Small crossovers have been a hit in the Philippines for quite some time now. This was made more apparent when Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) brought in the Raize last year and it finished at the 7th position of overall sales for 2022. Still, there’s a significant gap between that and the bigger Corolla Cross.
TMP is now filling that space with the all-new Yaris Cross that has an entry price of PHP 1,199,000. That puts it in the same arena as the GAC GS3 Emzoom, Geely Coolray, and MG ZS-T. The Nissan Kicks is also in its crosshairs since the top of the line variant has a hybrid powertrain. With all that said, let’s see if this crossover has the potential to stand out.
First up are the variants. As mentioned earlier, it has a starting price of PHP 1,199,000 for the G CVT trim, followed by PHP 1,296,000 for the V CVT, and the S HEV model goes for PHP 1,598,000.
Powering the Yaris Cross is the 2NR-VE 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine that’s also used in the Avanza. It makes 105 HP and 138 Nm of torque, paired to a CVT. Meanwhile, the hybrid is run by the 2NR-VEX that’s also a 1.5-liter engine with a hybrid system that has a total output of 90 HP and 121 Nm of torque, also mated to a CVT.
The front face of the Yaris Cross looks like a mini RAV4 that was tastefully done. It doesn’t seem like a mere baby version, nor is it trying hard to be taken seriously. The sides are a bit plain, but they made up for that in the muscular rear. It’s also reminiscent of the RAV4 but has a taillight distinction that makes it unique.
Another thing to note is the new electrified proof of Toyota. Unlike before where their logo has a subtle blue shadow to denote it’s a hybrid, now there’s a new HEV emblem that sports a holographic circle. It’s a nice touch and further puts some elegance to the Yaris Cross.
If you’ve seen the Raize and the new Wigo, the cabin of the all-new Yaris Cross will surely be familiar to you. It has the same layout and slightly driver-centric orientation but the Yaris Cross moves past those with better soft touch materials. Space is also a non-issue as 5’7 me was able to fit in all seats without problem and the cargo area is also adequate.
G CVT
Future owners of the base variant Yaris Cross won’t be envious of the upper trims since there’s a lot of standard features across the lineup. The exterior shares the same LED lighting system from the headlights with manual levelling, DRL, fog lights, and the sexy taillights. The side mirrors are also more functional with its auto folding function.
Inside, you have a smart entry system, push start button, 7-inch digital gauge cluster, automatic climate control with rear air vents, 10.1-inch touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless charger, and even Type C ports at the back.
Safety is also well taken care of with its 6 airbags, speed sensing doorlocks, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Stability Control, Hill-Start Assist, and sensors on both front and rear.
V CVT
Move up PHP 99,000 more to the V CVT trim and you’ll have a lot of creature comforts to enjoy. For the body, the lights will have a follow-me-home function, slightly bigger 18-inch wheels, puddle lamps on the side mirror, and even a powered tailgate with kick sensor. Those alone can justify the increase in price but there’s more.
The cabin is upgraded to leather upholstery, there are paddle shifters, the driver will enjoy an 8-way powered seat, and there are now driving modes in Eco, Normal, and Power.
Toyota Safety Sense is also introduced in the V CVT trim. That includes the Pre-Collision System, Automatic High Beam, Lane Tracing Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Control. Add to that other niceties like Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Panoramic View Monitor or their 360-camera system. Suddenly, the increase in price looked puny.
S HEV
As the variant name implies, the top of the line S HEV has a hybrid powertrain and this is where most of the price jump went. The only other additional toys for this trim are panoramic sunroof, HV gauge cluster, EV drive mode, and a Pioneer 6-speaker system.
All else, even the wheel design, are similar to the V CVT. It’s only if you’re tall enough to see the presence or lack of a sunroof can you immediately determine if the Yaris Cross you see is an S HEV or V CVT.
The all-new Toyota Yaris Cross is now available in all Toyota dealerships nationwide. It’s available in Attitude Black Mica (G only), Greenish Gun Metal (G and V), Scarlet SE (all), and Dark Turquoise (V and S).
