Toyota unveiled the new Yaris Cross last week, the company’s first-ever SUV to be built on the TNGA-B platform.

In terms of positioning, the new Yaris Cross is positioned below the C-HR and Corolla Cross, whereby the new model will be pitted against the popular Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3.

Dimension wise, the Yaris Cross is 4,180 mm long, putting it 95 mm shorter than the Mazda CX-3 and 166 mm shorter than the Honda HR-V. So it's a really tiny SUV. If you think the CX-3 is small, the Yaris Cross is even smaller.

Despite its shorter length, the Yaris Cross’ 1,765 mm width is identical to the Mazda CX-3 and 25 mm less than the Honda (1,790 mm). 

As for its wheelbase, the Yaris Cross’ wheelbase is 2,560 mm long, putting it 10 mm less than the Mazda (2,570 mm) and 50 mm less than the Honda (2,610 mm).

While Toyota did not mention the Yaris Cross’ boot space, they did say that the new model gets 40:20:40 split folding rear seats, which can be more practical than the Mazda and Honda’s 60:40 split folding rear seats. It also gets straps to help secure items in the boot, something which the HR-V and CX-3 lacks.

Unlike a lot of its segment peers, selected variants of the Yaris Cross can also be equipped with a power tailgate, something that is usually reserved for upper segment SUVs.

The Yaris Cross’ positioning as a cheaper model than the CH-R is also reflected in the powertrain options – unlike the C-HR wide selection of powertrains, the Yaris Cross is only available with a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine and a 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid powertrain at launch.

Unfortunately for us, the Yaris Cross is unlikely to be offered here, as Toyota intends to fill the gap with the Corolla Cross instead.

Although the Corolla Cross will be built on the TNGA-C platform like the Toyota Corolla Altis and C-HR, it won’t be getting the double wishbone rear suspension - instead, the Corolla Cross will receive a torsion beam rear suspension.

Not only will this move allow Toyota to price the Corolla Cross lower than the C-HR, the torsion beam rear suspension also saves space.

As such, with the new Corolla Cross, all-new RAV4, and Harrier slated for launch in Malaysia later this year/early next year, Toyota Malaysia will have a solid three-pronged strategy into the highly-competitve SUV segment.