Test: Toyota Yaris Cross 2024, a well-polished bestseller
Toyota has revamped its most popular models in Europe in 2024. We're introducing the updated Yaris Cross with its 130-horsepower hybrid engine.
Many little things make a big difference, so Yaris Cross has become even more enjoyable with this update. But the Hybrid 130 engine is not worth the extra cost.
Small SUVs are selling well in Europe. Toyota also understands this, because while the Yaris Cross is one of the brand's newest models, it also immediately becomes an order taker for the Japanese in our continent. However, there are still some things to improve on the 2020 model, which is why Toyota released the 2024 update. The update is somewhere between a facelift and a model year update, as there are hardly any changes to the exterior. But the list of custom details is long.
7.5 Design
As mentioned earlier, there are no changes to the design of the 2024 Toyota Yaris Cross. It is still 4.18 m, 1.765 m and 1.595 m in length, width and height, and despite its smaller size, it still has a sturdy design that gives it a handsome appearance on the road. The only new look is the interim top-of-the-line Premiere Edition, which comes in an exclusive two-tone paint colour (urban khaki) and unique 18-inch wheels. Juniper Blue is also a new color in this model configurator.
7.0 Experience
On board, the Yaris Cross's line has remained largely unchanged as well, but the experience has changed completely. The digital cockpit is now standard, with a 7- or 12.3-inch driver's display, while the infotainment system has also been updated and can be controlled via a 9- or 10.5-inch touchscreen. On higher-tier devices, you also have the option to use a heads-up display to complete the digital experience on board. Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto is standard at the second device level, and the third device level is the inductive charger for smartphones.
Modern technology, old-fashioned ergonomics
But this does not mean that Toyota has succumbed to all the trends in the digitalization of control. There are still real buttons and switches for in-car climate control under the touchscreen, as are the driving modes on the automatic gear lever, the buttons on the steering wheel, and the extra settings on the left side of the steering wheel.
It offers excellent on-board ergonomics...... In addition to driver assistance system settings. You'll hear all sorts of beeps while driving, and the car doesn't explain why (in this case: either a new speed limit or a speed camera nearby). To disable it, you'll have to dig into the dashboard menu (some of which are only released when stationary), or go to the central system settings. For some functions, this must be done every time, as required by the European Union.
The seat space is moderate and the luggage compartment is spacious
As far as interior space is concerned, the Toyota Yaris Cross is not for tall people. Tall drivers can't adjust the seat exactly to their liking, and in the back seat, if you try to sit behind someone who is more than 1.80 m tall, you can only make do. The good news is that despite the fact that the hybrid system is equipped with batteries, the trunk (397 liters) is very practical due to the large opening and deep bottom.
7.3 Driving Experience
The Toyota Yaris Cross is always a hybrid model in our market, always using the same naturally aspirated 1.5-liter three-cylinder petrol engine combined with an electric motor and CVT automatic transmission. However, there are two power versions: the Hybrid 115 (116 hp/141 Nm) and the Hybrid 130 (132 hp/185 Nm), the latter benefiting from a more powerful electric motor. Toyota's smallest SUV has never been a sprinter, with a 0-100 km/h sprint of just half a second (11.2 seconds vs. 10.7 seconds). In some markets, you can also buy a 4x4 Toyota Yaris Cross, but in Belgium it is always front-wheel drive.
On the road, the Hybrid 130 is no faster than the 115. In the city, you have a smooth and quiet drivetrain, which periodically switches to all-electric mode, and only when you press the throttle a little, the gasoline engine starts. On larger roads and highways, it's a different story: coffee grinders have to make multiple revolutions to keep up with the speed. It all went well, but the noise made it all seem longer and more difficult than it actually was.
Not fast, but economical and a little more comfortable
Even though the steering wheel of the Yaris Cross is fairly sharp and has a good balance between comfort and grip, it's not really an athlete. Its strengths lie first and foremost in its economy, with a hybrid powertrain that easily keeps fuel consumption below 5 l/100 km. If you usually avoid highways, fuel consumption may even be less than 4 l/100 km. However, since the 2024 update, long drives in Toyota's smallest SUV are no longer a punishment: the Japanese have worked on the soundproofing of the car, so it is no longer a weakness, as is often the case with the brand's products. Equipped with a 35-liter fuel tank, it achieves a range of more than 700 km.
6.0 Price
The lower running costs of the Toyota Yaris Cross are a good thing, as the starting price of €31,474 (Yaris Cross Dynamic Hybrid 115, without any discounts) is also nothing for a B-segment SUV. Basic equipment includes a reversing camera, automatic climate control, and a 9-inch infotainment system. For the Hybrid 130, you must immediately upgrade to the third level (GR Sport), with a list price of 39,490 euros, as Toyota does not offer a separate option...... Fortunately, the Japanese brand is good at reliability, and if you do maintenance at a dealership, you can get a 10-year or 200,000 km warranty.
7.0 Verdict
The 2024 Toyota Yaris Cross is even more comfortable thanks to details such as newer technology, better interior sound insulation, and slightly improved finishes. The Hybrid 130 motor runs a little smoother, but it's not worth such a big price difference compared to the 115 because you'll need to upgrade to an expensive version.