Yaris Cross Reviews
Auto Express: 4/5
“The new Yaris Cross effectively packages what we’ve come to like about the latest Yaris into a compact SUV body with no needless surprises or alterations. The hybrid drivetrain takes little getting used to and is easy to extract fantastic efficiency from."
“With little effort, you’ll cover a lot of ground on electric power. On our test route, more than half the journey was completed on electricity; 66.5mpg was the end result with no effort on our part, and that’s a figure that outstrips the official claims. Put a bit of effort in and rely on Eco mode’s softer power map, and you might even hit 80mpg."
“It could be a great company car option too, thanks to CO2 emissions from as low as 102g/km.”
Car Buyer: 4.1/5
“Toyota has been a world-leader for hybrids, and the system now works better than ever. It’s easy to drive in EV mode at speeds of up to 30mph for short distances, and we found that even on mixed roads, the Yaris Cross ran on electric power for around half the time."
“It’s possible to save money without sacrificing driving fun, too, because the Yaris Cross offers decent acceleration and the same neat handling as its smaller sibling. [It] also has responsive steering and resists body lean well, making it feel nippy and confidence-inspiring."
“The interior feels built to last and there are conventional knobs and switches for the climate control that are easy to use while driving. A nine-inch central touchscreen and seven-inch digital dial cluster in the instrument binnacle provide plenty of information and come with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to boost connectivity.”
Heycar: 8/10
“Sharing so many parts with the latest Toyota Yaris hatchback, there’s no way the Yaris Cross could have been anything less than excellent. It’s fun to drive, has a solid interior and comes fully-loaded for the money."
“The most impressive thing about the Yaris Cross is its efficiency – with its petrol-electric hybrid engine set-up meaning it’ll be as cheap as chips to run."
“It’s surprisingly fun to drive, responding eagerly to steering inputs and not wallowing about too much for a small SUV. The Yaris Cross is an ideal choice for a trendy urbanite who wants a car that looks great but won’t cost a fortune to run.”
The Telegraph: 4/5
“You can immediately feel the distance between this and the Yaris hatchback. There’s more room and it feels larger and better appointed. The fascia is clearly derived from that of the Yaris but it has better storage space, with a full touchscreen and separate digital heating and ventilation controls."
“The three-cylinder engine… is a gutsy unit which, along with the stored energy in the battery, provides a peppy getaway where the climbing engine revs bear a close relationship to the rising road speed."
“The suspension feels firm but not harsh, with a decent progression over bump. There’s a lot of anti-roll behaviour in the chassis, which… also makes it quite playful if you lift-off mid-corner.”
What Car?: 4/5
“The Yaris Cross is a mix of two things that [Toyota] does well: small hybrid cars and SUVs. The electric motor gives it plenty of shove off the line, and the Yaris Cross will run solely on electric power around town if you’re gentle with the accelerator. This makes it quieter than its petrol-only rivals, and indeed easier on fuel."
“The majority of models… are front-wheel drive but the higher trims offer four-wheel drive. That’s rare in the small SUV class and makes the Yaris Cross more capable on muddy trails and slippery fields."
“The 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.”
Express & Star
“Behind the wheel… you sit high, which makes visibility great, with the steering nicely weighted, which makes slow moving traffic and country roads equally relaxing to drive. It’s comfortable too, with the soft suspension not translating to too much lean when cornering."
“The most impressive aspect of the Yaris Cross’s cabin is how spacious it feels. The car feels very narrow when threading through gaps in traffic, but it feels impressively roomy from the driver’s seat, while rear passengers have an acceptable amount of legroom. The overall ambience is one of solid build quality."
“It looks great, has decent practicality, is comfortable to drive and has excellent equipment. And if our testing is anything to go by, running costs should be incredibly low. Safe to say Toyota has a winner on its hands here.”
Yes Auto
“Toyota’s hybrid system is one of the best on the market. It’ll default to electric readily at low speeds but will actually hold onto EV mode all the way to 80mph if you’re careful."
“Essentially this means town driving is a breeze. There’s punchy acceleration off the line but also quiet progress, plus the Yaris Cross has light steering and modest dimensions for darting through urban areas. Standard rear parking sensors and rear camera help here too."
“The Yaris Cross has rocked up and instantly proven itself to be one of the best small SUVs you can buy. It’s good to drive, genuinely very frugal in the real world and comes stacked with equipment for the price.”
