2021 Toyota Yaris Cross 1.5 Hybrid UK review Car News

Using two electric motors, the Yaris Cross will run only on electricity at low speeds, although like most “self-charging” hybrids, the battery is sufficiently charged for only about four miles. After that, the engine starts, and as with most CVT machines, heavy use of the throttle causes a gruff and slightly coarse engine note. But that is counterbalanced by how quickly the motor coasters off, and it’s generally well suited to the type of riding that buyers are most likely to participate in.

On the road, the hatchback roots of the Yaris Cross are quickly apparent, and in a good way. The steering is direct and responsive, making it extremely convenient for urban maneuvers and surprisingly engaging on fast, smooth roads. The chassis balance is solid as well, and despite the boxy bodywork and stretch of ride height, it’s generally stable and well-balanced at all times. Everything is relative, beware: the Yaris Cross is clearly tuned for stability rather than dynamism, and it cannot compete with the Puma for driver engagement. Yet this is yet another example of the real strides that have been made in improving the breed of a previously languid class of machines.

That said, our test car’s secondary handling was less positive, with a firm ride that could hit potholes and other bumps. This could get even better once the final suspension tuning is done, while another likely contributor was the 18-inch wheels in our test car: Toyota expects most UK buyers to go for 16 or 17 inch versions.