Toyota is road-testing the SUV version of the latest Yaris hatchback, the Yaris Cross. It is unclear if Toyota is planning to launch the SUV in India or use it as a component testing mule for a new Toyota-Maruti Suzuki SUV.
The Yaris Cross SUV utilises Toyota’s modular TNGA platform, which it shares with the latest generation Yaris hatchback. In terms of size, the Yaris Cross, with a total length of 4,180mm, slots between the Toyota Urban Cruiser and the Hyundai Creta.
The Yaris Cross only gets a single hybrid powertrain as an option. It uses a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine coupled with an electric motor. Toyota claims the ICE engine has a thermal efficiency of up to 40 per cent. The engine primarily powers the front wheels, but if the sensors detect loss of traction, the All-Wheel-Drive system activates. The AWD system helps the SUV in low-grip scenarios like rain, sand or snow.
The SUV initially went on sale in Europe and is now available in other Asian countries like Thailand and Singapore. Toyota could be planning an Indian launch or using the platform to test the hybrid powertrain. The hybrid powertrain could make its way into Toyota and Maruti Suzuki’s upcoming Creta-rivalling SUV. If the powertrain does come to India, expect multiple cost-cutting revisions and deletion of AWD.
The Toyota Urban Cruiser got a 4-Star crash test rating by the Global NCAP. The compact SUV by Toyota scored 13.52 points out of 17 for Adult Occupant Protection. As for Child Occupant Protection, its score was 36.68 out of a possible 49. The Toyota Urban Cruiser’s bodyshell and footwell got a stable rating, and the bodyshell was capable of withstanding further loadings.
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