Toyota Yaris Cross 2024: updated small SUV revealed featuring more tech and power

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Toyota’s Yaris Cross small SUV is about to get a raft of updates to its tech, safety and powertrain options in Europe which will now feature a more powerful hybrid option, potentially foreshadowing changes we could see in Australia.

The addition of what Toyota calls a ‘Hybrid 130’ powertrain available on higher spec European models headlines the changes along with comprehensive updates to the vehicle’s safety tech, infotainment, and the addition of a new range-topping grade. 

The updates were revealed by Toyota which says the refreshed lineup will be available for online reservation in selected European markets from this month, although there’s no word yet on whether and when these changes will flow through to Australia for the three-year-old current generation small SUV.

More powerful hybrid joins the range

One of the key additions to the refreshed Yaris Cross is the Hybrid 130 powertrain option that will be made available on higher spec Yaris Cross models in Europe.

The more powerful hybrid adopts Toyota’s latest fifth-generation hybrid technology and will sit above the existing hybrid option – now renamed as ‘Hybrid 115’ – that will continue to be offered on lower spec models.

Featuring a more powerful electric motor mated to the existing 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine, the new hybrid is said to deliver a 14 percent increase in power output from 85kW to 97kW and a 30 percent increase in torque from 141Nm to 185Nm.

As well as the update to the hybrid powertrain, Toyota says the Yaris Cross has also had “a range of additional measures to reduce noise and vibration” including additional insulation.

Updated tech and safety features

As well as the more powerful hybrid, Toyota has detailed a suite of updates to tech and safety features for the small SUV which includes the addition of a 12.3-inch customisable digital instrument cluster on higher spec models (lower spec models come with a 7.0-inch display) as well as a 10.5-inch infotainment screen.

This is paired with the brand’s latest multimedia system that Toyota says includes more advanced voice recognition capabilities, over-the-air updates, and also supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

As well as this, the European Yaris Cross also now comes with a ‘digital smart key’ giving up to five users the ability to lock, unlock and start the vehicle with their phone. 

In terms of safety, Toyota has detailed a raft of new features and updates, which include a new camera and radar system which the brand says can scan further and wider than before as well as detecting pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycles. 

Toyota says the adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, lane trace assist and road sign assist features have also all been refined along with the addition of new features.

Some of these include a Rear Seat Reminder System to alert drivers if they have left a child or pet in the back seat, and Safe Exit Assist to prevent a door being opened into the bath of incoming cars or cyclists.

In addition to these, Toyota also details a new Emergency Driving Stop feature which brings the car to a gentle stop if it detects the driver is incapacitated, and Acceleration Suppression which slows sudden acceleration if it recognises the risk of collision with another vehicle.

Are there any other changes we can expect?

Toyota Europe has also announced a new range-topping grade they call the ‘Premiere Edition’ that features new two-tone colour options, new 18-inch wheels, and a special interior styling treatment, with new upholstery patterns to feature across the range.

It’s unclear how many of the new changes in Europe will flow through to the Australian market which imports its Yaris Cross from Japan unlike European models which are built in France. 

The current Yaris Cross lineup consists of four grades including the GX, GXL, Urban and GR Sport. Hybrid powertrains featuring the current 1.5-litre three-cylinder are available across the range, with both front- and all-wheel-drive options.

Pricing for the current Yaris Cross begins at $28,000 for the entry-level GX front-wheel-drive non hybrid variant, and tops out at $37,350 for the Urban Hybrid with all-wheel-drive, both prices before on road costs.

So far in 2023 Toyota has delivered 4946 units domestically, making for an 11.1% market share. This places the Yaris Cross behind the segment dominating Mazda CX-3 (13,324), Kia Stonic (6069), Hyundai Venue (5180), and Volkswagen T-Cross (5014).