2021 Toyota Yaris Cross arrives with petrol and hybrid power, priced from $26,990

Toyota has continued its SUV push in Australia, introducing the new Yaris Cross this week.

It will be the Japanese giant’s smallest high rider to date, slotting in below the small CH-R in the light SUV segment.

The range will start at $26,990 — some $4860 more than the entry into the Yaris light hatch range. However you do get a lot more vehicle: the Yaris Cross is bigger in every dimension, including a significant 240mm of extra length.

There is a choice of petrol or hybrid powertrain, with each offering three trim levels priced $3000 apart: GX, GXL or Urban.

The 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol offers 88kW and 145Nm, using a claimed 5.4L/100km.

However, the hybrid will likely attract the most buyers given Toyota only asks for a $2000 premium despite saving more than 20 per cent on fuel compared to the petrol.

It also offers an almost identical combined output of 85kW and 141Nm.

Though the petrol engine is only available with front-wheel-drive, hybrid buyers can opt for all-wheel-drive across all three trims for an extra $3000.

AWD variants have the choice of snow and trail drive modes.

They also lose out on boot space, with 314 litres compared to 390 for the petrol, but both are up on the Yaris hatch’s 270 litres.

They also have other conveniences, such as an adjustable cargo floor to allow for taller items and straps to hold shopping bags in place.

Toyota expects the Yaris Cross to outsell the Yaris hatch in Australia, but says the latter still has an important role to play despite sitting in a declining segment.

Standard gear in the GX includes LED tail lights and daytime running lights, 4.2-inch driver display, digital instrument cluster, leather-accent steering wheel, 7-inch colour touchscreen display, digital radio and the same comprehensive safety package which saw the Yaris’ price rise significantly, but has also seen it achieve a five-star crash rating despite ANCAP’s far more stringent testing criteria.

It also gets some firsts for Toyota, such as three years of Toyota Connected Services which will automatically contact emergency services in an accident and can use GPS to help find the car if it’s stolen.

Toyota Australia admits it’s unsure how much the service will cost after the initial three years.

The GXL adds LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, built-in sat nav and more, while the top spec Urban brings 18-inch alloys, tweed-like fabric and synthetic leather-accented seats, heated front seats, head-up display, power tailgate and more.

Toyota Australia reckons the Yaris Cross is a quality option for those wanting a small SUV but aren’t enamoured by the C-HR’s bold styling or turbo petrol engine.

It says the C-HR will continue in the line-up, even with the all-new Corolla Cross small SUV confirmed to arrive in 2022.

WestWHEELS is booked in to drive the new Yaris Cross in the coming weeks.

2021 TOYOTA YARIS CROSS SPECIFICATIONS

• Variants GX; GXL; Urban
• Price $26,990; $29,990; $32,990
• Engine 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol
• Outputs 88kW/145Nm
• Transmission CVT automatic, FWD
• Fuel economy 5.4L/100km

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• Variants GX; GXL; Urban
• Price $28,990; $31,990; $34,990 (add $3000 for AWD)
• Engine 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol hybrid
• Outputs 85kW/141Nm (combined)
• Transmission CVT automatic, FWD or AWD
• Fuel economy 3.8L/100km (FWD); 4.0L/100km (AWD)