The Death of Sub-$20,000 Cars in America
If you take a look at any buyer’s guide, you won’t find a brand-new car under $20,000 anymore. The last car that fit the bill was the Nissan Versa, and that’s been axed in the U.S. The new model has started production in Mexico, but there’s no chance of it crossing the border.
Subcompact crossovers effectively put an end to that market. Because of that, America doesn’t get cars like the new Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, or Nissan Aura — subcompact econoboxes that offer more than what their diminutive dimensions suggest. That said, Japan is awash with affordable subcompact crossover choices, one of which is the Toyota Yaris Cross.
Toyota
A Reasonably Priced Subcompact Crossover
The Yaris Cross has been on sale in Japan and other parts of the world for quite some time already. This year, however, it gets a bit of an update, adding more equipment and a new trim level. The price? The hybrid version starts at just ¥2,510,200 or around $16,100. If you want to go cheaper, there’s the base non-hybrid model, which goes for ¥2,126,300, or just a little over $13,600.
In an age where the average price of a brand-new car is in the region of $50,000, something like the Yaris Cross might be a good deal. It’s smaller than a Nissan Kicks, but ever so slightly larger than the Hyundai Venue. So while the U.S. isn’t so keen on small hatchbacks, pint-sized crossovers are in.
Toyota
It’s no Penalty Box
With those prices, you’re probably expecting it to be as sparsely-equipped as a base Corolla from the ’90s, but that’s not the case at all. For starters, it gets advanced driver assists as standard. We’re not talking about a basic package, either, as it includes adaptive cruise, emergency steer assist, rear cross-traffic alert with emergency braking, and other assists you’d find in an American-spec Lexus. It also has a five-star safety rating from Japan’s New Car Assessment Program.
The interior isn’t half bad, either. Okay, it’s likely a plastic-fest in there, but knowing Toyota, it’s probably overbuilt to last several lifetimes. There isn’t much in the way of blank switches, either. Seat heaters and heated side mirrors are standard in most trims, and there’s wireless phone connectivity thrown in as well. That said, the 360-degree cameras are reserved for higher-spec models but are optional on lower-spec models. In other words, you can have the most basic Yaris Cross with plastic wheel covers and steelies, yet still get most of the features.
Toyota
Great Value Across All Trims
The rest of the trims aren’t too expensive, either. If anything, most are still below $20,000. The most expensive model we saw was the Z Adventure HEV e-Four (hybrid AWD) for ¥3,355,000 or around $21,500. By the way, that already includes Japan’s relatively high taxes in the list price.
For the mid-grade G HEV e-Four trim, it goes for ¥2,960,100 or just shy of $19,000. Get rid of all-wheel drive, and that drops to ¥2,712,600 or about $17,400. If you ask us, the G HEV e-Four would be our pick of the bunch. You get over 60 mpg (factory claimed), a well-equipped package, and all-wheel drive. Truth be told, though, the base X HEV model is enough for most folks, and you can still get that with all-wheel drive.
The Yaris Cross Hybrid is powered by a 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine mated to a single motor, so it’s no hot rod. Combined output is rated at just 118 hp, although some markets get a more powerful tune with a neck-snapping 130 hp.
Zero Chance of Coming to America
It’s sad then that the Yaris Cross has no chance of coming to America. Its platform isn’t homologated for the U.S., which is why the GR Yaris isn’t available stateside. Still, it’s sold in other major markets such as Europe, Oceania, and some parts of Asia.
But let’s say it’s been approved for America. Another thing that gets in the way is tariffs and shipping. It’s an absolute bargain in Japan, but its value proposition will quickly evaporate once all additional fees have been applied, making profit margins slimmer for Toyota.
Still, the thought of low-cost, well-equipped crossover should appeal to many, and it’s something cash-conscious Americans might want. It’s small and not too fast, but as a point-A-to-B car, it’s a promising vehicle. Perhaps it’s no surprise that these are practically everywhere in Japan.
Toyota
Toyota
