Toyota has announced it’s introducing a new “dynamically focused” GR Sport variant to its Yaris Cross light SUV range in Australia.
The 2023 Toyota Yaris Cross GR Sport is due in local showrooms in December and will exclusively be available in 2WD Hybrid guise.
Toyota hasn’t detailed pricing for the Yaris Cross GR Sport just yet, but it says that more details will be revealed closer to its release.
The Yaris Cross range currently starts at $26,990 before on-road costs for the GX petrol, and extends to $37,990 for the Urban AWD hybrid. It’s likely the Yaris Cross GR Sport will cost less than the current flagship.
Overseas model shown throughout
The Yaris Cross GR Sport has retuned suspension that’s said to help sharpen steering feel and response, as well as reduce body roll.
There have been no powertrain modifications though.
The Toyota Yaris Cross GR Sport is exclusively powered by a petrol-electric hybrid system that consists of a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors on the front axle producing a total system output of 85kW of power.
This is mated to an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT) with drive sent to the front wheels only.
On the outside, the Yaris Cross GR Sport differentiates itself with 18-inch alloy wheels with a two-tone five-twin-spoke design, a unique front grille with black mesh, and a “sporty” rear diffuser.
Inside the Yaris Cross GR Sport there are front sport seats with grey synthetic leather upholstery, a “suede-like cover”, and light grey stitching that’s also carried over to the steering wheel.
It’s worth noting all the press images show a left-hand drive model with red accent stitching on the seats and steering wheel.
There are also aluminium pedals, gunmetal silver trim inserts on the doors and instrument panel, and GR logos on the front headrests, smart keys and steering wheel.
Just like the current Yaris Cross, the GR Sport variant will have a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, climate control, as well as a three-year complimentary subscription to Toyota Connected Services.
As previously reported, Toyota Australia confirmed that it’ll offer “improved technology” in the Yaris Cross as part of an update due in 2022.
It also confirmed its entry-level crossover will receive a new range of exterior colours and finishes, as well as “enhancements to interior trim” that includes black leather-accented upholstery on current top-spec Urban models.
The Urban currently comes with unusual tweed-like upholstery with brown leatherette bolsters, which matches a two-tone black-and-brown dashboard and door trims.
The Yaris Cross light SUV is the latest in the Toyota lineup to receive the GR Sport treatment, and will be offered alongside the C-HR GR Sport and LandCruiser 300 Series GR Sport.
Toyota Australia also recently announced it’s introducing a new “hardcore halo” HiLux variant to be introduced in the second half of 2023 that will also wear the GR Sport name.
Further official details are sparse for now besides it being described as a “off-road focused” range-topping ute.
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