Shock first, then bright

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Our one-year long-term test with the Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid AWDi Adventure was completed after about 25,000 kilometers, the vehicle is back at the importer. What remains is the impression that the Yaris Cross is a surprisingly comfortable travel companion, despite its compact size. Not very quiet but very reliable.

But first of all: When we started our endurance test a year ago, we were initially shocked. Of course, our long-term test car looks stylish in two-tone “dual tone” paint (although we don’t necessarily like the golden roof) and offers a 4×4. With a length of 4.17 meters (21 cm longer than a regular Yaris), it almost draws the compact segment. However, with its 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder full-hybrid engine and 116 hp (85 kW), it remains “just” a small SUV. And the required CHF 39,790 (today: CHF 39,400) was quite a large sum back then. To save our dignity, it is worth noting that the basic variant of the Yaris Cross with a manual 6-speed gearbox instead of a continuously variable automatic and front-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive starts from CHF 25,900.

Ready for winter thanks to 4×4

That’s why we use the best-equipped variant with the Adventure and Connected Plus Package – and we’re very happy with that too. Of course, a slightly higher seating position, better visibility and 30 millimeters more ground clearance do not make our 4×4 Yaris Cross the ultimate all-terrain vehicle yet. But it does pretty well on unpaved dirt roads in South Tyrol’s apple orchards. And on the way home via the Flüela Pass, when we’re surprised by the sudden arrival of winter, we maneuver pretty confidently around the slippery passageway around front- or rear-wheel drive. Even if we lowlanders really rarely needed a 4×4 – in this particular case we were happy with it.

On the other hand, we were not always satisfied with the full hybrid drive and the continuously variable automatic transmission. The three-cylinder petrol engine with a displacement of 1.5 liters can make an uncomfortably loud noise, especially on the highway. And on steep mountain passes, the continuously variable auto also keeps the engine running loudly at full throttle. We are used to long journeys. Especially since the background noise can be reduced with a comfortable walk and we usually glide electrically silently on downhill crossings. However, the rough background noise on the highway spoiled the good impression that the Yaris Cross is an incredibly mature and safe car, despite its compact size. Thanks by the way: The cross traffic alert saved us from crashing twice while parking confusingly.

Surprisingly ready to travel

While the small SUV isn’t designed as a touring car, it’s pretty good for it. On average, we consumed 5.3 liters per 100 kilometers at approximately 25,000 kilometers. In some sections without a highway and with a comfortable foot on the gas pedal, it was sometimes only four and a half liters. Its 330-liter trunk isn’t roomy, but it’s enough for two people’s holiday luggage. There are also rear seats for additional storage. But there’s no interior lighting, so we often toss our jackets, gym bags, or office documents in the back, groping in the dark. On the other hand, while lots of shelves for small items are really practical, the in-car navigation system is less practical and has failed us several times.

Durability test result: The purchase price of the luxury equipped Yaris Cross Adventure may be surprisingly high, but you get a lot for it. And once you get used to the not always acoustically subtle hybrid-CVT drive combination, you don’t want to give up on a handy, agile and economical all-wheel drive vehicle, especially in everyday city life.

Source: Blick