Toyota Yaris Cross spied going up Genting – Perodua Traz twin with hybrid engine launching here soon?

The Toyota Yaris Cross has been spotted in Malaysia ahead of what should be its eventual launch debut this year. In photos that are being shared in various WhatsApp groups, we get to see camouflaged units of the B-segment SUV making their way up to Genting Highlands.

First making its ASEAN debut in Indonesia back in May 2023, the Yaris Cross is built on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture and has a twin in the form of the Perodua Traz that went on sale here in December last year.

Aside from different faces, both cars are very similar in design and share nearly identical dimensions, measuring in at 4,310 mm long, 1,770 mm wide and with a wheelbase spanning 2,620 mm. However, the Traz is slightly taller at 1,655 mm compared to the Yaris Cross at 1,615 mm.

In terms of powertrain options, the Traz is only available with a 2NR-VE 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated inline-four petrol engine making 106 PS (105 hp or 78 kW) and 138 Nm of torque, paired with a D-CVT (Dual-Mode CVT) driving the front wheels.

As for the Yaris Cross, it can be had with either the 2NR-VE engine or a hybrid system, as is the case in Indonesia. The latter is based around a 2NR-VEX engine, which also has a displacement of 1.5 litres and natural aspiration, but runs on the Atkinson cycle.

The engine, which makes 91 PS (90 hp or 67 kW) and 121 Nm, is paired with a CVT and augmented by an electric motor rated at 80 PS (79 hp or 59 kW) and 141 Nm for a total system output of 111 PS (110 hp or 82 kW).

While Indonesia gets both powertrains, the Thailand-spec Yaris Cross is a hybrid-only affair. Linked to the electric motor is a 4.3-Ah lithium-ion battery and the rated fuel consumption in Thailand is 26.3 km per litre. The hybrid version gets a smaller fuel tank (36 litres) compared to the pure NA (42 litres).

As with the Veloz and Alza, we’re expecting the Yaris Cross to be a more upmarket offering compared to the Traz. The potentially higher asking price of the Yaris Cross should entail not just more features but also the option of the hybrid powertrain. The latter would align well with UMW Toyota Motor’s (UMWT) electrification push that recently saw the launch of the Vios Hybrid, which uses the same powertrain as the Yaris Cross.

For now, UMWT isn’t teasing the Yaris Cross just yet but the sighting of camouflaged units indicates that the company is preparing to launch its answer to the Honda HR-V, Mitsubishi Xforce and Proton X50, hopefully in the near future – Modellista bodykits are already available for order from dealers. Looking forward to this one?

GALLERY: Toyota Yaris Cross in Thailand