The Toyota Yaris Cross, introduced in 2021, is a crossover version of the extremely popular Yaris. It features a similar compact layout, making it great for city driving, with the higher driving position of a crossover. 

But should you consider a Yaris Cross for your next car, are they reliable, and do they have any known problems? In this article, we explain all.

• Is the Yaris Cross Reliable?
• Battery Charging Issue
• How Long Does the Hybrid Battery Last?
• Particle Filter Clogging
• Interior Noise
• Is the Yaris Cross Worth It?

Is the Yaris Cross Reliable?

Yes. Toyota regularly ranks in the top three manufacturers for reliability, and did so in 2023, only being beaten by their sister company, Lexus. The Yaris seems to follow this trend too, placing 5th out of 22 cars in WhatCar?’s small car reliability test.

Further to that, Toyota offers a good 3-year warranty from new, which is extended for a year every time you get a service done at a Toyota dealership - that’s a pretty good deal and should give peace of mind.

Toyota Yaris Cross 12V Battery Issue

A number of owners have reported issues with the Yaris Cross’ 12V battery system not being able to start the engine when leaving the car for more than a few days, or doing many short trips. The cause is thought to be the hybrid system not charging the battery sufficiently.

Some owners, via their Toyota warranty, have had the problem fixed with a larger capacity battery. This is a pretty simple fix, but it is a problem that most cars never have an issue with! The consensus is that the original battery is too small capacity.

If you are experiencing this issue, be sure to contact Toyota before fitting a larger battery yourself though, as a non standard battery could void the warranty.

How Long Does the Hybrid Battery Last?

One of the many concerns from would-be hybrid owners is the longevity of the hybrid system, especially the battery. It’s a justified concern, as it’s vital to the function of the car, and can be expensive to replace. 

Unfortunately, as the Yaris Cross only came out a few years ago, we don’t have much information on this. There are very few reports of hybrid batteries needing to be replaced. 

For peace of mind, Toyota typically offers a 10-year battery warranty on the high-voltage battery used to power the hybrid system, but be sure to check this is the case with your car. 

If you’re concerned about hybrid battery replacement cost, check out our guide on the topic.

Particle Filter Clogging

The Yaris Cross, like many modern petrol cars, comes fitted with a Petrol Particulate Filter (PPF or GPF). Much like a Diesel Particulate Filter, this reduces the amount of particulates that are emitted from the car's exhaust.

Some owners have reported issues with the PPF becoming clogged, despite using the car, and this causing the car to have limited power whilst driving. This can be a scary experience if it happens whilst on the motorway.

Like issues with DPFS, this clogging is mainly caused by limited usage, short journeys or infrequent use. This means a car with very low mileage might not be as reliable as one that’s done nearer the UK average per year.

Interior Noise

Whilst this is not really a reliability issue, it is something that many owners pick fault with on the Yaris Cross: cabin noise at high speeds. This is probably a symptom of the car's lack of sound insulation -  to keep weight and fuel consumption down - and its raised ride height. 

In some cases, owners have resorted to cruising at lower speeds when on the motorway, or swapping the car for something else altogether.

Again, whilst this isn’t going to leave you stranded, it’s something to consider if you do lots of high-speed motorway driving. 

Is the Yaris Cross Worth it?

From our research, the Yaris Cross seems to have very few recurring issues. I’d be happy to recommend this car to anyone, provided the storage space, styling and wind noise are not a limiting factor! 

Considering also the impressive Toyota warranty, I would say a Toyota of any kind is one of the best buys on today's new, nearly new or used market. 

Get Car Repair Finance With Bumper

Whether you drive a Yaris Cross or not, Bumper can offer car repair finance to spread out your bills. Choose from one of hundreds of nationally approved partners, and get zero-percent interest on car repairs, tyres and more.

Author - Joseph Law

Joseph has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.