New Toyota Yaris Cross 2021 detailed: Mazda CX-3 and Hyundai Venue rival lands in Japan with full specs revealed

Toyota’s Yaris Cross light SUV has arrived in Japan, bringing with it a full breakdown of specs and features.

While the Japanese-market variants won’t necessarily match the cars that arrive in Australia, it does confirm some things that we didn’t know about Toyota’s all-new challenger crossover.

For starters, we knew the Yaris Cross would come with a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine, but we now know the details of both the hybrid and non-hybrid versions.

Hybrid versions have power outputs of 67kW/120Nm (supplemented by the hybrid motor), while non-hybrids have that output upped to 88kW/145Nm. It is also confirmed to have an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system for both, with the hybrid version having a new ‘E-Four’ electrically assisted technology. A multi-terrain select function will enable ‘Mud & Sand’ and ‘Rock & Dirt’ modes for AWD variants, while downhill assistance control will also be available.

The AWD Yaris Cross comes with a mild dose of off-road attitude.

Combined fuel usage (rated to WLTP standards) ranges from 5.7L/100km for the AWD non-hybrid, to just 3.2L/100km for the most efficient hybrid 2WD.

Dimensions have also been revealed, with the Yaris Cross measuring 4180mm long, by 1765mm wide and 1590mm tall, confirming its segment rivals as the Mazda CX-3 and Hyundai Venue. Toyota has also confirmed a 390-litre boot capacity, larger than the both the CX-3 and Venue. The Yaris Cross will also have a flexible 40/20/40 split-folding second row, allowing the centre seat to be independently lowered.

A 390-litre boot capacity places the Yaris Cross at the large end of the light SUV segment.

The Yaris Cross’ active safety suite standard in Japan includes autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian (night & day) and cyclist (day only) detection, lane departure warning with lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, adaptive high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lateral wind control (the first appearance of this on a Toyota vehicle), and traffic sign recognition.

Other features that the Yaris Cross will have in its inventory internationally include a head-up display, soft touch dash finish, semi-digital instrument cluster and six-way electronically adjustable front seats, as well as the interesting addition of a 1.5kW power outlet in hybrid models that can “power electrical appliances” and “serve as an emergency power source in cases such as blackouts.”

Toyota promises soft-touch interior materials alongside a healthy suite of tech features for the Yaris Cross.

Stay tuned as we learn more about which of these features will make it to Australian-specified vehicles for the Yaris Cross’ local launch, which is slated for late 2022.