Once I wrote up my checklist of latest Toyota GR Sport mannequin predictions, I certain as hell didn’t have the Yaris Cross scoring the remedy earlier than, say, the Corolla hatch, or the HiLux ute.
In reality, when Toyota introduced it was including a Yaris Cross GR Sport Hybrid to its vary, I virtually spat my espresso throughout the room.
It appeared so incongruous to me – that is an city SUV that isn’t sporty. It wasn’t presupposed to be sporty. It wasn’t making an attempt to be sporty. And, I believed, it didn’t want a sporty model to reinforce its attraction.
However then once more, I didn’t see the GR Yaris sizzling hatch being nearly as good because it was, nor as in demand because it has been. And, whereas absolutely it’s essential to stipulate that GR Sport is a distinctly totally different provide to a full-fat GR product, possibly there may be extra to this oh-so-Japanese ‘Gazoo Racing’ model than meets the attention.
So right here we’re, with the GR Sport model of the Yaris Cross, which scores retuned suspension, exterior badging, new inside trim bits and a mid-range worth level. All the small print are under.
For the report, I didn’t truly write a listing of GR Sport mannequin predictions – I’m not that large of a loser.
How a lot does the Toyota Yaris Cross GR Sport 2WD Hybrid price?
The Yaris Cross vary was already broad, and the addition of the GR Sport 2WD Hybrid mannequin might truly appear a bit complicated.
It doesn’t actually have a spot to suit comfortably, although Toyota managed to squeeze it in simply above the City 2WD Hybrid grade.
2023 Toyota Yaris Cross pricing:
Yaris Cross GX
2WD Petrol: $26,9902WD Hybrid: $28,990AWD Hybrid: $31,990
Yaris Cross GXL
2WD Petrol: $29,9902WD Hybrid: $31,990AWD Hybrid: $34,990
Yaris Cross GR Sport
2WD Hybrid: $35,840 (NEW)
Yaris Cross City
2WD Petrol: $32,9902WD Hybrid: $34,990AWD Hybrid: $37,990
Costs exclude on-road prices
Does it have any rivals? Not likely, until you have a look at its in-house rival, the C-HR GR Sport Hybrid ($37,665), which is technically the subsequent measurement up, being classed as a small SUV fairly than a lightweight SUV just like the Yaris Cross.
Not hybrid, however like-minded sporty-ish compact crossover rivals embrace the Ford Puma ST-Line and ST-Line V, Kia Stonic GT-Line and Renault Captur R.S. Line.
What’s the Toyota Yaris Cross GR Sport 2WD Hybrid like on the within?
There are some good bits, such because the GR-embossed entrance seats with faux suede and pretend leather-based. They’re comfortable and supportive, and the very fact the trim continues in lashings throughout the again seat is sweet, too.
There’s a ‘sports activities’ steering wheel with leather-based bits, which additionally scores GR badging, although the controls generally is a little tough to get used to.
The cabin doesn’t really feel in any other case sporty. In reality, it in any other case feels a bit drab.
The 7.0-inch touchscreen media system is ample; and I like that it has very grabbable dials and buttons, as does the local weather management system under.
However the display screen show measurement is small by present requirements, and whereas I admire the notion of a surround-view digicam, the pixelated view you get is fairly lacklustre. For what it’s value, the Chinese language manufacturers have largely nailed the digicam high quality conundrum.
At the very least the display screen has satellite tv for pc navigation, AM/FM and DAB radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wired) and there’s a second USB port (1x USB-C, 1x USB-A) within the dashboard – which different variations miss out on.
Opinions are divided on the digital instrument cluster structure, which incorporates two small digital dials, and a center, 4.2 inch show.
A part of me thinks that it’s a novel method to the design, however one other a part of me thinks it appears to be like previous already – particularly when so many manufacturers are transferring in the direction of digital instrument panels as commonplace, even in low cost fashions. At the very least it’s very simple to see every little thing at a look.
There are loads of open storage caddies which, if you recognize a bit in regards to the improvement strategy of automobiles, is a transparent indication of price financial savings – as a result of lids and the mechanisms they require, properly, cash.
That could be okay for you in the event you’re within the “lids simply get in the best way and waste my time anyway!” crowd, however when it comes on the expense of a centre console and armrest and means there’s solely the glovebox or the boot for “out of sight” storage, then it’s a bit annoying.
There are many storage bins although – a pair between the entrance seats, massive door cubbies, and a receptacle on the dashtop close to the display screen.
Within the again there are bottle holders within the doorways, a map pocket, and entry to a cup holder in the back of the part between the entrance seats.
Plus, in the event you decrease the center part of the again seat (it’s a 40:20:40 association) then you could have entry to a pair of cup holders, or you might use it as a ski port in the event you be sure to safe no matter is holstered there.
Passenger house is sweet for a automobile on this class. I might sit behind my very own driving place (I’m 182cm) and there was sufficient foot, knee and headroom for me to be comfortable. Three adults my measurement throughout the again received’t be a goer, and nor would three youngster seats.
Not that you just’d need to try to hitch three child seats within the again, not to mention get three children within the automobile. As is a typical challenge with the present technology of Toyota fashions, the rear doorways don’t open very broad, so loading something that isn’t your self into the again seat generally is a little bit of a job.
Relaxation assured there are ISOFIX factors within the window seats, and a trio of top-tether hooks as properly.
Simply word, although, that there aren’t any rear directional air vents, and there’s no USB charging current within the again, both. The window line additionally takes upwards fairly sharply, and the darkish headlining does make it really feel much more claustrophobic – some children received’t prefer it right here.
The boot is fairly intelligent, too. It has a dual-floor setup which means you’ll be able to have a flat load-in lip (and flat load-through over the again seats when folded) however much less storage, or a much bigger cavity that you need to drop stuff into over the again ledge.
The boot capability in max mode to the “parcel shelf” is 390 litres. The inverted commas there are as a result of the shelf could be as helpful as placing anvil in a bowl of jelly.
There’s additionally a space-saver spare wheel within the boot, below the second layer flooring.
What’s below the bonnet?
The Yaris Cross GR Sport comes with the hybrid powertrain. You possibly can’t get it as a petrol-only mannequin.
Which means it runs a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine teamed as much as a pair of entrance motor turbines and a battery pack, all of which work collectively for a mixed 85kW of energy, in line with Toyota. There is no such thing as a mixed torque determine acknowledged, however the engine is seemingly rated to 120Nm.
So, there isn’t any energy bump for the GR Sport, and Yaris Cross Hybrid fashions use a CVT (repeatedly variable transmission) automated.
This spec is front-wheel drive solely – there are all-wheel-drive hybrid fashions out there if that’s what you like, you simply received’t get it with GR bits.
How does the Toyota Yaris Cross GR Sport 2WD Hybrid drive?
My companion typically drives the automobiles I’ve to check, and I actually worth her “I’m not a motoring journalist” opinion.
And it’s truthful to say, she didn’t suppose this automobile was sporty in any method, form, or kind. So… possibly these GR bits actually are a waste of time.
She stated she completely will get that it’s making an attempt to be sporty, however that it would attraction extra to those that discover aqua aerobics, garden bowls, or hardcore mountain climbing on paved paths along with your strolling sticks to be sporty endeavours.
Suffice to say, she didn’t prefer it – and I didn’t suppose it justified being brandished with the GR badge, both.
The modifications to the chassis could be vital: lowered (10mm) retuned suspension “that improves dealing with and sharpens the steering response and really feel”, in addition to a sure stopper being added to “management physique roll and enhance journey consolation”, to not point out extra bracing entrance and rear – however they may have been more practical if the model had additionally upgraded the tyres.
The sporty 18-inch rims are shod with uninspiring Falken Azenis 215/50/18 rubber – tyres that aren’t going to be talked about in the identical breath as a Pilot Sport or P Zero. And admittedly, after I gave this automobile a fang, I ran out of tyre expertise earlier than the chassis was able to cease.
Nevertheless it must be stated: the steering could be a bit higher than the usual Yaris Cross (you’d must drive them back-to-back to actually get an excellent judgement on that), and likewise the suspension could be slightly decrease and slightly extra desperate to hunker down, however I used to be left underwhelmed by the “GR-ness”.
It additionally felt extra uneasy at freeway speeds, with the physique transferring round a bit greater than some drivers could admire.
After which there’s the powertrain; which goes to be wonderful in the event you simply need a automobile to software round city, to the retailers and college, and never a lot else. As a result of a firecracker, it ain’t.
It makes loads of noise, emits loads of vibration and feels lots like its out of puff if you ask a lot of this three-cylinder petrol-electric combine, however if you end up doing what I advised – simple going city driving – you’ll word how keen it’s to dip out and in of EV mode, and it’ll do this heaps.
Nevertheless it’s the ugliness with which it has to name on the three-pot and CVT to lurch again into life below laborious throttle and serenade these within the cabin with its incessant gurgling that basically does make this automobile really feel a bit, properly, incorrect.
A have a look at the tailgate badging symbolises the confusion of this automobile’s drive expertise.
What do you get?
As talked about, the Toyota Yaris Cross GR Sport 2WD Hybrid slides in simply above the extra primo-focused City 2WD Hybrid grade on worth, however it truly builds its gear checklist on the lower-spec GXL 2WD Hybrid.
Yaris Cross GR Sport highlights:
18-inch wheels in two-tone designRed brake calipers with GR logos (entrance) Distinctive entrance grille with black meshRear diffuserBlack mirror capsGR badgingSport entrance seats Gray artificial leather-based, perforated black suede upholsteryLight gray stitching Aluminium pedals Gunmetal trim highlightsGR logos on the headrests, steering wheel, and good keysAdditional USB-C port within the dashNanoe2X air ioniser
That’s above the Yaris Cross GXL’s specification:
LED headlightsLED daytime working lightsLED rear fog lamps7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system Wired Apple CarPlay, Android AutoSatellite navigationSurround-view camera3-year subscription to Toyota Related ServicesDigital instrumentsKeyless entry, push-button startDrive mode selector (Sport, Eco, Regular)40:20:40 split-fold rear seatsSpace-saver spare wheel
Color choices embrace the no-cost Ink Mica black hue, whilst you’ll pay $575 for Lunar Blue metallic, Frosted White crystal pearl, Gorgeous Silver metallic, and Atomic Rush crimson.
Want the two-tone seem like you see right here? You possibly can pay $1350 to have it in Atomic Rush with black metallic, or Frosted White with Ink Mica.
Is the Toyota Toyota Yaris Cross GR Sport 2WD Hybrid secure?
For those who purchase some other model of the Yaris Cross, it comes with a five-star ANCAP security score. For some purpose, ANCAP particularly states that GR Sport doesn’t get the identical top-notch security rating.
I requested ANCAP about this, and a spokesperson instructed me that Toyota hasn’t put ahead the paperwork for it to be checked and assigned a score – so, no 5 star rating is probably going for this model.
Nonetheless, being based mostly on the GXL grade, there may be loads of great things safety-wise within the GR Sport, together with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a {surround} view digicam system – none of which seem within the base GX.
All variations rating autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and bike owner detection, and there’s lane preserving help and adaptive cruise management with lane-centring tech, too.
The Yaris Cross is nifty in that it has a pair of entrance centre airbags to cease head-clashes within the occasion of a T-bone accident. There are additionally twin entrance, entrance aspect and full-length curtain airbags, for a complete of eight.
How a lot does the Toyota Toyota Yaris Cross GR Sport 2WD Hybrid price to run?
As with all Toyota fashions, the Yaris Cross is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, which might prolong out to seven years for the powertrain in the event you keep logbook servicing.
Purchase a hybrid model and have the automobile checked yearly at a Toyota dealership, you’ll stand up to 10 years of hybrid battery guarantee included (with battery well being checks executed at each service).
Servicing is due each 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first, with the primary 5 companies capped at $250 every. Very reasonably priced certainly.
However, you have to so as to add 100 bucks a 12 months or so to your price range if you need roadside help, which isn’t included for any Toyota mannequin.
Speak about flying within the face of custom. It was that in the event you purchased the sporty model of a automobile, it used like 15-20 per cent extra juice. Not any extra.
The Yaris Cross GR Sport 2WD Hybrid has a stunningly low official mixed cycle gas consumption determine of simply 3.8 litres per 100 kilometres.
I noticed the journey pc dip properly under that, hovering at 3.3L/100km over some 80km/h arterial street touring on my take a look at loop. However total, after per week of driving in summer time warmth (temp low, fan excessive on the A/C) I noticed a return of 4.8L/100km.
For context, I additionally not too long ago drove the upgraded 1.8L hybrid four-cylinder within the Corolla Hatch, which was displaying 5.1L/100km pushed in very related situations, and it’s a significantly extra refined powertrain in practically each scenario.
For additional context, the AWD Yaris Cross hybrid fashions have official figures of 4.0L/100km, and the petrol front-wheel drive variations are comparative guzzlers, utilizing 5.4L/100km.
The petrol fashions have a 42-litre gas tank, whereas hybrid variations run a 36-litre tank. All can run on 91 RON common unleaded petrol, too.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Toyota Yaris Cross GR Sport 2WD Hybrid
Perhaps I needs to be working in Toyota’s product planning group, as a result of I actually don’t suppose there ought to have been a GR Sport model of the Yaris Cross… at the very least, not with this powertrain and never with the tyres which have been fitted.
It’s a fairly spectacular compact SUV in loads of ways in which matter – it’s properly packaged, tremendous environment friendly, low cost to personal and run, secure, and fairly good trying – however the expectations for somebody who is aware of what GR is meant to be about, and buys into the thought of it, won’t be met.
They definitely weren’t met for me.
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MORE: All the pieces Toyota Yaris Cross
