3 Minutes
Toyota brings back a manual Yaris — with some surprises
Toyota has quietly revised the Yaris and Yaris Cross for the Japanese market, mixing a nod to driving enthusiasts with a few unexpected tech decisions. The headline grabber is the return of a six-speed manual transmission on the limited Z Urbano edition, giving buyers a chance to enjoy a modern hatchback with a true driver-focused gearbox without stepping up to the hot but costly GR Yaris.
Interior upgrades meet a puzzling deletion
Inside, the most visible improvement is the adoption of the 10.5-inch infotainment display previously seen on European Yaris models. Entry-level trims now receive an 8-inch screen as standard. Other cabin niceties include a front center armrest and an electronic parking brake for hybrid variants, improving everyday comfort and convenience.
But Toyota also removed the Teammate Advanced Park system from the options list. This was a notable change: Advanced Park offered a 360-degree view with underbody visibility and automatic emergency braking during parking maneuvers, features that proved popular with tech-savvy Japanese buyers. The decision to drop this advanced parking assist in favor of a simplified options pool is surprising, and will likely spark questions among customers who valued high-tech parking aids.
Highlights:
- Six-speed manual now available on Z Urbano trim
- 10.5-inch infotainment screen for higher trims, 8-inch for base models
- Electronic parking brake for hybrid models and added front armrest
- Teammate Advanced Park removed from options
Powertrains and market positioning
Unlike Europe, where Toyota sells the Yaris and Yaris Cross only as hybrids, Japan retains petrol engines alongside hybrid options. Buyers can choose a 1.5-liter three-cylinder petrol producing about 118 hp, or a hybrid system with a combined output around 114 hp. The stronger 130 hp hybrid tune offered in Europe is not part of this Japanese update. For budget-conscious shoppers, the older 1.0-liter three-cylinder with roughly 67 hp remains available, and an optional all-wheel-drive system can still be specified on certain models.
This lineup reinforces Toyota's dual approach in global markets: prioritize electrified powertrains in Europe while offering broader internal combustion choices in Japan to match local preferences.
Design tweaks, pricing and availability
Exterior changes are subtle: black mirror caps, a shark-fin antenna and two new color options (a mustard hue for the Yaris and a deep urban tone for the Yaris Cross). The updates go on sale in Japan from March 2.
Pricing ranges: the Yaris hatchback starts around 1.7 million yen up to 3.0 million yen (about USD 10,900 to 19,300), while the Yaris Cross spans roughly 2.1 to 3.3 million yen (USD 13,700 to 21,600). Most variants saw price increases, with Yaris rising by about 107,000 yen and Yaris Cross up to 186,000 yen.
For drivers seeking a compact hatch with engaging shifts and modern infotainment, the updated Yaris delivers — though those who wanted Toyota's top-tier automated parking will miss Advanced Park.
Leave a Comment