Sales of new GR Sport variant of the Toyota Yaris Cross will commence in Australia this year.
Toyota’s Sporty GR subdivision has made a big impact in recent years with the GR Supra, GR Yaris and GR 86 – now it’s the turn of the Yaris Cross. It’s not getting a fully-fledged GR, but rather a range-topping GR Sport trim level.
The regular five-door Yaris hatch already has a GR Sport version sitting at the top of its line-up and we can see similar tweaks have been made to the crossover Yaris. On the outside, the Yaris Cross GR Sport receives new 18-inch alloy wheels, a new front grille and rear diffuser, GR badging and the option of an exclusive ‘Scorched Orange’ paint finish.
As with the Yaris GR Sport, Toyota says Yaris Cross’s suspension has been tuned to provide better steering, reduced roll and stronger grip. Underneath the bonnet is the same 1.5-litre, hybrid three-cylinder petrol hybrid set-up as usual, pumping out 85kW of power and 120Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels through a CVT automatic transmission.
Inside we can see the sport seats up front have been reupholstered in black suede with red stitching. This colour has been added to the steering wheel and gear lever too, while GR logos are dotted around the cabin as well.
Equipment levels are on the Excel, so the GR Sport gets a nine-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Automotive compatibility, dual-zone climate control, a kick-activated rear tailgate, heated front seats and tinted rear windows.
Toyota hasn’t revealed the pricing of the Yaris Cross GR Sport yet, but has said it will arrive in showrooms this December.
Alastair Crooks