Featuring raised ride height and a roomier high-roof body style, among other changes, the Corolla Cross is offered with a choice of two or all-wheel drive, with petrol or petrol-hybrid powertrains, and in three trim levels.

Wresting market share from small SUV category leaders including the MG ZS, Mazda CX-30 and Hyundai Kona won’t be easy, but over the course of a single day drive on Sydney’s northern beaches the Corolla Cross showed enough to suggest it has the makings to do much better than stablemate the C-HR’s current seventh-placed ranking.

Toyota’s new small SUV is offered in three trim levels – entry-level GX, mid-spec GXL and flagship Atmos – with the choice of four-cylinder petrol or four-cylinder petrol-hybrid powertrains. The GXL and Atmos also include AWD hybrid variants.

Choosing the fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain adds $2,500 to the $33,000 (MRLP) starting price of the entry-level 2WD GX petrol, while the mid-range GXL is priced from $36,750 for the petrol, $39,250 for the 2WD hybrid and $42,250 for the AWD hybrid.

The flagship Atmos starts at $43,550 for the petrol, $46,050 for the 2WD hybrid and $49,050 for the AWD hybrid.

We drove a representative selection of models at launch but focus here on the more affordable front-wheel, mid-spec GXL hybrid, which Toyota predicts will be the biggest selling variant.

All hybrid versions employ a 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine that produces 112kW and 190Nm and is teamed with an 83kW/206Nm front-axle mounted electric motor.

Hybrid AWD variants add a second 30kW electric motor on the rear axle plus a more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension in lieu of the torsion beam setup of 2WD models.

The GXL 2WD hybrid covers the 0-100km/h dash in 7.6 seconds versus 9.1 secs for the petrol, but it’s less about the hybrid’s extra pace than it is the electric motor’s ability to bolster the petrol engine’s modest low-rev torque output.

Either of the hybrids is the better option in this regard, as the extra `oomph’ of the electric motor(s) makes for a more effortless drive, whereas under a full throttle the non-hybrid with CVT proves a bit raucous.

It helps, too, that the 2WD hybrid sips fuel at a rate of 4.3L/200km compared with 6.0L/100km for the petrol, although it does feature a smaller 36L fuel tank versus 47L for its stablemate.  

The GXL gets the same standard 17-inch alloy wheels as the GX, but adds high-grade LED headlights, front fog lights, roof rails and rear privacy glass.

Inside, it gains a new and easier to use multimedia system with a larger 10.5-inch touchscreen, standard satellite navigation and extra safety features including a panoramic view monitor and parking support brake.

Toyota doesn’t skimp on safety features these days and the entire Corolla Cross range gets an upgraded version of the Toyota Safety Sense suite which now also includes lane change assist and safe exit assist, along with a raft of other advanced driver assistance features.

Materials and finishes are of typically solid Toyota quality, with the GXL featuring leather-accented fabric upholstery, dual-zone climate control and two extra USB-C ports in the rear of the centre console over the GX. 

The cabin is impressively space-efficient, offering good visibility and ample headroom for all but the tallest drivers.

Driver and front-seat passenger sit high in supportive bucket seats facing a clean, well-laid-out dash.

Rear-seat comfort is also good, with reclining seatbacks and enough room for tall teens or adults.

We didn’t get to test the handling to any great degree but based on our limited wheel time it seems vice-free.

The steering is on the light side but is accurate and appropriately weighted for this style of small family vehicle, while the ride quality felt suitably compliant in our moderately laden state.

Brake pedal feel is slightly wooden, due to the car’s regenerative braking technology.

A low load lift height and wide tailgate provides easy access to the 425L boot, which is smaller than the 436L capacity of the GX and GXL petrol models, thanks to the 4.06Ah lithium-ion battery being stored under the rear seat.

The AWD hybrid boot is smaller again at 380L, requiring a higher boot floor to accommodate the extra electric motor and multilink rear end.

Key stats

• RETAIL PRICE: $39,250 (MRLP).
• ENGINE: 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle four-cylinder petrol (112kW/190Nm), plus front-axle mounted 83kW/206Nm electric motor.
• ANCAP SAFETY RATING: Not tested.
• BODY STYLE: Small SUV.
• FUEL CONSUMPTION: (Combined): 4.3L/100km (97g/km CO2).
• FOR: Fuel efficiency, visibility, ease of parking.
• AGAINST: Temporary spare tyre, smaller boot than petrol models, misses out on electric tailgate of Atmos.