The 2025 Toyota Yaris city hatchback and Yaris Cross SUV have received a comprehensive update, focusing largely on enhanced safety features across all trims, as well as a significant environmental improvement in the form of a new air conditioning system. These upgrades, however, come at a slightly higher cost, with prices rising by as much as \$890 depending on the variant. Still, Toyota justifies these increases with meaningful improvements in both safety and sustainability.
A standout development in this update is Toyota's switch to a more environmentally friendly refrigerant, R1234yf, which now comes standard across all 2025 Yaris and Yaris Cross models. This change follows a report from Drive, which highlighted that Toyota, along with numerous other major car manufacturers, was using the older R134a refrigerant—a chemical with a global warming potential approximately 1,400 times greater than carbon dioxide. The new R1234yf gas marks a substantial shift toward reducing the environmental footprint of Toyota’s small vehicle lineup. Notably, the Yaris and Yaris Cross are only the second and third Toyota models to adopt this refrigerant, following the Kluger seven-seat SUV.
In terms of safety enhancements, the entry-level Yaris Cross GX benefits the most from this year’s updates. It now features blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a door exit warning—features that were previously exclusive to higher trims. Additionally, the GX variant now includes heated side mirrors, both front and rear parking sensors, and Toyota’s parking support brake system, which automatically applies the brakes at low speeds to help avoid minor collisions in tight spaces like parking lots.
Further upgrades across the entire Yaris and Yaris Cross lineup include the introduction of a low-speed pedestrian alert system. This feature emits an audible sound while the vehicle operates in electric mode at low speeds, warning nearby pedestrians and cyclists of the car’s presence. Meanwhile, in the Yaris hatchback lineup, the base Ascent Sport now gains front and rear parking sensors and the same low-speed brake assist system. The mid-tier SX trim has also been updated with 16-inch alloy wheels—borrowed from the top-spec ZR model—replacing the smaller 15-inch set.
Despite these advancements, there are no changes under the hood. The front-wheel-drive Yaris and Yaris Cross continue to use a hybrid system that combines a 1.5-liter three-cylinder petrol engine (producing 67kW and 120Nm) with a 59kW/141Nm electric motor for a combined output of 85kW. The all-wheel-drive Yaris Cross adds a secondary 3.9kW/52Nm electric motor at the rear for additional traction.
Standard features remain consistent with previous models, including an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, halogen headlights, cloth seating, and adaptive cruise control in base variants. The updated 2025 Toyota Yaris and Yaris Cross models are now available for order, offering improved safety and eco-friendliness in a familiar and efficient package.