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THIS is the new Toyota Corolla TREK – an off-road-inspired estate that will compete with the Ford Focus Active.

The car has come about through Toyota’s relationship with TREK bicycles, and revisions over the standard Corolla Touring Sports include a unique set of 17-inch alloy wheels, rugged black plastic exterior cladding, a honeycomb radiator grille, rear privacy glass, new front foglamps and LED headlights. The suspension has also been raised by 20mm, while protective skid plates are fitted front and rear. Despite the go-anywhere looks, all models are frontwheel drive; no 4x4 version will be offered.

Inside, the Corolla TREK has two-tone cloth upholstery, a dashboard with wooden inlays and TREK badges for its doorsteps and bootlid. Buyers also get a seven-inch digital instrument binnacle, an eight-inch infotainment system, adaptive cruise control, a day-time cyclist detection system, and a powered automatic tailgate.

Like the rest of the Corolla range, the TREK will be available with a choice of 1.8-litre or 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrolelectric hybrid powertrains. The former develops 120bhp, while the latter gets 178bhp. Both send their power to the front wheels via a CVT gearbox.

Toyota is yet to officially announce pricing, but we expect the range to start from around £29,000. Toyota is taking orders now, with first deliveries due to arrive by the end of the year.

“Despite the looks, all models are merely front-wheel drive; no 4x4 will be offered”