Toyota Finally Shows Off the 2021 Yaris Cross (w/ 9 Photos, Video)

After a canceled launch at the 2020 Geneva International Motor Show, Toyota is now unveiling its all-new Yaris Cross—an urban-centric crossover tailor-made to suit the city, but with still enough credentials to call it a true SUV.

Underpinned by Toyota’s new GA-B platform, the Yaris Cross features a “big small” design that also characterizes its sibling, the Yaris hatchback. Competing in the B-segment along with the Nissan Juke and the Ford Puma (no, not the Ford EcoSport), the Yaris Cross features the same wheelbase as the all-new Yaris but is 240 mm longer with a 30 mm taller ground clearance. It will slot below the C-HR and RAV4 in terms of exterior size and positioning.

Europe is highlighting the use of their fourth-generation hybrid in the Yaris Cross. Displacing 1.5-liters, this 3-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine puts out 116 horsepower driving either the front- or four wheels. Meanwhile, for the Japanese market, it’ll still have a non-hybrid version. This Dynamic Force 1.5-liter 3-cylinder will be solely available in front-wheel drive, and comes with a choice between a 6-speed manual or CVT.

The simple, spacious interior comes with all sorts of storage solutions adding to the Yaris Cross’s practicality and versatility. This includes a power tailgate, a split-adjustable cargo floor, and a rear seat with a 40/20/40 split-fold.

The foundation of the Yaris Cross’s safety performance is its GA-B platform, giving the car an exceptionally rigid body. With the intention of meeting the highest and most rigorous independent test standards, it will further benefit from Toyota Safety Sense active safety systems and advanced driver assistance functions as well.

The Yaris Cross will be manufactured at Toyota Motor East Japan Co., Ltd. for the Japan market, and at Toyota Motor Manufacturing France for the European market.

For P 370k The Suzuki Jimny Can Be Converted into a Pickup Truck

Suzuki toyed with the idea, but it took the brand’s New Zealand office to make it happen. This here is an official pickup conversion of the fourth-generation 2020 Jimny.

Starting with a regular Jimny, Suzuki New Zealand sliced off the rear section of the cabin and replaced it with an aluminum bed. The conversion is said to be quite clean, and because it’s done by the official distributor, carries their official bumper-to-bumper warranty.

Because the Jimny “ute” is meant to be a workhorse, the specifications are quite bare. There’s no climate control or touchscreen infotainment, and it’s only available with a 5-speed manual gearbox and steel wheels.

The beauty though is that it mechanically the same as the Jimny SUV and for that, it keeps the K15B engine making 102 horsepower and 130 Nm of torque. It also keeps its All Grip part-time 4WD system intact, too.

Okay, the kicker is that that the conversion isn’t cheap. It adds around 12,000 NZD (~ P 370,000) to the Jimny’s sticker price. This means it’ll set you back around 37,990 NZD (~ P 1.172 million) for a complete turnkey package.

Photo courtesy of Jalopnik

Could the P 1.068M 2020 Suzuki XL7 Stir Up the 7-Seater Small SUV Segment? (w/ Specs, Brochure)

Suzuki Philippines has finally released the complete details of their 7-seater sub-compact SUV: the XL7 after a pre-selling preview last week. The three-row SUV comes only in one variant: the 1.5 GLX and is priced at P 1.068 million.

Based on the Ertiga MPV, the Suzuki XL7 gets SUV-like styling complete with wrap-around moldings. At four corners are 16-inch polished alloy wheels, while at the front is a stronger fascia with LED headlights and day time running lights.

Four colors are on offer: Brave Khaki Pearl, Rising Orange Pearl Metallic, Magma Gray Metalic, and Snow White Pearl.

Inside, it gets a D-shaped steering wheel, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, a revised meter cluster with advanced multi-information display, front automatic climate control, a 10-inch touch panel infotainment system, push-button start/stop, carbon fiber accents, and a second-row arm rest.

Under the hood is Suzuki’s 1.5-liter K15B engine making 103 horsepower and 138 Nm of torque. The sole transmission is a 4-speed automatic. The platform, like the Ertiga, is Suzuki’s advanced lightweight HEARTECT.

Safety features include dual SRS airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control with hill hold, and reverse parking sensors with rear camera.

2020 Suzuki XL7 Specifications:

• Overall Length: 4,450 mm
• Overall Width: 1,775 mm
• Overall Height: 1,710 mm
• Wheelbase: 2,740 mm
• Ground Clearance: 200 mm
• Curb Weight: 1,180 kilograms
• Minimum Turning Radius: 5.2 m
• Engine: 1.5-liter K15B 4-cylinder
• Maximum Output: 103 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
• Maximum Torque: 138 Nm @ 4,400 rpm
• Transmission: 4-speed AT
• Front Suspension: MacPherson Strut
• Rear Suspension: Torsion Beam Axle
• Front Brakes: Vented Disc
• Rear Brakes: Drum
• Wheels & Tires: 195/60 R 16 Polished Alloy
• Seating: 7
• Luggage Capacity: 153 liters (3rd row up), 550 liters (3rd row folded), 803 liters (total)
• Fuel Tank: 45 liters

2020 Suzuki XL7 Key Features:

• Dual SRS Airbags
• ISOFIX and Child Seat Tethers
• ABS with EBD
• Electronic Stability Program
• Rear Parking Sensors with Reverse Camera
• 3-Spoke Leather Steering Wheel with Audio/Hands-Free Controls, Tilt Adjustable
• Multi-Information Display with Fuel Consumption, Driving Range, G-Force, Accelerometer
• Carbon Fiber Interior Ornament
• Power Windows
• Keyless Push Start System
• Automatic Climate Control, Front; Manual Air Conditioner, Rear
• 10-inch Touchscreen Infotainment System with 6 Speakers
• Ventilated Front Cup Holders
• 2nd row 60/40 Sliding and Reclining
• 2nd row Center Arm Rest
• 3rd row 50/50 Tilt Down Folding
• Fabric Seats
• LED Headlights with DRLs
• Front Fog Lamps
• Front Intermittent Wipers

2020 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross: This Is It (w/ 20 Photos, Video, Specs)

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines promised, and they delivered. A few months after its global debut in Indonesia, the 7-seater Xpander Cross has finally landed in the Philippines and with it re-ignites the war for supremacy among three-row sub-compact SUVs.

Compared to its non-Cross sibling, the Xpander Cross receives beefier-looking bumpers, fender flares, side body garnish, roof rails, a shark’s fin antenna, and a new tailgate garnish. The Dynamic Shield front grille itself has been revised with a larger Mitsubishi logo front and center. The headlights and front fog lights are now illuminated by LEDs, while the wheels themselves are an inch up to 17s show with 205/55 R 17 tires.

Inside, the Xpander Cross gets a two-tone black and brown treatment complementing the standard leather seats. Other standard features are a 2-DIN touchscreen infotainment system with 6 speakers, cruise control, and dual air conditioning.

Under the hood, the Xpander Cross is mechanically similar to the Xpander. It uses a 1.5-liter MIVEC 4-cylinder engine making 105 horsepower and 141 Nm of torque. The sole transmission on offer is a 4-speed automatic. While, it doesn’t get any changes under the hood, it does have a widened track (about 50 mm wider), and improved interior sound insulation. Also, it adds a considerable amount of ride height—20 mm, or at 225 mm—higher than most compact crossovers.

Safety-wise, the Xpander Cross has dual SRS airbags, ABS with EBD, and stability control with hill start assist. It also has ISOFIX and Tether Anchors for child seats, and an Emergency Stop Signal.

It retails for P 1.255-million and is available in four colors: White Pearl, Sterling Silver Metallic, Graphite Gray Metallic, and Sunrise Orange Metallic. It also replaces the GLS Sport as the top-trim Xpander variant.

Full specs (including the 2020 Xpander range) is at the bottom.