The 2026 Toyota Yaris Cross has officially made its Malaysian debut, giving Toyota Malaysia a fresh contender in the increasingly competitive B-SUV segment.
Locally assembled at Toyota’s Bukit Raja plant, the new Yaris Cross is offered in two variants – the petrol-powered 1.5S priced from RM99,900, and the hybrid 1.5S HEV priced from RM109,900. Both prices are on-the-road without insurance.
With the arrival of the Yaris Cross, Toyota now has a stronger presence in Malaysia’s booming compact SUV market, where rivals include the Honda HR-V, Proton X50, Perodua Ativa, and Chery Omoda 5.
More importantly, the Yaris Cross also becomes Toyota’s latest step in expanding its hybrid line-up in Malaysia following the introduction of the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid and Toyota Vios HEV.
The key difference between the two variants lies under the bonnet. The standard 1.5S uses Toyota’s familiar 2NR-VE 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with a CVT gearbox, producing 106 PS and 138 Nm of torque.
Meanwhile, the 1.5S HEV gets Toyota’s fourth-generation hybrid system, pairing a 1.5-litre 2NR-VEX engine with an electric motor for a combined system output of 111 PS. Toyota claims fuel consumption figures of between 27.8 km/l and 33.3 km/l based on internal testing, making it one of the most fuel-efficient non-plug-in SUVs in the segment.
Unlike fully electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids, the Yaris Cross HEV is self-charging, meaning owners do not need to plug the vehicle in. The lithium-ion battery recharges automatically during driving and braking, making it an easy transition point for buyers who want better fuel efficiency without changing their daily routines.
Visually, the Yaris Cross adopts a more rugged and upright design compared to the regular Toyota Yaris hatchback. It features short overhangs, prominent wheel arches, a raised ride height, and 18-inch alloy wheels that give it a more SUV-like stance.
Dimension-wise, the Yaris Cross measures 4,310 mm long, 1,770 mm wide, and 1,615 mm tall, while ground clearance stands at a generous 210 mm. Toyota also says the SUV is capable of wading through water up to 600 mm deep.
Inside, the cabin gets a blue-black interior theme with blue contrast stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, satin-finished trim, and a 7-inch digital TFT instrument display. The HEV variant further distinguishes itself with hybrid-specific instrumentation that shows energy flow and efficiency data instead of a traditional tachometer.
Both variants come generously equipped with features such as:
- 10.1-inch infotainment display
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Wireless charging pad
- Panoramic View Monitor
- Powered tailgate with kick sensor
- Rear USB-C charging ports
- Full LED lighting
Practicality is another strong point. The Yaris Cross offers up to 471 litres of boot space along with a two-level cargo floor and additional underfloor storage. Toyota says the luggage compartment is large enough to accommodate up to six suitcases or even a bicycle with the rear seats folded down.
Underneath, the Yaris Cross uses a MacPherson strut front suspension and torsion beam rear setup, while steering duties are handled by an electric power steering system calibrated for urban comfort and highway stability. Toyota also highlights the crossover’s compact 5.2-metre turning radius, which should make city driving and parking easier.
Safety-wise, the Yaris Cross comes with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), which bundles together a comprehensive suite of ADAS features including:
- Pre-Collision System
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Lane Departure Warning
- Lane Keeping Control
- Automatic High Beam
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Pedal Misoperation Control
The SUV also gets six airbags, ABS, EBD, ISOFIX child seat anchors, clearance sonar, and a Panoramic View Monitor.
As for ownership coverage, both variants come with a five-year unlimited mileage vehicle warranty. The hybrid battery for the HEV variant is covered for eight years with unlimited mileage, while buyers can optionally extend coverage for the battery and related hybrid components up to 10 years.
That being said, the Toyota Yaris Cross is now available for booking at all authorised Toyota dealerships nationwide.
