- toyota has a new crossover model called the yaris cross.
- it's based on the global yaris subcompact rather than the mazda-based yaris we get in america.
- only europe and japan are set to get the yaris cross, and we think it's too small for the u.s. market.
toyota has given its yaris subcompact the suv treatment to create a new model called the yaris cross. set to go on sale in japan and europe later this year, this diminutive crossover seems a bit too small for the u.s. market but is nonetheless pretty cute.
as you’d expect, the yaris cross is essentially a taller yaris hatchback with a few extra rugged styling elements and all-wheel drive. it’s based on the global yaris rather than the mazda-based yaris we get in the u.s., meaning it rides on a version of toyota’s ubiquitous tnga architecture. and it really is tiny: with a 100.8 inch wheelbase and 164.6 inch length, it’s several inches smaller than toyota’s smallest crossover offering in the u.s., the c-hr.
two powertrains are available: a 1.5-liter inline-three that's available with either a six-speed manual or a cvt, and a hybrid drivetrain that uses an atkinson-cycle version of the three-cylinder gasoline engine plus an electric motor. the hybrid is offered with all-wheel drive system that uses a second electric motor to power the rear wheels.
while we don’t anticipate the yaris cross to come to our shores, we have heard rumors that toyota is working on a similar model called the corolla cross. this name is trademarked for the u.s. market which means we might see a corolla suv derivative sometime in the future.