2021 Toyota Yaris Cross [UK]

The Toyota Yaris Cross is an all-new model that brings together Toyota's rich experience and knowhow in small car and SUV design and engineering. It has been developed specifically with European customers in mind, right from the initial concept phase.

It carries forward the key qualities of the new generation Yaris hatchback, the 2021 Car of the Year in Europe: "Big-Small" packaging that maximises interior space and practicality, fourth generation hybrid electric power, the highest safety standards with second generation Toyota Safety Sense and a genuine fun-to-drive character.

These attributes are combined with authentic SUV features, founded on a Toyota heritage of innovation that includes originating the now core market segment for recreational SUVs with the first RAV4 27 years ago.

The introduction of Yaris Cross extends the Toyota Yaris family, joining the hatchback Yaris and GR Yaris thoroughbred performance car. It also gives Toyota the largest hybrid electric SUV model range on the market, alongside the compact C-HR, mid-size RAV4 and sevenseat Highlander, giving customers an exceptional choice of model size and capability to support their needs.

Yaris Cross Deputy Chief Engineer Hideaki Hayashi explains: "When we started planning for the new Yaris Cross, we considered the value of SUVs and what we feel the next generation of B-segment cars need. What came to mind was a car that allows owners to express their individuality and support their unique and active lifestyles."

DESIGN

The design theme for Toyota Yaris Cross was "Easy, Fast, Smart," defined with the goal of creating car that is an ideal partner for day-to-day activities. The team at Toyota European Design and Development (ED2), Toyota's European design centre in the South of France, reimagined the urban SUV, producing a more robust and minimalist design that sets Yaris Cross apart from its competitors.

Its powerful styling expresses the robustness and agility that European customers favour in a body that's compact, giving the easy manoeuvrability that's suitable for urban life. At the same time, the design allows for an interior with plenty of comfort and generous load capacity, following the well-established Yaris "Big-Small" approach to packaging.

The lower body, with a high-set horizontal axis running from the nose to the rear lamps, adds to the sense of a raised, powerful SUV stance. Larger-diameter wheels and tyres - up to 18-inch rims - add visual emphasis and also contribute to the car's ability to tackle different driving conditions. The condensed look is heightened by the rear wings' pronounced tyre overhang.

The front end presents a strong and robust urban image with the upper and lower grilles forming two stacked trapezoid shapes - a signature design feature for Toyota SUVs. Slim, lozenge-shaped headlights use LED projector lamps (on higher grades), with separate, vertical daytime running lights and circular LED fog lights set at the bottom corners of the lower grille. The rear is defined by the wide tailgate and a square central section that expresses the car's functionality, framed by the wide rear haunches and C-shaped character lines cut into the lower corners. From Design grade, all the rear lights use LED technology and sequential turn indicators.

Interior

Yaris Cross's interior design presents the modern, quality appearance of the hatchback, while focusing on a "fast access" theme that prioritises day-to-day convenience.

There are new treatments for elements such as the front pillars, sills and centre console, and new trim finishes for the door panels and arm rests. The centre console gains prominence, reflecting the car's SUV status, forming a strong vertical feature which flows down from the multimedia display to the shift lever and incorporates the heating and ventilation controls. Driving function controls, including the Drive Mode Select and (where specified) all-wheel drive mode switches are grouped immediately in front of the shift lever.

The higher driving position gives the driver good visibility expected of an SUV, with seat and steering wheel design that delivers both comfort and a strong sense of connection with and command of the vehicle.

HYBRID POWERTRAIN

Yaris Cross is powered by Toyota's fourth generation hybrid electric technology, a system which made its debut on the new Yaris hatchback. At its heart is a three-cylinder, 1.5-litre hybrid engine that has the same basic structure and operation as the larger two-litre unit featured in the Toyota Corolla and C-HR. A long stroke, high-speed combustion, high 14:1 compression ratio and temperature and pressure control help the Atkinson cycle unit achieve high, 40 per cent thermal efficiency, so more energy is used to power the car from every drop of fuel.

The engine is quieter during acceleration and its maximum power and torque are achieved at lower engine speeds - 90bhp/68kW at 5,500rpm and 120Nm between 3,600 and 4,800 rpm.

Maximum output for the total system (engine and electric motors) is 114bhp/85kW. Fuel economy and CO2 emissions (WLTP combined) are 54.6-64.2mpg fuel economy and 100- 117g/km g/km (class-leading 55.2-55.4mpg and 115-116g/km with AWD-i).

Electric motor and power control unit

The compact hybrid transaxle includes an electric motor/generator giving more power and better response than the previous generation Toyota system. The 580V motor produces 59 kW and 141Nm of torque.

The power control unit has a more compact design and a higher power density. It can control more than 100A of current and boosts the 177.6V of the lithium-ion hybrid battery to 580V. Its vertically arranged transistors and efficient cooling system allow for transistor switching up to 10,000 times a second.

Lithium-ion hybrid battery

Toyota Yaris Cross uses a lithium-ion hybrid battery, with efficiency and power enhanced by reducing the resistance within the cells. The 177.6V unit can produce double the amount of energy under braking and supply 50 per cent more power when accelerating, compared to the nickel-metal hydride battery featured in the previous generation Yaris Hybrid. As well as being more powerful, it is lighter too, the complete assembly weighing 27kg, which further contributes to the car's all-round efficiency.

The increased contribution from the battery helps enable a higher percentage of EV driving on urban journeys, with zero emissions and zero fuel consumption. The new Yaris Cross can comfortably cover a high proportion of around-town trips and commutes for European customers. Zero emissions driving is possible at speeds at up to 81mph.

SAFETY

Toyota Yaris Cross maintains the Yaris family's historic record of providing class-leading levels of safety - it was the first small car in its class to achieve the highest five-star Euro NCAP rating. Under the philosophy of "safety is not an option" - latest generation Toyota Safety Sense active safety and driver assistance systems are provided as standard on all versions, while protection is built-in in the form of the highly rigid body structure.

Following the precedent set by its hatchback sibling, it adopts a series of new and improved measures that can detect a wider range of common accident risks, warn the driver and initiate measures to prevent an impact, or lessen the consequences if a collision is unavoidable.