Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid 2021 long term review | Chasing Cars

Four months later, how did our Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid long term owner review turn out?

Most cars only stay with us for week, but in the case of the new Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid, we borrowed a baby-blue new Yaris Cross for four months and used the car for everything. Family duties, commuting, holidays in the country, carrying big and heavy stuff, and even going off-road. You name it, we did it.

So, is the new Yaris Cross a great small SUV? Should you be considering a hybrid Yaris Cross? Or is the base petrol enough? Is the Yaris Cross really better than a Kia Stonic, Skoda Kamiq, Ford Puma, or Volkswagen T-Cross? Our testers turned their minds to these questions.

In this real world long-term review, Tom assesses what we liked about the Yaris Cross, and what we didn't like, over our detailed test.

What do you think of the Yaris Cross Hybrid? Is it the best city-sized SUV?

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Time codes:

0:00 - What is the Yaris Cross?
1:05 - Good points about the Yaris Cross
7:03 - What we didn’t like about the Yaris Cross
11:18 - Should you buy a Yaris Cross Hybrid?

[kirstyemm]

Bought one 5wks ago and so far loving it. Have only done city driving and a couple of 300km return trips and the noise didnt bother me. No arm rest didnt bother me either. Currently getting 4L so happy with that. I previously had 2 Corollas then went to the Suzuki Swift for the past 4yrs but glad to have returned to Toyota

[denero]

Excellent car, Yaris is rated internationally as the 'safest small car/suv on the market. With one of the very best Fuel Economy and resale value out of any Cars. Now they even have a 5 Year Unlimited KM/MILE Warranty with 'capped price best value servicing for 5 years. Amazing cars.

[simonthomas]

Tested this back to back against a new Yaris. Ordered one immediately. A lot of the features you mentioned, like the electric boot and the bigger screen, are available on the higher specs. It’s worth it just for the heated seats!

[frankopanklaric]

One thing I hate about reviewers is that they show high end specs when in reality I hardly see any of them on the road. Only mid or low end variants. Thank you for showing us the "mid spec".

[russtaylor]

Thanks for a calm balanced review - much appreciated. I have ordered one (Excel in UK) and your review confirmed to me I had made the right choice! Excel covers most of the “negatives” so should be great.

[jennyhasler]

Test drove both the hybrid and petrol. Did not like the petrol it felt a little sluggish. The hybrid I loved and purchased it . Great care .

[Debonoful]

We bought one in feb a GX AWD 2020 model its been great to drive and park.The safety features are above average, haven't had the chance to use the AWD option in it yet, fuel consumption has been better then advertised in some cases always used 98.

[maxgermasi]

Your videos are very well made, I watched a few and I liked them all. Good on ya!!!
I am considering this car at the moment amongst with the KIA Seltos or Hyundai Kona (bigger size cars I know it).
I'm looking for a city car very efficient on the road and that it will retain its resale value, so far the Yaris Cross (I'm looking at the Urban version) ticks all the boxes in my criteria.
You didn't mention the servicing costs that Toyota offers, accordingly to my research it is also very economical on that aspect, $205 capped per service (every 12 months or 15000 KM) for 5 years, same as the warranty term.

So based on 15K km/yr per five years I should get the rego and insurance for free compared to the Kona and half of the service costs as well when compared with Seltos.
I think I'm pretty much sold!
Thanks a lot for sharing
Keep the videos coming, cheers!

[kevinwheatley]

Wow I’ve just ordered one of these in the UK and was surprised at the differences. It comes with the arm rest, electrically adjustable lumber support, driver and passenger seat height adjustment, electric tailgate with foot sweep opening, keyless entry, 10” touchscreen wireless Apple car play, 1/2 synthetic leather seats. 40/20/40 rear seat with cup holders. 60/40 split height adjustable boot floor. Your dash is the same as my wife’s standard Yaris and my Cross has an upgraded display. You guys get a really cheated out trim compared to us.

[leecy]

This was an excellent review. You touched on all of the points that play a factor in my choice in car, so thank you!

[bobjuniel]

Jason when you use acronyms and initials it is etiquette to explain them the first time you use them. Did you say AUB or AB. I know ABS is Anti-skid braking system, but I have no idea what you are talking about. I had the same problem watching the medium sized SUV video.
You are quite correct that there is an absence of real comfort and luxury in the small car segment. Electrically adjustable driver and front passenger seats with fold out arm rests are far more important than the sort of options offered like a sun roof. I would choose comfortable seats every time.

[nsw]

Always enjoy Tom's non-biased reviews. 👍

[craigthacker]

My favourite feature is the 40-20-40 spit rear seats. With the centre seat folding down to make an armrest with cup holders. But what it means is that I can make a trip to Bunnings or Ikea and put long items down the centre without losing any real seats. Not a fan of there being not driver armrest, that is a real oversight.

[jeeves]

Daughter has one, even with a 100km highway commute fuel use is at 3.8 litres per 100k.
Nice little car.

[redxfleetfleet]

I have ordered mine in Urban Hybrid Cross AWD. I have owned a 2006 Bubble Yaris and traded this in on a Cross. I wanted the very latest Tech in Safety, which this has at that price and the economy to match. Hopefully the safety kit stops any trouble and active safety if id doesn't. You always wish you had the extra safety kit after you realise you didn't tick that box. I love the Blue here as i bought with the Retro Brown interior. Its not boring. look forward to getting it.

[larryhagman]

A good concise review on the Yaris cross; I have the excel model ordered for next March ‘ as when checking all the reviews the bottom line is that this is another good car 🚙
from Toyota 👍🇬🇧

[bigkaki]

I like your reviews cause you look for the positive and not just talk negatively

[robinwatson]

Excellent review. Test-drove one of these today, and your observations are spot-on! I also drove a Prius in the same session, and noticed a very considerable difference in general road noise (the Prius was 'noisy' in comparison, though it is is of course a pretty refined drive)) so I really liked the Yaris Cross in this respect. However, you say, at higher speeds, things get pretty hairy in the noise department - that's a worry, as I plan to do a faor bit of highway driving of a couple of hours or more. Any thoughts on this?

[RKMa]

Just came from the dealer where I put in an order for this car that looks good on every video and on my many testdrives. Mine is commin in July-23...just can't wait😎🇸🇪

[JetNix]

The cargo cover can be twisted to decrease it's size and stored in the side in the cargo area. I find this as a convenient thing. =)
The seats in your car is the cheaper option. In higher trim levels you get better seats with better materials, bigger side support and lumbar. Or maybe better seats are not offered at your place? But hey! I see you got the "binocular" digital instrument cluster! We don't have this option in Europe! =(