2021 Toyota Yaris Cross Unveiled As Europe’s Go-Anywhere Subcompact Crossover

Toyota has finally released the first photos and information on its Yaris-based SUV, appropriately named the Yaris Cross.

Offering more room, an increased ground clearance and the option of all-wheel drive, the Toyota Yaris Cross will become the third member of the Yaris family when it launches in Europe in mid-2021. Joining the regular Yaris subcompact hatch and the GR Yaris hot hatch, the Yaris Cross is larger than both.

While the wheelbase is the same at 2,560 mm (100.8 in), the crossover is 240 mm (9.4 in) longer at 4,180 mm (164.5 in). The Yaris Cross is also 20 mm (0.8 in) wider and 90 mm (3.5 in) taller than the Yaris.

Despite that, it’s still small enough to avoid stepping on the Toyota C-HR‘s toes. Compared to the larger crossover, it appears less controversial from a styling standpoint, adopting a more conventional look. Some could say it looks like a mini-me Toyota RAV4, with the similar front end, generous plastic body cladding, flared wheel arches and overall SUV feel.

The two-tone paintwork seen in these photos also reminds of the RAV4, with the Yaris Cross getting a brand new paint called Brass Gold. Customers will be able to fit it with wheels as large as 18 inches, adding to the SUV’s athletic stance.

The fact that it’s larger than the Yaris results in a roomier interior featuring 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats and more luggage space (no figures are available for the moment). Toyota will even offer the option of an electric tailgate for an easier loading and unloading of cargo. Speaking of the cargo compartment, it features a height-adjustable floor, can be split in two separate sections and also comes with belts to secure objects in place.

While many competitors are equally practical, very few offer the option of all-wheel drive and none offers the combination of a hybrid powertrain and AWD. The Toyota Yaris Cross does, pairing the all-wheel-drive system with a hybrid powertrain consisting of a 1.5-liter three-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor.

The total output is the same as the Yaris at 116 PS (114 HP / 85 kW) and Toyota promises CO2 emissions of less than 120 g/km for the FWD model and 135 g/km for the AWD variant, as per WLTP. The combustion engine can power the Yaris Cross alone in front-wheel-drive mode, with the electric motor kicking in to power the rear axle when poor grip conditions are detected.

The Toyota Yaris Cross will be built alongside the Yaris hatch at the Valenciennes factory in France. The company plans to make more than 150,000 units a year. The new model, which will go up against rivals like the Renault Captur, Nissan Juke and Ford Puma, will go on sale in Europe in the summer of 2021.