The TNGA Toyota Yaris Cross gets a nip-and-tuck in Europe, and we still want it here

If you’re reading this headline and are a bit confused, we won’t fault you for that. For those not in the know, the humble Toyota Yaris Cross we have in our market is a Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) product, while Japan, Europe, and other first-world countries get the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA)-based Yaris Cross.

And the latter has just received a facelift that brings it in line with the rest of Toyota’s offerings around the world, alongside a new GR Sport variant.

While the general shape of the car remains unchanged, the front fascia gets revised with a new bumper that has the same “seamless” hexagonal grille design that’s present on the Corolla Cross and RAV4 LTD, new redesigned LED headlights, and new Precious Bronze and Celestite Gray colors.

It’s a welcome change to bring it in line with the rest of Toyota’s lineup, but then the face of the car sort of ends up looking a bit like a Jason Voorhees mask. The rear end still has the wrap-around taillight signature with the LED strip.

The interior has a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.5-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, still carried over from the previous variant, but it now comes with a platinum strip on the instrument panel, alongside a new sportier-shaped seat for better support and comfort, with a SakuraTouch material that’s partial leather and recycled materials. Of course, Toyota Safety Sense comes as standard.

As for the powertrain, it comes in two different trims—the Hybrid 115 and the Hybrid 130. Both come with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine mated to an electric motor, with a total system output of 116 horsepower and 141Nm of torque (Hybrid 115) or 130 horsepower and 185Nm of torque (Hybrid 130). Both are available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

The GR Sport model adds a slightly more aggressive lower intake and a mesh-like grille with the hexagonal motif extending to the rear bumper with a faux rear diffuser. It’s topped off by special 18-inch alloy wheels and GR Sport badging.

The interior has suede sports seats with gray upholstery and red stitching, alongside GR logos embossed in the front headrests and steering wheel, alongside GR Sport gunmetal silver trim inserts, alongside ambient lighting, a wireless charger, a blind-spot monitor, and a power tailgate.

While the chances of us getting the TNGA-based Yaris Cross are near impossible (even if it comes in left-hand drive), it would be nice for us to have a more affordable TNGA-B platform car in our market, as the only two models currently using them in the Philippines are the Lexus LBX and the Toyota GR Yaris.

^{Photos from Toyota Europe}