Toyota Yaris Cross Launches In Japan One Year Ahead Of Europe, Starts From $17,000

Toyota may have designed the Yaris Cross with European customers in mind but the subcompact SUV has also been confirmed for Japan.

In fact, Japanese customers are the first to buy the Yaris Cross, which has gone on sale on August 31 across the country. Looking exactly like the European model and based on the TNGA platform (GA-B), Japan’s Toyota Yaris Cross offers two powertrains.

Base models get a 1.5-liter three-cylinder Dynamic Force Engine mated to a Direct Shift-CVT, available with either front-wheel-drive or four-wheel drive with ‘Multi-terrain Select’ function. The engine delivers 120 PS (118 HP) at 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm (107 lb-ft) of torque between 4,800 and 5,200 rpm.

Toyota also offers a hybrid model which combines the 1.5-liter petrol engine with a small electric motor and battery for an unspecified system output. On its own, the ICE makes 91 PS (90 HP) at 5,500 rpm and 120 Nm (88.5 lb-ft) of torque between 3,800 and 4,800 rpm.

The electric motor produces 80 PS (79 HP) and 141 Nm (104 lb-ft) of torque. The hybrid model comes with FWD as standard or electric 4WD (E-Four) as an option. Toyota claims the Yaris Cross hybrid achieves a class-leading 30.8 km/L (3.2 l/100 km or 72.4 mpg US) in the WLTC cycle.

From a practicality standpoint, Toyota says the gasoline-powered 2WD Yaris Cross offers a luggage capacity of 390 liters (13.8 cu ft), a 40/20/40-split rear seat and 60/40 split height-adjustable boot floor. A power tailgate is available as an option.

All models come equipped with a TFT color LCD multi-information display, Display Audio (DA) and Data Communication Module (DCM) as standard, offering SmartDeviceLink (SDL), Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

In Japan, all models come with the Toyota Safety Sense suite as standard, excluding the base ‘B package’ trim level. The pack includes Toyota Teammate Advanced Park advanced driving and parking support system which features Full Speed Range Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), and an Adaptive Hi-beam System (AHS). Safety tech also includes Pre-collision Safety System, Low Speed Acceleration Control, Emergency Steering Assist, and Road Sign Assist (RSA).

Unlike the European model which will be made in France, the Yaris Cross for Toyota’s home market is made in Japan. Prices range from 1,798,000 yen ($17,000) for the base ‘B package’ model with the 1.5-liter Dynamic Force Engine and front-wheel drive to $26,600 for the range-topping Hybrid Z E-Four model.

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