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21 November 2023
Toyota is strengthening key aspects of its Yaris Cross, building on the qualities that earned the compact SUV the World Urban Car title among many other awards during its first year on sale.
This first round of enhancements for the model focuses on the top purchase considerations for customers in the segment, ensuring Yaris Cross maintains its all-round buyer appeal. Since its introduction in 2021, it has quickly established itself as strong and highly competitive challenger in the fast-growing B-SUV market and is the leader in its segment in Europe to date this year.
The new Yaris Cross delivers safer and easier driving with the latest safety and driver assistance systems; a fully digital user experience; and details that enhance its modern urban styling. Its introduction completes a full revision of Toyota’s small car line-up with new Aygo X and Yaris hatchback; it also forms part of a powerful new Yaris family alongside the hatchback and the pure performance GR Yaris.
A complete digital user experience
Access to information, connectivity and entertainment have been transformed with the introduction of a completely new digital user experience. This includes both a driver’s instrument display that can be configured and customised to suit the driver’s preference, and a multimedia system that’s more powerful, quicker to respond and offers a wider range of functions. The displays are class-leading in size: a 12.3-inch driver’s combimeter (seven-inch on Icon and Design grade) and 10.5-inch multimedia touchscreen (nine-inch for Icon).
The 12.3-inch combimeter presents dials, information and graphics in sharp definition for good visibility in all light levels. The driver can customise the display’s appearance to suit their mood or the type of journey with four style options: Smart, Casual, Sporty and Tough.
The seven-inch version is standard on Icon and Design grades; the 12.3-inch is featured on Excel, GR Sport and Premiere Edition models.
The Toyota Smart Connect multimedia system is designed for easy, intuitive use with quicker response to inputs thanks to increased computing power. Its functions include cloud-based navigation as standard, an “always connected” system that accesses up-to-the-moment information on routes, traffic, and delays for better journey planning.
The system has an enhanced, more responsive voice recognition system and an on-board “Hey Toyota” voice agent that can recognise natural, conversational language and requests. For example, say “Hey Toyota, I’m cold” and the system will automatically raise the climate control temperature.
Easy connectivity is designed-in, with wireless smartphone integration for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. As with the Toyota Safety Sense systems, multimedia upgrades and new functions can be seamlessly installed over-the-air.
Easy access with smart digital key
The Yaris Cross joins the new Yaris Hatchback in offering owners the convenience and security of a Smart Digital Key. Linked to the MyToyota app, this gives up to five users access to the vehicle using their smartphone. The digital key can be used to lock, unlock and start the vehicle – with no need for the phone to be taken out of the user’s bag or pocket.
The key is compatible with Apple and Android devices and is provided as standard on the Premiere Edition.
The MyToyota app provides other useful functions, including remote locking/unlocking, pre-journey climate control operation and activation of the hazard lights to help locate vehicle – for example, in a busy car park.
Safer, less stressful driving
Toyota set out to make the current generation Yaris hatchback the safest small car in the world, equipping it with a wealth of active and passive safety provisions and features that can take much of the familiar stress out of driving. Yaris Cross has benefited from the same wide-ranging package.
The advanced features that make the car safer and easier to drive and park have been enhanced and extended, including the introduction of the latest generation Toyota Safety Sense systems. These features, often extra-cost options or simply not available on other B-SUV models, are provided as standard throughout the Yaris Cross range.
The new multimedia system and data communications module (DCM) allow software updates to be delivered over-the-air. This means the Toyota Safety Sense and multimedia functions can be seamlessly upgraded, with no need for the car to be taken to a service centre. Downloads can take place while the car is being driven, ready for installation when it’s convenient for the driver.
Using a new camera and radar system which can scan further and wider than before, there’s increased scope for detecting accident risks. For example, the Pre-Collision System (PCS) can recognise a potential head-on impact with a wider range of objects and vehicles in the car’s path, including pedestrians, cyclists and now also motorcycles.
Acceleration Suppression is a new addition to the Toyota Safety Sense portfolio. This intervenes to slow any sudden acceleration when it recognises the risk of a collision with a vehicle ahead.
Proactive Driving Assist (PDA) is another new feature, designed to help avoid familiar accident hazards when driving at low speed. Deceleration Assist provides smooth deceleration when the driver releases the accelerator to slow down when approaching a slower vehicle ahead, or entering a bend. The second element of PDA is Steering Assist, which recognises a bend in the road ahead and adjusts steering force to help the driver make a smooth and stable turn.
The new Emergency Driving Stop System (EDSS) is able to support the driver, should they be taken ill or incapacitated. If it detects the driver has made no inputs – steering, braking, accelerating – for a certain amount of time, it will sound a warning. If there is no reaction from the driver, it will bring the car to a gentle stop, activate the hazard lights, and unlock the doors.
There’s also protection when the car is stationary, With the optional Safe Exit Assist (SEA, a standard feature on Excel and Premiere Edition grades; an option for Design and GR Sport), a visual and audible warning system helps guard against a door being inadvertently opened into the path of vehicles and cyclists approaching from the rear. And the Rear Seat Reminder System (RSRS) will alert the driver with visual and sound warnings if they have left a child or pet on the back seat, helping avoid the risk of “hot car” incidents.
As well as these extra functions, the new Yaris Cross also benefits from upgrades to its established Toyota Safety Sense features. The Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) has been revised to respond more quickly and operate with a more natural feel. For example, when another vehicle moves into the car’s lane, deceleration is more gradual. The vehicle-to-vehicle distance settings have been extended so the driver has more choice to suit their preference, and the system’s curve speed reduction is activated earlier, giving smoother speed control.
New systems have been added to the ACC for safer overtaking: Overtake Prevention Support prevents unintentional overtaking on the wrong side of a vehicle (“undertaking”); and Preliminary Deceleration/Turn Signal Linked Control helps the driver safely re-join the traffic lane at an appropriate speed and distance from other vehicles.
The Lane Departure Alert (LDA) now recognises when the driver has moved out of lane while trying to avoid an obstacle (pedestrian or other road users) and temporarily cancels its warning function. The lane-centring function of the Lane Trace Assist (LTA) has been adjusted so that its performance has a more natural feel. The Road Sign Assist has been enhanced so just a one-touch adjustment of the speed limiter is all that’s required to match traffic sign information.
Power and driving pleasure
Yaris Cross joins its sibling Yaris Hatchback model in offering a second, more powerful hybrid electric powertrain. Using fifth generation Toyota hybrid technology, this increases the model’s appeal to new B-segment customers who want to downsize their vehicle, without sacrificing performance.
The hybrid electric powertrain is the number one deciding factor for people choosing to buy Yaris Cross. With its 100 per cent hybrid line-up and the unique-in-class option of two different powertrains, customers now have more choice than ever to suit their needs.
The 1.5-litre full hybrid electric system has a new transaxle with a larger and more powerful electric motor-generator (MG1). This, together with adjustments to the power control unit (PCU), delivers a 14 per cent increase in total system output, from 114bhp/85kW to 130bhp/9 kW. At the same time, the MG2 motor’s torque has been increased across the entire rev band, with the maximum rising by 30 per cent from 141 to 185Nm.
The result is faster acceleration, with the 0-62mph time reduced by half a second to 10.7 seconds. Where CO2 emissions are concerned, the impact is modest with the new powertrain achieving a best-in-class 103-122g/km. All performance data remain provisional prior to homologation.
These statistics are only part of the story; equally significant is the impact on the driving experience. Engine, drive motor and hybrid battery performance have all been maximised in the new powertrain. This, together with a higher level of torque at all engine speeds, gives the car a more dynamic and responsive feel with acceleration and deceleration performance that adds enjoyment to every drive, whether on urban streets or out on the open road. Drive motor assistance in response to the driver’s use of the accelerator has been enhanced to help produce faithful handling and a linear acceleration feel.
The car’s agile, confidence-inspiring performance is further supported by the capability of its GA-B platform, with the fundamental benefits of a low centre of gravity and a highly rigid body.
The new powertrain will be introduced in the GR sport and new Premiere Edition versions; other grades will continue to use the established 114hp/85kW hybrid system.
A quieter drive with improved noise and vibration package
The new Yaris Cross benefits from a range of additional measures to reduce noise and vibration.
Where engine noise is concerned, four key areas have been the focus for improvement: a dynamic damper has been added to the left-side engine mount; a resonator has been fitted to the intake hose; the inner dash silencer has been changed from a single layer to a three-layer construction; and an extra layer of felt has been added to the cowl top silencer.
To combat wind and road noise, thicker glass is used for the windscreen as well as front and rear side windows.
Added style with new Premiere Edition
The Yaris Cross’s contemporary styling has resonated strongly with customers since launch, capturing the stance and image of an SUV in a car that’s compact and manoeuvrable on urban streets. Its visual appeal is enhanced in a new halo model for the range, the Premiere Edition.
This is offered in an exclusive new Urban Khaki paint finish in a bi-tone execution and with exclusive new 18-inch dark grey/machined five-spoke alloy wheels that enhance the dynamic, rugged look. Inside, upholstery stitching and deco lines on the instrument panel and doors match the green body colour. Platinum Pearl White, Oxide Bronze and Silver Metallic bi-tone options are also available.
Interior seat upholstery has also been refreshed with a new pattern and a soft lower instrument panel covering has been introduced on all grades. A new Juniper Blue paint option is available across the range.
UK pricing and ordering details for the new Yaris Cross will be announced in December.