---
title: "2021 Toyota Yaris Cross: Because Small Cars Are Crossovers Now"
description: "For those of you who \"like to sit just a little higher.\""
date: "2020-04-23"
modified: "2020-04-23"
authors:
  - name: "Chris Tsui"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-tsui"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/33142/2021-toyota-yaris-cross-because-small-cars-are-crossovers-now"
categories:
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
  - "Toyota News"
tags:
  - "compact"
  - "suv/crossover"
  - "Toyota"
  - "Yaris"
---

# 2021 Toyota Yaris Cross: Because Small Cars Are Crossovers Now

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2020/04/20200423_02_02_s.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Originally planned for a [Geneva Motor Show debut](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/32392/geneva-motor-show-officially-canceled-amid-coronavirus-outbreak>), Toyota just revealed the newest member of its overseas lineup: the Yaris Cross. As its name suggests, it's the crossover version of the Yaris compact hatchback. No, not the Mazda2-based thing Toyota passes off as a Yaris here in the U.S. [(and, incidentally, turned into a pickup truck as an April Fool's joke last year)](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/27244/toyota-yaris-adventure-truck-wins-title-of-most-self-aware-april-fools-day-prank>) but rather the TNGA-B car it sells in Japan and Europe. Y'know, the good one it made a [rad GR hot hatch](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/32279/no-toyota-gr-yaris-for-america-console-yourself-with-a-performance-crossover-maybe>) out of and [cruelly refuses to bring to the U.S.](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/32040/toyota-cruelly-teases-268-hp-toyota-gr-yaris-rally-hatch-for-us-market>)

![message-editor%2F1587675084091-20200423\_02\_01\_s.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1587675084091-20200423_02_01_s.jpg>)
*Toyota*

![message-editor%2F1587675089088-20200423\_02\_03\_s.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1587675089088-20200423_02_03_s.jpg>)
*Toyota*

![message-editor%2F1587675093886-20200423\_02\_05\_s.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1587675093886-20200423_02_05_s.jpg>)
*Toyota*

![message-editor%2F1587675098245-20200423\_02\_08\_s.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1587675098245-20200423_02_08_s.jpg>)
*Toyota*

![message-editor%2F1587675102546-20200423\_02\_09\_s.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1587675102546-20200423_02_09_s.jpg>)
*Toyota*

Toyota says the Yaris Cross, like pretty much every other small-ute, aims to blend a nimble, compact body with "SUV-like interior comfort and luggage room." As enthusiasts, we know we're supposed to dislike faux-SUVs like this but as compact crossovers go, this doesn't look terrible. It can be had with the cool two-tone paint scheme already seen in a bunch of current 'Yotas and, for what it's worth, looks a hell of a lot better than the Corolla-based CH-R.

![message-editor%2F1587675133872-20200423\_02\_11\_s.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1587675133872-20200423_02_11_s.jpg>)
*Toyota*

![message-editor%2F1587675138179-20200423\_02\_12\_s.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1587675138179-20200423_02_12_s.jpg>)
*Toyota*

The plumper Yaris will be available powered by gas alone or as a hybrid. The gas version uses a 1.5-liter three-cylinder paired to either a CVT or a six-speed manual while the hybrid is also powered by a 1.5-liter but with the benefit of electric motors and optional [e-AWD](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/30354/2020-toyota-corolla-hybrid-vs-2020-toyota-prius-comparison-review-whats-the-better-buy>). Gas-only models are exclusively front-wheel-drive.

Like its vanilla and GR Yaris siblings, the possibility of the Cross coming to the U.S. is admittedly—like the Yaris itself—small. However, if a TNGA-based Yaris *were* to come over here, it'd probably be this one. America-bound or not, the new Toyota Yaris Cross will arrive in Japan in the fall and hit Europe mid-2021.

![message-editor%2F1587675195189-20200423\_02\_13\_s.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1587675195189-20200423_02_13_s.jpg>)
**Toyota**

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## Author
Chris Tsui is *The Drive*'s former Reviews Editor and current freelance automotive journalist. He's based in Toronto.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/cltsuii/>)