Toyota Australia has introduced a new GR Sport variant to the Yaris Cross light SUV range for the 2023 model year.

The Toyota Yaris Cross GR Sport is priced from $35,840 before on-road costs, which is $3850 more expensive than the GXL 2WD Hybrid it’s based on. It’s also $2150 cheaper than the range-topping Urban AWD Hybrid.

The Yaris Cross GR Sport has retuned suspension that’s said to help sharpen steering feel and response.

Toyota engineers have made changes to the suspension to reduce body roll and improve ride comfort, and argue the steering should feel more direct thanks to detail changes at both ends of the car.

Overall the suspension has been lowered by 10mm to “further aid handling”, with additional chassis improvements including an underfloor brace and a second brace running along the lower rear of the vehicle.

There have been no powertrain modifications.

The Toyota Yaris Cross GR Sport is powered by a petrol-electric hybrid system that consists a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors producing a total of 85kW of power.

This is mated to an continuously variable transmission (e-CVT) with drive sent to the front wheels only. There’s no all-wheel drive option.

On the outside, the Yaris Cross GR Sport differentiates itself from the rest of the range with 18-inch wheels featuring a two-tone design, red brake calipers with GR logos on the front brakes, a unique front grille with black mesh, a “sporty” rear diffuser, black mirror caps, and GR badging.

Inside the Yaris Cross GR Sport are front sport seats with grey synthetic leather and perforated black suede-like upholstery, light grey stitching carried over to the steering wheel, aluminium pedals, and gunmetal trim highlights.

There are also GR logos on the headrests, steering wheel, and smart keys.

In addition to these interior tweaks, there’s an extra USB-C port in the dash and Nanoe2X air ionisation technology in the climate control system.

Just like the Yaris Cross GXL 2WD Hybrid, the GR Sport has LED headlights, a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation, a surround-view camera, as well as a three-year complimentary subscription to Toyota Connected Services.

The Yaris Cross GR Sport is available in five exterior colours including Frosted White, Stunning Silver, Ink, Atomic and Lunar Blue.

Frosted White and Atomic Rush are both available with a black two-tone roof that also adds a silver Yaris Cross logo on the rocker moulding.

In regard to the wider Yaris Cross range, Toyota has added a new exterior paint option – Frosted White – which is replacing Crystal Pearl.

Urban grades are also now no longer available with the two-tone gold roof colour scheme. Frosted White, Atomic Rush, Latte, Tuscan Gold and Mineral Blue are still available with a two-tone black roof though.

2023 Toyota Yaris Cross pricing:

GX

• 2WD petrol: $26,990
• 2WD hybrid: $28,990
• AWD hybrid: $31,990

GXL

• 2WD petrol: $29,990
• 2WD hybrid: $31,990
• AWD hybrid: $34,990

GR Sport

• 2WD hybrid: $35,840 (NEW)

Urban

• 2WD petrol: $32,990
• 2WD hybrid: $34,990
• AWD hybrid: $37,990

All prices exclude on-road costs.

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