What car do most of us want for ourselves? – Crossover! A tall, well-designed, head-turning jeep that is suitable for daily commutes to work and errands, and also powerful and comfortable enough for long weekend trips. What else is important to us? That we can purchase it. That its cost will be convenient for our pocket. And for that we are willing to compromise on a parameter here and a parameter there, just so we can purchase the car of our dreams.
In recent years, the recreational vehicle category, small, B-SUV, and medium C-SUV, the best-selling category in the country, with a market share of + 30%, is growing and growing, and washes strong categories like the family category (remember who was the road queen of the early years Family Car – Mazda 3). The crossovers also forget from our hearts the small mini cars that captured the hearts of Israelis until a few years ago (Hyundai i10 and Kia Picanto under every fresh tree). And who remembers the “executives” category, which has become less and less relevant, and exists mainly and thanks to two interesting contestants, Superb the Sonata.
There is only one problem: the family crossovers, such as the Tucson, and especially the Sportage – the crossover that conquered the category and broke the glass ceiling to a very wide audience, thanks to excellent pricing, which made the vehicle accessible – are no longer really accessible. Taxes went up, fashions changed, an electrical revolution stormed, and a plague broke out and made names. You will no longer find a new, medium-sized family crossover for NIS 140,000. It is more in the direction of 155 – 160 thousand shekels. No wonder things are starting to heat up in the small crossover segment. The look, look of a Gippon, the starting prices are low and tempting, and the thaw is in the quality of materials, assembly and interior space.
Toyota, in a belated fashion, or rather in a calculated timing, launches a small and new crossover, the Toyota Yaris Cross, which lands directly into the evolving category of small and urban crossovers. The Yaris Cross, which looks a bit like a small Rab 4 in the back and side, and like a Toyota Yaris in the front (its less beautiful side in my opinion), is based on the small and successful urban vehicle Toyota Yaris, which has the new modular platform of Toyota (TNGA). The Laris Cross has two propulsion versions, one with a 1.5-liter engine with 125 hp, and the other version comes with a hybrid propulsion unit, which includes the same gasoline engine, plus an electric motor next to it, and together they deliver 116 hp. Small spoiler, the fuel consumption obtained in the ride in the tested hybrid version is 18.6 kilometers per liter, and if you want, you can also reach the declared fuel consumption figure of Toyota, 22 kilometers per liter. You could say there are two titles, or highlights for this new car, the Toyota Yaris Cross: one, it’s a small, safe and worthy SUV; Second, it has a very good hybrid system.
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There are also drawbacks when turning to this category of small recreational vehicles: their prices are relatively low and also accessible due to the use of cheaper materials. It is evident that the quality of the assembly is lower, and in the cab and passengers you will hardly find pampering comfort equipment. Much, much less. Biaris Cross you will find fairly basic but useful accessories, such as the Apple Car Play or Auto Android interface (mirroring selected apps from your mobile device on the multimedia screen, 8-inch color touch screen), nice padding, handsfree, rear camera, USB connection and a good enough audio system . Under the air conditioning control buttons you will find a row of “inputs” and switches blocked with plastic covers, evidence of comfortable equipment not embedded in the vehicle. 16-inch rims and auto-folding mirrors.
Another use I found in an open storage compartment under the multimedia screen, my not small mobile device was placed in it in full. Less useful is the small glove compartment, and a storage compartment under the driver’s armrest, too flat and small.
Pressing the ignition switch quietly wakes up this small and stylish crossover. The dashboard is 7 inches in color and suitable for the modest atmosphere inside the vehicle, but the information in it provides. As a hybrid vehicle, the display of information on the “green” travel data is prominent: each time the electric motor intervenes and goes into action, we notice prominent EV letters appearing on the display, and the percentage of electric motor usage in the trip is updated. I got up to about 80% using the electric motor during the road test. An encouraging statistic in a hybrid vehicle, which can go up, the more relaxed your ride is and in an urban environment. Two switches that are important to know about the Yaris Cross, one of which only exists in the hybrid version – the EV button, which forces the vehicle to travel only on electricity, and for a short time, if enough electrical energy has been accumulated in the system. Another button, which is available in both versions, controls the driving modes, and you can choose a smoother ride and faster engine responses, with the choice of “sport” mode, or save more fuel, with the choice of “eco” driving mode.
During the ride and surprisingly, I did not feel I was lacking in strength. I tried to keep the gas pedal moderately pressed to let the electric motor get into work as much as possible, and it went into action quite a bit, up to about 80 km / h, and for long seconds at a time. It can also propel the vehicle at 100 km / h, on the plain And downhill, and only when the foot flutters on the pedal and does not require much force in accelerations. When most energy is needed, the gasoline engine intervenes, and is heard. Engine strain noises are present only at high speeds and accelerations. More than the characteristics of small crossovers, over 120 km / h the light weight of the vehicle is noticeable, whether due to a strong wind blowing from the side or due to a heavy vehicle crossing, and with the high speed, the steering wheel is lighter, but the good grip of the vehicle is maintained. Road and wind noises will be heard on a long-distance ride, not something out of the ordinary, or noises I have not heard while driving in my favorite supermini vehicle.
The interior space in the Yaris Cross will also be suitable for small families, with up to two children. The rear seat can accommodate two safety seats or two boosters. If the driver and passenger next to him are tall or large, the knee space of the rear passengers will be significantly reduced. Drivers who are up to 1.65 meters tall and have an average to slim body structure will also be able to drive older people in the back. The 397-liter trunk, mainly due to its bathtub shape, is convenient for loading a cart or suitcase, or super bags. And if there are no rear passengers, you can fold up the back seat, and get a loading area of 1,097 liters. In the trunk rubber mat instead of fabric, it is very effective, not only in SUV.
The Biaris Cross has a range of autonomous safety systems, TOYOTA SAFTEY SENSE 2.5, including a lane center guard system, autonomous emergency braking, road sign detection, driver fatigue warning and a rear seat child restraint warning when the vehicle is switched off. There are a total of eight airbags in the car, two of them between the front seats. It is important.
Bottom line: the future is moving towards electric, autonomous and personal transportation. On the way to personal transportation we will slowly notice the growth of the small categories. Small ones like the Yaris Cross, which will probably also be seen in the electric version. So if you fancy a small crossover that looks good and does the job everyday, especially in the city, and you are willing to pay for it with interior space and comfort equipment, the Toyota Yaris Cross will meet your need. In the petrol version, the price starts at NIS 119,900, and in the hybrid version, which is more correct for our time, the price starts at NIS 134,900.
News and Updates
Lubinski launches the new small, new-generation crossover, the Opel Mokka. The Moka is marketed in two propulsion versions, gasoline (1.2 turbo with 130 hp, starting at NIS 132,990) and a full electric version (136 hp, and a 50 kWh battery that allows a range of up to 338 kilometers according to the manufacturer, in NIS 158,990) At the same celebration, Opel International is changing its face and announcing a rebranding for a young and unique audience.
Colmobil launches the new Hyundai Elantra “hybrid”. A family car with the dimensions of an executive car and a hybrid propulsion system, which includes a 1.6-liter GDI petrol engine and an electric motor with a combined power of 139 hp and a combined torque of 27 kg. Active safety systems, auxiliary and warning systems for the driver based on a camera, radar and peripheral sensors and a variety of comfort equipment.
Another launch by Colmobil, this time of the Mitsubishi brand, which markets an updated version of the designed family crossover, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. The facelift features an up-to-date design and more spacious dimensions, as well as advanced comfort and safety additions. Eclipse Cross is marketed in six levels of finish, starting at NIS 154,900.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (Photo: Manufacturer).