The Yaris Cross is underpinned by the same TGNA-B platform and 1.5-litre petrol hybrid powertrain as the Yaris but adds a heavy dollop of Toyota RAV4 styling with a gaping front grille and some angular wheelarches that are clad in tough-looking plastic.
There's no increase in wheelbase over the standard car, but a 30mm elevation in suspension gives the Yaris Cross a suitably SUV-style stance.
Unlike many rivals, the Toyota isn't all off-road mouth and no trousers (waterproof with plenty of pockets, natch), because you can actually specify a four-wheel drive version. The intelligent 4WD set-up (dubbed AWD-i) is similar to that seen in other hybrid Toyota and Lexus models and uses an electric motor to drive the rear axle at lower speeds, doing away with the need for a propshaft and transfer case. It doesn't make the Yaris Cross a full-on mud-plugger, but it means you're unlikely to be left stranded by a flurry of snow or trapped in a muddy festival car park.
As with the standard Yaris, the Yaris Cross is hybrid-only. Under its snub nose is a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that uses a clean-burning Atkinson-cycle and is hooked up to a pair of electric motors, all driving through the brand's familiar epiycylic power-splitting transmission (the one that's often mislabelled as a CVT).
The motors are powered by a compact 178V lithium ion battery that has enough energy to carry the Yars Cross in EV mode for a mile or so (although it tends to cut in for shortish periods only on light throttle openings to increase overall fuel efficiency).
In standard guise, this system delivers a combined output of 114bhp, while for 2024 the GR Sport and Premiere Edition get 129bhp, which is achieved through a combination of engine and motor tweaks.
Previous criticisms of the car's refinement mean that all 2024 models have been treated to extra soundproofing the front bulkhead, some hydraulic engine mounts, a revised induction tract and acoustic glass for the windscreen and side windows. Combined, these changes aim to make the Yaris Cross a quieter companion.
Given that it's essentially a Yaris on stilts, it's no surprise to find that the Yaris Cross uses the same suspension set-up as the supermini, with MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion-beam arrangement at the rear.
The entry-level Icon car gets 16in alloys and Design trim adds larger 17in rims, while Excel, GR Sport and Premiere Edition feature 18in wheels of varying styles.
There's also a special paint option and natty two-tone finish for the Premiere Edition, while the GR Sport gets a mesh grille for some sporty visual appeal.
