WD has kept its promise
True to its promise, Western Digital has released new firmware for the WD Black SN850 SSD, which is currently one of the best SSDs on the market. The update will restore the drive's write performance when the drive is installed in an M.2 slot connected to AMD's X570 chipset.The SN850 is one of the fastest SSDs around right now , but users reported a performance loss of more than 40% if the SSD was installed on an M.2 slot that was not communicating directly with the Ryzen processor. As a result, the problem did not affect people who used SSD as their primary storage device, but those who own multiple SSDs and placed the SN850 on an M.2 slot connected to the AMD X570 chipset.
Second Western Digital, the situation that arose was caused by the maximum payload size (MPS). In fact, the SN850 suffers a performance drop when the MPS option is configured at 128 bytes. Western Digital's new firmware (613200WD) has apparently fixed the problem, although we don't know what exactly changed between this and the previous version.
MichaelMros, a user of the ComputerBase forums, ran some tests to verify whether the situation has actually returned to normal. With the previous 613000WD firmware, the SN850's sequential write performance was limited to 2,821.63 MB / s. Instead, with the latest 613200WD firmware, the drive was able to reach 5,115.11 MB / s, finally achieving the desired performance.
Credit: MichaelMros The new firmware is only available through the Western Digital Dashboard software. If you wish to proceed with the update, all you have to do is start the program and confirm the operation. If, eventually, you do not receive the notification that a new firmware is available, we recommend that you reinstall the application.
Find the 500GB WD SN850 SSD on Amazon at a discounted price.
2021 Toyota Yaris Cross GX Hybrid 2WD review
The Toyota Yaris Cross is the only hybrid in the baby-SUV class and it ticks a lot of boxes, as Glenn Butler discovers.
The Toyota Yaris Cross is the first light SUV from Australia’s top-selling brand, Toyota. It is the smallest SUV in Toyota’s range, and sits below the popular RAV4 and C-HR in size, price and features. Its nearest rival is the Mazda CX-3, followed by the Volkswagen T-Cross, Kia Stonic, Hyundai Venue and Ford Puma.
There are three equipment levels in the Yaris Cross range – GX, GXL and Urban – and all are available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Power comes from a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). A petrol-electric hybrid powertrain is optional on 2WD variants and standard on AWD variants.
Prices start from $26,990 for the Yaris Cross GX 2WD petrol and top out at $37,990 for the Yaris Cross Urban AWD Hybrid. The model we’re testing here is the 2021 Toyota Yaris Cross GX Hybrid 2WD priced at $28,990.
The GX grade gets halogen headlights, whereas the GXL and Urban get higher-quality LED headlights. The GX gets LED tail-lights, daytime running lights (DRLs) and rear LED fog lamps, auto-folding electric mirrors, 16-inch alloy wheels and remote central locking.
Interior Comfort
The Toyota Yaris Cross is 240mm longer, 70mm wider and 85mm taller than the Yaris hatchback, which means it is a lot roomier inside. The hip point is also 20mm higher, which makes getting in and out easier, although the back doors are narrow enough to make exiting a challenge for less flexiblemembers of society.
The driving position is good thanks to a multi-adjustable seat and steering wheel combination. The leather steering wheel itself is quite small – some may call it sporty – and has the usual array of buttons for adjusting the cruise control and audio system. The tactility of these buttons is not greatunless you push them dead centre.
Driver vision is also good forward and to the side, though some might find the smallish rear window like looking through a postbox.
The GX grade gets fabric seats, vanity mirror on the driver’s sun visor only (not illuminated), an LCD instrument cluster with 4.2-inch multi-information display in the instrument binnacle, a 7.0-inch colour touchscreen infotainment display mounted centrally on the dashboard, single-zone climate-control air-conditioning, push-button start, electric windows with one-touch up and down on the driver’s side, Bluetooth connectivity with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and DAB digital radio.
Key details2021 Toyota Yaris Cross GX Hybrid 2WDEngine1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol, plus two-motor electric hybridPower85kW combined, 67kW @ 5500rpm petrolTorque120Nm @ 3800–4800rpmWeight (tare)1215kgDrive typeFront-wheel driveTransmissionContinuously variable transmissionPower to weight ratio70kW/tPrice (MSRP)$28,990The 7.0-inch colour touchscreen houses sound-system controls, as well as buttons for interacting with the car’s trip computer and efficiency meters and connected mobile phones. There are a number of other buttons around the cabin, including six blanks to remind you that you’re missing features fitted to other Yaris Cross grades.
One handy little feature is the small storage tray immediately under the touchscreen, which is ideal for phones, sunglasses, parking cards, house keys and the like.
The back seats are capable of accommodating three kids or two adults with good leg room behind the front seats and decent foot space underneath. Head room is also not an issue for six-footers. The middle seat backrest folds down to be a central armrest when needed, and has two cupholders to complement the cupholders and pockets in each back door. The front passenger seat also has a seat-back map pocket.
There are no air vents or USB sockets for back seat passengers. There are three baby seat tethers plus ISOFIX anchors on the two outboard back seats.
Boot space is a maximum of 390L with the back seats in place, which is 120L more than the Yaris hatchback, 126L more than the Mazda CX-3, but 20L less than the Ford Puma. In its standard configuration there’s only 314L because an additional 76L hides in a 12cm-deep basement below a split-lifting false floor.
This is unique to the 2WD, with all-wheel drive models capped at 314L. Below that basement floor hides a space-saver spare tyre.
The cargo blind is flimsy like a sun-shade, meaning it’s fine for hiding what’s in your boot, but useless as a cargo shelf for anything heavier than a scarf. It can be folded up and stored when not in use. Closing the boot requires a bit of effort, which is not always easy to apply using the built-in handholds, especially on cold mornings.
Infotainment & Connectivity
The Yaris Cross has a basic level of infotainment features, mostly accessible through the centrally mounted 7.0-inch touchscreen. Digital radio is standard and plays through a six-speaker sound system.
There is a single USB connection in the centre stack, along with a 12-volt DC port. Phones can be connected via USB or Bluetooth and operated independently or through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto when plugged in to the USB. Satellite navigation is not fitted to the GX grade. It’s on GXL and Urban grades only.
Safety
The Yaris Cross has not been tested by ANCAP yet, so it does not have a star rating. We would expect it to earn five stars given that every Toyota tested since 2011 has earned that rating. All Yaris Cross grades have eight airbags, including a first-in-class front centre airbag that guards against lateral contact between the driver and front passenger in a crash.
Active safety features – what Toyota calls Toyota Safety Sense – includes a pre-collision safety system featuring autonomous emergency braking with day/night pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection, lane-trace assist, emergency steering assist, lane-departure alert, daytime intersection turnassist, road sign assist and adaptive radar cruise control.
The GX does not get blind-spot monitoring or rear cross-traffic alert, both of which are reserved for GXL and Urban grades.
The Yaris Cross GX has the Toyota Connected Services facility, which automatically places an emergency call in a serious collision.
At a glance2021 Toyota Yaris Cross GX 2WD HybridFuel consumption (claimed combined)3.8L/100kmFuel consumption (on test)4.1L/100kmFuel tank size36LTow rating400kg braked, 400kg unbrakedBoot volume390LLength4180mmWidth1765mmHeight1590mmWheelbase2560mmTurning circle10.6mANCAP safety ratingNot ratedWarrantyFive yr/unlimited kmServicing cost$615 (3yr)/$1025 (5yr)Price (MSRP)$29,591 (not drive-away)Colour as testedLunar BlueOptions as testedPremium paint ($601)CompetitorsMazda CX-3 | Kia Stonic | Ford Puma | VW T-CrossValue for Money
This is an easy one. The Yaris Cross is currently the only hybrid in Australia’s Light SUV market, which makes it unbeatable value for money if that’s what you’re after.
Many will no doubt see the benefit in buying a hybrid costing $2000 more than a purely petrol equivalent to reduce their fuel bill by $450 per year and reduce emissions.
The Yaris Cross comes with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. This is extended up to seven years on the engine and driveline if all servicing is done on time at an approved Toyota service centre. The hybrid battery has up to 10 years warranty, with an approved annual hybrid system health check.
The service schedule is every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. Servicing costs are capped at a very affordable $205 for each of the first five services.
Driver Technology
The Yaris Cross has a number of active safety features listed above that help the driver stay safe and in their lane while driving. It also reads speed signs and will beep at you if you exceed the posted speed limit, although this does not actively influence the radar cruise control’s speed setting.
The Yaris Cross GX has auto high beam, rain-sensing wipers, and a reversing camera with guidelines.
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Toyota Yaris Cross MXPJ10R GX Wagon 5dr CVT 1sp 2WD 1.5i/59kW Hybrid
Powertrain Performance
Press the start button and the Yaris Cross Hybrid starts silently, leveraging its electric power to get you out of your driveway. The petrol engine kicks from time to time to keep itself lubricated, and jumps in quickly once you’re on the road, providing a decent amount of acceleration for this 1215kg mini-SUV.
The 1.5-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine produces 67kW and 120Nm. A pair of electric motors make for a combined output of 85kW said to propel the Yaris Cross from rest to 100km/h in 11.2 seconds.
The hybrid system is smart and seamless in how it shifts from electric to petrol to hybrid modes, but it’s always noticeable because the petrol engine is not that quiet or refined. It is a three-cylinder unit, so no surprise it can be thrummy and you will feel the vibrations inside – soft but perceptible. Some may like this character, while some may find it unrefined.
Overall, the CVT/hybrid powertrain is competent but uninspiring. If you prefer the sound of engine revs changing and gear changes, then make sure you buy a petrol 2WD or hybrid AWD – instead of the hybrid 2WD – which have paddles on the steering wheel to give you access to 10 set ratios tomimic gears. Or maybe we should just get over our love of engine sounds in preparation for the silent electric future?
Energy Efficiency
There are four drive modes – Power, Eco, Normal and EV mode. The first three adjust throttle sensitivity and CVT ratio selection to prioritise efficiency or performance. The fourth – EV mode – uses electricity to move the car until battery charge drops too low or the driver’s throttle pressure exceeds the electric motor’s ability to deliver.
Fuel economy during our time together saw a best of 3.9L/100km and a worst of 4.3L/100km. That’s pretty close to Toyota’s claim of 3.8L/100km. The Yaris Cross Hybrid runs on 91RON unleaded fuel and has a 36L tank.
The 4.2-inch multi-information display in the instrument cluster has an Eco driving score page to keep you focused on minimising fuel use and maximising mileage. It also has the usual array of trip computers, audio settings and energy monitor.
Ride & Handling
I’ll admit, I was surprised at how well the Yaris Cross handles itself. This is no hot hatch, not even a warm one, but it is light-footed and enjoyable to drive. The electric steering is light but has substance, and the 16-inch Bridgestone Turanza tyres provide decent grip in the dry and the wet. The Yaris Cross’s 10mm-longer wheelbase and 35mm-wider front and rear track give it a tangibly bigger footprint than the Yaris hatch too.
The Yaris Cross’s suspension keeps body roll under control in bends. The trade-off for this is a more reactive suspension tune that doesn’t glide over the road’s imperfections, rather it rides them out. So you feel pretty much everything, especially sharper ridges that can crash noisily through. It’s a busier ride than expected from 65-series tyres.
The Yaris Cross’s 10.6m turning circle is on par with rivals like the Mazda CX-3 (10.6m) and Ford Puma (10.4m).
Fit for Purpose
You’ll get no arguments here. The Toyota Yaris Cross GX Hybrid delivers on its promise very well. We have a few minor quibbles, such as key active-safety features being reserved for higher grades, but nothing to stop us giving the Yaris Cross the thumbs-up.
Conclusion
There’s no denying Toyota’s ability to nail the needs of mainstream Australia. Practical, well-equipped, strong on safety, easy to drive and affordable to own. The Yaris Cross GX Hybrid 2WD ticks all those boxes. As the only hybrid in its class, there’s no direct rival to cross-shop either.
So, if a very compact hybrid SUV is on your shopping list, we can’t help but recommend the Yaris Cross. That it’s a highly competent car as well gives us peace of mind as much as it does you.
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Ratings Breakdown2021 toyota yaris cross gx wagon7.7/ 10
Interior Comfort & Packaging
Infotainment & Connectivity
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