Toyota Yaris-based compact SUV: This is IT!

The SUV segment is becoming popular not just in India but in international markets too. Japanese car manufacturer Toyota has now unveiled one such SUV for Europe that is based on the Yaris hatchback that is sold internationally. The compact SUV based on the Yaris hatchback is called Yaris Cross and is currently the smallest SUV from the manufacturer. While this particular Yaris Cross is meant for European markets, a version for India is likely to be developed. Toyota has hinted that it’s working on a compact SUV for the Indian market as well.

Toyota was planning to unveil the Yaris Cross SUV at the Geneva motor show this year but it got cancelled due to the ongoing Corona virus pandemic situation globally. The Yaris as mentioned above is the smallest SUV from the brand and will be positioned below C-HR. While this particular Yaris Cross is meant for European markets, a version for India is likely to be developed. Toyota has hinted that it’s working on a compact SUV for the Indian market as well.

The Yaris Cross SUV is a good looking SUV and gets a design language similar to other Toyota cars. As the car is based on the latest generation, Euro-spec Yaris platform, and the dimensions of the Cross version remains the same as the regular hatchback: Length is 4.18 meters while wheelbase stands at 2.56 meters. The front of the car gets the same headlamp as the hatchback but the grille and the bumper has been redesigned to give it an SUVish stance. The car gets black cladding around the wheels arches, side and the rear to give it a rugged look.

In comparison to the hatchback the ground clearance of the SUV version is more and it also gets sporty looking alloy wheels too. The car also gets all-wheel drive system. The LED tail lights have been slightly revised in terms of design in the Yaris Cross. On the inside, Yaris cross gets a well laid out interior with features like floating touchscreen infotainment system, ambient lighting and so on. The SUV is practical enough too. The floor in the boot can be adjusted and it also gets a split folding rear seat to generate more space for luggage.

In terms of engine, the Yaris Cross gets a Petrol Hybrid engine as standard. The engine is a 1.5 litre-4 cylinder naturally aspirated petrol paired to an electric motor. The AWD drive system only kicks in when it detects low grip. The petrol and the electric motor combined together generates 116 Bhp.  Toyota is likely to launch a rebadged Maruti vehicle in the market this year – the badge engineered Maruti Brezza Petrol Hybrid, and the Japanese automaker is also currently working on a facelift for Fortuner which is likely to launch in the market later this year.