Skip advert
Advertisement

Toyota Yaris Cross - Interior, design and technology

The Toyota Yaris Cross offers good levels of standard kit, but the cabin feels a little cheap in places

Interior, design and technology rating

4.0

How we review cars
Avg. savings
£1,879 off RRP*
Find your Toyota Yaris
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The Toyota Yaris Cross sits on the same TNGA-B platform as the latest Yaris supermini, but being a small SUV it rides higher, has greater ground clearance, and a more rugged look. The black plastic cladding around the wheel arches adds a little extra flavour to its chunky, cross-country credentials, while stylish aluminium roof rails are standard on all but the entry Icon model. You can also specify a black roof in combination with certain body colours to add a little extra personalisation.

What is the Toyota Yaris Cross like inside?

The cabin of the Yaris Cross is best described as functional because it isn’t particularly exciting.

Advertisement - Article continues below

As part of the updates for 2024, entry-level models now feature a nine-inch touchscreen, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The rest of the range comes with an even larger 10.5-inch display, running Toyota’s latest ‘Smart Connect’ infotainment system – we’ll talk more about that in the section below.

Behind the steering wheel, Icon and Design trim cars get a seven-inch digital instrument panel, while higher grades benefit from a 12.3-inch display with various layouts and themes available. They’re a definite improvement, particularly in terms of clarity, over the analogue dials the Yaris Cross used to have.

If you’re after luxuries such as heated front seats and steering wheel, head-up display, JBL sound system, you’ll need to look towards the Excel, GR Sport or Premiere Edition trim levels. That’s not to say the Icon and Design specifications are poorly equipped; each includes alloy wheels, keyless entry, adaptive cruise control, and a reversing camera. 

As the name suggests, the GR Sport version gives the Yaris Cross a slightly more athletic look, but don’t be fooled into thinking it’s any faster or could be Toyota's answer to the Ford Puma ST – it’s mainly just a few styling changes and some suspension tweaks.

What is the interior quality like? 

Some of the plastics inside the Yaris Cross can be a little hard and scratchy, but it does generally feel well-built and uses physical climate controls and simple switchgear that feel nicely damped.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

Base models have a nine-inch touchscreen with the Toyota Touch 2 infotainment system, which is relatively simple to navigate, and features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. This setup also has some shortcut buttons around the screen, which are handy while driving. 

Go for Design trim and above, and the Yaris Cross features a 10.5-inch touchscreen, running Toyota’s latest ‘Smart Connect’ user interface system – the same one found in the Toyota bZ4X and Toyota C-HR. Compared to the other system, it’s sharper, quicker to respond and the menus are easier to navigate, though we still didn’t find it to be quite as intuitive or snappy as the Google-powered tech in the refreshed Renault Captur.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,360Avg. savings £1,879 off RRP*Used from £15,200
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,135Avg. savings £5,568 off RRP*Used from £11,388
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £25,915Avg. savings £2,490 off RRP*
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £2,222 off RRP*Used from £17,223
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Have you considered?

Alfa Romeo Junior review
Alfa Romeo Junior - main image

Alfa Romeo Junior review

In-depth reviews
31 Mar 2025
Used Hyundai Bayon (Mk1, 2021-date) buyer’s guide: sensible prices help its appeal
Used Hyundai Bayon - front

Used Hyundai Bayon (Mk1, 2021-date) buyer’s guide: sensible prices help its appeal

Used car tests
20 Mar 2025
Lexus NX review
Lexus NX - main image

Lexus NX review

In-depth reviews
20 Mar 2025

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: BYD Seal – signed, sealed and delivered for less than £305 a month
BYD Seal - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: BYD Seal – signed, sealed and delivered for less than £305 a month

The BYD Seal is a Tesla Model 3 rival, and a very good one at that. It’s our Deal of the Day for 31 March
News
31 Mar 2025
Best April Fools' Day jokes by car companies 2025
Best April Fools' day jokes 2025

Best April Fools' Day jokes by car companies 2025

We round up this year’s best car-related April Fools’ jokes, along with a few of the more famous japes from years gone by
Features
1 Apr 2025
SEAT Ibiza, Arona, Leon and Ateca get sporty upgrades thanks to new Black Editions
SEAT Black Editions

SEAT Ibiza, Arona, Leon and Ateca get sporty upgrades thanks to new Black Editions

This could be the final change ahead of updates to Ibiza and Arona later this year
News
1 Apr 2025