Toyota Yaris Cross 2021 review | Chasing Cars

We drive the new 2021 Toyota Yaris small SUV and see how this crossover compares.

Have Toyota done it again? The new Yaris Cross hybrid SUV competes with the Mazda CX-3 and Hyundai Venue, as well as the Volkswagen T-Cross and Skoda Kamiq. But is this fuel-sipper the SUV to buy? Does it live up to the reputation of its big brother, the RAV4 Hybrid? Tom Baker from Chasing Cars takes a close look at the 2021 Toyota Yaris Cross GXL Hybrid to find out.

What do you think of this car? Leave a comment below.

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[cassandranix]

I just bought one, it's the best little car!!

[kevlynncooper]

Thanks for a great review Really helpful

[michaelgoh]

Tom, like so many of your viewers, I thoroughly enjoy watching your balance, unbiased and rather entertaining review of this vehicle. 👍

[farhorizons]

Very helpful and balanced review. Would be keen to see how it compares to its slightly bigger and more polarising (in style) brother, the CHR.

[Sam-zupc]

When I started watching this I thought “oh god, another inexperienced engineer telling me what his inner city trendy mates want to hear” but, I take my hat off to you mate! Good balanced reporting and a damn fair assessment of a car that will definitely divide viewers 👍 good job!

[chifumitakizawa]

I can’t wait for my mineral blue GXL Yaris Cross delivery. Toyota is building my car for my order. I am so happy to see good review on GXL from a car expert. I only had test drive Urban and GX, Toyota Australia in my area doesn’t stock GXL. I don’t know why.

[andreaskahr]

I cant wait for this car to be released in Sweden!!

[malcolmscott]

Great review Tom - Ford puma review soon? I prefer its looks and the T Cross I think in this class and maybe the Juke also as all seem a little more resolved and less like something on stilts :)

[vicip]

I just bought a GXL 2WD hybrid coming end of Jan hopefully. Spare wheel is a must for me. There’s some cons that I can put up with like the opening of the back doors and lack of an armrest and visibility out the back is fine if I take the 2 side head rests out. Disappointing that the European version looks a bit more plush . I really enjoyed the test drive, needed a car and wanted a hybrid with a higher ride height so it made sense for me compared to everything else out there like a Mazda. TSS for mid spec is good. Love that the engine doesn’t even turn in some cases. I will keep this car until the charging infrastructure in Australia is good enough. For now I’ll get the best of both worlds.

[kathleenchiu]

Are the 2021 Toyota Yaris Cross and the Corolla Cross selling in the U.S.?

[Jan]

Pretty practical would choose this over chr hope they bring rhis to north amerika

[mrquordlepleen]

Excellent. That’s a refreshing change.

[shae-mareeheath]

I always have a large voss bottle with me in a car and I often use that as an armrest haha

[dstsui]

As a Prius owner, my inclination is to stick with hybrid for my next car but the C-HR from Toyota is polarising in look, boot is pathetic, rear visibility is poor both from driver and passenger perspective and it is only offered in the top spec model which makes it tips over 40K. This makes the Yaris Cross a much more compelling package with similar interior space, but more safety features, more boot space and even better fuel consumption. I think Toyota has nailed this one and you can have it for mid 30K. The let down is the lack of an centre arm rest and the look of 16 inch wheels which I think is acceptable compromise to me. Nothing is perfect.

[michaelflinn]

Great review. When is the facelift due. It desperately needs one.

[Thapanirmal]

The rear booty light looks very nice, similar to Yaris but unique in its own way

[carrk]

How does this compare to your family vw polo in terms of power, comfort, and noise isolation.

[jesserowlingsify]

With this and the RAV4... where the heck does this leave the CHR? It's a good car by all measures but... I don't see much of a market for it.

[Peter-vnue]

3.9 litres per 100 km is pretty good for the hybrid version. My 2015 Toyota Camry hybrid averages 6 litres per 100km or under and use regular unleaded (91), the best I have been getting lately is 5.4 litres per 100km with the air conditioner running as well. I would buy a hybrid version of the Yaris cross as I like the higher driver position and would probably buy the GXL 2 wheel drive model.

Tom, can you please state whether these new Hybrid vehicles (all makes) you test, use regular unleaded petrol 91 or use Premium unleaded 95 or 98 as this does change the price structure per 100km the vehicles might achieve with the difference in the initial cost per litre of the petrol needed. The Yaris Cross looks far better than the basic Yaris 5 door hatchback and the CH-R. Is the CH-R going to be discontinued?

[letsseeif]

I like this small SUV. I know that i 'panned' the non SUV version, but this 'wins my heart'. Weird question. Could you give me the overall width from mirror extremities. Thanks Tom.