“Not bad, but certainly not the new standard.”
For the first time in a long time, Toyota offers a variation on the Yaris theme. It is not an MPV, like the Yaris Verso was at the time, but a crossover. Just as fashion dictates. How good is this popular Yaris Cross, and is it really more practical than its hatchback brother?
When it comes to sales figures, the Yaris Cross Toyota certainly does no harm. In fact, in both 2022 and 2023 it will leave the ‘normal’ Yaris behind in the sales lists. In the article in which we summarize the experiences of Yaris drivers, we even saw drivers who traded in their regular Yaris for a Cross.
Yaris Cross really more practical?
That immediately brings us to the most important question: is the Yaris Cross really more practical than a ‘normal’ Yaris? “It’s fine for the three of us, we have already been on holiday for a week without any problems,” writes the owner of a 1.5 Hybrid from 2023. “But it is not really spacious. The space on the back seat is really tight and there is also a lack of legroom on the passenger side in the front.” He compares the space with another model he has experience with: “The Opel Crossland really does this much better.”
The driver of a 2021 Yaris Cross Hybrid First Edition describes the space in the back in his own way. “The space for the rear passengers is less important to me, with at most very young grandchildren, but Toyota has done its best to make it as unpleasant as possible for adult rear passengers. Doors that don’t open very far, a sloping C-pillar that requires you to bend deeply, limited legroom, a seat that is too upright, no ventilation or USB. You simply shouldn’t be here,” is the conclusion. The trunk space is more appealing. “Almost 400 liters with an adjustable bottom. Not bad, but certainly not the new standard. Just neat.”
Another driver, with a similarly equipped car, mentions a number of points on which the Yaris Cross falls short in his opinion: “There is no light point above the rear seat, nor in the glove compartment, the double trunk floor cannot remain upright, the parcel shelf is not a shelf but a sail.”
How do you sit in the Yaris Cross?
When it comes to practical ease of use, there is still something to be said about the Yaris Cross. How is the seating comfort? “The front seats are good in terms of support,” writes the driver who spoke up for rear passengers. “But the seats are a bit on the short side for my height (1.86 metres). And I like a chair that you can also raise separately at the front.”
This also applies to the next rider who has had the seat frame adjusted. “I don’t sit well in this car, my legs get tired. Have the seat raised 2 cm from the front. The seat has improved somewhat, but is not yet optimal.” Also a comment about the space in the back: “If there are two more people in the back, the seat must first be moved forward, then you will sit in a pile.”
Other directors also express criticism. “The seat is on the short side, especially for longer journeys. It is also a pity that there is no lumbar support,” writes a rider, “The fabric is nice and the seats look good, but I think the seat is too short,” said another. “I can’t really find a comfortable seat. This is also because the handlebars cannot be adjusted as far in as I would like.”
Infotainment and controls
With the ‘regular’ Yaris we already saw that Toyota has taken a big step in the field of infotainment. This of course also applies to this Yaris Cross. “No longer the old-fashioned Toyota Touch 2 system, but the new Smart Connect with a 9-inch screen,” writes a satisfied user. “Much better, in speed and in graphics. Contains everything you need and fortunately nothing more, it all works simply and intuitively.” This First Edition driver also has criticism, specifically about the sound system. “The more expensive versions have a JBL system, which has to make do with the standard speakers. And they sound a bit tinny. Everything can be adjusted properly via the infotainment system (front/rear/equalizer), but that turns mediocre speakers into good Hi-fi.”
Other drivers note that navigation leaves much to be desired in certain circumstances. “Navigation no longer works when you are offline, this has happened to me twice in 2 days when driving in a rural area. The car loses the internet connection (probably 4G) and you no longer have navigation, I think this is a serious problem,” writes the owner of a 2021 Yaris Cross. The experience is similar to that of another driver. “Navigation works well, but we lost connection a number of times in wooded areas and every time we crossed the border.”
How do you like the handling?
The Yaris hatchback received mainly positive reviews. Drivers also have little to say about the handling of the slightly raised variant. “The handling is excellent: stable and tight, no body roll in the bends, only short bumps are sometimes noticeable, but it is damped and certainly not uncomfortable. Larger bumps are even absorbed very smoothly,” says the driver of a 2021 First Edition. ”
The Cross drives very pleasantly. Suspension is firm, but not too restless, even a dynamic driving experience,” says the owner of a Yaris Cross Executive. “It simply sits firmly on the road and even if you enter a bend a little harder than intended, you are not immediately punished and the chassis does not budge.”
Another compares it again with the Suzuki Vitara, S-Cross and Opel Crossland. “The whole thing feels more mature than the Suzukis and also the Crossland, which was a bit bumpy. The Yaris has sturdy, mature suspension/damping. Only sleepers that follow each other in quick succession are passed on significantly.” Sounds good, you might say. However, the rider experiences it in a different way. “It all seems a bit heavy, the Opel was much more light-footed. The steering of the Yaris Cross is heavy, the engine makes a somewhat dark sound, you look out over the hood and it sometimes feels like you are driving a huge sleigh. It drives as it should, but does not invite you to drive more actively. You automatically go into a kind of rest position and go with the flow.”
This rider also has something to say about the noise comfort. “The sound insulation from the engine is good, but there is a lot of noise coming from the wheel arches. Especially on the highway, this is just too much and irritating.” Another rider only partially endorses this. “Road noises depend on the road surface, only a bit disturbing on coarse asphalt, but overall good. This also applies to the wind: it stays well outside the cabin, provides a quiet driving experience.”
How do you like the drivetrain?
Just like with the ‘regular’ Yaris, we mainly see experiences from Hybrid drivers. How do you like this powertrain in a slightly larger carriage? “The strong point is the drivetrain,” writes the next owner, “you accelerate smoothly and without jerking and full power is immediately available if necessary. You can hardly hear the engine, sometimes a little in the background, only at full power there is more noise, but I can’t call it noise.” Another driver is also positive. “A CVT already sounds a bit like home, and a three-cylinder engine takes that a step further. Annoying? No. Given the reviews, I was afraid of a lot more noise, but it’s not that bad. Only if you press the accelerator very deeply, but that is not really what this car is intended for.”
Yet Toyota is unable to keep everyone happy, for example, one driver traded in his Yaris Cross for another car after five months. One of the reasons for this is the drivetrain. “I was disappointed with the CVT automatic transmission in the mountains,” he writes. “At times extremely high speeds while not really accelerating, and the engine braking was also very irritating.”
The reported fuel consumption is very pleasant. “We have had the Yaris Cross since June this year, and for the first time the factory specifications in terms of consumption are good to very good,” writes one driver enthusiastically. “Consumption is on average 1:25 and especially in urban areas you get 1:26 or more economical, or 3.8 l/100 km. If you drive on the highway more often, consumption is slightly higher.” Not everyone drives 1 in 25 (4 l/100 km), but we often read averages of 1 in 21 (4.8 l/100 km) or better.
Maintenance, malfunctions and irritations
With the Yaris hatchback, the main annoyance we saw was the discharge of the 12V on-board battery if the car was not in use for some time, or when many short journeys are made. It is a fate that also affects several Yaris Cross drivers. “Last week it happened again, the 12V battery was empty again and it wouldn’t start again. This has happened to us too often and we are done with it,” writes a disappointed rider. “Unfortunately, the Toyota has proven to be a very unreliable car in this aspect.”
“No unusual features during the first service, but two weeks later an empty battery twice,” another hybrid driver experienced. “When we went to the garage, something continued to use power and a ‘reprogramming Yaris Cross, Corolla, C-HR and Camry’ was carried out to solve the problem.” A little later this rider reports again. “Yet another empty battery at a very inopportune time, the update was apparently not sufficient. Now installed a new battery.” We hope for this rider that this new battery will prevent the problem in the future.
Bottom line, the Yaris Cross appears to be a larger Yaris, but the extra volume mainly benefits the trunk. For rear passengers, the gain is less than drivers wish or expect, the front seats would benefit from longer seats. Most drivers are pleased with the refined chassis and in most cases the hybrid drivetrain with CVT characteristics is also convincing. But really practical, no, the Yaris Cross is not that either.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl