• One engine, a 1.5-litre petrol hybrid
• Optional AWD with additional e-motor
• Good blend of performance and economy

Hybrid engine

The Toyota Yaris Cross is only available with a self-charging hybrid powertrain based around a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine and a CVT gearbox. There are two versions to choose from with 116hp and 130hp then, on top of that, you can also choose between front-wheel-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive.

The latter adds a second electric motor that drives the back wheels. By itself, it produces 6hp and a good slug of torque that’s useful for getting you out of sticky situations. However, it doesn’t add anything to the car’s total power and torque – 120Nm for all versions.

Performance is modest. Accelerating from 0-62mph takes around 11 seconds in all versions, which doesn’t promise an exciting drive. But the boost of electric power means it feels quick off the mark and smooth when underway, with the three-cylinder engine humming away quietly in the background. We think the power from low speeds means the Yaris Cross is best suited to town driving, but it’s perfectly quiet and refined on the motorway, too.

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Notably, there are relatively few hybrid small SUVs currently available. The Yaris Cross’s most obvious rivals are the Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona and Renault Captur. Those cars all have more power, but the Toyota still impresses with its smoothness – something that can’t really be said of the Renault.

What’s it like to drive?

• Safe, predictable handling
• Yet surprisingly involving to drive
• Equally good in town and on country roads

Normally you wouldn’t buy a Yaris-based small SUV expecting to really enjoy driving it, but Toyota’s rediscovered the art of making cars not only predictable and safe, but fun too. The Yaris Cross doesn’t quite achieve GR Yaris levels of hot-hatch silliness, but it’s good enough that we wonder what it would be like with more power.

Of course, what matters is how it behaves normally. We found there’s enough compliance to be comfortable in normal use without feeling harsh, yet the suspension is firm enough that you can feel the car’s placement and path in corners. The steering is light in town, yet you can still feel the connection between the car and the road. That combination means the Yaris Cross is easy to drive with confidence on a country road.

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The Yaris Cross’s ride quality is well-judged. Yes, the suspension is quite firm, but it’s not jarring. All-wheel-drive models have more sophisticated rear suspension but even the more basic system on front-wheel-drive models produces a smooth, controlled ride that’s rather pleasant.

The Yaris Cross driving experience doesn’t come close to that of the Ford Puma, and it doesn’t exactly live long in the memory. But it’s great on those days that you just want to get somewhere in comfort, with no fuss.