The Indian SUV market is heating up like never before. As Maruti Suzuki tries to capture the hearts of adventure lovers with its Jimny, Toyota is planning a strong comeback with the 2025 Toyota Yaris – a compact SUV that many are already calling the “Mini Fortuner.” The new Yaris aims to fill the gap between small crossovers and full-size SUVs, offering a stylish yet powerful option for buyers who want ruggedness in a more compact package.
Toyota has had a long and successful run in India with the Fortuner and Innova, but its compact SUV game has always seemed a little quiet. That’s about to change. The new Yaris is expected to be bold, tech-savvy, and practical – everything a modern Indian driver wants.
Let’s take a deeper look into what makes this Mini Fortuner so exciting and whether it has what it takes to challenge the Maruti Suzuki Jimny and other compact off-roaders.
Design & Style
Maruti Suzuki Toyota has always been a master of bold and strong design, and the 2025 Yaris is no exception. Taking heavy inspiration from the legendary Fortuner, the Yaris features a muscular stance with flared wheel arches, an upright bonnet, and an aggressive front grille.
Sleek LED DRLs and projector headlamps give it a modern touch. The bumper is well-sculpted, and the faux skid plates add to the SUV character. From the sides, the Yaris looks compact but balanced, riding on 16 or 17-inch alloy wheels (variant-wise). The rear side gets LED tail lamps and a spoiler that adds a sporty edge.
The overall appearance is sharp and aggressive – exactly what urban and semi-urban SUV buyers are looking for. For those who always admired the Fortuner’s road presence but wanted something smaller and more affordable, this new Yaris might be the sweet spot.
Engine & Performance
Toyota is likely to offer the Yaris with a 1.5-litre petrol engine, similar to what is seen on the Urban Cruiser Hyryder, with options for both manual and CVT transmissions. A hybrid variant is also expected, which would appeal to buyers looking for better mileage and lower emissions.
The engine should produce around 103-110 bhp, offering enough punch for daily city drives and occasional highway trips. While not a hardcore off-roader like the Jimny, the Yaris might come with an optional all-wheel-drive system or at least electronic traction control to handle rough patches and hills.
The suspension will likely be tuned for comfort, absorbing most bumps and potholes well. It’s not going to climb rocks, but it’s built for tough Indian roads.
Overview Table – Toyota Yaris 2025 (Expected Specs)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | Early 2025 (Expected) |
| Engine Options | 1.5L Petrol / Strong Hybrid (Petrol-Electric) |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual / CVT |
| Drive Type | FWD / AWD (Expected) |
| Power Output | 103 – 110 bhp |
| Mileage | 18 – 27 kmpl (Hybrid Variant) |
| Seating Capacity | 5 Seater |
| Infotainment | 9-inch Touchscreen with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay |
| Safety | 6 Airbags, ABS, EBD, ESC |
| Price (Expected) | ₹10 – ₹14 Lakhs (Ex-showroom) |
Ride & Handling
Maruti Suzuki The Yaris 2025 is expected to be a city-friendly SUV with smooth ride quality and light steering. Toyota is focusing on making the suspension setup soft enough for Indian roads but stable enough at highway speeds.
Cornering is expected to be predictable, and thanks to its shorter length compared to Fortuner, it will be easier to park and maneuver in tight spaces. The high ground clearance will make it usable on bad roads, village routes, and light trails.
If Toyota manages to give it an AWD variant, it will become a serious rival to Jimny, especially for those who need more space but still love adventure.
Features & Tech
Toyota won’t be holding back on features. The Yaris is likely to come loaded with modern tech such as:
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A large touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
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Automatic climate control
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Push-button start
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Wireless charger
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360-degree camera
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Digital instrument cluster
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Connected car features (Toyota i-Connect)
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Cruise control
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Ventilated front seats (in higher variants)
Safety-wise, expect up to 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, hill-hold control, electronic stability control, ISOFIX child seat anchors, and tyre pressure monitoring system.
Mileage & Fuel Efficiency
Maruti Suzuki Toyota’s hybrid technology has proven to be efficient in the Urban Cruiser Hyryder and the Innova Hycross, and the same is expected from the Yaris.
The regular petrol variant might return a mileage of around 18-20 kmpl, which is decent for a compact SUV. The strong hybrid variant, if launched, could offer up to 27 kmpl, making it one of the most fuel-efficient SUVs in the segment.
This gives Toyota a strong advantage over the Jimny, which is known for its off-road ability but not fuel efficiency.
Price & Variants
The Toyota Yaris is expected to be priced between ₹10 lakhs and ₹14 lakhs (ex-showroom). There may be three to four variants, including a base petrol, a mid-spec petrol automatic, a top-spec hybrid manual, and a hybrid automatic.
This price range will position it competitively against:
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Maruti Jimny
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Hyundai Venue
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Tata Nexon
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Kia Sonet
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Mahindra XUV300
Toyota’s brand value and hybrid advantage will surely work in its favor.
FAQs
Q1. Is the Toyota Yaris a replacement for the previous Yaris sedan?
No, the 2025 Yaris is a compact SUV and not a sedan. It is completely different in design and purpose.
Q2. Will the new Yaris be available with a diesel engine?
No official word yet, but it is expected to be a petrol and hybrid-only offering due to emission norms.
Q3. Can the Toyota Yaris do off-roading like the Jimny?
Not hardcore off-roading. But if it gets AWD, it will be capable enough for light trails and bad roads.
Q4. What is the expected mileage of the Yaris Hybrid?
Around 25-27 kmpl (claimed), based on Toyota’s current hybrid tech.
Q5. Is the Yaris suitable for family use?
Yes, it will offer decent boot space, rear seat comfort, and features for family buyers.