What’s new?

When Toyota launched its new Yaris last year, the company’s New Zealand boss predicted the higherriding Cross model still in the pipeline at that point could eventually become a stronger seller than the conventional hatchback.

That call certainly seems in tune with the times: higherriding vehicles, commonly called lifestyle SUVs or crossovers, are dominating the new passenger vehicle sales charts these days, outselling conventional cars in New Zealand by a staggering margin of three to one last year.

The Yaris Cross name sells the new arrival a little short because it is far more than a highriding version of the standard Yaris.

Most obviously, the Yaris cross and hatch do not share a single exterior panel. The Cross is taller (by 90mm), wider (by 20mm) and longer (by 240mm).

The two vehicles do use the same underlying platform and share an identical wheelbase. The mechanical options are also identical, comprising either 1.5litre petrol power, or a hybrid combining essentially the same Atkinson cycle petrol engine with a lithiumion

Overall: ★★★★

Design & styling: ★★★★

Interior: ★★★★

Performance: ★★★

Ride & handling: ★★★+

Environmental: ★★★★+

SPECIFICATIONS

Price: $38,990

Engine: Hybrid 1.5litre petrol threecylinder and lithiumion batterypowered electric motor, maximum combined power 85kW, maximum torque 141Nm

Transmission: Constantly variable

automatic, frontwheel drive

Brakes and stability systems: Front

and rear disc brakes, ABS, LCA, AEB,

batterypowered electric motor system. The Yaris Cross is offered with allwheel drive in some markets (including Australia) but for now, at least, the Kiwi lineup is — like the Yaris hatch — entirely frontwheel drive.

That lineup comprises four models, the entry level $29,990 GX being the sole purepetrol offering. The Yaris Cross hybrid costs $33,390, while the Limited (as tested) is offered for $38,990, or $500 more for a twotone finish.

The hybrid holds particular interest because while buyers are spoilt for choice with conventionally powered compact SUVs, the list of those brands offering partial (or indeed fully) electric propulsion previously comprised just the Kia Niro (in hybrid, plugin

PCDS, BSM, BA, EBD, TRC, VSC

Safety: Not yet tested

Wheels & tyres: Alloy wheels,

215/50 R18 tyres

Fuel & economy: Unleaded petrol,

3.8 litres/100km, tank 36 litres

Emissions: 86g CO /km on

combined cycle

Dimensions: Length 4180mm,

width 1765mm, height 1590mm

hybrid or fully electric guise).