Toyota Yaris Cross: Made For Life's Surprises
The Toyota Yaris Cross made serious waves when it first launched last year. Just when you thought that Toyota had got all its bases covered, it hits the market with a wildcard. As the brand’s newest compact crossover, it offers the right mix of function and style that befits the creative and adventurous generation of today. In addition, it adds to Toyota’s wholistic thrust of bringing a safer, more sustainable future even to first-time car buyers.
Indeed, the Toyota Yaris Cross S HEV was a wildcard and quite the unexpected entry into the market at the time of its introduction. Half a year later, its presence has grown considerably on the streets, garnering its own community of fans. Again, it is a car to consider for when you’re looking for a good starting point, but one that’s still above the ordinary.
This top-of-the-line variant is equipped with a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine paired up with Toyota’s gasoline-hybrid technology. Undoubtedly the biggest highlight, it serves up a combined 111 horsepower helping it offer smooth, easy power when weaving in and out of traffic. Oh, and compared to other setups, the Yaris Cross S HEV uses a lithium-ion battery making it more advanced in some respects. Placed under the rear passenger seat, there’s no compromise to interior room and cargo space. The brakes, too, with its four-wheel disc setup are quite responsive.
In terms of looks, the Toyota Yaris Cross features an up-to-date, sporty design to match the dynamic performance that it offers with every drive. The “Solid & Dynamic” shape is slightly boxy, with rounded edges that give it a rugged appeal. It features a continuous element that connects the front face to the rear in one smooth line, while sitting sturdily on 18-inch alloy wheels that give the illusion of a higher clearance. LED lighting is standard, as is, a large sunroof—a pleasant surprise not just for its class, but for Toyota as well.
The cabin is every bit as practical as you’d expect from Toyota, but this time, they did not forget to lend it a sportier flavor. There’s contrasting blue stitching that runs across the dashboard and through the seats. The controls, switchgear, and the like—from the 10.1-inch infotainment display that sits right at the center of the dashboard to the climate control switches below it are all in their “proper places” promoting ease of use. In addition, the cabin features charging and storage solutions strategically positioned all throughout the space.
There is also plenty to commend on the comfort level that is provided to both driver and passenger. The seats are padded and decidedly comfortable and the legroom for the front passenger and rear bench are generous, clearly made to be ready for longer drives. The rear cargo hold is surprisingly spacious, created for both the grueling work life and that occasional weekend getaway.
Safety does not take a backseat either since all variants get a full set of airbags, ABS with EBD, stability control, hill start assist, and parking sensors on both front and rear ends. It even comes with Toyota Safety suite that bundles Pre-Collision System, Automatic High Beam, Lane Tracing Assist, Lane Keeping Assist as well as a panoramic view monitor and blind spot indicators with rear cross traffic alert.
The Toyota Yaris Cross may have been billed as a starter car, and true, it is engineered largely for city driving. However, it supports almost every aspect of your life—from run-of-the-mill commutes to being the main vehicle for impromptu adventures. It is, you could say, a crossover that promotes work-life balance. The Yaris Cross may be a new nameplate in Toyota’s stable, but it’s fast becoming an option for many who need “the one” who could do it all. It is the perfect partner that can keep up with life’s many twists, turns, and surprises.
