After a series of teasers, rumours, and its eventual booking commencement, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has finally launched its long-awaited B-segment SUV model, the Toyota Yaris Cross.
This DNGA-based SUV is available in two variants, with prices starting from RM99,900 for the full combustion 1.5S, while the semi-electrified 1.5S HEV is retailed higher at RM109,990.
Both prices are inclusive of a standard 5-year unlimited mileage vehicle warranty, while the 1.5S HEV gets an 8-year or 160,000 km warranty for its hybrid system, and the latter can be further expanded to 10 years for an additional RM2,500.
Same Same But Different
While it is easy to think of the Yaris Cross as a fancier, Toyota-badged twin to the Perodua Traz, this Big-T B-SUV does have some key differences over its P2 underling.
For starters, the Yaris Cross is locally-assembled (CKD) at UMWT’s own plant in Bukit Raja instead of the Perodua Manufacturing Sdn Bhd (PMSB) plant in Rawang, and even its hybrid battery pack is being assembled at the same plant. For context, the Toyota Veloz is being built alongside the Perodua Alza at PMSB.
Another obvious difference lies in the visuals, where the Yaris Cross gets a sportier bodykit as standard. Up front, the Cross wears a trapezoid-shaped front grille that is flanked by sharp LED headlights, and the fog lamp housing is also different from the Traz.
From the side, the Yaris Cross is donned with sporty side skirts with functional roof rails on top, while riding on larger 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels shod in 215/55/R18 Toyo Proxes tyres—one inch larger than the Traz’s 17-incher.
Things are equally sporty at the Cross’s derriere, where it wears a sportier lower bumper garnish with a skid plate-like accent finished in silver. Toyota’s signature HEV emblem with a blue circle is also primed here, or at least on the 1.5S HEV variant.
Last but not least, a total of five colour options are offered to the Malaysian-spec Yaris Cross, namely Dark Turquoise, Platinum Pearl White, Silver Metallic, Spicy Scarlet SE, and Attitude Black. Mind you, none of them are available in a two-tone spec—a quick brownie point for the Traz here.
More Upscale Interior
The differences continue as we get inside the Yaris Cross, where the Big-T version gets a noticeably more upscale and simplistic cabin layout. Both variants have the same ‘S’ grade, which adds tons of amenities that are missing in their P2 twin.
Gone is the Traz’s overtly-styled, red-accented front dash setup, where the Cross instead settles for more subtle blue trims and accents, coupled with dark-hued synthetic leather upholstery.
As for the amenities, the Yaris Cross gets a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while the wireless charging pad comes standard to both variants. Rounding off the cabin amenities list are the blue-hued ambient lights on the centre console and door trims, an 8-way powered driver’s seat, as well as an optional front and rear dashcam (RM380).
Space is more or less similar for the Yaris Cross, where it also gets a 471-litre boot space as standard. Good news for future owners as Toyota still managed to find an extra space for a spare wheel for the HEV variant—something that is absent in many other hybrid vehicles.
Keen eyes will notice that the Cross’ steering wheel appears to look more ‘complete’ than the Traz, which is simply due to the full ADAS functions that come standard to it, courtesy of the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) active safety suite. It includes key ADAS functions like adaptive cruise control and auto high beam and certainly helps the Yaris Cross to achieve its five-star score in the ASEAN NCAP crash test.
Full Combustion and Hybrid Options Available
But nothing justified the RM20,000 premium the Cross carries over the Traz more than its powertrain, at least if you opt for the hybrid version.
The 1.5S HEV carries a familiar 1.5-litre 4-cyl 2NR-VEX naturally-aspirated petrol engine that is mated to an e-CVT gearbox and an electric motor. This HEV setup is the same one used on the Toyota Vios HEV, featuring a combined output of 111 PS with a pretty impressive fuel consumption rate of 27.8 km/l—the same figure that Toyota claimed for its aforementioned sedan twin.
As for the cheaper 1.5S variant, it uses the same, tried-and-trusted 1.5-litre 4-cyl 2NR-VE naturally-aspirated petrol engine delivering 106 PS and 138 Nm to the front wheels (FWD) via a CVT automatic gearbox with seven virtual speeds and paddle shifters.
