It’s rare that a newly-launched car feels so familiar, but here’s the Toyota Yaris Cross, now officially launched in Malaysia. Familiar because this is a twin sister of the Perodua Traz that debut in December 2025, and we got our first look of the B-SUV in Indonesia back in 2023. It was also launched in Thailand that year. Better late than never?
The Yaris Cross is meant to fill out Toyota’s ASEAN range, which until not long ago was lacking in crossovers. It sits in between the Toyota Raize (also known as the Daihatsu Rocky and Perodua Ativa) and the Corolla Cross – the Yaris and Corolla names are clear indicators of which segments the Big T wants these models in. Note that the Yaris Cross in Europe is a totally different car, and so are the grey imports from Japan.
At 4,310 mm long and 1,770 mm wide, the Yaris Cross’ footprint is in the ballpark of the Honda HR-V, which is 4,385 mm long and 1,790 mm wide – that’s 75 mm longer and 20 mm wider than the Toyota. However, the YC’s 2,620 mm wheelbase is 10 mm longer than the Honda’s, and its 210 mm of ground clearance is more than the HR’V’s GC, which tops out at 196 mm.
Compared to another familiar benchmark, the Yaris Cross (and Traz, same dimensions) is 245 mm longer and 60 mm wider than the Perodua Ativa, while its 2,620 mm wheelbase is 95 mm longer than the compact SUV. You really do feel the size difference inside, especially in the rear. Toyota says that the YC’s 1,340 mm eye point is higher than many of its competitors.
Also significantly larger than the Ativa, by over 100L, is the YC’s 471-litre boot (465L for the hybrid), supplemented by a 200 mm deep underfloor compartment. While the Traz has a full-sized spare steel wheel, the YC comes with a space saver spare tyre. If you’ve ever attempted a balik kampung trip with the Proton X50, try this boot out for size, it’s 141 litres bigger and it can take in up to six trolley bags.
The large bay is shielded by a conventional retractable tonneau cover and there’s a powered rear hatch with a kick sensor for hands-free opening. Freeing up space for the big boot is a torsion beam rear suspension, which is the norm for this segment. Toyota claims a class-leading turning circle of 5.2 metres.
Looks wise, the Yaris Cross for ASEAN reminds me of the previous-generation Toyota RAV4 with its straight lines and sharp angles. Some might see the previous-generation Harrier in the rear design (again, this was designed some time ago) and even the original Lexus NX.
The main difference between Toyota and Perodua versions is in the nose – the YC’s grille is like a downturned bowl while the Traz gets a hexagon. At the back, the Traz has a black bar that visually connects the tail lamps – without this, it’s body colour on the YC. Also, the Toyota rides on two-tone 18-inch wheels (215/55 tyres), an inch larger than the Traz’s rims.
UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) is offering the Yaris Cross in two variants – NA and hybrid. The pure-petrol 1.5S has a familiar engine in the 2NR-VE, which makes 106 PS at 6,000 rpm and 138 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm, as per the Traz and various Toyota group models in our region – it’s as proven as engines can be. The DOHC Dual VVT-i naturally aspirated unit sends drive to the front wheels via a CVT automatic.
The hybrid option that the Traz didn’t get is here in the Yaris Cross. The fourth-generation Toyota Hybrid System is anchored by the 2NR-VEX, a 1.5L NA Atkinson cycle engine with 91 PS/121 Nm, paired to an electric motor rated at 80 PS/141 Nm.
Total output is 111 PS and the E-CVT channels drive to the front axle. The 1.5S HEV’s 36L fuel tank is smaller than the regular car’s 42L, but it has an extra lithium-ion battery onboard. Toyota is claiming 27.8 km/l fuel economy, just like it did for the Vios Hybrid that was launched earlier this year.
When the Traz was launched, some (including this writer, who is looking for a new daily ‘tool’) were disappointed that the Perodua didn’t have an AV range topper and a hybrid option. They’re all here, reserved for the more senior brand. Both the NA and HEV have the same ‘S’ grade, which means that the difference in price – RM99,900 on-the-road without insurance for the NA and RM109,900 for the HEV, RMXXX apart – is mostly down to the powertrain.
The Yaris Cross comes with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay, and there’s a 7.0-inch digital meter panel with four different ‘skins’ to choose from – the latter will be familiar to P2 DNGA AV and Vios owners, while the Traz gets analogue dials.
The YC also comes with blue cabin illumination (centre console and door trim, four brightness levels), wireless charger (standard for HEV, a RM550 option for NA) and subtle blue accents in the cabin (seat stitching, meter graphics), versus the Traz’s red. The HEV features synthetic leather upholstery with a breathable mesh pattern on the seatback.
Also included are roof rails, 18-inch two-tone wheels and an eight-way powered driver’s seat. UMWT is also throwing in a vehicle telematics system that pairs with the Toyota MY app to provide owners with real-time location and info.
As for safety, you’ll find six airbags and the full Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) pack that includes adaptive cruise control and auto high beam, which the Traz doesn’t get to have. AHB is still a rung below the Ativa’s adaptive driving beam, though. A panoramic view monitor and clearance sonar system helps with parking. The Yaris Cross was crash tested by ASEAN NCAP last year and it emerged with the full five stars.
Five colours are available – Dark Turquoise, Silver Metallic, Attitude Black, Spicy Scarlet SE and Platinum Pearl White. You’ll need to top up RM400 for the pearl white. As mentioned, the wireless charger is a RM550 option for the NA, while all YC buyers can an extra video recorder for the rear (front dashcam is standard) for RM380.
The warranty package is standard UMWT, which means five years unlimited mileage for the vehicle and eight years or unlimited mileage for the hybrid bits, which includes the lithium-ion battery, inverter and power management control ECU. By the way, the Yaris Cross is made in Toyota’s own Bukit Raja plant alongside the Vios Hybrid, and not with the Traz in Rawang.
Again, the Yaris Cross 1.5S is priced at RM99,900 and the 1.5S HEV goes for RM109,900, on-the-road without insurance. That makes the NA nearly RM20k costlier than the Traz H, which goes for RM81,100. Badge aside, the YC does have more kit and can be seen as the ‘true AV spec’ for the Traz. Also, if you’re looking at a hybrid to maximise your Budi95 quota, the Yaris Cross HEV is an SUV option next to the Vios Hybrid sedan – both have the same powertrain and identical RRPs.
So, what do you think of the Toyota Yaris Cross’ looks and package? Worth the premium over the Perodua Traz?
GALLERY: Toyota Yaris Cross HEV Premium Luxury, Thai-spec
The post Toyota Yaris Cross launched in Malaysia – 1.5L NA and Hybrid, higher spec than Perodua Traz, from RM100k appeared first on Paul Tan’s Automotive News.
