Toyota motors were originally set to debut this all-new crossover, called the Yaris Cross, at the Geneva motor show but the event was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This forced them to reschedule the unveiling of the Yaris Cross, and take it online. The car will initially go on sale in Europe and it will be positioned below the C-HR in the Toyota line-up. It will be an entry level crossover, being the most compact and most affordable car in Toyota's SUV range.
The Toyota Yaris Cross looks like a combination of the C-HR and the RAV4, taking design cues from both its SUV siblings. Overall in terms of the design Toyota have given it a rugged look and emphasised on its large wheel arches and bold C-pillar. It shares a similar footprint to the regular Yaris hatchback, but looks to be like a more practical offering, as the Yaris Cross is larger than the hatchback it is based on. It dimensions are quite similar to the car is based -- with a length of 4180mm and the same 2560mm wheelbase as the hatchback, although it is 90mm taller and 20mm wider that give it that more SUV-like stance.
Features
It rides on 18-inch alloys and gets optional features like an electric tailgate and split-folding rear seats, to make loading and unloading of luggage much easier. Additionally, the Yaris Cross receives a large touchscreen infotainment system as well as ambient lighting. It shares quite a few interior components with it hatchback sibling like panels dashboard cluster, though it gets some new elements like the steering wheel and gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
The Yaris Cross will be available with a single hybrid engine, a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol mated to an electric motor with a total combined output of 116bhp with all-wheel-drive. The Yaris's electric motor is powered by a new lithium-ion battery, it has an all wheel drive system that is on offer with the hybrid model where the petrol engine drives the front wheels that is ideal for regular city driving conditions and to adapt it to all wheel drive mode it has an electric motor mounted on the rear axel that gets engaged when it detects hard acceleration or low grip conditions and helps the driver tackle the various conditions like rain, snow or even sand to get them out of a sticky situation.
Currently, the Yaris Cross will be produced in in France, with no word from Toyota India if this car will make it to our shores, We also have to factor in that this Yaris Cross in no way has any connection to the Yaris currently on sale in our markets as they don't even share the same platform. But if and when it does come here, it'll go up against the Renault Kaptur and the Nissan Kicks.