2027 Toyota Yaris Cross: Hybrid 130 Standard in UK, From £27,445

Toyota's best-selling model in Europe has been given a new face and a simpler line-up. For the 2027 model year the Yaris Cross gets a honeycomb-mesh grille moulded in body colour, redesigned LED headlights with integrated daytime running lights, new alloy wheels and three new paint colours. In the UK, Toyota has also made the Hybrid 130 powertrain standard on every version: 96 kW (130 PS / 128 hp) from a 1.5-litre three-cylinder full hybrid, with front-wheel drive on most grades and the intelligent AWD-i system as an option on the Excel. Toyota opened UK orders on 26 August 2026 with on-the-road prices from £27,445 and customer deliveries from September 2026.

This is a full hybrid (HEV), not a plug-in: there is no charging socket and the small battery is filled by the engine and by braking. The 130 PS system itself is not new, since Toyota introduced it to the Yaris Cross range in 2024 next to the original 116 DIN hp version. What changes for 2027 is that, according to the UK release, the Hybrid 130 now runs through the whole range, and that more equipment filters down to the cheaper grades. Toyota's UK release does not describe the line-up in other markets, so this article focuses on the UK price list and the technical data Toyota has released.

Performance & Specs

The Hybrid 130 keeps the 1,490 cc three-cylinder Atkinson-cycle petrol engine, which delivers 68 kW (91 DIN hp) and 120 Nm on its own. The step up from the older 116 DIN hp system comes from a new transaxle with a larger and more powerful MG1 motor-generator and changes to the power control unit. Total system output rises 12 per cent, from 85 kW (116 PS / 114 hp) to 96 kW (130 PS / 128 hp). Toyota UK quotes 129 bhp for the Hybrid 130; this article converts PS x 0.9863, which gives 128 hp.

The drive motor (MG2) matters as much as the headline number. Its output rises from 59 kW to 62 kW and its maximum torque by 30 per cent, from 141 Nm to 185 Nm, available across the rev band. Toyota says the car accelerates from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 10.7 seconds in front-wheel drive form, half a second quicker than before, with the AWD-i version taking 11.3 seconds. Top speed is 109 mph (about 175 km/h). The hybrid battery is a lithium-ion pack of 48 cells at 177.6 V and 4.3 Ah, which works out to roughly 0.76 kWh of nominal capacity (our calculation; Toyota does not publish a kWh figure). The transmission is an e-CVT.

Powertrain	1.5-litre 3-cylinder full hybrid, e-CVT
Power	96 kW (130 PS / 128 hp) system output
Torque	185 Nm (drive motor MG2)
Drive	FWD; AWD-i on Excel
0–100 km/h	10.7 s FWD / 11.3 s AWD-i
Consumption	4.4–5.1 l/100 km WLTP

Official WLTP combined consumption is 55.3 to 64.1 mpg (imperial) according to grade, which converts to about 4.4 to 5.1 l/100 km. Toyota's UK price list gives CO2 of 100 g/km for the Icon, 101 g/km for the Design, 109 g/km for the Excel, 110 g/km for the GR Sport and 115 g/km for the Excel AWD-i, with optional paint and roof choices moving some figures up to 116 g/km. The fuel tank holds 36 litres.

POWERTRAIN TYPE	Full hybrid (HEV), 1.5-litre 3-cylinder petrol + electric motors, e-CVT
HORSEPOWER	96 kW (130 PS / 128 hp) system output
TORQUE	185 Nm (drive motor); engine 120 Nm at 3,600 rpm
ACCELERATION	0–100 km/h in 10.7 s (FWD), 11.3 s (AWD-i)
TOP SPEED	109 mph (about 175 km/h)
DRIVETRAIN	FWD; AWD-i (Excel only)
HYBRID BATTERY	Lithium-ion, 177.6 V, 4.3 Ah (about 0.76 kWh nominal, calculated)
WLTP CONSUMPTION	4.4–5.1 l/100 km (55.3–64.1 mpg), 100–115 g/km CO2

Dimensions & Practicality

Length	4,172 mm
Width	1,765 mm
Height	1,595 mm
Wheelbase	2,560 mm
Ground clearance	170 mm

The Yaris Cross is a genuinely compact crossover: 4,172 mm long, 1,765 mm wide and 1,595 mm tall on a 2,560 mm wheelbase, with 170 mm of ground clearance and a 5.3 metre tyre turning circle. Toyota's technical data quotes 350 litres of boot space to the tonneau cover and 460 litres loaded to the roof, growing to 1,097 litres with the rear seats folded; Toyota's own description of the car mentions 397 litres including the area under the deckboard. The rear seats are 40:20:40 split-folding and can recline individually, and front-wheel-drive models on higher grades have a two-level boot floor.

Kerb weight is 1,230 to 1,260 kg for the front-wheel-drive Hybrid 130 and 1,320 to 1,355 kg for the AWD-i, with a braked towing limit of 750 kg. These dimensions come from Toyota UK's technical data sheet issued for the pre-update car; Toyota's release for the 2027 model year describes a new front end but does not restate dimensions, so small differences in length are possible.

LENGTH	4,172 mm
WIDTH	1,765 mm
HEIGHT	1,595 mm
WHEELBASE	2,560 mm
CARGO VOLUME	350 L VDA to tonneau cover (1,097 L seats folded)
KERB WEIGHT	1,230–1,260 kg FWD; 1,320–1,355 kg AWD-i

Charging & Battery

There is nothing to plug in. The Yaris Cross is a self-charging hybrid, so this section is short: the 177.6 V lithium-ion battery is topped up by the engine and by regenerative braking, and Toyota gives no AC or DC charging figures because the car cannot accept external charge. The practical consequence is that you refuel at a normal petrol pump; with a 36-litre tank, the official 4.4 to 5.1 l/100 km figure translates into a theoretical range of roughly 700 to 800 km, our own arithmetic rather than a Toyota claim.

Toyota says the new system's stronger electric side allows electric driving at higher speeds and lets the engine run in its efficient range more often. The Hybrid 130 also uses Predictive Efficient Drive, which uses cloud navigation data to manage battery charge ahead of hills and traffic jams.

BATTERY	Lithium-ion, 48 cells, 177.6 V, 4.3 Ah
AC CHARGING	Not applicable (self-charging hybrid)
DC FAST CHARGING	Not applicable
FUEL TANK	36 litres

Design & Interior

The update is a front-end job. The new honeycomb grille is finished in the body colour and flows into the bumper, a black lower section and flared wheel arches keep the SUV stance, and the redesigned LED headlights have integrated daytime running lights as standard. New 17-inch (Design) and 18-inch (Excel) alloy wheels join the range. The GR Sport gets its own bumper with side pods beside deeply recessed fog lights, 18-inch grey machined wheels and retuned suspension, and is offered only with front-wheel drive.

The palette adds Precious Bronze, available on the Excel only as a bi-tone with a black roof and pillars, plus Persian Salt, which replaces the previous Shimmering Silver, and Storm Grey. Inside, platinum-coloured door trim and an instrument-panel insert lift the cabin. The Design grade inherits the sports-style front seats that were previously reserved for the Excel, with platinum inserts and three-tone stitching. Excel seats combine leather sections with SakuraTouch, a material that includes plant-derived PVC, waste cork and recycled PET and that Toyota says cuts CO2 in material production by 95 per cent against genuine leather. The GR Sport has suede-type seats in grey with red stitching.

Technology & Features

The Icon has a 7-inch digital instrument display and a 9-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. From the Design grade the 10.5-inch Toyota Smart Connect system adds cloud-based navigation; the Excel and GR Sport add a 12.3-inch customisable instrument display, embedded navigation and the "Hey Toyota" voice agent. Over-the-air software updates and a Data Communication Module are standard across the range, and the MyToyota app can lock the car, switch on the climate control and flash the hazard lights.

New for 2027, the Icon gains auto-folding mirrors and LED headlights with automatic high beam, the Design gets a wireless phone charger, parking sensors and the sports seats, and the Excel and GR Sport include a power back door. Excel and GR Sport also come with the Advanced Safety pack, which bundles parking sensors with automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot monitor, safe exit assist, lane change assist, a Panoramic View Monitor and advanced parking assist. A Skyview panoramic roof is a £500 option on those two grades.

Safety & ADAS

Toyota Safety Sense is standard on every grade. Its Pre-Collision System recognises vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycles, and covers oncoming and crossing traffic, while Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Trace Assist and Road Sign Assist handle highway driving. Proactive Driving Assist and the Emergency Driving Stop System, which brings the car to a halt if the driver stops responding, were added with the earlier update. A driver monitor camera and a front centre airbag are standard throughout.

ADAS LEVEL	Toyota Safety Sense (SAE level not stated by Toyota)
ADAS FEATURES	Pre-Collision System, adaptive cruise, Lane Trace Assist, Road Sign Assist, Proactive Driving Assist, Emergency Driving Stop System, driver monitor camera

Available Versions

VERSION	POWER	TORQUE	0-100	TOP SPEED	DRIVETRAIN	BATTERY	EV RANGE	COMBINED RANGE	PRICE	KEY DIFFERENCES
Icon	128 hp	185 Nm (drive motor)	10.7s	175 km/h	FWD	0.76 kWh	—	—	£27,445	16-inch alloys, 9-inch screen, 100 g/km CO2
Design	128 hp	185 Nm (drive motor)	10.7s	175 km/h	FWD	0.76 kWh	—	—	£29,995	17-inch alloys, 10.5-inch screen, wireless charger, sports seats
Excel	128 hp	185 Nm (drive motor)	10.7s	175 km/h	FWD	0.76 kWh	—	—	£33,695	18-inch alloys, SakuraTouch seats, 12.3-inch display, Advanced Safety pack
Excel AWD-i	128 hp	185 Nm (drive motor)	11.3s	175 km/h	AWD	0.76 kWh	—	—	£36,045	Rear motor with 100:0 to 40:60 torque split, 115 g/km CO2
GR Sport	128 hp	185 Nm (drive motor)	10.7s	175 km/h	FWD	0.76 kWh	—	—	£35,095	Own bumper, retuned suspension, 18-inch grey wheels, suede seats

Pricing & Availability

Toyota GB opened UK orders on 26 August 2026 with the following on-the-road prices, which include VAT, 12 months of vehicle excise duty, the £55 first registration fee, and delivery and number plates (£826): Icon £27,445, Design £29,995, Excel £33,695 and GR Sport £35,095. The Excel AWD-i at £36,045 comes from the Toyota UK price list effective 1 September 2026, not from the 26 August release. Customer deliveries start from September 2026. Options include the £400 Safety Pack on the Design and the £500 panoramic roof. At the current exchange rate (1 GBP = 1.3276 USD, 6 October 2026) the Icon is about $36,400 and the Excel AWD-i about $47,900.

In Israel, the importer Union Motors has launched the facelifted Yaris Cross with the honeycomb grille, with the 116 hp hybrid system only; the 130 hp version is not announced for Israel. Prices reported by Cartube (12 October 2026) are NIS 159,990 for the Eco (about $52,500), NIS 162,490 for the Urban (about $53,300) and NIS 163,990 for the Urban Bitone (about $53,800), at 1 USD = 3.0482 ILS. Toyota's UK release says the Hybrid 130 is standard across all UK versions; it does not describe the powertrain line-up in other countries, so check your local Toyota dealer.

How It Compares

The closest like-for-like UK rival in our own catalogue is the MG ZS Hybrid+ SE, a slightly larger compact SUV (4,430 mm long against 4,172 mm). MG quotes 196 PS (144 kW, about 193 hp), 8.7 seconds to 62 mph and 5.1 l/100 km WLTP, with a UK price of £23,995 against £27,445 for the Yaris Cross Icon. The MG has roughly 65 hp and two seconds on the Toyota, while the Yaris Cross matches its consumption at the top of its own 4.4–5.1 l/100 km range and is more efficient in its best grades; the two prices may not be built on the same basis, since Toyota's on-the-road figure includes road tax, registration and delivery.

The Nissan Kicks e-POWER is the other hybrid challenger to watch in the small-crossover class. Nissan has confirmed it for Europe, the UK and Turkey, to be built in Sunderland, but it has not announced a launch date, European power, pricing or consumption yet. It is a series hybrid (e-POWER): the petrol engine only generates electricity for the drive motor, and it is not a plug-in. In Japan the Kicks e-POWER pairs a 1.4-litre petrol generator with a front motor rated 105 kW / 143 PS (141 hp, Japan spec) and an optional rear motor; Nissan has not said which of those will reach Europe. For now the Yaris Cross is the one you can order, with a published price and WLTP figures; the Kicks is the one to watch.