2024 Toyota Yaris Cross launched in PH: First impressions of Toyota’s new crossover | Top Gear PH - video Dailymotion

Top Gear Philippines

Toyota’s local crossover lineup keeps growing, and the latest addition to the fam is our Launch Pad featured car this month: the 2024 Toyota Yaris Cross. Sitting between the Raize and the Corolla Cross in terms of size and price, the Yaris Cross comes with the option of a conventional 1.5-liter gasoline engine or a 1.5-liter hybrid powertrain on the range-topper.  Prices are out, and the model line starts at P1,199,000 for the base G variant, P1,296,000 to P1,306,000 for the mid-spec V (depending on color), and P1,598,000 for the top-of-the-line Yaris Cross 1.8 HEV, which we got to try out in this video. Is it a logical addition to Toyota’s local lineup, or are there one too many crossovers in the stable? Click play on the video above for our first impressions,.  Presenter: Anton Andres Editor: Sharleen Banzon Videographers: Charles Banaag and Leandre Grecia  Dig cars? Read more about cars and motoring here: http://www.topgear.com.ph Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TopGearPH Tweet us: http://www.twitter.com/TopGearPH Follow us on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/TopGearPH Join us on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@topgearph  #topgearph #toyotayariscross #toyota   VEULHSMYY5IEOLYB YJTWGIN7ORX5QF9J AYTPQVOYQSMEDMDP STWRMNHKZ6MFMFPP JVOEQAPPW0GC1XBE

Transcript

00:00 Now as it is, the Toyota crossover lineup in the Philippines looks pretty solid for us.

00:05 You got the Rays as the entry-level model, the Corolla Cross who want to step above it,

00:10 and the RAV4 for those looking for the premium experience.

00:14 But the folks at Toyota Motor Philippines thought they would squeeze in another model.

00:18 It's this one, the Yaris Cross, and we're wondering if it's one crossover too many

00:24 or if it's a perfect fit between these two fellas.

00:28 [Music]

00:44 Now first things first, this Yaris Cross is nothing like the one sold in Japan or in Europe or Australia.

00:51 This one is based on the DNGA or Daihatsu New Global Architecture.

00:56 Now it's primarily focused for emerging markets such as ours, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia.

01:02 And that also means this car also shares the same platform as the all-new Wigo,

01:08 the next-generation Vios, the Rays, the Avanza, and the Veloz.

01:13 So does that mean it'll ride the same as the other cars?

01:17 Well, not exactly because they all have different wheelbases, different suspension tuning,

01:21 but more on that later.

01:23 As for the design, well, it's a touch of RAV4 here at the front, a hint of Yaris,

01:28 and a few dashes of the Corolla Cross, particularly around the grille area and the front fascia.

01:34 Now over to its side, well, there's more of a baby RAV4 look going on here and a baby Corolla Cross.

01:40 Now this particular section here at the back, that is very Corolla Cross.

01:44 While everything in front here, well, again, it's a baby RAV4 and I actually quite like it.

01:49 And speaking of things that I quite like about it, is this shade of blue.

01:54 And quite frankly, we need more color choices instead of the usual black, silver, white, or gray.

01:59 Now the back of the Yaris Cross, you're gonna see what I mean with a mix of Corolla Cross

02:04 and a bit of Yaris and RAV4 here with that taillight design.

02:08 And also I noticed this low sill right here, which is good if you're gonna load in items.

02:13 It makes it easier to slide it in and out because of the low lift over.

02:17 Now this SH-EV model comes with a power tailgate.

02:21 Now other variants have them except for the base model and you are greeted by a fairly sizable trunk.

02:28 And for those who think that the cargo area is a bit shallow, you can actually move this floor

02:35 and slide it down to give it a deeper well.

02:40 So it's sort of like a modular floor, so you can fit in taller items at the back

02:45 and you also have a tonneau cover for extra security for your luggage.

02:51 Now inside the Yaris Cross, you might think that you're simply in a larger RAZE or a smaller Corolla Cross

03:05 but that's totally not the case here. It's its own unique design.

03:09 Yes, it has the free-floating screen right here just like in most Toyota models these days

03:14 but the design itself, the dashboard fascia is its own unique thing.

03:19 You got these edges here and sharp angles basically everywhere

03:23 and I have to say that it matches pretty well with the exterior design.

03:27 I also like these things. So you got these blue trims right on the dashboard

03:32 and right by the seats and even by the gear selector and whatnot.

03:36 You got a USB-C, USB-A, and of course wireless charging which is becoming more common these days.

03:43 Now in this SH-EV model, you get a digital instrument cluster.

03:48 You also get niceties such as a whole host of buttons right on the steering wheel.

03:54 You even get adaptive cruise control and basically the whole suite of Toyota Safety Sense's features.

04:01 So aside from adaptive cruise control, you also have forward collision warning and whatnot.

04:07 And another thing is this little fella.

04:10 Now this thing is actually a dash cam and before you think that this is a fitted accessory to this particular model,

04:16 it's not. It's actually standard on most variants of the Yaris Cross.

04:21 So you no longer have to go to an accessory shop to get one fitted.

04:24 Toyota's got you covered with this one already.

04:26 But how are things at the back of the Corolla Cross?

04:30 Well, this SH-EV model does have a bit of a surprise.

04:33 And it's more of a surprise and delight thing and probably not a lot of people will appreciate it

04:38 but even the tops of the rear door cards are soft-touch.

04:42 So that's a nice little premium add-on for this particular model.

04:47 Now, in terms of legroom, I'm not gonna give a full review yet

04:50 but you'd expect that it would be more than the Raize and less than the Corolla Cross.

04:55 Now I also like this.

04:57 You rarely get that in this segment of crossover and I'm glad that Toyota actually fitted one of these.

05:05 Other things, you have an almost flat floor.

05:08 So maybe there's gonna be an all-wheel drive down the line.

05:11 Who knows?

05:12 And also you have rear AC vents.

05:14 So you got two USB-C ports down here and if you're noticing that's a little bright in here,

05:21 it's because it has a panoramic glass roof.

05:24 Now notice I said glass roof and not sunroof because this doesn't open.

05:30 Only the roller cover slides back but not the glass panel itself.

05:34 To let in a little bit more sunlight or moonlight, whatever the time of day may be.

05:38 Alright, so now we're behind the wheel of the Yaris Cross S-HEV.

05:45 So we're in the hybrid model right now.

05:47 This is gonna sound like a weird little thing to say.

05:52 This is the least DNGA-feeling model of the DNGA range.

05:58 There's this nice heft to the steering wheel. There's this nice general feeling of it.

06:04 And you know, going over bumps and humps.

06:07 This feels nothing like the Avanza and the Raiz and all the other cars that it's based on.

06:14 And funny enough, I actually drove a Raiz right before I drove this one.

06:18 And surprisingly, you know, Toyota can actually make the DNGA platform feel more premium,

06:24 feel more hefty, and more upmarket.

06:27 Which is a bit of a shocker because truth be told, I was expecting a sort of tinny driving experience.

06:32 And I've always sworn by Toyota's TNGA platform.

06:37 Now the TNGA platform, when you drive in one of those, it's like, "Yes, this is a Toyota product."

06:43 This one, there's still a hint of Daihatsu.

06:47 But I can feel a little bit more Toyota DNA in this one.

06:51 It doesn't have the totally dead and inert steering feel of the Avanza,

06:55 nor does it have the over-boosted feel of the Raiz.

06:59 It actually has the potential to be a fun chassis.

07:03 Yes, it's a hybrid, so it's going to be quieter.

07:05 But you know, even when the hybrid motor kicks in, it's not a loud droning noise or any of that.

07:11 And even the operation of the hybrid drive system is smooth.

07:15 Again, not something I would expect from a DNGA platform vehicle.

07:19 This, perhaps by far, is the most solid feeling and most substantial of all its platform mates.

07:27 Okay, between the Raiz and the Yaris Cross, which one would I pick?

07:34 Would I rather save money and get the smaller Raiz or get one of these?

07:38 I would go for one of these instead, even in the basic petrol-powered form.

07:45 And they're almost the same in price, but in terms of ride, refinement, comfort, heft,

07:50 and everything in between, this is just superior.

07:53 And particularly the V-Gas model because that is actually pretty damn good value.

07:59 But how about this SH-EV?

08:03 Well, the SH-EV and the V Corolla Cross Hybrid, well, they're somewhere sort of in between.

08:11 And the price difference is almost negligible.

08:14 So would you rather get this one over the Corolla Cross?

08:17 Well, it's gonna be a bit difficult.

08:19 The Corolla Cross, it has that cachet.

08:22 It also rides on, let's be honest, the slightly better platform, the TNGA platform.

08:28 At the same time, you know, it has Toyota Safety Sense and etc.

08:33 So it's a bit tough to call between the Yaris Cross Hybrid and the Corolla Cross Hybrid.

08:38 But what about you guys? I wanna hear from you.

08:41 Would you consider the Yaris Cross or the Corolla Cross instead?

08:46 But I've already said my piece, I would rather have the Yaris Cross over the Race, hands down.

08:51 Now for the full review, well, we're gonna save that for another time

08:55 because we're only taking initial impressions.

08:57 So until next time, we'll catch you on the next review of this SH-EV

09:03 and the regular gas-powered V variant.

09:07 See you next time.

09:08 [Music]

2024 Toyota Yaris Cross launched in PH: First impressions of Toyota’s new crossover | Top Gear PH

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