TOYOTA UPGRADES YARIS CROSS WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY FEATURES, AND SHARPER STYLING

Toyota has given its Yaris Cross small SUV a significant technology boost with the upgraded range featuring the latest generation multimedia and Toyota Safety Sense1 suite of driver assistance technologies.

Alongside the increase in technology comes minor exterior and interior styling tweaks, along with increased comfort and convenience features. 

Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley said the upgraded Yaris Cross delivered on the lifestyle needs of its customers.

“Since its launch in late 2020, the Yaris Cross has proven a popular choice with customers providing a strong mix of style, performance and practical functionality,” Mr Hanley said.

“Now with the substantial improvements in safety and multimedia technology, along with its hybrid powertrain, it offers even greater value and more appeal whether for daily use around town or getting out into the country on the weekend,” he said.

The Yaris Cross is offered in four front-wheel drive variants including entry-level GX and mid-range GXL, and a pair of top-of-the-range Urban and GR Sport that cater to different styling tastes.

All-wheel drive versions are offered in three grades, GX, GXL and Urban.

Headlining the changes is the latest generation multimedia system that offers a larger 8-inch touchscreen display – previously 7-inch – cloud-based and embedded satellite navigation2, wireless Apple CarPlay®3 and Android AutoTM4 compatibility, Bluetooth®5 connectivity, DAB+ radio6 and a USB-C audio jack.

The USB charging ports have also been upgraded to USB-C with two outlets, standard across the range to keep devices fully powered.

All models now also feature a full 7-inch digital instrument cluster that offers a choice of nine display patterns across three themes of Casual, Smart and Sporty.

The upgraded Yaris Cross offers the latest in safety technology too with the new generation Toyota Safety Sense1 suite of driver assistance features.

The autonomous emergency braking pre-collision safety system now recognizes motorcycles and oncoming vehicles in addition to cyclists, pedestrians and vehicles ahead, and offers enhanced intersection collision avoidance (daylight only) and emergency steering assist (daylight only).

Further improvements to its active cruise control and lane trace assist functionality and new cameras and sensors that operate over a wider area, designed to provide even greater safety for all road users.

The Yaris Cross GXL grade and above also gain a new parking support brake with front and rear parking sensors and safe exit assist functionality for the blind spot monitor1.

Toyota has also enhanced comfort and convenience with the GX versions gaining sunvisor mirror lights, two rear grab handles, a soft armrest for the centre console with GXL models now featuring rear side, as well as rear privacy glass.

Styling changes have been kept to a minimum with a new design upper grille and seat trim pattern for all models except GR Sport, a large rear side spoiler for all variants, and new colour 18-inch alloy wheels for the Urban grade.

There have also been some changes in the colour availability with the Yaris Cross now offered in a choice of seven single colours including Frosted White, Stunning Silver, Ink, Atomic Rush, Latte, Mineral Blue and Massive Grey7.

Urban grades are also offered with a choice of four two-tone colourways that combine Frosted White, Atomic Rush, Latte or Massive Grey with a black roof7.

All FWD Yaris Cross versions are powered by a smooth and refined 1.5-litre hybrid system that combines a 67kW/120Nm 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with a 59kW/141Nm motor generator and 4.3Ahr lithium-ion battery to offer a combined maximum output of 85kW.

All-wheel drive models gain an additional 3.9kW/52Nm rear motor generator mounted on the rear axle to provide additional traction in slippery conditions.

The AWD system operates automatically to split drive torque between the front and rear wheels according to road conditions from 100 per cent drive through the front wheels to 40 per cent to the front and 60 per cent to the rear.

All-wheel drive variants also feature a Trail Mode to further improve off-tarmac capability, with the system automatically braking a slipping or freely rotating wheel to ensure drive torque is directed to the wheels with the most traction at all times.

A multi-link rear suspension – compared to the FWD versions’ torsion beam – also provides more agile handling and greater ride comfort on rough surfaces with all models using a tried and true MacPherson front suspension.

All Yaris Cross versions are covered by the Toyota Warranty Advantage8, consisting of a five-year/unlimited kilometre term with capped-price servicing for the first five years/75,000km (whichever comes first) and each 12-month/15,000km service costing $250.9