Toyota Yaris Cross News

Toyota has lifted the lid on a new Yaris Cross with a fresh design that should breathe life into the ageing light SUV.However it looks like we won't see this update Down Under according to a Toyota Australia spokesperson."We are always reviewing opportunities to enhance our local line up, however, at this time, there are no current plans to introduce the updated European variant of the Yaris Cross in Australia."The facelift for the UK and European spec Yaris Cross introduces a new front-end design with a honeycomb mesh grille finished in the body colour, integrated into the front bumper.New LED headlight and daytime running light signatures also feature, as does a lower black cladding section, giving the light SUV a more modern look than the current Australian-spec model.Fresh 17 and 18-inch wheel designs and two new paint options - Precious Bronze with black roof and pillars as well as Persian Salt - are also available.Changes are more subtle inside where the Yaris Cross gains platinum coloured door trim and new sports seats on some grades.No changes have been made under the skin. It retains Toyota’s 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid powertrain outputting 96kW/185Nm for a 10.7-second 0-100km/h time.The Australian Yaris Cross also uses a 1.5-litre hybrid setup but it has a lower system output of 85kW and 141Nm.Toyota launched the Yaris Cross in late 2020 as a rival to the Mazda CX-3, Nissan Juke and Ford Puma.It was last updated for Australia midway through last year, gaining additional safety tech and some comfort features.Sales of the Yaris Cross are down by 18.5 per cent in the first quarter of the year, but Toyota has still managed to sell 2456 examples.It is running second in the light SUV sales segment behind the ageing Mazda CX-3 (3489), but it is ahead of the Suzuki Jimny 4x4 (1958), Koia Stonic (1437) and Hyundai Venue (1352).

A bold successor for the Mazda CX-3 is in the wings at last. Believed to be badged the CX-20, the company’s smallest SUV and second best-selling model after the evergreen CX-5 mid-sizer is set to surface sometime before the end of next year, as a 2027 model.

Toyota has announced a suite of safety upgrades to its Yaris hatchback and small Yaris Cross SUV in exchange for modest price rises across both car's line-ups.Starting at the new price of $28,990 before on-road costs for the entry Ascent Sport, all three Yaris grades, including the SX and ZR, now carry a low-speed acoustic vehicle alert system that warns drivers when it is using electric power.All three variants now also use R1234yf refrigerant for the climate control system, which emits substantially lower greenhouse gases compared to the outgoing R134a.The Ascent Sport also adds a parking support brake that activates autonomously when reversing if a crossing vehicle, object or pedestrian is detected and there is a collision risk, while the SX gains the same 16-inch wheels as the ZR.No changes have been made to the Yaris’ 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol-hybrid powertrain, which delivers 85kW to the front wheels.The Yaris Cross Hybrid receives the same improvements to its safety systems, including a parking support brake for the entry GX, an acoustic vehicle alert system across the board, as well as R1234yf refrigerant.The GX grade also adds a heating function for its exterior door mirrors.Power continues to be sourced from the same hybrid system as the Yaris, while all-wheel-drive versions add an additional rear electric motor generator (4kW/52Nm) to add extra traction in slipperier conditions.As before, customers can opt for premium paint for an additional $575 or two-tone paint (Urban and GR Sport variants only) for $1350.Toyota has sold 980 units of its Yaris Hybrid as of April, which is considerably fewer than the MG MG3 (3779), Mazda2 (1855) and Suzuki Swift (1275), despite seeing a 39.6 per cent increase in sales.The Yaris Cross Hybrid, meanwhile, continues to challenge the Mazda CX-3 (5390) after registering 3849 sales as of April, a 49.1 per cent year-to-date increase.

Geely is contemplating adding the Geome supermini/crossover electric vehicle to take on the BYD Dolphin and Hyundai Inster EVs in Australia, as well hybrids like the Toyota Yaris Cross and Subaru Crosstrek. If given the go-ahead, the keenly-priced, Kia Stonic-sized five-door Geome could land here with a mid-to-high $20,000 price tag, which could make it Australia’s cheapest new EV yet.

Is the Toyota bZ4X a sales disaster in Australia? Is Toyota failing at electric vehicles (EVs) generally? And why does senior management reckon there is a stink in the air for all the naysayers?

The head of Toyota’s performance brand, Gazoo Racing (GR), says for the car giant’s ‘go-fast’ arm to continue to grow, it may need an SUV as part of its line-up.

Some carmakers have some very conspicuous gaps in their product portfolios. There’s no rhyme or reason why, and no consistency across brands. Just the glaring holes that would surely make their lives – and not to mention their associated dealers – happier if filled with the right models. Here are the main offenders.

Toyota Australia has confirmed pricing for the updated Yaris Cross light SUV, now only slightly more expensive but offered with newer multimedia and safety tech.

Toyota has revealed a facelifted version of both the Yaris hatch and Yaris Cross small SUV in Japan.

Toyota's Yaris Cross light SUV has been refreshed in Europe, potentially previewing an update for the Australian version of the Hyundai Venue, Kia Stonic and Mazda CX-3 rival.