Toyota has unveiled the all-new Yaris Cross in Indonesia, and if the name sounds familiar to you, that’s because you’re thinking of the other Yaris Cross for the Europe and Japan markets. Confusingly, despite the two cars sharing the same name, they are really nothing alike.
For starters, the ASEAN-specific 2023 Toyota Yaris Cross will be built on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) instead of TNGA. It’s also bigger than Europe’s car, measuring 4,310 mm long with a wheelbase of 2,620 mm, 1,770 mm wide, and 1,615 mm tall – or roughly identical to the Honda HR-V.
The ASEAN 2023 Toyota Yaris Cross builds upon a familiar family look, with many of its design touches inherited from its elder brother, the Corolla Cross. The angular wheel wells and C-pillar styling reminds us of the RAV4, and the sharp taillights design is also somewhat reminiscent of the outgoing first-generation Lexus NX.
Inside, you’ll find a new sculpted dashboard with the centre control stack tilted towards the driver. At the very top, a freestanding 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment display is paired to the Perodua-standard semi-digital instrument cluster. Other highlights here also include a panoramic sunroof, powered driver’s seat, (proper) ambient lighting, and the Toyota Safety Sense advanced driver assistance suite.
RELATED: 2023 Toyota Vios launched in Malaysia, from RM90k – EPB, wireless CarPlay, Android Auto
The 2023 Toyota Yaris Cross debuts with two powertrain options in Indonesia. On the low end is a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated option, essentially sharing the same powertrain with the latest Vios, serving 106 hp and 138 Nm.
More interesting, though, is the Yaris Cross HEV, featuring a hybrid 1.5-litre powertrain underneath its bonnet. Essentially a hybrid version of the Myvi’s engine, the 91 hp/121 Nm 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder mill is paired to an electric motor that makes 80 hp and 141 Nm – though total combined figures are not disclosed just yet.
Both engines are paired to a CVT gearbox to drive the front wheels.
It’s still early days for the new compact crossover, so more information will only be available closer to the model’s official launch. Rumour has it, however, that the model will also eventually morph into a Perodua model, codenamed D66B – so there’s quite a lot riding on the line here for Malaysians!
Of course, there’s no official word from Perodua just yet, but if the rumours are indeed true, then the new Yaris Cross-based model will sit above the Ativa in the local carmaker’s model line-up, going head-to-head against the Proton X50.
GALLERY
