2024 Toyota Yaris Cross updated in Europe with new tech, more hybrid power

The updated 2024 Toyota Yaris Cross small SUV has been unveiled in Europe with an upgraded hybrid powertrain and new styling. 

This is the first update for the Yaris Cross – the SUV sibling to the Toyota Yaris hatch – since it was first introduced to the Australian market in 2020. 

Mirroring changes to the European-market Yaris hatch, the 2024 Yaris Cross in Europe brings with it mild styling changes to the exterior and interior of the SUV, improved safety features, and a more powerful hybrid system. 

While pre-orders in Europe are due to commence this month, there’s no word on when we can expect to see the updates flow onto the Yaris Cross in Australia. 

European-market Yaris Cross vehicles are manufactured in France, whereas Australian-delivered examples are built in Japan.

Most – though often not all – updates for European-built Toyota vehicles carry across to their Japanese-built counterparts, but there can be a delay of a few months.

A spokesperson for Toyota Australia told Drive the company is “always looking to update the local line-up, but have no news to share at this time" on local plans to launch the European updates.

The biggest change for 2024 in the Yaris Cross is a more powerful "Hybrid 130” petrol-electric drivetrain – shared with the 2024 Yaris hatch in Europe – which combines the existing 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with a larger electric motor and a revised power-control unit. 

The result is a Yaris Cross hybrid with 96kW (130hp), which is up from the 85kW (115hp) offered in the current model sold in Australia and Europe — which is known as the “Hybrid 115”.

Torque is also improved with the Hybrid 130 system, increasing from 141Nm to 185Nm, while the claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time has been reduced by half a second, to 10.7 seconds. 

There is no word on if the Hybrid 130 will come to Australia. It may be exclusive to French-built Yaris and Yaris Cross models, but this has not been confirmed.

Inside, a 7.0-inch digital driver’s display is now standard on lower grade variants, whereas high-spec models benefit from a 12.3-inch screen. 

As for infotainment, buyers now have the choice between a 9.0-inch display or a 10.5-inch display, which are both larger than the 7.0-inch screen offered in the current model in Australia.

Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included as standard, as well as a “Hey Toyota” voice recognition system. 

Other interior changes include “refreshed” seat upholstery, and a soft-touch lower instrument panel covering on all models. 

The 2024 Yaris Cross also benefits from digital key technology, which allows owners to lock, unlock, and start the vehicle through a smartphone app. 

It’s worth noting this system only comes standard on the range-topping variant, and is offered as a paid subscription service after 12 months. 

Like the interior, exterior changes are subtle, with a new Juniper Blue paint option being added from the 2024 model year. 

The Yaris Cross GR Sport will be making a return for 2024, but it’s no longer the halo model in the range in Europe.

This title now belongs to the Premiere Edition, which wears Urban Khaki paint and five-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels, and features seat upholstery stitching matching the green body colour. 

Toyota has improved the safety suite with a new Emergency Driving Stop System which will bring the car to a gentle stop if it detects the driver has become incapacitated.

The lane departure system is now able to detect when a driver is moving from a lane to avoid an obstacle, and temporarily halts its assistance. 

The 2024 Toyota Yaris Cross opens for orders in Europe later this month.