Toyota Yaris Cross launched as new rival to Hyundai Creta

The B-size SUV is completely different from the Yaris Cross sold in Europe, and is exclusively for the Southeast Asian market.

The new Toyota Yaris Cross is developed from the DNGA (Daihatsu New Global Architecture) platform of the subsidiary Daihatsu, shared with many other products of the Japanese company in the Southeast Asian market. These include the Toyota Avanza , the new generation Yaris sedan, Raize , or Vios .

The new crossover is positioned above the Raize and below the Corolla Cross , competing directly with the Hyundai Creta. The car is 4,310 mm long, 1,770 mm wide, 1,615 mm high, which is slightly smaller than its competitor, but the Yaris Cross's wheelbase is 2,620 mm, which is 10 mm larger than the Creta.

The exterior of the Yaris Cross has familiar lines, partly similar to the Highlander, partly similar to the Corolla Cross. The front end is flat and slightly protruding forward, with angular headlights. The bumper is located high below the glossy black trapezoidal grille. The mudguards are black, contrasting with the car's paint color. The rear end is also square, with sharp and horizontal taillights.

The dashboard is multi-layered, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system sitting in the center of the dashboard. The digital gauges are 7 inches, and the rest is a bunch of physical buttons.

The Yaris Cross features a panoramic sunroof, electric driver's seat, ambient lighting, wireless phone charging, hands-free trunk opening, electronic handbrake and auto brake hold assist, and 6 airbags. In addition, the SUV also has a blind spot monitoring system with rear collision warning, hill start assist, electronic balance, ABS brakes, electronic brake force distribution, parking sensors, and the Toyota Safety Sense safety package.

Toyota Yaris Cross launched as new rival to Hyundai Creta — Digital clock, touchscreen for infotainment system, and surrounded by many physical buttons. Photo: *Toyota*

The new SUV also features the T Intouch connectivity system - a feature already available on some Toyota models in some markets. The technology allows owners to connect to the Yaris Cross via an app with a number of useful features such as locating the vehicle or setting up maintenance schedules.

The Yaris Cross is powered by a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 104 horsepower and 138 Nm of torque. The second option is a hybrid powertrain that combines the 1.5 engine and an electric motor. Toyota has not announced the combined power of the hybrid system, but the gasoline engine produces 90 horsepower and 121 Nm, while the electric motor produces 79 horsepower and 141 Nm. e-CVT transmission.

Toyota Yaris Cross launched in Indonesia on May 15, but the sale date has not been announced. The expected price is 20,300-27,000 USD. In this country, Hyundai Creta is priced at 19,700-27,600 USD.

VnExpress sources said that the B-size crossover will likely be launched in the Vietnamese market around August with a hybrid engine to compete with rivals such as Hyundai Creta or Kia Seltos . Currently, Creta is the best-selling model in the segment but does not have a hybrid engine. The success of the Corolla Cross with a hybrid engine will be the basis for Toyota Vietnam to sell its younger crossover model with the same hybrid engine.