since 1976
since 1976
By Lee Pang Seng
UMW Toyota Motor has finally joined the B-segment SUV (sport utility vehicle) market by introducing the Yaris Cross. This is probably prompted by Perodua’s launch of its counterpart Traz late last year.
We were rather curious to this somewhat late coming of the Yaris Cross, given the good response to the C-segment Corolla Cross that was launched more than five years ago in early 2021. When our daughter in the UK acquired the Yaris Cross HEV (hybrid electric vehicle) some two years ago in 2024 (she also acquired the Yaris HEV at the same tiime), we were expecting it to be launched here around that time.
UMW Toyota Motor probably has its reasons for putting off the Yaris Cross till now and it’s a good thing it has done so to give Malaysian car buyers another attractive alternative to the ever-increasing options in the B-segment SUV market. And at RM99,900 for the ICE (internal combustion engine) Yaris Cross and RM109,900 for the HEV variant (on the road without insurance), it is competitively priced.
The hybrid electric variant option is what stands the Yaris Cross out from the Traz (which is available with two variants but both with the normally aspirated 1.5-litre engine). The Yaris Cross HEV is said to feature Toyota’s fourth-generation hybrid electric drivetrain that had its beginnings in the Prius in the late 1990s.
It comes with two electric motors; one for powering the vehicle and the other for starting and charging the battery. The electric motor for power is rated at 59kW (80ps) and 141Nm. The 20.7kg battery is assembled locally and is a lithium-ion type with 48 cells and a total output of 763.7wH. It is located at the rear, air-cooled and designed to last as long as the life of the vehicle. Battery charging takes place during deceleration and braking, during which the second electric motor captures the energy and serves as a generator to recharge it.
The hybrid system is supported by an Atkinson cycle 1.5-litre 16-valve double overhead cam with variable valve timing (VVT-i) engine that produces 66.9kW (91ps) at 5500rpm and 121Nm of torque between 4000 and 4800rpm. The combined engine and electric motor power output is given as 81kW (111ps).
This combined use of engine and electric power is said to provide very good fuel consumption of between 27.8km/l and 33.3km/l, based on Toyota’s internal tests. That’s a highly relevant issue today in getting the best out of one’s petrol ringgit, even with the Budi95 subsidy.
For the non-hybrid engine, it is the same as that used in the Traz and a host of other Toyota and Perodua 1.5-litre models. This is the 1.5L 2NR-VE engine that delivers a higher output than the Atkinson cycle unit with 78kW (106ps) at 6000rpm and 138Nm at 4200rpm. Both Yaris Cross variants feature a CVT (continuously variable transmission) to channel power to the front wheels.
In trims and equipment, the Yaris Cross appears to have a higher level to establish itself as a more premium offering against the Traz. It includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel, soft touch key points for a better tactile feel, full LED (light emitting diode) interior lighting (including the luggage area) with four adjustable brightness levels, among others.
The Yaris Cross comes with blue accent colours for the instrument panel and seat stitching, the latter to suggest sporty leanings. The seat upholstery is synthetic leather with ‘breathable’ mesh pattern on the seatrests. Toyota says the blue colour theme is ‘traditionally used to identify its models with electrified powertrains’.
For the driver, the eight-way power adjustable seat should allow the best and most comfortable position. The seven-inch digital TFT instrument panel with digital LED speedometer could be customised with four different layouts as per preference. To the centre of the dashboard is a 10.1-inch display (bigger than the 9.0-inch unit in Traz) to serve as a ’command centre’ for the infotainment system.
Dimensionally, the Yaris Cross differs little from the Traz being 4310mm in overall length and 1770mm in width. It also has a long wheelbase of 2620mm, which is clearly reflected in the comparatively spacious interior for good passenger accommodation.
The luggage area offers 471 litres of space (465 litres for the Yaris Cross HEV because of the battery location. A 200mm deep underfloor compartment provides additional storage space. The underbody kick feature (once exclusive to very premium vehicles) to open the luggage area door is standard to the Yaris Cross.
For the suspension system, it is similar to that in the Corolla Cross with front MacPherson struts and a torsion beam rear. The simpler torsion beam design is more space efficient, especially in the luggage area. The EPS (electric power steering) is said to be calibrated for urban and highway driving, and the 10.4-metre turning circle makes the Yaris Cross easy to manoeuvre in urban areas.
With a high ground clearance of 210mm, it could be driven off-road if the desire is there. To add more to that, Toyota says the Yaris Cross could take to flooded stretches of up to 600mm deep. Good departure and approach angles allow the Yaris Cross to be driven up steep inclines and over rough terrain by the adventurous types.
In the area of safety, the Yaris Cross comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) advanced driver assistance system. It uses a stereoscopic camera (instead of a monocular camera and radar) to scan the road ahead. TSS also comprises nine safety systems that include Pre-Collision Braking, Lane Departure Prevention, Front Departure Alert and Pedal Misoperation Control.
Unlike the Toyota Veloz/Perodua Alza arrangement, the Yaris Cross is not assembled by Perodua alongside the Traz. Instead, it is assembled at UMW Toyota Motor’s assembly plant in Bukit Raja, where the Vios Hybrid is put together. That makes sense as these two models share the same hybrid system and platform.
The Yaris Cross comes with five colour options – Dark Turquoise, Platinum Pearl White (an additional RM400 is required), Silver Metallic, Spicy Scarlet SE and Attitude Black. The same Toyota five-year vehicle warranty with no limit on mileage applies and for the Yaris Cross HEV, there is an additional eight-year warranty, again with unlimited mileage.
This HEV warranty also includes the Inverter and Power Management Control ECU, which is one up over those provided by rivals. You could also choose to extend the warranty for the battery pack and related hybrid components for another two years, making for a total of 10 years.
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Product Information – Yaris Cross HEV
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Product information Yaris Cross
