuristic. As you would expect, the SUV is 4,180 mm long, being 240 mm longer than the hatchback, for which reason the vehicle features convex bumpers and a slightly longer trunk. The wheelbase is the same as that of the hatchback, amounting to 2,560 mm. The SUV is 1,765 mm wide, being 20 mm wider than the original Yaris, and is 90 mm higher (1,560 mm). The ground clearance has been increased by 30 mm and is 170 mm. Wheel diameter reaches up to 18 inches.
Interior
The interior of the 2020/2021 Toyota Yaris Cross is similar in structure and design to the interior of the original hatchback, but there are still differences. For example, a new dashboard (with a large speedometer in its center), a different design of the center console and completely new door panels, since the doors themselves are different. The vehicle is five-seater, featuring a 390-liter trunk. Note the back support of the backseat, which is standardly divided into three sections in a 40:20:40 ratio. Interestingly, the trunk floor panel is split into two parts in a ratio of 40:60, they can be folded and removed separately to organize a two-level compartment on one side, and use the entire height of the trunk compartment on the other.
Powertrains
First of all, there is the hybrid version of the 2021/2022 Toyota Yaris Cross, which is expected to become a best-seller (according to the manufacturer’s assumption). The powertrains consists of a 1.5-liter petrol three-cylinder naturally aspirated engine, an electric motor and an electromechanical CVT. The total capacity of the unit is 116 hp. The vehicle is standardly front-wheel drive, but there are also four-wheel drive versions. The rear wheels are driven by an electric motor mounted on the rear axle, the system is called E-Four and is available from the regular Yaris, produced for the Japanese market. The rear axle features a separate electric motor with 5.3 hp and 52 Nm, which only works when starting off and at low speed. In this case, the rear semi-independent suspension is replaced by an independent double wishbone suspension.
A simpler option is the same 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine, but more powerful, with 120 hp and 145 Nm. The engine has distributed injection and comes with a Direct Shift CVT, which has a mechanical first gear for reliability. Such a Yaris Cross can have both front and four-wheel drive. All-wheel drive variants have special driving modes, which depend on a powertrain: petrol SUVs have so-called off-road modes, called the Mud & Sand and Rock&Dirt, while hybrid versions offer the Snow and Trail modes.
Equipment
The SUV has a hill descent assist system. The list of options includes electric driver’s seat and adaptive cruise control. And the new Yaris Cross became the first Toyota to feature the advanced S-VSC system, which automatically steers to compensate for the crosswind.
