Toyota has updated the little but big-selling Yaris Cross for the 2024 model year, and the massively popular crossover will now get a more powerful version of its hybrid powertrain.
More electric power
The new Yaris Cross Hybrid 130 uses the same 1.5-litre petrol engine as the existing 116hp version (which will from now on be badged as Hybrid 115) but gets an upgraded gearbox with a more powerful electric motor and a new electronic control unit, giving it a boost to 130hp, while the electric motor’s torque rises from 141Nm to 185Nm.
That results in a half-a-second improvement in the 0-100km/h time (now down to 10.7 seconds), and the 80-120km/h overtaking benchmark is brought down by 0.4 seconds to 8.9 seconds. Fuel economy is quoted at between 4.5 and 5.2 litres per 100km on the WLTP cycle, barely any higher than the 4.5-5.1 litres per 100km quoted for the Hybrid 115.
Responsive feel
Away from the bald figures, Toyota claims that the upgraded Hybrid 130 Yaris Cross now has: “car a more dynamic and responsive feel with acceleration and deceleration performance that adds enjoyment to every drive, with more responsive performance on urban streets and confident overtaking acceleration on the open road.”
The Japanese giant also claims that the extra electric power from the motor makes for better fuel economy at higher speeds, such as when cruising on the motorway.
Some trick electronics are also now included in the hybrid system. These can tell when the car is going up or downhill and can add extra torque from the electric motor to assist when going up or to slow the car slightly when heading down. There’s also a Predictive Efficient Drive, which gets to know your driving style, remembers your regular sat-nav routes, and automatically adjusts the hybrid battery’s output for maximum efficiency.
Better refinement
For the moment, the new Hybrid 130 will only be offered in the higher-specification Yaris Cross models, such as the Premiere Edition and the GR Sport, but specs and prices for Ireland have not yet been confirmed.
While there are no major mechanical changes - the Yaris Cross’ chassis and suspension are carried over - Toyota says that, responding to customer feedback, it has had a good go at making the Yaris Cross quieter and more refined. To do that, Toyota has fitted a dynamic damper to the left-side engine mount; a resonator has been fitted to the intake hose; the inner dash silencer has been changed from a single layer to a three-layer construction; and an extra layer of felt has been added to the cowl top silencer. To combat wind and road noise, thicker glass is used for the windscreen as well as front and rear side windows on all new Yaris Cross models.
New screens
In the cabin, there’s a new 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, which is customisable on higher-spec versions, and improvised processing speeds for the infotainment display in the centre. Basic models get a seven-inch digital instrument panel and a nine-inch infotainment screen, while high-spec versions get the new 12.3-inch instruments and a 10.5-inch infotainment screen. There’s also an optional head-up display.
The Toyota Smart Connect, with its cloud-based sat-nav system, has also been upgraded, and later in 2024, the Yaris Cross will get the option of a smartphone-based digital key.
Improved safety
Toyota has also upgraded the Yaris Cross’ safety package - the suite of electronic driver aids remains the same, but the forward-facing cameras and radar have been improved, and given a wider field of vision, while the likes of the adaptive cruise control now respond more quickly to the traffic situation. For the first time, the Yaris Cross now also comes with adaptive high-beam LED headlights.
You won’t spot any major changes on the outside - customers like the Yaris Cross’ cute styling, so it’s staying basically the same, but Toyota has added the option of a new paint colour - Urban Khaki - which looks rather smart. There are also new alloy wheels and an optional Juniper Blue finish for the cabin trim.