Toyota’s new Yaris Cross has arrived in Malaysia with the hybrid taking the more interesting slot in the range.
UMW Toyota Motor is offering the compact SUV in two locally assembled variants: the Yaris Cross 1.5S HEV at RM109,900 and the petrol-only Yaris Cross 1.5S at RM99,900.
Both prices are on-the-road without insurance. The model is assembled at Toyota’s Bukit Raja plant in Selangor, while the hybrid battery is also assembled in Malaysia.
The hybrid uses Toyota’s fourth-generation series-parallel hybrid system. It pairs a 1.5-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine producing 91 PS and 121 Nm with an electric motor rated at 80 PS and 141 Nm. Total system output is 111 PS, with drive sent to the front wheels through an e-CVT.
Toyota claims fuel consumption from 27.8 km/l to 33.3 km/l, depending on test conditions.
That makes the HEV the Yaris Cross variant to watch, especially for buyers who want lower fuel use without moving to a plug-in hybrid or EV. It is a self-charging hybrid, so there is no charging cable, wallbox or public charger routine to think about.
The petrol model uses the familiar 1.5-litre 2NR-VE naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, rated at 106 PS and 138 Nm, paired with a CVT. It is the cheaper option, but the two variants are broadly similar in grade, so the RM10,000 gap is mainly about the hybrid powertrain.
Toyota has also positioned the Yaris Cross above its Perodua Traz cousin.
The Traz does not get a hybrid option, while the Toyota brings extra kit such as a 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 7.0-inch digital meter display, blue cabin illumination and an eight-way powered driver’s seat.
The HEV adds items such as a wireless charger, illuminated scuff plates and synthetic leather upholstery with a breathable mesh pattern.
Practical numbers are decent for the class. Boot space is listed at 471 litres for the petrol version and 465 litres for the hybrid, with a 200 mm-deep underfloor compartment.
Ground clearance is 210 mm, while the claimed water-wading depth is 600 mm, which should appeal to urban SUV buyers in Malaysia.
Safety kit includes six airbags and Toyota Safety Sense, with features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping control, pre-collision braking, automatic high beam, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, panoramic view monitor and parking sensors.
The Yaris Cross comes with a five-year, unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty. For the HEV, Toyota adds an eight-year, unlimited-mileage warranty for the hybrid battery, inverter and power management control ECU, extendable to 10 years.
