Toyota’s efficient petrol-electric entry to the compact crossover class goes under the knife for some mid-life updates
There are few greater automotive bandwagons on which to jump than launching a compact crossover. Toyota was late to the game with its Toyota Yaris Cross, which didn’t join the brand’s line-up until 2021. Riding on the coat-tails of the Toyota Yaris nameplate it as least had solid foundations, and over the last few years has proved to be a capable and extremely efficient addition to the line-up, not to mention one of the Japanese giant’s biggest sellers.Now Toyota has treated the high-riding supermini to a bit of a mid-life refresh, although the changes are relatively minor. Perhaps the biggest news is the addition of a more powerful 129bhp version of the car’s tried-and-tested petrol-electric hybrid powertrain, which is now available alongside the standard 114bhp version.The firm has also claimed to have made some changes under the skin aimed at improving refinement (and so, presumably, further distancing it from of its cheaper supermini namesake).Other changes include the addition of some extra driver safety aids, plus the temporary addition of a Premiere Edition flagship that celebrates the arrival of the new model with a limited production run, some extra kit and a natty two-tone paint job.The rest of the line-up is as before, with Icon, Design Excel and GR Sport trim levels, with prices starting at a competitive £25,530 for that entry-level Icon. As before, the hybrid-only Toyota stands apart from its rivals by offering four-wheel drive as an option.
