Toyota Yaris Cross 2023: sport-enhanced GR Sport variant revealed for Australia

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Toyota Australia has announced it will be bringing another GR Sport variant to its model lineup – this time in the form of the Yaris Cross small SUV. 

It’ll be available in a single front-wheel-drive hybrid specification and will be priced from $35,840 before on-road costs, making it $3850 more expensive than a GXL hybrid in front-drive guise.

Pricing for the Yaris Cross range starts from $26,990 for a GX petrol variant and ends at the flagship Urban all-wheel-drive hybrid that costs $37,990 before on-road costs.

The Toyota Yaris Cross competes in the small SUV segment with other rivals such as the Kia Stonic, Ford Puma and Mazda CX-3.  

What makes the new Yaris Cross GR Sport unique in the range?

Like other GR Sport variants that have come before it, the Yaris Cross GR Sport will feature exterior and interior tweaks, as well as a unique suspension tune. However, the sports variant of the Yaris Cross will not receive any additional power or torque. 

A newly designed black grille, sports-style rear diffuser, unique 18-inch alloy wheels and red brake calipers will be obvious external cues that this is no regular Yaris Cross. Black mirror caps and plenty of GR badges will also help onlookers identify the variant. 

Inside the GR Sport, there is synthetic leather and black suede-like upholstery, along with more GR Sport badges and alloy driving pedals. Toyota says the seats have been redesigned to offer improved support.  

Gunmetal trim features on the shift knob, inner door trim and instrument panel moulding to bring a darkened interior look. 

One of the biggest changes to the Yaris Cross GR Sport is a retuned suspension setup, which Toyota says has been lowered by 10mm to aid a lower centre of gravity. 

Toyota has also worked to increase the rigidity of the front lower control arms and has further supported the chassis with new under-floor bracing to further support the TNGA-B platform.  

The GR Sport’s hybrid system consists of a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine linked to two motor-generators for a combined system output of 85kW. Combined fuel consumption for the Yaris Cross GR Sport is rated at 3.8L/100km. 

What sort of standard features will I get on the GR Sport?

As standard, the Yaris Cross GR Sport builds on the existing features of the GXL variant. This means the GR Sport includes LED headlights, leather-accented steering wheel, a 7.0-inch multimedia screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and satellite navigation, a 360-degree camera and Toyota’s safety suite. 

Five colours will be available for the new Yaris Cross GR Sport including frosted white, stunning silver, ink, atomic rush and lunar blue.

Toyota Yaris Cross 2023: prices in Australia 

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• GX 2WD petrol: $26,990
• GX 2WD hybrid: $28,990
• GX AWD hybrid: $31,990
• GXL 2WD petrol: $29,990
• GXL 2WD hybrid: $31,990
• GXL AWD hybrid: $34,990
• GR Sport hybrid: $35,840
• Urban 2WD petrol: $32,990
• Urban 2WD hybrid: $34,990
• Urban AWD hybrid: $37,990