Toyota Yaris Cross | Toyota's Smallest Hybrid SUV | 2022 MY |

Yaris Cross is powered by Toyota’s fourth generation hybrid electric technology, a system which made its debut on the new Yaris hatchback. At its heart is a three-cylinder, 1.5-litre hybrid engine that has the same basic structure and operation as the larger two-litre unit featured in the Toyota Corolla and C-HR. A long stroke, high-speed combustion, high 14:1 compression ratio and temperature and pressure control help the Atkinson cycle unit achieve high, 40 per cent thermal efficiency, so more energy is used to power the car from every drop of fuel. The engine is quieter during acceleration and its maximum power and torque are achieved at lower engine speeds – 90bhp/68kW at 5,500rpm and 120Nm between 3,600 and 4,800 rpm. Maximum output for the total system (engine and electric motors) is 114bhp/85kW. Fuel economy and CO2 emissions (WLTP combined) are 54.6-64.2mpg fuel economy and 100-117g/km g/km (class-leading 55.2-55.4mpg and 115-116g/km with AWD-i). The compact hybrid transaxle includes an electric motor/generator giving more power and better response than the previous generation Toyota system. The 580V motor produces 59 kW and 141Nm of torque. The power control unit has a more compact design and a higher power density. It can control more than 100A of current and boosts the 177.6V of the lithium-ion hybrid battery to 580V. Its vertically arranged transistors and efficient cooling system allow for transistor switching up to 10,000 times a second. Yaris Cross uses a lithium-ion hybrid battery, with efficiency and power enhanced by reducing the resistance within the cells. The 177.6V unit can produce double the amount of energy under braking and supply 50 per cent more power when accelerating, compared to the nickel-metal hydride battery featured in the previous generation Yaris Hybrid. As well as being more powerful, it is lighter too, the complete assembly weighing 27kg, which further contributes to the car’s all-round efficiency. The increased contribution from the battery helps enable a higher percentage of EV driving on urban journeys, with zero emissions and zero fuel consumption. The new Yaris Cross can comfortably cover a high proportion of around-town trips and commutes for European customers. Zero emissions driving is possible at speeds at up to 81mph. Key to achieving the dynamic goal is Toyota’s GA-B small car platform, which has already proved its quality underpinning the new Yaris hatchback. It enables a low centre of gravity and a good front/rear weight balance, with heavy components positioned low and closer to the to the middle of the car. This reduces body roll and gives precise chassis response to the driver’s inputs. Yaris Cross is the only compact hybrid SUV to offer an intelligent all-wheel drive system (AWD-i). Toyota’s well-proven technology is a hybrid system that deploys an additional, independent electric motor on the rear axle to provide extra grip and stability when pulling away and cornering, and extra safety when driving on slippery surfaces. The balance of front and rear drive torque is automatically and precisely adjusted between 100:0 and 40:60 according to the driving conditions and driver inputs. The design is compact and lightweight compared to mechanical AWD systems, so there is only modest impact on the vehicle’s fuel and emissions efficiency – in fact, performance is class-leading for a B-segment SUV with AWD. When pulling away, drive force is determined according to front and rear load distribution, with additional rear-wheel drive provided on slippery surfaces to help avoid wheelspin, even when on a slope. In constant-speed driving, the vehicle runs in front-wheel drive for better fuel economy and braking performance. Reflecting Yaris Cross’s authentic SUV quality, the system has selectable modes for normal driving, “Trail” and “Snow”. The mode selected is shown on the multi-information display, together with the proportion of front and rear wheel drive moment-by-moment. A new MacPherson strut front suspension has been adopted for Yaris Cross giving high rigidity yet light weight and adding to the car’s agility and fun-to drive character. At the rear there’s a torsion beam system for the front-wheel drive version, and a specific double wishbone arrangement for the all-wheel drive models to accommodate the additional electric motor on the rear axle, providing a high level of ride comfort, stability and controllability. In tuning the suspension, there was a focus on crisp cornering performance and enhanced line-tracing, whether driving around town or on the open road, with optimized inertia specifications and a reduced roll ratio that also contributes to overall ride comfort.