Summary
The Toyota Yaris Cross is a small SUV/crossover, which sits below the C-HR in Toyota’s crossover family and arrived on UK roads in Summer 2021.
Although it has ‘Yaris’ in its name and shares a lot of its mechanical bits with the hatchback of the same name, the Yaris Cross is much more than just a jacked-up Yaris hatch.
As with most Toyotas, the Yaris Cross is only available with a hybrid powetrain – it’s a no-plug version, so the car is still mainly reliant on the 1.5-litre petrol engine. The battery is charged by the petrol engine and also by coasting and braking as you drive, with the electricity then used to drive the electric motor.
Unlike most small crossovers, the Toyota Yaris Cross is available with all-wheel drive. That doesn’t make it a proper off-roader, however, but will help it provide more grip on wet and slippery roads.
Providing an alternative to popular small hybrid SUV/crossovers like the Nissan Juke and Ford Puma, the Toyota Yaris Cross has also been applauded for its build quality, driving dynamics and practical interior features. Business Car add that the Yaris Cross has “on-trend looks are sure to win many admirers.”
However, while the interior trim is very functional, reviewers frequently report that the Yaris Cross lacks cabin space when compared to its rivals. Ride comfort has also come into question, with Carwow commenting that the Toyota “does feel firm over lumps and bumps.”
As of January 2023, the Toyota Yaris Cross holds an Expert Rating of 68%, which is competitive in the small SUV market.
Yaris Cross highlights
- Class-leading fuel economy
- Practical interior
- Toyota’s record for reliability
- Great handling and body control
- A whopping 10-year warranty is available
Yaris Cross lowlights
- Rather rigid ride comfort
- Limited space in the back
- So-so performance
- Slow infotainment system
- Pretty plain-looking interior trim
Key specifications
Body style: Small SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol-electric hybrid
Price: From £24,350 on-road
Launched: Summer 2021
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid Design
Score: 7.6 / 10
“Toyota’s new baby crossover makes no grand statements, but is an extremely easy car to live with, displaying few negatives of any significance.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s exceptionally efficient, if not the most startling performer. The hybrid drivetrain takes little getting used to and is easy to extract fantastic efficiency from.”
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Extra ride height and some off-road trimmings create an exciting, mini-SUV twist on the ever-dependable Yaris.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“A credible entry into the compact SUV world, buoyed by good driving dynamics and efficiency.”
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Business Car
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid
Score: 7 / 10
“The Toyota Yaris Cross is a bit of a dazzler. Augmented by extensive comfort and safety features, its standard auto gearbox, comfortable driving manners and on-trend looks are sure to win many admirers. It’s just a shame that some of that sparkle didn’t rub off on the interior.”
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Car
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid
Score: 8 / 10
“For the rational stuff, the Yaris Cross scores well – it’s practical, roomy for passengers and luggage and very economical. You can be sure that it’s going to be reliable, and thanks to Toyota’s 10-year warranty support, it’ll be easy to sell.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The Toyota Yaris Cross is a small SUV with a clever hybrid system, making it very cheap to run.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid
Score: 7 / 10
“The Toyota Yaris Cross is a handsome compact SUV with an extremely economical hybrid powertrain. It’s well-built and suitably spacious, but it does feel firm over lumps and bumps.”
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Company Car Today
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid
“Great hybrid emissions figures in a model that continues Toyota’s recent trend of offering good-to-drive and attractive cars that appeal to much more than just the finance director.”
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Driving Electric
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid
Score: 8 / 10
“Toyota’s answer to the Nissan Juke is efficient and practical, although limited space in the rear means it may not be suitable for everyone.”
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Eurekar
Model reviewed: Range overview
“All in all, Toyota has taken the compact SUV qualities from the RAV4 – which is now celebrating its 25anniversary – and added lots of Yaris city car DNA to the mix to develop the all-new Yaris Cross making it big on style, appeal and performance.”
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Toyota Yaris Cross is fun to drive, has a solid interior and comes fully loaded for the money. The most impressive thing is its efficiency – with its petrol-electric hybrid engine setup meaning it’ll be as cheap as chips to run.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Toyota Yaris Cross is a surprisingly desirable alternative to the Renault Captur and Vauxhall Crossland. It’ll be very cheap to run, while it’s easy to get comfortable in its ultra-functional cabin.”
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Motoring Research
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid
Score: 8 / 10
“There’s much to like about the Yaris Cross. It takes the critically acclaimed Yaris supermini and makes it more family-friendly. No doubt more fashionable, too.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid
Score: 8.2 / 10
” It’s good to drive, practical, roomy for passengers and luggage and in our hands on a fairly congested test route, very economical on petrol.”
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The Sun
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid
“This car is more for parents or grandparents looking after tots rather than gangly teens. Shame the rear seats don’t slide backwards and forwards like Captur.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Even in this overheated and overcrowded market, the Toyota Yaris Cross offers genuine economy, useful space for four adults and well-honed driver appeal, along with Toyota’s proven reliability and a decent warranty.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Like the Yaris, but fancy something slightly taller? You’ll like this slightly taller Yaris.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Toyota Yaris Cross makes a strong case for itself against the crowd of small SUVs, especially if you value low running costs and Toyota’s impressive reliability record. That said, the Ford Puma still looks like the better overall option.”
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Which?
Model reviewed: Range overview
“As a small, electrified SUV, the Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid has a large target market. It’s practical, as well as being easy, safe and pleasant to drive. It’s also well-made and well equipped. However, life on board can sometimes feel raucous, while fans of sharp handling manners might want to look elsewhere.”
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: October 2021
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 86%
Child protection: 84%
Vulnerable road users: 78%
Safety assist: 81%
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
Model tested: 1.5-litre Hybrid FWD CVT
Overall score: 3 stars
Date tested: November 2022
Read the full Green NCAP review
Energy Efficiency Index: 5.2 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 3.7 / 10
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of January 2023, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Toyota Yaris Cross to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Yaris Cross, we’ll publish the score here.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Toyota Yaris Cross has received
2023
- Company Car & Van Awards – Best Small Car
2022
- UK Car of the Year Awards – Best Small Crossover
- Fleet World Awards – Best Fleet Small SUV
- What Car? Awards – True MPG Award
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Toyota Yaris Cross, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Citroën C3 Aircross | Dacia Duster | Fiat 500X | Ford Puma | Honda HR-V | Hyundai Bayon | Hyundai Kona | Kia Stonic | Mazda CX-3 | MG ZS | Mitsubishi ASX | Nissan Juke | Peugeot 2008 | Renault Captur | SEAT Arona | Skoda Kamiq | SsangYong Tivoli | Suzuki Vitara | Vauxhall Crossland | Vauxhall Mokka | Volkswagen T-Cross | Volkswagen T-Roc
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Toyota Yaris Cross at The Car Expert
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