The Indonesian Toyota Yaris Cross and all these rivals were cooked in the local sauce

The Indonesian Toyota Yaris Cross and all these rivals were cooked in the local sauce

The Indonesian Toyota Yaris Cross doesn’t look the same as its European counterpart at all, the same goes for the Eastern European Renault Kaptur or even for the Nissan Kicks, similar to the Juke in emerging countries. © Didier RIC

Toyota has just launched the Yaris Cross in Indonesia, a model that does not have the same physiognomy as the one we have in Europe. © DR

Toyota Yaris Cross urban SUV made in France and sold in Europe. ©Toyota

The Indonesian Toyota Yaris crossover is 4.31 m long, the one we have in Europe is 4.18 m long. © DR

The Indonesian Toyota Yaris Cross is a family car with the same design as the Peugeot 2008. © DR

Renault Kaptur, with “K” is a long variant based on Dacia Duster chassis. © DR

Note the rear of the Renault Kaptur, which ventures into the C segment in countries where the Austral and before it, the Kadjar, are not sold. © DR

Nissan Kicks is the Juke’s alter ego in emerging countries. © DR

Nissan Kicks © DR

In India, the Renault Triber pulls off the 7-passenger in 3.99m format. © DR

In India, collision avoidance standards are less stringent than in Europe and cornering areas can be narrower. © DR

From the rear, the Indonesian Toyota Yaris Cross looks like a RAV4. © DR

European aircraft C3. © Francois Lemaur

The Citroen C3 Aircross offered for emerging markets has the appearance of a smaller C5 Aircross. © DR

Toyota has just launched the Yaris Cross in Indonesia which is not quite the same. Like Renault Kaptur with K, Nissan Kicks and Kia Seltos. A panorama of special SUVs that we don’t have at home.

Toyota has just introduced to the Indonesian market, a variant of its Yaris Cross that is very different from the one we have in Europe.

Yaris big cross

Its sharper muzzle evokes that of the “giant” Toyota Highlander which is also confirmed by its size of 4.31 m – like the Peugeot 2008 – against only 4.18 m for the Yaris Cross made in France. The rear of the car also stands with an official register which, this time, reminds RAV4. And even the dashboard differs with special furniture and a more basic design.

In the domestic market, the Yaris Cross takes place between two SUVs, the Raize, a model designed for emerging markets and the Corolla Cross which will arrive later in Europe. This mid-range model is intended to be family-friendly and accommodate 5 people. The engine range revolves around a 1.5 petrol unit associated with an electromotor that gathers 112 hp to the front wheels.

Renault, a real chameleon, Citroën also starts

Renault Kaptur, with “K” is a long variant based on Dacia Duster chassis.© DR

This hybrid strategy is not exclusive to Toyota, it is also adopted by many mass producers who produce domestic models adapted to target markets. Renault is the champion in this area with its Kaptur, longer than the one sold in Western Europe, based on the Dacia Duster..

In Brazil and India, the Renault Kwid is none other than the hot Dacia Spring powered by a 1.0 Sce 12V ethanol-fueled engine, a small SUV that acts as an entry-level car in place of the Twingo that is not sold outside of Europe. Despite more power, the Renault Triber accommodates 7 adults in a sub-4 meter format, but it is located in India and South Africa where crash test standards are more permissive than here. Citroen has done the same with the C3 Aircross offered to developing countries.

When Juke is called Mateka…

Nissan Kicks is the Juke’s alter ego in emerging countries.© DR

Nissan does the same with its Kicks which by the way is similar to the Juke for China and South America.. At Hyundai, the Creta is in this view with lips differentiated according to whether it is South Africa or Mexico and finally at Kia we find the Seltos model that is positioned below the Sportage in the North American market or the latter is only available for a long time. version, not available in Europe.

Each continent has its own special offer and importing into Europe a pre-designed model for a distant land is rarely a good idea. Ford learned this the hard way with its EcoSport.

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