I am excited to bring you my first review for Crusader Car Leasing featuring the Toyota Yaris Cross.
First Thoughts
First thoughts of the Yaris Cross, is it just another mini-SUV that doesn’t really work? While there are many similarities to the standard Yaris this authentic urban adventurer is very different. When getting into the Yaris Cross you are greeted with an expanse of space for the taller and fuller figured person which was perfect for me. The three rear seats give plenty of head and leg room for family and friends of any age. The boot space gives plenty of room for a weekly family shop.
In-Car Tech
The in-car tech is clear and easy to use with a large touch screen with an app-based look like the phone in your pocket. If you have driven a Toyota before you will find all the controls in the same place. Once I had paired my phone, it automatically connected each time allowing me to use the Android Auto features, this model did have Navigation which is just as easy to use.
After pressing the push-to-start button and looking round for what seemed like an eternity trying to figure out why the engine hadn’t started I realised it’s a hybrid and will run silent when in the electric mode when still and at low speed. After the much needed Homer Simpson, “doh!” I put it into drive and pulled away hoping that no one noticed.
Punchy Performance
The drive of the Yaris Cross offers a punchy performance with surprising economy, this model was the 1.5 All-Wheel-Drive model, and I handed it back to the dealer showing an average 58mpg which is better than the 55.3 that Toyota boast. I am sure with a careful right foot this car could do much better than what I achieved. The Yaris Cross has a stiffer and higher suspension than the standard Yaris which coped well with the country lanes in the south where the roads are more akin to the surface of the moon. I felt confident that this car with some off-road tyres would be able to get you anywhere any bigger and pricier SUV could.
Safe and Secure
For a small car the Yaris Cross feels big and secure. The Yaris Cross has a number of features to keep its passengers inside and people outside the car safe with a Pre-Collision system that detects not just other vehicles but pedestrians and cyclists. The Yaris Cross will detect your lane and will warn you if you were to wander and will offer steering assistance to keep you in that lane. Toyota is renowned for reliability and Toyota are willing to back this up with up to a 10-year 100,000-mile warranty when serviced at your Toyota Dealership, the hybrid battery is covered by a 15-year warranty allowing for peace of mind for new or used ownership.
Final Thoughts
My final thoughts of the Yaris Cross are that Toyota have done their research and created an evolution of the Yaris that compliments the range so well. This well named “authentic urban adventurer” has the room for 5 adults, space for shopping, full of tech that works and the economy that will surprise you. This is a car that I would recommend you take a serious look at when its time for you to change or if its time to add a car to your fleet.
I would like to thank Edward at Marshall Toyota Gatwick who supplied me this car to allow me to have my first attempt at a car review. Keep an eye out for my future reviews.
