The Toyota Yaris Cross will soon be launched in Malaysia, as UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has teased the arrival of the B-segment SUV on its social media pages – it was sighted disguised earlier this year. First making its global debut in Indonesia back in May 2023, the Yaris Cross coming our way is an ASEAN-specific model and differs from the version sold in Europe. Built on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA), the Yaris Cross is the twin the Perodua Traz that went on sale here earlier in December last year. Both are 4,310 mm long, 1,770 mm wide and have a wheelbase of 2,525 mm, but the Yaris Cross has a lower overall height of 1,615 mm compared to the Traz at 1,655 mm. If you’re wondering how much larger or smaller the Yaris Cross is when compared to other SUVs it has in its scope, here’s an overview: Honda HR-V Length: 4,347-4,387 mm Width: 1,790 mm Height: 1,590-1,591 mm Wheelbase: 2,610 mm Proton X50 Length: 4,380 mm Width: 1,795 mm Height: 1,609 mm Wheelbase: 2,600 mm Mitsubishi Xforce Length: 4,390 mm Width: 1,810 mm Height: 1,660 mm Wheelbase: 2,650 mm Chery Omoda O5 Length: 4,400 mm Width: 1,830 mm Height: 1,588 mm Wheelbase: 2,630 mm Chery Tiggo Cross Length: 4,318 mm Width: 1,830 mm Height: 1,670 mm Wheelbase: 2,610 mm UMWT is keeping its cards close to their chest for now, so we don’t know exactly what powertrains will be available for the Yaris Cross. Its twin model, the Traz, is powered by a 2NR-VE 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated inline-four petrol engine that makes 106 PS (105 hp or 78 kW) and 138 Nm of torque, with drive sent to the front wheels via Daihatsu’s D-CVT (Dual-Mode CVT). This setup is what’s fitted to Yaris Cross in Indonesia, although there’s also the option of a five-speed manual in addition to the D-CVT. That market also gets the Yaris Cross with a hybrid powertrain, which is based around the 2NR-VEX engine, which has the same displacement of 1.5 litres and is naturally aspirated 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). To our north, Thailand only gets the Yaris Cross as a hybrid. Given UMWT’s electrification push, it isn’t far-fetched to assume we may get the hybrid. In both Indonesia and Thailand, the Yaris Cross is offered with the Toyota Safety Sense suite of ADAS functions that include adaptive cruise control, which is something that the Traz does not get at all. As we’ve seen with the Veloz and Alza siblings, the Toyota offering will likely be more upmarket by having more features and potentially a higher starting price as well. The B-segment SUV market looks set to be even more competitive than ever with Toyota getting back in the game after the departure of the C-HR. While we wait for UMWT to furnish us with more details, are you excited for the arrival of the Yaris Cross? Share your thoughts and expectations in the comments below. GALLERY: Toyota Yaris Cross at the 2023 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show GALLERY: Toyota Yaris Cross in Thailand Compare prices between different insurer providers to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services. Many payment method supported and you can pay with instalment using Atome, Grab PayLater or Shopee SPayLater. Use the promo code 'PAULTAN' when you checkout for 10% discount!