There's a certain cheekiness to the Yaris Cross that Toyota doesn't usually allow itself, and this cherry red example wears it well. Compact crossovers tend to play it safe with styling, but the sharp LED light signature slicing down through the front bumper and those chunky black wheel arch flares give this one real character, like Toyota let its designers have a little fun for once without sacrificing an ounce of practicality underneath.

What powers it is arguably more interesting than how it looks. A 1500cc engine paired with hybrid assistance means this small SUV sips fuel the way a much smaller car would, while still carrying enough punch for confident overtaking and hill climbs, a combination that's made Toyota's hybrid lineup so difficult for rivals to compete with on running costs alone.

Step inside and a floating touchscreen dominates the dashboard, currently tuned to FM radio, flanked by simple physical shortcuts for climate and drive mode selection below. The push button gear selector frees up center console space that a traditional shifter would otherwise eat into, while a drive mode dial lets you toggle between EV, Normal, and Power depending on whether you're crawling through traffic or merging onto a highway. Cloth seats in a subtle woven pattern keep things practical rather than precious, exactly the kind of upholstery that shrugs off daily wear without complaint.

The rear bench seats two comfortably with proper headroom despite the coupe like roofline, and door pockets plus a center cupholder tray keep small items from rolling around on longer drives. Every control, from the steering wheel's thumb switches to the automatic climate toggle, sits within easy reach, Toyota's ergonomic instincts clearly haven't wavered even as the styling has gotten bolder.

Anyone cross shopping small SUVs for genuinely low fuel bills without wanting to drive something forgettable will find this Yaris Cross checks both boxes at once. Get in touch for pricing and a viewing, hybrid crossovers this efficient and this fresh looking rarely last long once word gets around.