Toyota may have designed the Yaris Cross
with European customers in mind but the subcompact SUV has also been confirmed
for Japan. In fact, Japanese customers are the first to buy the Yaris Cross,
which has gone on sale on August 31 across the country. Looking exactly like
the European model and based on the TNGA platform (GA-B), Japan’s Toyota Yaris
Cross offers two powertrains.
Base models get a 1.5-liter three-cylinder
Dynamic Force Engine mated to a Direct Shift-CVT, available with either
front-wheel-drive or four-wheel drive with ‘Multi-terrain Select’ function. The
engine delivers 120 PS at 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm of torque
between 4,800 and 5,200 rpm.
Toyota also offers a hybrid model which
combines the 1.5-liter petrol engine with a small electric motor and battery
for an unspecified system output. On its own, the ICE makes 91 PS at
5,500 rpm and 120 Nm of torque between 3,800 and 4,800 rpm.
The electric motor produces 80 PS and 141 Nm of torque. The hybrid model comes with FWD as standard
or electric 4WD (E-Four) as an option. Toyota claims the Yaris Cross hybrid
achieves a class-leading 30.8 km/L (3.2 l/100 km or 72.4 mpg US) in the WLTC
cycle.
From a practicality standpoint, Toyota
says the gasoline-powered 2WD Yaris Cross offers a luggage capacity of 390
liters, a 40/20/40-split rear seat and 60/40 split
height-adjustable boot floor. A power tailgate is available as an option.
All models come equipped with a TFT color
LCD multi-information display, Display Audio (DA) and Data Communication Module
(DCM) as standard, offering SmartDeviceLink (SDL), Apple CarPlay and Android
Auto connectivity.
In Japan, all models come with the Toyota
Safety Sense suite as standard, excluding the base ‘B package’ trim level. The
pack includes Toyota Teammate Advanced Park advanced driving and parking
support system which features Full Speed Range Radar Cruise Control, Lane
Tracing Assist (LTA), and an Adaptive Hi-beam System (AHS). Safety tech also
includes Pre-collision Safety System, Low Speed Acceleration Control, Emergency
Steering Assist, and Road Sign Assist (RSA).
Unlike the European model which will be
made in France, the Yaris Cross for Toyota’s home market is made in Japan.
Prices range from 1,798,000 yen (US$ 17,000) for the base ‘B package’ model with
the 1.5-liter Dynamic Force Engine and front-wheel drive to US$ 26,600 for the
range-topping Hybrid Z E-Four model.
