Toyota has unveiled the new Yaris Cross, a car which delivers the high-riding qualities of an SUV, but on a scale tailored to suit urban streets and with a genuine emphasis on environmental performance.

The new Yaris Cross draws on Toyota's strong heritage of advanced hybrid technology, small car design and SUV engineering.

As a member of the Yaris family, the Yaris Cross is constructed on Toyota's new GA-B compact car platform. It also shares the 'big-small' design and packaging concept that characterised the original Yaris, delivering a roomy interior within compact exterior dimensions.

The Yaris Cross will be powered by a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder Atkinson cycle petrol engine, designed to deliver high torque at low engine speeds and excellent fuel efficiency. The engine's thermal efficiency is rated at 40%, and can be combined with a hybrid system for a total combined system output of 114bhp.

Non-hybrid cars get the option of a Direct-Shift continously variable transmission or a six-speed manual gearbox, while the hybrid cars will get the reduction gear system from Toyota's Hybrid System II.

The Yaris Cross has the same 2,560mm wheelbase as the new Yaris hatchback, but is 240mm longer overall, with 60mm added to the front overhang and 180mm to the rear, for more interior space. Ground clearance is 30mm higher and the vehicle is taller and wider than the Toyota Yaris by 90mm and 20mm respectively.

The car also sports a power back door for easy access when you have your hands full, and an adjustable boot deck height, which gives the flexibility of either a secure underfloor compartment, or more space to carry larger items. The boot also sports a new flex belt system to keep items securely in place when driving.

An optional Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD-i) is also offered with the Yaris Cross.  The electric all-wheel drive system is more compact and weighs less than a mechanical system, and directs drive torque to the rear axle when pulling away and when accelerating. All-wheel drive is also engaged automatically, when driving in slippery conditions such as on wet cobblestones, in heavy rain, or on wet or packed snow, or sand.

The Yaris Cross will be manufactured in Europe at Toyota Motor Manufacturing near Valenciennes, France, alongside the new generation Yaris hatchback, from 2021. Models set for the Japanese market will be manufactured at Toyota Motor East Japan Co., Ltd..