Whats the vibe?
This little SUV is called the Yaris Cross because it’s basically a taller version of the much-loved and iconic Toyota Yaris. The two may look different on the outside, but under the skin, they share a lot, including Toyota’s efficient hybrid system.
Don’t get too caught up in the “SUV” part. If you’ve read our explainers, you’ll know these are just the new hatchbacks of today. What used to be a car park full of tiny Corollas and Barinas has slowly done the Pokémon evolving thing into a lineup of taller, chunkier cars.
Our week with the Yaris Cross was an easy one. It’s small, zippy, and impressively efficient. The hybrid setup makes it quiet around town, especially at low speeds. There’s a decent amount of tech too, with wireless Apple CarPlay. That said, don’t expect top-tier luxury, even in the highest spec, it doesn’t quite hit the polish of some rivals.
But if you’re after something small, smart and stress-free, this one fits the brief. Just maybe not if you're over six foot with a German Shepherd.
Ridiculously fuel efficient
Quiet at low speeds
Practical and simple interior
Loud when you put your foot down
The top version Urban isn't luxurious
The face could do with some botox
The Toyota Yaris Cross is a well-packaged little SUV that makes a lot of sense for city dwellers, especially if your daily routine includes traffic, tight parking, and painfully high fuel prices.
It's zippy, nimble, and with our fuel economy sitting at a ridiculous 4.6L/100km (for the all-wheel drive we had), this thing barely sips petrol. If you're commuting every day or just want to stop donating half your income to the servo, that stat alone is a major selling point.
At low speeds, the hybrid system lets the car cruise around almost silently, perfect for crawling in peak-hour traffic. But the flip side is, once you're at higher speeds or trying to accelerate quickly, the cabin gets noticeably noisy. It’s not unbearable, but it’s a reminder that you’re working with a small engine.
One of the more important things is that the base GX grade, which will cost you around $36,000 drive-away, doesn't include basic parking sensors. At that price, you'd expect more. You’ll need to step up to the GXL to get a better feature set, which already is almost $40k.
The Yaris Cross is at its best in the city. It's easy to manoeuvre, genuinely efficient, and benefits from Toyota’s reputation for reliability, resale value and surprisingly affordable servicing costs.
It’s a smart, practical choice for urban buyers who prioritise running costs and reliability over bells and whistles.
Overall, we would recommend this car if:
You're wanting something small and easy to drive
You won't have passengers every trip
You're not too tall
