True MPG heroes: Yaris and Yaris Cross

True MPG

A common thread running through many test-drive reviews of the current Yaris supermini and Yaris Cross SUV is the surprising fuel economy – their true mpg. Both models are powered by the same hyper-efficient, fourth generation hybrid electric system, which enables a high percentage of pure electric, zero emission EV driving in typical urban commuting journeys.

Toyota’s official WLTP combined cycle fuel economy figures for the Yaris Icon range from 57.6 to 68.8mpg, while the equivalent Yaris Cross Icon offers 54.3 to 64.1mpg across the same cycle. But is there a difference between the official Yaris MPG and Yaris Cross MPG figures and the miles per gallon that the average driver can expect to achieve in the real world?

True MPG

Discovering the answer to that question is the purpose of What Car? magazine’s True MPG test. The standardised test procedure replicates a mixed driving route on a rolling road and is carried out in controlled laboratory conditions, so results are unaffected by external factors such as weather conditions and traffic.

How did the Yaris supermini and Yaris Cross fare in this independent test? As you will see below, both cars set new class records for average fuel economy.

True MPG

Yaris Cross MPG v True MPG: Yaris Cross is the most efficient SUV

What Car? stated: “Not only is the Yaris Cross good to drive, with composed handling and a decent punch from its 1.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor, but it offers the kind of lofty driving position which many buyers are looking for these days. It also happens to be the most efficient SUV we’ve ever tested, returning more than 60mpg overall.” Date: 28 January 2022

Commenting further on this result to a Toyota representative, What Car? editor Steve Huntingford said: “The Yaris Cross averaged 60.1mpg in our real-world True MPG fuel economy test – the best average figure we’ve ever seen and encouragingly close to its official total of 62.7mpg. But even more impressively, it achieved an astonishing 103.3mpg on our True MPG town cycle.”

True MPG

Yaris MPG v True MPG: Yaris is the most efficient hybrid car

What Car? comment: “Hybrid cars don’t come any cheaper than the latest Yaris, yet it has the best average fuel economy figure of any car we’ve put through our True MPG test. It’s also well priced and offers perky performance, although there are plenty of small cars that are more spacious.” Date: 8 January 2021

After asking for more detail on this result, Huntingford added: “Our True MPG test proves that the new Yaris Hybrid has a remarkable ability to sip fuel gently. In town, it achieved 80mpg – almost double the economy of conventionally powered small hatchbacks. Overall, it’s the most efficient car we’ve ever tested, managing 59.3mpg.”

Do you have to drive like a saint to achieve these economy figures?

Toyota GB operations director Mark Roden responded: “Our self-charging hybrid technology is engineered so that its benefits are easily realised – customers don’t have to compromise their lifestyle to get the best from their vehicle and the driving experience is wonderfully smooth, quiet and refined.”

He added: “The What Car? test results are a great validation of how our market-leading hybrid electric technology delivers genuine efficiency in day-to-day driving. That means not just savings on fuel costs for motorists but also lower emissions – particularly in urban areas.”

And while we’re on the subject of Yaris MPG…

It turns out that the high-performance GR Yaris hatchback, born from our participation in the World Rally Championship, is a True MPG over-achiever, bettering its official WLTP combined fuel economy figures in the What Car? test.

What Car? comment: “You won’t be surprised to hear that this go-faster version of the Yaris is great to drive and has no trouble putting a smile on your face – after all, it’s our reigning Hot Hatch of the Year. It’s also more efficient than you might expect, so you might also find that it’s kind to your wallet as well as your heart.” Date: 20 May 2021

14 comments

  1. I have just placed an order for a new Yaris Cross, with an unbelievable delivery date of early May, that’s less than 6 weeks.
    Looking forward to the extra accessibility.

    1. Hi, thanks for your comment.

      Congratulations on your order! We wish you many happy miles in your Yaris Cross.

      Thanks.

  2. Hi, I since I order Yaris Cross GR Sport end January 23 have been reading various reviews and came across main problem “12v battery, owners with low usage facing start problem. I saw some good YouTube videos and found super battery jump start kits, one it’s a capacitor charger, easy to use, I suggest Toyota should put one such unit in all its Hybrid cars as an accessory. It will save a lot to Toyota’s name.

    1. “”9April 2023 at 9:26 pm
      Hi, I since I order Yaris Cross GR Sport end January 23 have been reading various reviews and came across main problem “12v battery, owners with low usage facing start problem. I saw some good YouTube videos and found super battery jump start kits, one it’s a capacitor charger, easy to use, I suggest Toyota should put one such unit in all its Hybrid cars as an accessory. It will save a lot to Toyota’s name.“””

      Strange Toyota always responds to comments but did not on mine quote above, think they did like my suggestion of adding a kit for charging 12v battery.

  3. Hi I have just ordered a yaris cross gr sport for September 2023 it’s sounds a fantastic car drive a che 2020 at moment and love it

    1. Hi Simon, thanks for sharing this with us.

      Congratulations on your order! We wish you many happy and safe miles.

      Thanks.

    2. Just taken delivery of mine and love love love it. Packs a punch and does not disappoint on performance. Averaging 62 mpg so delighted.

  4. I loved the Yaris Cross from when it was launched, but I waited for the GR Sport, and finally took delivery end of March 2023. I am currently getting 66.2 MPG!! It looks gorgeous inside and out. I wanted to order JBL as I am a 90s rave DJ and have always had premium sound systems e.g. Bose, HK, B&O. Unfortunately it wasn’t an option, even though I was very disappointed I still ordered it, the standard stereo is ok but not loud enough, what can Toyota do for me?!

    Rez Selecta

  5. I just got my new Yaris in May 2023 after a 9 months waiting. However I got a question in this brand new Yari. Everyday morning when i started to drive, the engine would start and had a louder than usual sound. This louder than usual sound usually kept 2-5 minutes. After that 5 minutes, the engine ran in quieter sound. After I parked it and I drove again to somewhere at the same day, the engine started in a quieter sound. It would keep in quieter sound in whole day running.

    1. Hi Sam, thanks for your comment.

      If you believe there is something wrong, we would recommend taking your vehicle to your nearest Toyota Centre.

      Thanks.

  6. Does the Yaris icon hatchback do more mpg than the Yaris cross ? Also is the Yaris hatchback quieter on the motorway ?

    1. Hi Michael, thanks for your comment.

      Please can you provide us with the vehicle registrations, or specific models and years for these vehicles so that we can look into this for you.

      Thanks.

    1. Hi Brian,
      Sales for the all-new 2024 Yaris Cross commence next month!
      Is there anything else that we can help you with?
      Thanks.

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